Brendan Camp, MD, double-board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, agrees—and adds while it’s common for skin to chafe after rubbing on other skin, it can also happen as a result of rubbing on coarse fabric. Thus, as noted above, the unfortunate phenomenon is not necessarily exclusive to the thighs.
“Chafing occurs as a result of skin rubbing on skin, or skin rubbing on a coarse fabric,” says Dr. Camp, noting that this can cause chafing over time, especially on sensitive skin. “Because chafing is the result of repeated frictional forces, it occurs most often in areas like the underarms, under the breasts, in the groin, and on the thighs.” And both derms agree: Chafing is both common and normal, so no—nothing is wrong with you or your skin.
How to prevent inner thigh chafing and chub rub.
Shorts and Shapewear
As for how to prevent your thighs from chafing in the first place? According to Dr. Camp, you’ll want to stick to comfortable clothing that limits the amount of friction between your skin and the fabric. “Many athletic apparel stores offer workout attire that avoids thick seams or places them outside areas of friction,” he says.
Wear breathable bike shorts or anti-chafing shorts under dresses and skirts as a precaution (or as pants; we don’t judge). Some of our favorite breathable exercise shorts that also come in plus sizes include NIKE Zenvy Gentle Support High Waist Bike Shorts and Hue Active Pep Talking Pocket Performance Bike Shorts.
Another option? Shapewear, of course! Not because your body needs to be “shaped,” per se (unless you want it to be, in that case, great!), but because the fabric provides an additional layer of protection. Spanx and Skims are Glamour‘s most beloved shape-wear classics, but Thighsociety and Undersummers offer loose, non-shaping fits that still wear seamlessly under clothing.
Body Powder
Dr. Camp also suggests using moisture-wicking powder or baby powder, since dry lubricants help to minimize shearing forces and get rid of unwanted moisture. Regular baby powder for babies can and does work, but there are several products intended and formulated for sweat-producing adults, too.
Glamour’s favorites? Duradry Body Powder, Megababe’s Body Dust Top-to-Toe Powder, Kaia Naturals’ Sweat Powder, and LUSH Silky Underwear Powder
Barrier Cream
There are tons of anti-chafing products to choose from as well, such as skin barrier creams that minimize potential rubbing, says Dr. Garshick.
“When looking for something to prevent chafing, you are looking for something to create a barrier between the skin, or the skin and tight clothing, that will prevent irritation caused by rubbing or friction,” she says. (FWIW, I’m personally a fan of Carpe’s thigh-sweat-absorbing anti-chafing lotion.)
Anti-chafing Sticks
Possibly the most popular of all when it comes to thigh chafing are anti-chafing sticks. Dr. Garshick points to Megababe’s Thigh Rescue Stick as an example, though there are countless anti-chafing creams and anti-chafe balms to try.
“This easy-to-use formula glides on easily, and includes aloe and vitamin E to help soothe the skin, as well as pomegranate seed extract to protect the skin and grape-seed oil to help hydrate,” Dr. Garshick says of Megababe’s Thigh Rescue Stick. Meanwhile, Dr. Camp suggests Body Glide’s water and sweat-proof anti-chafe stick and moisturizing balm for the job.
Glamour editors have thoughts on which are the best, too. “I’ve tried them all, and this is the only one I fully endorse,” commerce director Brie Schwartz says of KT Tape Chafe-Safe Anti Chafing Stick.
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