Real talk: it ain't cute, but chafing is a problem that plagues 99.9% of people (probably) through spring and summer when it's finally warm enough to ditch those layers. It's quite possibly the only downside to the sunny weather. No matter what your dress size, when it comes to the heat and excess sweat, our thighs – and other areas of the body – are never safe from when that hellish chafing ensues.
But who says we have to suffer and let the chub rub ruin our summer? Thankfully, there are some truly genius solutions that can help prevent unwanted friction, from anti-chafing shorts to cutting-edge creams. So, if you don't want to spend your summer sweating it out in trousers or getting strange looks as a result of walking with your feet a metre apart to prevent the rub... READ ON.
Here, we've rounded up the best tried-and-tested solutions loved by chafing sufferers the world over. Get involved and liberate those legs.
1. Anti-chafing shorts
Any kind of elasticated shorts, be it cycling shorts or Spanx, will keep your thighs protected from friction AND prevent any cringey underwear flashes if the breeze catches your summer dress. Double win.
Our faves are Yadifen's seamless shorts that are ideal for slipping on under dresses and skirts this heatwave szn. Luckily they come in a handy pack of three, so you can always have one of these summer-life-savers on rotation.
YADIFEN 3-pack Anti Chafing Long Briefs Underwear
Of course, we also can rely on the underwear gods at M&S to supply the ideal anti-chafing shorts. Part of the Cool Comfort range, they hit the nail on the head:
M&S Collection 2pk Anti-Chafe Shorts
If you're looking to really invest, Spanx's shorts are a great option too. They have an elasticated high-rise waistband for added comfort, and are made from a 'next to naked' fabric to go completely unnoticed:
2. Anti-chafing bands
If the idea of your 'bits' overheating in shorts worries you, try these anti-chafing bands instead. A bit like the top of stockings, they stay in place all day and provide an all-important barrier for your thighs. This lace neutral-toned option from Bandelettes, who've offered anti-chafing bands for years, is perfect for wearing under white summer dresses:
Bandelettes Original Elastic Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands
Here's a plus-size, classic black option too, in a super soft fabric from La Redoute. They have a silicone trim that'll keep them in place so you can rely on no slipping or budging all day.
Magic Bodyfashion Be Sweet To Your Legs Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands
Magic Bodyfashion Be Sweet To Your Legs Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands
3. Lush Silky Underwear dusting powder
This stuff is basically a really fancy version of talc, packed with skin-kind ingredients that will keep chafing at bay when applied to the skin. It does wonders for preventing boob sweat, too, so don't go anywhere this summer without it in your bag. Plus, it smells amazing.
Lush Silky Underwear Dusting Powder
4. Maybelline Baby Skin Primer
We LOVE this beauty hack. When one writer ran out of her favourite anti-chafe balm, she turned to her makeup primer instead in a moment of sheer desperation. Even though she didn't find the primer much good on her face, she found it amazing at preventing thigh-rub. Who knew?!
Maybelline Baby Skin Primer
Maybelline Baby Skin Primer
5. Anti-Chafing Balm
An award-winning entry from Megababe; their Thigh Rescue anti-friction stick won New Beauty’s ‘Best Chafe Stick’ in 2022 and was part of Into The Gloss' '25 best products of the decade' round-up in 2019. We. Are. Sold.
6. Liquid Talc
This alternative to talcum powder goes on like a lotion and while it might technically be a baby product designed to enhance the softness of a newborn's skin and tackle nappy rash, it can apparently work wonders for adults who want to prevent thigh chafing and boob sweat. At least according to online reviews and social media.
Given you can snap up three bottles for just £7 on Amazon RN, we're happy to put this theory to the test ourselves.
Or, for a seriously budget buy, Asda's Little Angels Liquid Talc has received plenty of praise on social media for being a great solution to summer thigh chafing – and it's only £1.50!
LITTLE ANGELS by ASDA Liquid Talc
And there you have it, don't sweat it – or chafe it – this summer.
Sophie Leen is the Bookings Editor for Cosmopolitan UK and Women's Health UK. She specialises in creating fashion and shopping content across both digital and print platforms, as well as producing all of our fashion editorial photoshoots, which have included our digital cover with Olly Alexander and our curve influencer’s letter to the high street story. Sophie also looks after our Try Before You Train franchise where our team have tested and reviewed over 100 gymwear items.
Rosie Davenport is a former Ecommerce Writer at Cosmopolitan UK and Red Online, covering fashion, beauty and travel reviews, as well as major sales events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Rosie has reviewed everything from Reformation dresses to the latest massage guns and knows the new brands to bookmark as well as the latest trends to follow. Before this role, Rosie was a Fashion Ecommerce Writer on publications including ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar and Good Housekeeping for nearly two years, and gained a MA from Central Saint Martins in Fashion Journalism in 2021, focussing on the rise (and rise) of fashion podcasting. Rosie has also worked at The Times, been a sub editor at The Mail on Sunday’s weekly YOU magazine and produced in-depth retail reports for the trend forecasting agency WGSN. Her career highlight? Previewing Prada’s AW21 menswear show in the depths of lockdown and interviewing Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons from her bedroom. Outside of work, Rosie can be found rummaging through vintage shops or getting lost in one of London’s iconic department stores. You can follow Rosie on Instagram @rosie.davenport
