How to Prevent Thigh Chafing from Ruining Your Summer
Look, it’s not sexy, but it’s a real issue—and one that makes a lot of women feel unnecessarily self-conscious: We’re talking about thigh chafing, aka "chub rub" (cringe). If you've ever felt the sensation of your thighs rubbing up against each other until they’re raw, you know it’s the worst. This can be an issue year-round, but it’s particularly prevalent in the summer when you’re much more likely to spend the day with your legs out in a breezy dress, shorts, or a swimsuit.
To find out expert ways to protect your gams from this dreaded fate, we’ve asked some fashion bloggers for their advice—and they shared some game-changing tips.
Option #1: Anti-Chafe Stick
You may already know Megababe Thigh Rescue as the gold standard of anti-chafing products—and if you don’t, you should. This has been my go-to since last summer when I first discovered it. We spoke with the creator, Katie Sturino, about what inspired her to create this product and why she’s passionate about destigmatizing this issue. Sturino, also a blogger behind The 12ish Style, set about fixing this problem with an all-natural, perfectly branded product that really works.
“I wanted a product that was aimed at a woman who was walking to work in a skirt, not a someone who was doing an ironman,” said Sturino. “All the products I found on the market previously were designed for men or athletes!”
So, the Thigh Rescue stick answered the call. It’s made with aloe, which contains anti-inflammatory and cooling properties; as well as pomegranate seed extract, grapeseed oil, ginger root extract and orange oil. All of these ingredients work together to protect skin and heal existing damage.
I used the stick almost daily last summer, and I never had to replace it. I even make sure to take it along in my purse if I’m out and about for a full day, or if I’m traveling. It’s my godsend. Another pro-tip from Sturino is to use it on your heels or ankles to ward off blisters from new summer sandals.
Option #2: Breathable Shapewear
While shapewear can be suffocating under formal dresses, there are definitely options that can totally provide relief and comfort. Tanesha Awasthi, blogger behind Girl With Curves, said shapewear is her favorite solution for preventing "chub rub."
“My favorite way to battle thigh chafe under skirts and dresses is with shapewear shorts,” said Awasthi. “I've even worn my hubby's boxer-briefs when I forgot to pack my Spanx shorts while traveling, and they worked great!” Honestly, the boxer briefs idea would be perfect as a cheap option while traveling.
Marcy Guevara-Prete of The Marcy Minute on Instagram is a huge Megababe fan, but she also notes that “some Spanx shorts or cotton bike shorts do a body good.”
Personally, I’ve tried Spanx made out of a few different materials, and I’ve definitely settled on the Thinstincts line for the summer. They’re made out of super breathable microfiber, and they feel so thin you can hardly tell you’re wearing anything.
Regardless of which option you land on, this problem is totally solvable—here are some other thigh-saving options to help you through any summer friction.
More Thigh Chafing Solutions
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