Humid weather, in addition to indulging in high-intensity exercise, outdoor activities, or tight and non-breathable clothing may irritate the skin at the thighs, groin area, buttocks, armpits, under the breasts, etc. But by using the best chafing creams or anti-chafe products handy, you can successfully prevent this. These creams are the go-to solutions for instant comfort and skin relief. Besides, chafing creams are useful for those with active lifestyles, such as athletes, runners, joggers, cyclists, swimmers, or mere fitness enthusiasts. Formulated with an effective composition of natural and skin-nourishing ingredients, these creams create a smooth physical barrier between skin and clothes, making your skin slippery and resistant to friction. 

According to a research paper published in the National Library of Medicine, the most commonly found ingredient in chafing cream is aloe vera. It is known for its anti-inflammatory, skin protection, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic, and wound healing properties. Anti-chafe sticks, creams, gels, jellies, or balms are skin lubricants that soothe, heal, and protect the skin during the hottest and sweatiest days. If you are someone who is yearning for instant relief against chaffing, roll your eyes right away. We have a fanciful list of products ready for you to pick!

• 1
  Best Overall

  Chamois Butt'r Original Anti-chafe Cream

  Buy on Amazon

This Original Anti-Chafe Cream from Chamois Butt'r is the go-to anti-chafing cream to deeply moisturize your skin and create a protective barrier. With the goodness of aloe vera and vitamins A and E, it takes due care of the skin and instantly provides relief from chafing at the thighs, underarms, feet, and groin area. 

A hearty skin lubricant, this product is designed for all skin types and features a non-greasy texture that leaves no visible white cast behind. Plus, it washes out easily with soap and water and won’t clog your pores. For anyone who is always on the go can also try its balm version — Chamois Butt'r Ultra Anti-Chafe Balm!

Type: Cream

Intended Use: Cyclers, runners, and swimmers

Petrolatum: No

Scent: No

Quick Tip:

Apply the cream directly to your skin. Wear your clothes after application before each ride to avoid chafing. You can re-apply as needed to maintain healthy skin.

2

Editor’s Pick

Body Glide Skin Glide Anti-friction Cream

Buy on Amazon

The next on our list of recommendations is Body Glide’s Skin Glide Anti Friction Cream featuring a satin-smooth texture that resists chafing and blisters. It soothes and hydrates flaky, dry, and chapped skin without any feeling of greasiness. 

All credit goes to the goodness of its key ingredients namely eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree leaf oil that restores skin’s natural suppleness. Another standout feature of this cream is that it is sweat and water-resistant and doesn’t contain any harsh ingredients like lanolin, mineral, or vegetable oils.

Type: Cream

Intended Use: Athletes 

Petrolatum: No

Scent: Tea tree

3

Best for Cyclists

Good Guard Chamois Cream

Buy on Amazon

For someone who is an avid runner and cyclist, the Good Guard’s Chamois Cream is the most reliable choice to consider. This anti-chafing cream for thighs prevents skin abrasion while also eliminating saddle sores. What makes this cream stand out from the crowd is its fast-acting formula that soothes inflamed and irritated skin for a prolonged period of time. 

A happy user shares, “I have used Gooch Guard in both cold and hot weather. In both cases, it works well and doesn't wash away with perspiration. Plus, it is great for long rides. Also to demonstrate how satisfied I am with this product I'm upgrading my review for it from 4 to 5 stars.”

Type: Cream

Intended Use: Cyclists 

Petrolatum: No

Scent: No

4

Best Anti-fungal Formula

Dz Nuts Pro Chamois Cream

Buy on Amazon

Formulated with a prebiotic and probiotic complex, in addition to tea tree oil, glycerin, sandalwood extract, and vitamin E, this anti-chafing cream offers amazing skin benefits. Its USP is that it prevents skin-on-skin and skin-on-cloth friction. While seamlessly rejuvenating the skin, the product mitigates itching, rashes, allergies, and redness. Additionally, it eliminates prickliness or any kind of discomfort caused by saddle sores. Plus, its high viscosity paves the way for a clean, on-point, and mess-free application. 

What’s impressive? This product is trusted by professional cycling teams! And, the brand also has introduced a similar cream for women and their delicate and sensitive skin — its Dz Nuts Women’s Bliss Chamois Cream that does the magic just like this one.

Type: Cream

Intended Use: Cyclists 

Petrolatum: No

Scent: Light and minty

5

Best for Men and Women

Glamza Chub Rub Anti-chafing Cream

Buy on Amazon

Mindfully crafted for men and women who engage in a variety of sportive activities, Glamza’s Chub Rub Anti-Chafing Cream is the go-to product for instant relief from rashes, redness, and burns caused due to friction. What makes this product earn the title of the best ointment for chafing is its moisturizing and skin-nourishing properties that not only alleviate dryness, irritation, and discomfort but also makes skin smooth and supple. Having said that, it is a versatile cream that shows off its magic when applied to the inner thighs, feet, bra lines, waistline, underarms, hands, or any other areas prone to chafing. 

