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Let’s bring the heat to your step tracker, not your inner thighs.

As a Deputy Editorial Director for BuzzFeed’s shopping team, I love to get into the weeds of why a product’s worth the money by deep diving into customer reviews, and product-testing as much as possible.

You shouldn't have to resign yourself to pants or leggings just so you can walk around in the summer heat. (For some, like me, even walking around in linen pants can feel too hot.) But you should be able to walk around in your shorts or skirts without feeling the burn on your inner thighs. Here, we gathered up some helpers to deter that painful mess, including a pair of breathable shorts and an anti-chafe stick that I swear by. 

Rubbing alcohol-based products (like Tend Skin) can help prevent an infection of an ingrown, but can’t prevent an ingrown itself, according to Cleveland Clinic. 

This can be applied after shaving and waxing to prevent bumps and burns. It can also be applied at night independent of shaving to help clear any existing ingrown hairs and bumps.

Promising reviews: "Works extremely well on sensitive skin and delicate shave areas. Used this after years of trying different products that irritated the sensitive shave areas and did not prevent razor burn and hair bumps. Noticeable difference after first use and no more ingrown hairs or chafing since implementing into shave routine." —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "Whoooo sometimes I feel as if a fire is going to start between my fat thighs, but with this stuff they just glide right on by each other, it has been a summer lifesaver. Only thing is you have to pack it on and reapply maybe four hours in, so bring it along for the ride. I will be buying again." —Ash

I'm currently working my way through one of these, which, yes, is a steeper price at $20 than the Gold Bond $6 stick, but if products with too much slip (aka, they're on the greasier side) give you the ick, this is probably your solution. I have super thick thighs that rub together when I walk or run, so I have to be proactive about chafe prevention. I've been using the Gold Bond stick for years with much success, but sometimes, when it's in the middle of summer, it feels a little greasy going on. (An aside, it's also great for preventing rubbing of sandal straps on your feet!) This feels *just right* going on. It has enough slip to easily apply right before I walk out the door but feels like a matte barrier. I also feel like I don't sweat it off after testing it since early May. I think I'm always going to need one of these in my medicine cabinet now!

Promising review: "I came across these flat socks at CVS and was curious. I placed them in a pair of old Adidas that I was about to toss from the stink. I removed the liners of the old socks and replaced them with flat socks. I did not wear socks with them after I installed them. The shoes no longer smell! It’s amazing! I ordered three more pairs on Amazon. Goodbye, socks! When I fear they may start to smell — I just remove them and toss them in the wash. If you can’t afford them for every pair of sockless shoes, they are easily moveable from shoe to another. I highly recommend these washable insoles!" —Kindle Customer

Get them from Amazon for $10 (available in two sizes). 

Squirrel's Nut Butter is a small biz specializing in anti-friction products. 

Promising review: "Struggling during the warmer months with walks and exercise. Other lotions and creams and lubricants weren’t helping chafing much but this stuff is amazing! It works, is non irritating and washes off well in the shower." —Christmas shopper

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes).

Reviewers love these for running, hiking, biking, running errands, doing yoga, and traveling, among other uses! 

Promising review: "These shorts are fantastic! The fabric is wonderful: it wicks away sweat, yet it is dense enough to provide complete coverage. The crotch has a gusset, so no 'camel toe.' The length prevents thigh chafing during intense workouts. I love the colors, too. The pockets are well stitched and secured, plus they are roomy enough for my cellphone with its OtterBox protection." —Amazon Customer

Get them from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three inseams, women's sizes XS–3XL, and 33 colors). 

Promising review: "So so so glad these are back in the 8” length — and they’re even better now with a laser cut hem that doesn’t cut into my thigh! Seriously, the best long-distance running shorts ever. Already bought several." —megj

Get them from Lululemon for $74 (available in two colors, and women's sizes 0–14). Also check out the 6-inch inseam version. 

Promising review: "These are perfect for under dresses, even in the hot, humid summer. The pocket is perfect to slip my phone in so I can be hands-free. Great quality! I have two pairs, one black and one beige." —Amanda Martinez

Get it from Thigh Society for $39+ (available in women's sizes XS–2XL, three lengths, and in 12 colors). 

Promising review: "Without a doubt the best no-chafe powder I have ever tried! It does not gum up, then turn to sandpaper when I sweat! KEEPS ON WORKING FOR HOURS." —peg4x4@yahoo

Also check out their baby powder, foot powder, and "lady" anti-friction body powder. 

Megababe is a woman-owned small biz started by Katie Sturino. 

Promising review: "I have always been a sweater and hated the boob sweat. This product is amazing. Walked around in the heat and was very hot, but the bras and the Megababe kept me dry. Would totally recommend to any woman needing help with boob sweat to check this out." —H&K

Body Glide is a small biz specializing in a variety of anti-chafing products.

Promising review: "This is a game changer. Chafing was the biggest problem to deal with when I was hiking and backpacking. I tried creams and powders and had some success, but found them to be a hassle to reapply on the trail. This product is way easier to apply, and one application lasts all day. It's like your undercarriage is Teflon coated, and chafing is a distant memory. It's going with me on every trip. I wish I had found this years ago. I highly recommend this to anyone who suffers from chafing." —Kindle Customer

"I took a risk and wore a skort to Disney. I slathered this on in the a.m. and threw it in my backpack just in case the chub was rubbing, and let me tell YOU it did not rub. No bumps, no pain, no chafing." —Andrea

Get it from Amazon for $9.45+ (available in two sizes). 

