Best Anti-Chafing Cream For Runners in 2023

Nothing can ruin a good run like the burning feeling that comes from chafing. Nobody is immune to it, either – friction happens!

An anti-chafing cream can help reduce rubbing, prevent pain and discomfort, and keep you running for longer.

The top anti-chafing cream we’ve chosen is Body Glide Body. It comes in both men’s and women’s versions, both of which are created from plant-based ingredients and are allergen-free.

Read through our top choices to find one that works for you.

Top 4 Best and Favorites

Best Overall

1. Body Glide Body

Body Glide is made from allergen-free, plant-derived ingredients and can be safely used by most individuals. There are options for both men and women, but the women’s body glide stick does come with additional ingredients that help to moisturize the skin.

The women’s stick contains vitamins A, B, E, and F. This is great for moisture, but some ladies with sensitive skin may find that this irritates their skin.

Before you get changed, just apply the Body Glide to the areas of the body that are prone to chafing or where you’ve noticed that irritation of the skin occurs. You can use this anywhere on the body. If you’re a triathlete, you’ll be happy to hear that it repels water well.

Once you’ve applied Body Glide, it dries quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy residue. You’ll also find that it’s long-lasting and you won’t need to reapply often.

Top Runner-up

2. Chamois Butt’r Original Anti Chafe

You can apply this lotion liberally to the areas that can be affected by chafing, or to areas of the body that are already raw. This will help to soothe the skin and help to prevent further irritation.

It doesn’t contain any artificial fragrances or colors, so it won’t discolor or stain any of your clothing. It’s also free of parabens and gluten, but it does still contain other ingredients that some people may be sensitive to, so it’s best to have a look at those before applying it.

It’s long-lasting, non-greasy and when you’re done with your daily activities, you can simply wash it off with some soap and water.

Best All-Natural

3. Squirrel’s Nut Butter All-Natural Anti-Chafe Salve

This is an all-natural anti-chafe salve that comes in a double-walled tub to prevent it from melting in warmer conditions. It will help to prevent friction and soothe irritated skin. Nut Butter can be used for other purposes as well, such as restoring dry or cracked skin and soothing eczema or diaper rash.

This product uses coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax and vitamin E oil, and is suitable for individuals with sensitive skin as well. It wasn’t tested on animals, and is safe enough to be used on children. Some may find that it doesn’t have a pleasant smell, but that’s because it doesn’t contain any fragrances.

Top Unscented

4. Gold Bond Friction Defense Stick

You’ll find that Gold Bond Friction Defense stick not only reduces friction, but helps to moisturize and soothe skin, too. Once you’ve applied it, it doesn’t leave a residue, and won’t leave any stains on clothing, either.

Even if you have sensitive skin, you’ll find that the aloe vera and ginger will help soothe the area where the skin is irritated or chafed, helping to restore the skin. It’s long-lasting so you don’t have to worry about reapplying it every hour.

The product is free from artificial scents, but you’ll find that it has quite a pleasant natural smell. This product may not work for everyone, as some people find it feels sticky once it’s applied. It may also cause some irritation to sensitive parts of the body.

Best For Thighs

5. Megababe Thigh Rescue

Megababe comes in an easy application stick that won’t leave a greasy residue on your skin. It’s made from aloe vera, pomegranate, vitamin E, orange oil, and grapeseed oil, all of which help to moisturize and hydrate the skin and reduce inflammation.

It will help to soothe and restore skin that’s already raw, and will prevent friction once it’s been applied. It’s long-lasting and you’ll find that once it’s been liberally applied, you can walk or run for hours and you won’t feel any rubbing.

The orange oil also gives it a subtle orange scent, which you can smell once it’s been applied. You’d have to be careful about where you leave the application stick when you’re not using it, as it will melt in hot temperatures, which can make it difficult to clean or use again.

Top Spray

6. TRISLIDE Anti-Chafe Continuous Spray Lubricant

You may find that the Trislide spray makes it easier to get to those hard-to-reach spots on your body where chafing could occur. The spray is environmentally-friendly and won’t stain your clothing.

Once you’ve sprayed it on, it repels sweat and water without the need to reapply it. This will help prevent chafing, friction or blisters, and it won’t feel wet or greasy once you’ve applied it. It’s also fragrance-free, which can help prevent skin irritation for people with sensitive skin.

Once you’ve sprayed it on, some people may find that it takes a bit of time to dry and some may feel that it leaves a sticky residue.

Best Powder

7. Zeasorb Excess Moisture

If you’re not keen on cream or spray, this powder can help to reduce friction when running, as it absorbs excess moisture. It will help to prevent frictional skin irritation, jock itch and athlete’s foot too, as it has antifungal properties that prevent the growth of bacteria.

Hot weather can lead to a heat rash, and this powder can also help to alleviate the itchiness that comes with that. It provides a cooling effect to areas where skin is irritated or inflamed.

You’ll need to apply it liberally, but if you use too much and it absorbs a lot of moisture, you could find that it forms little white pills. Some people may also find the smell of it to be a little unpleasant.

Best For Cyclists

8. Assos Chamois Cream

If you cycle as well as run, you need to prevent chafing and saddle sores. Assos Chamois Cream helps to prevent inflammation and also has antibacterial properties. This helps to restore the skin, reduce friction, and will keep your skin feeling cooler.

You’d have to avoid intimate areas when you apply it before each ride, as it does contain Methylparaben, which can leave you with a tingly sensation. The witch hazel extract will also help to moisturize and restore skin.

Once you’ve applied it, you won’t have to worry about it staining your clothes, and you should reapply it to your shorts insert after every wash.This will help them to maintain their elasticity and suppleness.

If you’re worried about ingredients in this anti-chafing cream, then you may want to look for a paraben-free cream instead.

Top for Triathlons

9. Ruby’s Lube Body Balm

This body balm is made from all-natural ingredients that will moisturize and soothe sore, itching, or inflamed skin. It can help to prevent chafing, runner’s rash, and friction through all three legs of a triathlon.

It’s long-lasting and is both water- and sweat-resistant, which means that you won’t have to apply it again when you’ve left the water or while you’re running. Its natural products make it safe for individuals of all ages to use, including babies, for whom it can be used to help prevent diaper rash.

If your skin is already chafed, this balm will help to soothe and restore the skin. Some people may find the natural fragrances to be a bit strong once they’ve applied it. If you’re not happy with the product, Ruby’s Lube Body Balm offers a 100% money-back guarantee once you’ve returned the product.

Best for Chafe Relief

10. Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel

This gel will glide onto your skin to relieve skin irritation while reducing friction that would aggravate the skin even more. It can be used by those who have sensitive skin, as it contains no artificial fragrances that the body would react badly to.

Its formula combines the benefits of lotion and powder, but it’s non-greasy and won’t leave a residue or stain your clothing. You can use the gel on all body parts, including sensitive areas like the bikini line.

Once you’ve applied it, it noticeably reduces the appearance of redness that’s caused by chafing, and it will prevent any further irritation or rubbing. You may find that it takes a bit longer to dry than creams and powders.

Best Healing

11. CeraVe Healing Ointment

If your skin is very sensitive or you have eczema, you’ll find this product to be an asset to your sports kits. CeraVe is a healing ointment that also has been approved by the National Eczema Association.

This long-lasting ointment will protect, hydrate and soothe skin that is cracked, chafed, or extremely dry without irritating it, as it contains no lanolin and is fragrance-free. It’s so gentle on the skin that you can even use it on your lips, and it’s been developed with the help of dermatologists.

Some customers have said they found it hard to get the product out of the tube. If you live in a cold place, it may help to warm the product up a bit before applying it.