This $5 Drugstore Staple Is the Best Way to Prevent and Treat Thigh Chafing

We may be nearing the end of summer, but that’s usually when the weather decides to crank the heat up even higher for a few more scorchers. All that sweat and friction from walking around in shorts, skirts, and dresses can quickly lead to thigh chafing. Luckily, we can pick up an expert-approved remedy at the drugstore and avoid the painful issue altogether. In fact, you may already have it in your bathroom cabinet: Vaseline. 

Harry Do, MD, a dermatologist in California, recommended the classic product in a recent article for The Washington Post. He described “plain old greasy petroleum jelly” as the perfect solution for protecting against chafing and treating any angry bumps that do pop up. Simply apply a layer of it to your inner thigh area (or any other spot prone to chafing) before heading out. Add this to the list of reasons we should always have a tub of Vaseline (Buy at Walmart, $4.17) on hand!

If you’re not a fan of petroleum jelly, Do suggests reaching for diaper cream. It may sound odd at first, but makes a lot of sense considering it soothes rashes for sensitive infant skin. Do credits the zinc oxide found in most brands, like Desitin (Buy at Walmart, $5.57). Similar to Vaseline, it helps to both ease the pain of existing chafing and provide a barrier to protect against more bumps.

Either way you go, Do said adding a layer of powder like Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X Ultra Sweat-Absorbing Foot Powder (Buy at Walmart, $7.18) will help, too. The idea of sprinkling foot powder on your thighs might feel strange, but it will soak up any excess moisture that can cause issues. 

You can also try some of our favorite products for nixing thigh chafing (and boob sweat, another pesky summer problem). They are slightly more expensive than the drugstore finds, but still budget-friendly. Whatever it takes to avoid uncomfortable irritation while we wait for fall to finally chill things down will be totally worth it.