Products you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Oh, and if something's out of stock, oops, it was there (and all prices were accurate) at time of publication.
Let’s talk about a slightly embarrassing problem experienced by many. It’s often a summer-related issue thanks to hot temps and sweaty days spent outside. Plus it can leave you feeling super irritated and uncomfortable, and that’s just distracting. If you haven’t guessed it already, we’re talking thigh chafe.
We’ve rounded up products to help you both prevent and treat unhappy skin, because no one loves the feeling of your thighs rubbing together when it’s hot and sticky outside. We’ve got compression shorts, an adorable exercise dress, and a range of cooling gel sticks and powders. Your daily walks have never felt better.
An award-winning stick that creates a barrier…
Rub this on before walking, hiking, grocery shopping, etc., and you’ll forget what life was like when you did experience thigh chafe. It’s made with aloe to soothe and vitamin E to hydrate and smooth, but is paraben-free and nontoxic. It creates a barrier that allows your thighs to glide easily as you move, and is great to stash in your bag and reapply throughout the day. Customers say it even smells good and doesn't make their skin break out. ($13.99, Target)
A baby powder that’s all-natural…
If powder is your preference, this one is 100% natural and talc-free with a light fresh scent. It’ll keep your skin from sticking and rubbing, and will absorb any sweat from being out in the heat. Customers say they also use it on other areas prone to friction, like armpits and waistbands. ($7.84, Amazon)
A pair of sculpting shorts perfect for wearing under dresses…
These thigh-sculpting shorts from Kim K's brand Skims are compressive but made to feel lightweight and comfortable for everyday wear. They’re seamless, so they’ll be undetectable under your clothing. They come in six neutral colors and sizes XXS–5X. They’re also machine-washable. Praise. ($34, Nordstrom)
A gel stick that cools as you rub it on…
It’s made with ingredients like sea kelp and cucumber extract to not only hydrate your skin, but also provide a cooling sensation that’ll reduce redness. It works wonders if you’re already experiencing chafing and need to soothe a flare-up. Psst…we also love this brand’s booty scrub. ($22, Revolve)
A powder-gel hybrid if you can’t decide which you like…
This one actually works well for preventing chafe before it even has the chance to begin. It glides on the skin like a gel but then dries like a powder. It’s also fragrance-free if you have sensitive skin. Customers say a little goes a long way. ($5.98, Amazon)
An exercise dress loved by all…
If you’ve made it this far mainly to find the exercise dress, here it is. She’s sporty, lightweight, sweat-wicking, and has built-in shorts with little grips, so there’s no chafing, riding, or bunching. It comes in several colors and patterns, and in sizes XXS–XXXL. Play golf, tennis, or Putt-Putt in it, but also throw it on for errands, walks, or brunch. Serving looks. ($100, Outdoor Voices)
A pair of discreet thigh bands…
If full-on compression shorts sound less than appealing, try these stretchy lace bands that’ll prevent any rubbing. They have two rows of nonslip silicone to keep them in place. They’re available in sizes up to 3XL and come in more than 10 colors. You’ll find yourself not wanting to take them off. ($20.69, Amazon)
A healing ointment if dry, scaly skin is your issue…
Part of the reason why your thigh skin can chafe is because the moisture barrier may already be damaged. This applies to skin on the rest of your body too. Repair it with this ointment that locks in hydration for up to 24 hours. It’s made with petrolatum (think Vaseline), but also hyaluronic acid and essential ceramides. Lather up. ($9.99+, Amazon)
A high-rise bike short you can wear everywhere…
Lululemon strikes again. These bike shorts are buttery soft, have the perfect high-rise fit, and aren't see-through. They’re so comfortable, we wear them to yoga class, while grocery shopping, on a walk, and even with a big sweater when it gets chilly. We’ve even caught ourselves napping in them. They come in a range of lengths, colors, and sizes up to 20. ($74, Lululemon)
A lotion you’ll wanna stash in your bag...
If you hate the feeling of freshly applied lotion on your skin but still want to hydrate, join the club. We love this non-irritating, fragrance-free option that rubs in evenly and leaves our skin feeling smooth but never sticky or slippery. It’s made with three luxe oils to deliver vitamins to your skin, plus niacinamide that works to improve overall skin health over time. Worth it. ($25, Nordstrom)
A mid-thigh compression short that doubles as shapewear…
If you’re looking for something that smoothes while keeping your thighs from rubbing, this pair will accentuate your waist but won’t be visible (perfect for under a gown at a summer wedding). They’re high-rise, comfy, and come in four colors and sizes XS–XL. ($52, Neiman Marcus)
A pair of underwear slipshorts that keeps ya cool…
These are silky against your skin like your favorite underwear and wear well under skirts or dresses. They’re soft and breathable, so you’ll stay cool and never get sweaty. Customers love that these don’t squeeze their stomachs uncomfortably like other compression shorts. They come in black or beige. ($9.99, Amazon)
A serum to lighten signs of past irritation…
If you’ve dealt with thigh chafe in the past, you know the irritation can leave dark spots. This serum is specifically designed for your thighs. It’s made with licorice root, niacinamide, and aloe so it soothes while working to lighten marks and scars over time. It’s even great for preventing ingrown hairs and reducing razor bumps. Customers say it has a light texture and absorbs quickly. We’re sold. ($28, Amazon)
A set of cold packs for instant relief…
If you’ve done everything you can and still get back from that hike, workout, or walk with burning, irritated thighs, these ice packs will provide instant relief. Just squeeze in the center to activate, shake, and wait for the pack to get cold, no freezer required. It stays cold for up to 10 minutes and is great to stash in your gym bag or car so you have one when you need it. ($15.95+/12 pack, Amazon)
A pair of cooling shorts for the dog days of summer…
If you’re headed out on a day that feels like the humidity will crush you, slip these on under a dress or skirt. They’re made from silky, sweat-wicking fabric that actually absorbs heat and pulls it from the body. They’ll smooth without being too thick and come in a range of colors, lengths, and sizes XS–6XL. Stay cool. ($37, Thigh Society)
Live Smarter
Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.