11 best anti-chafing creams, editor-reviewed for summer 2024
Nothing ruins a lovely summer's day quite like your thighs starting to painfully rub together. Enter: anti chafing cream. As soon as those temperatures soar and you’ve swapped your beloved jeans for lightweight short skirts and flowy summer dresses, it doesn't take long for the dreaded chafe to set in for most. Forget the myth about it only being a problem for those with ‘thick thighs’ — if your thighs even slightly touch when you walk (aka most of us), chafing can quickly become an issue.
Caused by a deadly combination of prolonged friction and moisture, it's no surprise that rashes and burns from chafing are also common amongst those who participate in any kind of endurance sports. From bleeding nipples to an itchy groin area, runners and cyclists are serious victims.
So, if you're sick of having to adopt the famous waddle-style walk just to temporarily relieve the pain, a trusty anti-chafe cream is definitely something to invest in before we hit the summer months. Below, you'll find eleven of our favourites.
SKIP TO: What is chafing? | How can you prevent chafing? | Our full reviews.
Best chafing creams 2024 at a glance – our top picks:
- Best Overall: BeYou Anti-Chafing Cream, £12.95
- Best For Exercise: DECATHLON Anti-Chafing Cream, £5.99
- Best For Between The Thighs: Megababe Thigh Rescue, £12
- Best For Under The Breasts: Neat 3B Action Cream, £28.77
What is chafing?
According to Healthline, chafing is a common skin problem caused by any combination of friction, moisture, and irritating fabric. But it can also be caused by body parts rubbing against each other — most notably the thighs.
Chafing typically starts out as a red rash, stinging, and burning — but if left untreated, it can develop into swelling, bleeding, and crusting in more severe cases. The thighs and buttons are particularly common area for chafing to develop — but the nipples, groin, feet, and armpits can also be affected.
How can you prevent chafing?
There's no single definitive answer for how to stop chafing. Unsurprisingly, making sure you'e always clean and fully dry after a shower before dressing is a good starting point. Aside from investing in a good anti-chafing cream (find out how we test our top picks here), taking preventative measures like wearing anti chafing shorts or cycling shorts underneath your skirts or dresses — and making sure that your sportswear is form-fitting and sweat-wicking — can help stop any chafe in its tracks.
But if you're really suffering — and classic home remedies like slathering the sore area in Vaseline aren't helping — head to your local pharmacy, or book an appointment with your GP to see if they can recommend a particular medical ointment.
Scroll for the best anti-chafing creams to add to your checkout this summer.
Formulated with all-natural ingredients including lavender and coconut oils, BeYou’s anti-chafing allows your skin to breathe while providing long-lasting protection against the effects of chafing. For external use, it can be used on inner thighs or under your boobs – and it has a non-greasy formula which soothes and repairs irritated skin while offering comfort against friction. Hydration and a unique anti-friction formula? No wonder it scored so well in editor testing.
Pros: Antibacterial. Water-resistant. Great smell.
Cons: Nothing of note.
- Type: Cream.
- Size: 50ml.
- Scented? Doesn't say.
- Key ingredients: Lavender oil and coconut oil.
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Lanacane Anti-Chafing Gel forms a breathable barrier on your skin to prevent and aid healing of chafing caused by repeated rubbing of skin on skin or on clothing. You can even use it underneath wetsuits for use during water sports. Thanks to its gel formula, it has a silky finish, dries instantly on contact, and leaves behind no trace on your skin or clothes. A great addition to your summer skincare arsenal.
Pros: Not greasy. Dries on contact. Affordable.
Cons: Not very long-lasting in warm weather.
- Type: Gel.
- Size: 28g.
- Scented? No.
- Key ingredients: None specified.
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With its handy stick applicator, this anti-friction stick glides on beautifully, making it a great buy for preventing sore thighs in the summer months. It's got loads of great reviews – and is widely available, making delivery options plentiful. It boasts a hard-working formula of nourishing ingredients like anti-inflammatory and soothing aloe, protective pomegranate seed, ginger root for evening the skin tone, and quick-relieving orange oil. Chaffing, be gone.
Pros: Easy stick application. Dries instantly. Long-lasting.
Cons: None of note.
- Type: Balm.
- Size: 60g.