Type: Cream  

Intended Use: Marathoners, cyclists, triathletes, hikers 

Petrolatum: No

Scent: No

6

Most Versatile

TriDerma Intense Fast Healing Multi-purpose Cream

Buy on Amazon

A first aid kit essential, TriDerma’s Multi-purpose Cream promotes the healing of cuts, chaffing, scrapes, minor burns, and sunburns. What we like the most is the fact that this cream is enriched with AP4 Aloe Vera Proprietary Complex that soothes and moisturizes chaffed skin at its best. 

Along with that it also contains a blend of herbal-derived ingredients that help in speeding up your skin’s ability to heal wounds, acne, sores, and lip sores. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most reliable chafing prevention products for anti-itch, redness reduction, and other skin care issues as it actively works to protect the skin and its revitalization.

Type: Cream

Intended Use: All

Petrolatum: No

Scent: No

7

Most Cost-effective

Hyland's Naturals Chafing Relief

Buy on Amazon

Hyland's Naturals’ Chafing Relief cream-to-powder formula makes it stand apart from the rest of the chafing cream for buttocks, inner thighs, underarms, hands, etc. It is specially crafted to soothe and protect your skin against soreness or irritation caused by friction. 

Infused with aloe vera, sunflower seed oil, shea butter, olive oil, tea tree oil, and natural calendula, the cream aims to deliver instant relief to already chafed, irritated, and sensitive skin. As you begin with the application, the creamy formula glides on your skin effortlessly, and gradually it dries to a powder-based layer without leaving any greasy residue behind. 

Type: Cream

Intended Use: Runners, hikers, surfers, cyclists 

Petrolatum: No

Scent: No

Quick Tip:

Apply the cream as needed before, during, or after engaging in any rigorous or normal exercise or activity to minimize and relieve chafing.

8

Best Lightweight Formula

Undrbudr Chamois Cream

Buy on Amazon

While on our quest to find a top-notch chafing cream for inner thighs, underarms, raw skin, saddle sores, and blisters, Undrbudr Chamois Cream caught our attention owing to its impressive features. Firstly, this cream has a unique formula that conditions the skin deeply, offering ultimate protection from friction. 

Unlike conventional chaffing creams, it doesn’t break down or feel greasy. Enriched with coconut oil, cocoa butter, aloe vera, beeswax, and jojoba seed oil, it feels extremely weightless, promising exceptional comfort. Be it indoors or outdoors, summer, winter, or rain, this skincare product leaves no place for disappointment.

Type: Cream 

Intended Use: Cyclists 

Petrolatum: No 

Scent: No

9

Best Water-resistant Cream

Slipstream Anti Chafing Cream

Buy on Amazon

This remarkable sweat-resistant product from Slipstream strives to create a soothing barrier on your skin to prevent discomfort and friction. We label it as one of the best anti-chafing creams because of its ability to significantly prevent rashes and promote skin healing. 

Thanks to aloe vera and a few other natural ingredients it gives you the chance to embrace what the luxurious sensation of ultimate comfort feels like. Plus, the cream is completely free of petrol-chemicals, parabens, lidocaine, SLS, and steroids and thus there is no chance of any irritation, rash, or allergy.

Type: Cream

Intended Use: Runners, swimmers, joggers, and cyclists 

Petrolatum: No

Scent: Blueberry

10

Best for All Skin Types

Flexitol Anti-friction Cream

Buy on Amazon

Crafted for all skin types, Flexitol’s Anti-friction cream is an apt product to say goodbye to chaffing caused due to skin-on-skin and fabric-on-skin friction. With a non-greasy lubrication, it aims to moisturize and soothe your skin thoroughly. Be it friction, redness, or soreness, you can apply this cream to the inner thighs, buttocks, breasts, skin folds as well as creases. 

What’s more? It is backed with an advanced formula that offers ultimate sweat protection! Here is what a loyal user has to say — “This Flexitol Anti-Friction Sweat Protection Anti-Chafing Cream 2.64 Ounce was ordered and used for a 24-hour long mountain bike race. It worked very, very well in preventing chafing! We definitely will be ordering more in the future!”

Type: Cream

Intended Use: Runners, joggers, cyclists, and other athletic activities

Petrolatum: No 

Scent: No

11

Zealios Betwixt Skin Lubricant And Chamois Cream

Buy on Amazon

Moving on to the next — the Betwixt Skin Lubricant and Chamois Cream introduced by Zealios. Meant to be applied to inner thighs and saddle sores, this cream offers instant relief against rubbing and burning caused by friction.

