7 Best Chafing Creams & Sticks 2023: Tested & Reviewed Anti-Chafing Products
25.04.2023 - 22:11
/ glamour.com
, sometimes endearingly referred to as “chub rub,” doesn’t just happen to —or those without the supermodel-like thigh gap. Chafing can happen pretty much anywhere skin rubs together—like where the arm meets the torso, or underneath the breasts.Chafing is caused by the repeated rubbing of the skin, either by other sites of skin or by ill-fitting clothing, says , MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Idaho.
Excess moisture—especially sweat—is the big culprit, too. “The chronic rubbing breaks down and irritates the skin leading to pain, blisters, and sometimes bleeding.” Ouch!So what can you do to ease the burn and itchy feeling? Though your first thought may be to reach for cornstarch or some kind of powder—you know, to dry skin—lotions, creams, salves, and ointments (sometimes called “chamois cream” by those in the know) are superior, since they allow the skin to glide rather than stick, says , MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
Look for chafing creams and sticks that include ingredients like petroleum jelly (petrolatum), glycerin, dimethicone, and zinc oxide—they act as skin protectants and reduce friction, she says. (Likewise, products that contain emollients and skin-soothing, natural ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E can help ease discomfort.)There are a variety of products on the market and they come in many forms.
So what’s the difference and how do you use them? , founder and head coach of in New Jersey, breaks it all down:Depending on where chafing occurs, you may also be able to ease the pain—and prevent future skin irritation—through the use of technical sports undergarments, says Portela. Sometimes other physical barriers, like bandages can help,
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