Dealing With The Chub Rub: Easy Solutions That Really Help To Stop The Summertime Chaffing

Very few of us actually have a thigh gap, regardless of the fact the media seem to portray it as normality. The majority of the population have thighs that touch, which during the cooler months don't cause much of a problem - but as soon as the heat comes out to play those touching thighs can become rubbing thighs, and those rubbing thighs can cause so much discomfort that it's actually a struggle to walk like you've not just peed your pants. I've spent many a holiday over the years tucking my dress between my legs, applying talc every ten minutes or resorting to Vaseline as a way to lubricate an area of my body that has it in for me: and it seems I'm not alone. Over the past few weeks, as we've seen the thermometers creep up and up, I've had endless conversations with people about the 'chub rub' problem and the very real discomfort it can cause. In the interests of keeping us all chafe-free and happy in the sunshine, I've been putting a number of different solutions to the test that really do help.

Lanacane Anti-Chafing Gel (£8.19)
My personal favourite and a product that I've been recommending to everyone, Lanacane looks medicinal but it's every girl's best friend come summer. The silky smooth gel applies wet but dries within nanoseconds, helping to soothe irritated skin while providing protection against rubbing thighs. You can re-apply this velvety smooth gel easily throughout the day and need a small amount to provide all the protection you need; this is the one product that has completely stopped my chaffing, even on the hottest days of the year, and kept me totally comfortable.  I do like the fact it just looks like any kind tube of cream, and not cringey embarassing, plus the tube is small enough to slip into your bag. Buy it. In fact, buy two.

Jockey Skimmies Short Length Slipshort (£13.00)
If you prefer to opt for underwear to stop legs touching altogether, then Skimmies are a great idea. The material is incredibly lightweight and super stretchy, meaning that you won't overheat and they're totally invisible under clothes (if you go for the nude option that is.) Not dissimilar from Spanx, but way more comfy and practical, these are great under a maxi or midi when there's no risk of your dress blowing up in the wind; or alternatively, they provide a great modesty short if you're wearing a knee-skimming number! I've not been wearing these on a daily basis, but I know on days I'm going to be doing a lot of walking (or its exceptionally hot) then they're a safety net I can rely on.

Bandelettes Elastic Thigh Bands (£18.99) 
Fancy something a little less constrictive but still want to stop your thighs from touching throughout the day? Bandelettes are essentially slightly less fancy garters and can be positioned exactly where you need them, without adding a whole other layer over your undies. Rather annoyingly you do have to measure your thighs with a tape measure to get the right size (they're only stocked in inches, rather than sizes) and ensure they stay up, but the effort is worth it. The material is really light and not at all sweaty, but you do find yourself fiddling with them throughout the day and spending more time in the loo than probably necessary. Plus, if you suffer with thrush the fact these go nowhere near your nether regions is an undeniable bonus. 

BodyGlide For Her (£12.95)  
A recommendation I was given a lot when researching online, and a product many women swear by, this little stick looks like a deodorant but helps to protect skin while infusing it with ingredients that help to aid repair. A balm-like texture, this is easily applied and looks rather feminine in nature - so you can safely stash it in your bag without generating stares. With this kind of texture I find that it's not necessarily super sweat resistant, so if you're really hot and damp you will need to re-apply regularly, but it definitely helps to lubricate tacky skin and keep you comfortable in the warmer weather. I love the fact the ingredients help to aid the repair of damaged skin too; if you've been caught short and have some chaffing already, then this won't irritate the area but actually help it to repair faster. 

Chaffing or 'chub rub' isn't something we should be embarrassed about - it impacts more of us than you think and isn't just something that overweight people suffer from. Even my fiancé suffers with chaffing because of his strong rugby thighs, and most of his team wear cycling shorts under their uniform! Unless you've got a thigh gap, which the majority of us don't, then chaffing is a very real struggle come the summer. Hopefully some of these solutions will help!

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