It doesn’t just come down to the style of underwear when you want to prevent chub rub. The fabric it’s made of matters just as much. Soft, natural, and sustainable fabrics like organic cotton and hemp fabric are great for this. They won’t rub uncomfortably against delicate skin. Plus, they’re breathable, which means less sweat, which means less chafe!

Bike shorts aren’t just for style points—they’re also great for preventing chafing during exercise. They put a layer of protection between your inner thigh skin and, well, your other inner thigh skin.

If bike shorts aren’t your style, grab a pair of leggings to work out in. Whatever you choose, make sure you’re looking for items made of natural fabrics to ensure breathability and softness!

On the flip side, no matter if you’re running a marathon or walking from the fridge to the couch, it’s a good idea to avoid wearing super short styles if you want to avoid chub rub. This also includes dresses or skirts without shorts underneath. Having your thighs rub is just asking for inner thigh chafing! If you simply must show off those gorgeous gams, then make sure you wear a type of chub rub protection!

The general consensus is comfort and support! Boxer briefs cover more of your thigh than briefs do so they help prevent chafing. They are also not as loose as boxers so they offer a more secure hold for the genitals, keeping everything in place but still letting it all breathe. 

What is chub rub prevention, you ask? There are many different options, but basically anything that stops that delicate skin from rubbing against anything. Here are some crowd favorites:

• Powder:  any type of body powder like baby powder, cornstarch, or tapioca starch can be used to help prevent chub rub.

PROS: It works to dry up any sweat, and creates less rubbing and more gliding.

CONS: It can be messy, it shows on your skin, and the talc in most baby powders has been linked to ovarian cancers in some studies.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Under skirts or dresses, where you won’t be able to see your inner thighs, it can work great, but stick to powders made of corn or tapioca starch.

• Glide:  usually looks like a deodorant stick that you roll onto your thighs (or wherever you’re chafing).

PROS: It’s pretty effective for stopping chafing.

CONS: You’ll have to reapply throughout the day for best results, and some people don’t like the wet feeling it leaves.

THE BOTTOM LINE: There are a ton of body glides on the market, so if you don’t like the first one you try, check out another before making your mind up.

• Bandelettes:  basically a thigh band that physically blocks your thighs from rubbing.

PROS: If they’re placed and sized correctly, it’s pretty much impossible to chafe while wearing them.

CONS: They’re super visible, can move down during the day, and can be uncomfortable if they’re too tight.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you’re at the end of your rope with inner thigh chafing, try them out. But make sure they’re your correct size.

Whenever you go swimming, or get sweaty, it’s so important to get dry. Walking around with wet skin or clothing is a recipe for inner thigh disaster. So always pack dry clothes to get changed into after your dip! 

If you’re currently dealing with chub rub, it’s too late to prevent it with any of the above techniques. So what’s a person to do? Follow these tricks for fast healing!

A chub rub rash can quickly turn into a bigger problem if you’re not keeping it clean and calmed down. Washing with a moisturizing, gentle soap like hemp soap will help keep inflammation, infections, and pain down. Just make sure afterwards you really dry it off well!

One of the best things you can do for your chub rub is air it out. Keep clothing off of it, or wear very loose breathable clothing made from natural fibers to increase airflow. It’ll heal a lot faster once it's clean and dry. 

If it’s really painful, or you can’t sit spread eagle all day to air it out (understandable), aloe vera gel is a great way to get some relief. It even works as a bit of a glide, so you’ll be able to walk around more comfortably. It can be a little messy, so wear clothes you don’t mind having to wash.

Natural, breathable fabrics will be your best friend until your chafing heals. Think linen, organic cotton, or hemp! They’ll let you air your chub rub out without having a public indecency charge filed against you. 

Sometimes chub rub comes in the form of bumps that looks a lot like pimples. And you might be tempted to pop them. But I promise you, it will get so much worse if you do. Not only will it hurt when you pop, it’ll then be an open wound ripe for infection and more pain!

The same goes for shaving. The area is already irritated, so don’t mess with it any further with a razor! 

While we want the area aired out, we don’t want it dried out. Dryness = itchiness, which is not good for anyone. Using moisturizing soap and lightweight lotion, keep the area hydrated.

Chub rub is painful and annoying. And it happens to everyone. But there are ways to prevent it like wearing longer styles of shorts, using glides or powders, and choosing clothing and underwear made with natural fabrics. If you already have chub rub, grab some aloe, soothing soap, and all of your patience. Soon enough, it’ll heal!

I remember my first time getting chub rub—after a day of walking around Manhattan in denim shorts in May. It was SO painful, I couldn’t believe it! What was your first or worst time getting chub rub? Let me know in the comments below!