I have never in my life had a thigh gap; my legs have rubbed together for as long as I can remember, so much so that I regularly experience uncomfortable skin chafing [1] between my legs. Although it's never a problem in the Winter, the moment skirt and sundress season [2] rolls around, my thighs are glued to one another, creating the most painful and unpleasant skin rash. Add in the sweat that comes from walking around the city or beach on a warm Summer day, and it's a recipe for disaster.
Fortunately, if you experience much of the same, you don't have to suffer in silence. I've found some tried-and-true products from Amazon that have solved my thigh chafing problem. Click ahead to see my picks, and get ready to embrace skirt and swimsuit season — pain free.
Monistat Complete Care Chafing Relief Powder Gel
This Monistat Complete Care Chafing Relief Powder Gel [4] ($6) is my holy grail product against chafing in the Summer. I keep a tube with me wherever I go: in my purse, gym bag, beach bag — everywhere. Just be sure to reapply often.
Vassarette Women's Comfortably Smooth Slip Short Panty
I used to wear Spanx shorts under my dresses to prevent chafing until I realised it was too much of a pain in the ass to keep pulling them up to my bra line. Enter the Vassarette Women's Comfortably Smooth Slip Short Panty [5] ($6-$36), which is easier to put on (and happens to look a lot cuter, too).
Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm
Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm [6] ($10) is the OG chafe-prevention balm. Used by athletes and runners for decades, this goes on smooth between your thighs.
Bandelettes Elastic Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands
If wearing full biker shorts isn't your thing, then try these Bandelettes Elastic Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands [7] ($17). These are more discreet than the other option and can wear easily under dresses and skirts.
Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly
This is the stuff your mom and grandma used before fancy antichafing products became available. Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly [8] ($7) not only protects your skin, but also helps heal the area afterwards. I rubbed Vaseline over nearly every surface of my body when I ran a half marathon in the pouring rain and didn't experience one bit of chafing.