- Scented? Doesn't say.
- Key ingredients: Aloe vera and orange oil.
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Deemed as "the best anti friction product" by some of the cyclists in the reviews, this anti-chafe balm is seriously up there with the best. Designed specifically with cyclists in mind, it's been infused with soothing ingredients like beeswax and honey, and has been shown to act as a really effective barrier for the buttocks and thighs — even on really long rides.
Pros: Not a lot needed. Safe for sensitive skin. Long-lasting formula.
Cons: A little expensive. Quite greasy.
- Type: Balm.
- Size: 100ml.
- Scented? Yes — honey and avocado.
- Key ingredients: Beeswax and honey.
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Perfect for daily wear, especially during physical activity, this balm leaves skin feeling supple and nourished. Super hydrating and moisturising, it's been infused with gorgeous ingredients like coconut oil and niacinamide to condition the skin, and minimise the appearance of redness. Pair it with your deodorant and you've got a powerhouse of a summer sports pairing.
Pros: Fragrance-free. Vegan.
Cons: A more lightweight formula.
- Type: Balm.
- Size: 100ml.
- Scented? No.
- Key ingredients: Indian fig extract and niacinamide.
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Developed by doctors, this chafing cream puts you in safe hands. As well as preventing chafing rash, this clever cream has been designed to stop any excessive sweating occurring in the first place. It can be used beneath and between the buttocks, breasts, and thighs — but it seems to be most popular amongst bigger-busted ladies who are bored of the constant battle against itchy under-boob sweat.
Pros: Built-in antiperspirant. Amazing reviews. Non-greasy.
Cons: Really expensive.
- Type: Cream.
- Size: 75ml.
- Scented? No.
- Key ingredients: Aluminium Chlorohydrate.
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This sweat-resistant stick is great for swiping over any areas of your body that are prone to chafing. Acting as a protective emollient shield, it prevents unnecessary friction with its soothing and nourishing blend of bisabolol, colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, and ginger root extract. Plus, it's the perfect size for popping on your cute summer clutch bag.
Pros: Sweat-resistant. Clear formula. Non-sticky.
Cons: Pretty expensive.
- Type: Cream.
- Size: 30ml.
- Scented? No.
- Key ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal and shea butter.
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WooWoo products are all designed specifically for delicate skin, and are safe to use on any part of the body. This lovely balm is our go-to for any irritation in your downstairs area — whether it's post-shave itch, redness after a wax, or uncomfortable chafing from exercise. It's super cooling and soothing, and will help banish red bumps and rashes.
Pros: Vegan. pH balanced. 100% natural.
Cons: Isn't solely designed for chafing.
- Type: Balm.
- Size: 50ml.
- Scented? Yes.
- Key ingredients: Chamomile, rosehip oil, and aloe vera.
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To be honest, we're yet to find a problem that Vaseline can't help fix. Cracked lips? Vaseline. Dry skin? Vaseline. Uncomfortable chafing? Let Vaseline get to work with its pure petroleum formula that helps lock-in moisture, and assists the skin's natural recovery process.
Pros: Really affordable. Universal use. Soothing on existing chafe.
Cons: Not strictly for chafing.
- Type: Jelly.
- Size: 50ml.
- Scented? No.
- Key ingredients: Triple-purified petroleum jelly.
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This brilliant cream can be used all over the body, and is water-resistant — which means it's also a great buy for swimmers. It's great for any chafing, and preventing blisters on the feet, and is just a great all-rounder for keeping irritation of any kind at bay.
Pros: Over 4000 reviews. Affordable. nearly 3,000 reviews.
Cons: Need to use quite a lot.
- Type: Cream.
- Size: 100ml.
- Scented? No.
- Key ingredients: None specified.
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Designed to glide over any problem areas where chafing might occur, this nifty roll-on balm acts as a breathable barrier against sweat — therefore preventing any subsequent painful rubbing. The hydrating formula is rich in nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, and it has a gorgeous coconut scent that feels spot-on for the summer months.
Pros: Vegan. Organic. Great scent.
Cons: Expensive. Some reviewers say it's a little greasy.
- Type: Balm.
- Size: 40g.
- Scented? Yes — Coconut.
- Key ingredients: Vitamin E.
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