5 Products That Will Save You From Uncomfortable Thigh Chafing This Summer
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I love a summer walk. There's nothing more refreshing and soothing for the soul. But if there's one thing that could ruin my walks, it's chafing. My thighs have never had a gap, meaning every step I take while wearing shorts, dresses or skirts is paired with a sense of discomfort, an irritating itch and redness on the skin between my thighs.
As the 2024 summer approaches (it's coming, honestly), we're all hunting for a way to avoid that all too familiar irritation in the thigh area, and so, searches for anti-chafing products are up 392 percent from last year, according to this year's spring trends. But, the TikTok girlies claimed they could save me by introducing me to an array of anti-chafing products. As with any trend, I was sceptical and so wanted to try the options out.
Now, after trying out a few of the trending anti-chafers alongside members of the PS UK team, it's my turn to save you — and your thighs. Keep reading for the PS UK team's tried, tested and loved anti-chafing products.
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M&S Light Control Thigh Slimmers
"Marks and Spencer do a number of different products now, billed as 'anti-chafing shorts' but I've found they aren't as comfortable as their Light Control Thigh Slimmers (£18).
"The fabric is super light-weight and soft and even though they're marketed as a light control product, they give no control I've noticed, which is exactly what I'm looking for. I don't want tightness or pull-ins on my stomach and waist in the summer, these are purely for anti-chafing purposes and they do it so well. I feel they glide better than cotton-feel shorts and ultimately, I completely forget I've got them on once I leave the house.
"If you want to wear shorter dresses, these might not be quite right for you, but I'd feel comfortable wearing dresses at the knee and longer with these. They're a complete summer saviour - I genuinely wouldn't be able to wear half of my favourite clothes without them." — Rhiannon Evans, Interim Content Director
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Megababe Thigh Rescue Anti-Friction Stick
"I've already raved about the Megababe Thigh Rescue Anti-Friction Stick (£12) to my friends, because this product is the real deal when it comes to anti-chafing. Upon first application, I thought the slip layer was excessive, but throughout the day, I realised that it was just enough to last without any chaffing or discomfort.
"Although it's a balm, it deeply moisturised the skin between my thighs, and kept it free from any redness or itchiness. Megababe's Anti-Friction Stick is a one-swipe-and-done product, and that's exactly why I love it." — Lauren Gordon, Editorial Coordinator.
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First Aid Anti-Chafe Stick
"I'm a big fan of First Aid beauty products because they're results-driven, and Anti-Chafe Stick (£16, originally £20) is a testament to that. This product is really soothing and doesn't irritate the skin, especially if you've had chaffing before and want to avoid it happening again.
"To be honest, it gives me the confidence to sweat on a hot day and the stick applicator makes it easy to apply whenever needed." — Lauren Ezekiel, Associate Beauty Editor.
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DeoDoc Intimate Calming Oil
"A multipurpose product always gets a win in my books, and the DeoDoc Intimate Calming Oil (£23) can help relieve dryness, discomfort and itching on your legs and intimate area. The carefully selected oils in this bestseller soothe and moisturise the skin to prevent chaffing.
"I found it works by adding a non-greasy slip to the area, which also feels quite luxurious and is unscented, for those with sensitive skin. This is travel-sized, so I found that keeping it on me for my long walks was handy, but unnecessary, as the slip provided by the oil lasted for most of the day." — LG
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Primark Anti-Chafe Body Balm Stick
"I spotted the Primark Anti-Chafe Body Balm Stick (£4) in stores and immediately added it to my basket, as I love a dupe.
"While there's only 50g of product, a little bit of this balm goes a long way. I used it as a tourist, walking around New York City and found that I needed regular top ups of this. Luckily, it's incredibly light and thin, so it can fit in your bag with no problem." — LG
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Lauren Gordon is the editorial coordinator at PS UK, where she creates lifestyle and identity content. Lauren has a degree in journalism from University of the Arts London and previously worked as a showbiz and TV reporter at The Mirror US. Lauren specialises in pop culture, hair and beauty, focusing on trends, sharing in-depth tutorials, and highlighting hidden gems in the beauty industry.
Rhiannon Evans is the interim content director at PS UK. Rhiannon has been a journalist for 17 years, starting at local newspapers before moving to work for Heat magazine and Grazia. As a senior editor at Grazia, she helped launch parenting brand The Juggle, worked across brand partnerships, and launched the "Grazia Life Advice" podcast. An NCE-qualified journalist (yes, with a 120-words-per-minute shorthand), she has written for The Guardian, Vice and Refinery29.
Lauren Ezekiel is an associate editor at PS UK, where she writes about all things beauty and wellness. With a degree in journalism and 12 years' experience as a beauty editor at a leading Sunday supplement, she is obsessed with skincare, hair and makeup, and is often found offering advice to innocent bystanders. Her work has been published in Grazia, OK, Health and Beauty, The Sun, ASDA, Dare and Metro.