Skin chafing is one of those problems most people suffer through unnecessarily - assuming it is just an unavoidable consequence of heat, movement, or body shape. It is not. The right product applied before friction begins creates a protective barrier that prevents chafing entirely. And for skin that is already raw and stinging, the right healing ointment restores the skin barrier and dramatically reduces recovery time.
Note: These products may help manage symptoms, not treat or cure conditions. Consult a healthcare provider for persistent or serious symptoms. Chafed skin that becomes infected - showing increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge - should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Open raw skin is susceptible to bacterial infection, and some chafing patterns (particularly in skin folds) may indicate or be complicated by fungal infection requiring antifungal treatment.
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm | Athlete-grade all-body friction prevention | 4.8/5 |
| Gold Bond Friction Defense Stick | Everyday body chafe prevention | 4.6/5 |
| Chamois Butt’r Original Anti-Chafe Cream | High-intensity and extended-wear protection | 4.7/5 |
| Squirrel’s Nut Butter Anti-Chafe Salve | Natural formula for sensitive skin | 4.5/5 |
| CeraVe Healing Ointment | Barrier repair for already-chafed skin | 4.8/5 |
Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm
Body Glide is the category-defining anti-chafe product, used by marathon runners, cyclists, hikers, and anyone who needs long-duration friction protection. The balm applies as a dry, invisible barrier - not a wet, slippery cream - which means it does not transfer to clothing, does not feel greasy, and actually stays in place through sweat, humidity, and extended activity. It works on all body locations: armpits, underarms, bra line, waistband edges, neck (from collar friction), and inner arms.
Apply a few swipes to clean, dry skin before dressing. The deodorant-stick format makes it fast and mess-free. Body Glide’s dry barrier is particularly well-suited to warm weather and athletic contexts where a cream would melt or wipe off. It is vegan, free from petroleum and lanolin, and suitable for sensitive skin. One stick typically lasts 30 to 60 daily applications.
Pros: Dry invisible barrier, no grease transfer to clothing, works through sweat, vegan formula Cons: Less effective as a healing product for already-broken skin, requires reapplication for activities over 4-5 hours
Gold Bond Friction Defense Stick
Gold Bond’s Friction Defense Stick targets everyday chafing rather than specifically athletic chafing - it is designed for use under work clothes, casual wear, and everyday activities where heat and clothing friction cause discomfort. Its formula includes dimethicone (a silicone-based lubricant), aloe, and vitamin E, creating a smoother slip layer between skin and fabric. The stick format is clean and portable; toss it in a bag or keep it in a desk drawer for midday touch-ups.
Dimethicone provides a slightly more moisturizing feel than Body Glide’s dry formula, making Gold Bond Friction Defense a better choice for drier skin types or areas prone to both dryness and chafing (common at waistbands and bra bands where elastic sits). Apply to any friction point in the morning as part of your daily routine during warm months.
Pros: Dimethicone + aloe formula good for dry skin, stick format is tidy and portable, strong value Cons: Slightly less durable than Body Glide under intense exercise conditions, dimethicone may not suit all skin types
Chamois Butt’r Original Anti-Chafe Cream
Chamois Butt’r is the professional cyclist and endurance athlete’s anti-chafe cream of choice. Its rich cream formula was originally developed to condition chamois leather padding in cycling shorts and now serves as an extended-wear skin lubricant for any prolonged friction scenario - multi-day hikes, ultramarathons, cycling centuries, and any activity where you will be moving continuously for four-plus hours. The cream format provides more lubricating protection than stick or dry balm formats, making it ideal for high-intensity or extended wear situations.
Apply directly to the skin at friction zones before activity. Because it is a cream, it is slightly messier than stick formats, but the level of protection it provides during long-duration events justifies the trade-off. It is paraben-free, fragrance-free, and formulated to be gentle enough for all skin types including sensitive skin. Some users also apply it to already-chafed skin as an overnight healing compress under light clothing.