Carpe is a small biz specializing in sweat protection for different parts of your body.

I haven't used this product, but I'm a huge fan of the brand's 100-hour underarm antiperspirant that keeps my pits DRY, but not irritated.  

Promising review: "I've had smelly, smelly feet. Healthcare workers, at times, work over 16 hours a day, with little to no time to change socks. I'd come home and leave my shoes on until I got to the bathroom (lest I offend my kid or my wife, who dealt with my bad smell for a while). Smell even remained after washing my feet twice (toe to heel, between toes and all). Then this little gem came around.

This little gem actually STOPS the sweat from coming out. Long story short, the main ingredient is sticky and thickens wherever there's moisture — this means your sweat pores. And if you especially have hyperhidrosis, there's a TON of them on your feet. Put this on, those sweat pores are blocked, the sweat no longer flows, and all the ingredients in sweat responsible for the smell are eliminated.

I find putting this on only once a day (before my socks and shoes are on), and I haven't had a single smelly problem for the past three months." —Chris Garza

Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (also available with an applicator). 

Promising review: "I am the queen of thigh chafing! It was getting to the point where I couldn’t wear shorts anymore because it was too painful! This stuff works amazingly! I put it on my inner thighs in the morning, and it lasts all day long!! Best product ever!" —Rachel T

Get it from Amazon for $12.95 (Paraben-, glycerin-, sulfate-, alcohol-, phthalates-, and gluten-free. Not tested on animals.).

Read more about tea tree oil and how it can help with acne at Mayo Clinic.

Promising reviews: "I can’t say enough about this bath soap. It smells terrific, and when you’re done washing, you feel very clean. It helped clear up acne on my daughter's skin and works on athletes' feet as well. It also speeds up the healing of the skin from chafing under breasts and stomach, so if you sweat a lot, this is the product you want! I’m on my fifth bottle!" —AnnMarie Mason

KT Tape is a small biz specializing in body tape and products. 

Promising review: "Stick one of these in your pocket for mid-run hot spots!" —Dean Motorsports, Inc.

Promising review: "I took a chance and tried this because I wasn’t happy with my previous powder. This is now my new favorite. It’s very comforting, smells nice, and provides excellent sweat protection against chafing." —DrewManChu

ALSO, it's a great alternative for silicone-based makeup primers!

Promising review: "GIRL WITH CHUB RUB, LOOK NO FURTHER. THOSE CUTE SHORTS? WEAR EM. THAT CUTE DRESS. PUT THAT ISH ON. Wore this with my bikini in Florida for three days, only reapplied 1–2 times a day, and had minimal chafing (mostly due to sand, which can’t be helped sadly). But it wasn’t bad, nor did it cause me any real pain like chafing normally does. I plan on getting this when I go to California in June to get the same use! Love love love!

***Ps- I have suuuuuper sensitive skin and had no breakouts or suspect rashes using this***" —Sarah

Get it from Amazon for $6.48+ (available in two sizes).

I will rant and rave about this stuff until my dying day. I was on Accutane until a few months ago to treat my rosacea — it worked so well, but for the uninitiated, Accutane REALLY dries out your skin. I didn't do it every night, but when I felt especially dry, I'd apply a layer of this on top of my regular skincare before bed, and it felt like such a relief. Plus, the compliments pour in the next day because it leaves me looking extra glowy. Someone even asked in a video meeting if I just had a facial! But, I use it for all kinds of other stuff. I have thick thighs and sometimes get chafing and irritation, and know I can put this stuff on and it'll soak in and help speed up healing. When in doubt, I use this stuff on all sorts of "ouch" skin issues. 

Promising review: "I use this as a face moisturizer and it works wonders!!! It also works very well for chafing. This is my favorite skincare product!!!" —Corey Belue

Promising review: "As a marathon runner and ICU nurse who works 13-hour shifts. I really like this product and feel it works very well to prevent chafing. I also really like the convenience of the stick and its consistency (not too sticky, not too hard, not too soft), which makes it easy to apply and makes it last a long time. I have used many different kinds of chafe sticks/balms, and this is my new favorite one. Worth the price tag." —Daddy, Mama, Mila, & Baby Jake

Promising review: "A must for cycling. No more chafing on the undercarriage. Does not stain cycling bibs." —naomi

Get it from Amazon for $12.90 (also available in a balm and a stick).

Promising review: "These are amazing! I cannot sing enough praises. They are so soft and very absorbent. Wash up well and dry fast. No more irritating under-boob sweat or chafing. People dealing with peri-menopause — these are a must buy. If you're active or wearing an underwire, these are great for all. How have these not been a thing since the dawn of time? I got the XL and it's longer than I expected, but it just offers more padding. Get the size you think you are and maybe a size smaller. I mean you'll want to wear one every day." —Julie M Smith

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in women's sizes M–XXL and in several color combos). 

Promising review: "I use this when wearing flats without socks. It works great! I was shocked by how good my feet smelled after being in Rothy’s for 10 hours on a warm day!" —Lisa

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.