It is made with organic aloe vera, sweet almond, coconut oil, and other plant-derived ingredients, which make the cream provide wholesome nourishment to the skin. Hence, after applying it, you’ll love how your skin feels. Plus, it is non-greasy and enables a mess-free application. 

Type: Cream

Intended Use: Triathletes, cyclists, and runners

Petrolatum: No

Scent: No

12

Skin Elements Anti-chafing Cream

Buy on Amazon

Here comes Skin Elements Anti Chafing Cream, a holistic solution to say goodbye to friction and discomfort and hello to smooth and supple skin. It is a pack of 20 sachets that are easy to carry and apply. With an aim to lend you full protection against skin-to-skin or skin-to-clothing friction, this cream possessing an all-natural formula seamlessly prevents the formation of blisters and rashes. Furthermore, it contains aloe vera, tea tree, and allantoin which lock in moisture and keep bad body odor at bay, making it perfect for people engaging in all types of sporting activities.

Type: Cream 

Intended Use: Bikers, runners, cyclists, and swimmers 

Petrolatum: No

Scent: NA

13

Lumintrail Eurostyle Chamois Anti-chafe Cream

Buy on Amazon

Lastly, we recommend the Lumintrail Eurostyle Chamois anti-chafe cream for its pleasant, cooling effects on the skin elicited by its hero ingredients — menthol and witch hazel. We love its non-greasy texture as it makes it easy and indulgent to apply, spread, and wear. Moreover, the cream protects skin and prevents discomfort in any areas that experience friction such inner thighs, armpits, toes, and near the nipples. We also love its jar-like packaging making it the perfect pick for those who are not much inclined towards purchasing tubes.  

Type: Cream 

Intended Use: Runners and cyclists 

Petrolatum: No

Scent: No

That was our comprehensive list of the best products for chafing. Now, let us run you through a detailed buying guide.

Here are a few aspects that you should consider before splurging on the best chafing cream: 

Skin Type: Make sure you understand your skin type before investing in a good cream for chafing. Analyze your skin concerns — check whether your skin is more prone to rashes, burns, itching, or allergies. If you possess sensitive skin, then vouch for a cream that is non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, and gentle. Do not purchase a cream that is not suitable for your skin type as it may cause adverse effects. 

Type of Chafing Product: There are a variety of anti-chafing creams available on the market. Some might differ on the basis of their texture, formula, or consistency. When looking into a chafing cream, it is important to check whether the formula is well-emulsified. This determines how messy or adequate the application is. 

Key Ingredients: Next is the list of key ingredients. Pay heed to the list mentioned on the packaging. It is wise to splurge on those that contain natural and skin-loving ingredients like dimethicone, petroleum jelly, cornstarch, coconut oil, glycerin, shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil. Drawing from our findings the most commonly found ingredient is aloe vera due to its nourishing and hydrating properties. After hours of research, we noticed that a few of the dermatologists recommended products enriched with the below ingredients: 

- Aloe vera: For its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and healing properties.

- Calendula: For its soothing, antiseptic, and regenerative properties.

- Chamomile: For its calming, anti-irritant, and anti-allergic properties.

- Zinc Oxide: For its protective, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

- Vitamin E: For its moisturizing, antioxidant, and anti-scarring properties.

Make sure that your cream contains any of the above ingredients for better results and instant relief. 

Purpose: Chafing usually occurs during or after long-distance running, cycling, hiking, or engagement in any kind of rigorous physical activity.  Any sportive activity that leads to significant sweating, like running, cycling, and walking causes skin-to-skin or skin-to-fabric chaffing. A lubricant or anti-chafe protection cream works to reduce friction by making the skin smooth, and slippery, and creating a barrier between the skin and clothes. Be it cream, balm, oil, spray, or stick, make sure you have a clear purpose for buying one. 

After taking note of the above-mentioned aspects, get to know a few of the application steps.

Application and usage of an anti-chafing cream depends on the type of product that you own. Following are a few tips that might help while applying and using an anti-chafing cream: 

Before you kickstart with the application make sure to first, clean the affected area completely with mild soap and water and dampen it with a microfiber towel. 

• For powder-based products, shake the powder onto your body right from the bottle. 
• If you have a jelly-based product, then slather it onto your skin and spread it evenly with your fingers.
• Some chafing creams come in stick form and are applied much like a deodorant roll-on.
• Powder-based anti-chafing products are the trickiest and messiest when it comes to application. These are more suitable for those who work out at home, exercise early in the morning, or are looking for a little extra protection during their work day.
• For cream-based products, dispense a small amount on your index finger and rub it in the areas you normally chafe.
• For better results, apply the product twice a day.