Pros: Superior protection for extended or high-intensity activity, paraben and fragrance-free, gentle on sensitive skin Cons: Cream format is messier than sticks, may transfer to clothing in light-colored fabrics
Squirrel’s Nut Butter All Natural Anti-Chafe Salve
Squirrel’s Nut Butter (yes, that is the name) is the all-natural, plant-based option for people who prefer to avoid silicones, petroleum derivatives, and synthetic ingredients. Its formula includes coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, vitamin E, and tea tree oil - all of which contribute lubrication, skin nourishment, and mild antimicrobial properties. It is available in a stick or tin, with the tin being the better value and the stick being more convenient for application without messy fingers.
The natural oil base means it provides some healing benefit alongside prevention - applying it to mildly irritated skin soothes and moisturizes while reducing further friction. For people with known sensitivities to synthetic skin products, this is the clear choice. The tin format is particularly popular for application during running events where you might need a mid-race touchup without using both hands.
Pros: All-natural ingredient profile, dual prevention and mild healing properties, tin format good for on-the-go reapplication Cons: Oil-based formula may transfer to light-colored clothing, beeswax means not vegan
CeraVe Healing Ointment
CeraVe Healing Ointment is the dermatologist’s recommendation for already-damaged chafed skin. Its formula combines petrolatum (the gold standard occlusive barrier) with three essential ceramides that restore the skin’s natural barrier lipid structure, plus hyaluronic acid for moisture retention. Applied to raw, stinging chafed skin, it creates an occlusive layer that prevents further friction damage while the ceramide complex works on barrier repair from the inside out.
This is not a prevention product - do not use it before activity, as the petrolatum base will reduce grip and transfer heavily to clothing. Use it after showering at night: clean the chafed area gently, pat dry, and apply a thin layer to the raw skin before sleep. Cover with a light layer of clothing if needed to prevent transfer to bedding. Most mild-to-moderate chafed skin improves significantly after one to two nights of this overnight occlusive treatment.
Pros: Best-in-class barrier repair, ceramide complex supports actual skin healing not just coverage, dermatologist-recommended Cons: Pure treatment product - too occlusive for use before activity, petrolatum base transfers to fabric
What to Look For
The key distinction to get right is prevention versus healing. Prevention products (Body Glide, Gold Bond, Chamois Butt’r, Squirrel’s Nut Butter) should be applied before friction occurs - in the morning, before activity. Healing products (CeraVe Healing Ointment) are applied after showering to already-damaged skin. Different body locations also favor different formats: the dry barrier of Body Glide is ideal for armpits and underarms where you do not want moisture; cream formulas suit waistband areas or under-breast zones where the skin is thicker and less movement-sensitive.
Final Thoughts
The two-product protocol is simple and effective: Body Glide or Chamois Butt’r before activity for prevention, and CeraVe Healing Ointment at night for recovery from any skin that did get irritated. Adopt this routine consistently through summer or any period of prolonged physical activity and chafing becomes a solved problem rather than an accepted nuisance. For people with sensitive or dry skin, Squirrel’s Nut Butter provides the most skin-nourishing prevention option alongside its natural formula.
Frequently asked questions
What causes skin chafing and where does it happen most often?+
Chafing occurs when repeated skin-on-skin or skin-on-fabric friction breaks down the protective outer skin layer, causing redness, raw patches, stinging, and sometimes small abrasions or blisters. Common body locations include armpits (from arm swing), bra line and under-breast, waistband edges, inner arms, nipples in runners, and anywhere tight elastic or seams contact skin during extended movement.
What is the difference between anti-chafe balm and healing ointment?+
Anti-chafe balms (Body Glide, Gold Bond Friction Defense) are prevention products - they create a dry or semi-dry barrier between skin surfaces or between skin and fabric before friction begins. Healing ointments (CeraVe Healing Ointment) are repair products - they create an occlusive barrier over already-damaged skin to lock in moisture, reduce inflammation, and support the skin barrier repair process. You need both in your kit.
Can I use anti-chafe products for non-athletic everyday chafing?+
Absolutely. Chafing from everyday clothing, summer heat, excess moisture, or skin folds is extremely common regardless of athletic activity. Body Glide and Gold Bond Friction Defense are designed for daily use and work equally well under work clothes, on waistbands, and at bra lines during regular daily activity. Apply as part of your morning routine in warm weather or whenever you will wear friction-prone clothing.