Skin chafing is uncomfortable at best and straight up painful at worst, and it’s a common condition that most of us experience from time to time.<\/p>\n
\u201cFriction is the cause of most all chafing,\u201d Dr. Julie Karen, a board-certified dermatologist from CompleteSkinMD<\/a>\u00a0explains. \u201cChafing will always be worse when the frequency or extent of rubbing is greater, be it skin on skin or skin on your clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n Knowing when you\u2019re most likely to experience chafing is the first step in making sure it doesn\u2019t happen, so read on for five common causes of chafing and how best to avoid it.<\/p>\n Your skin is too dry<\/strong> You\u2019re shaving without the right products<\/strong> Your clothes are too tight<\/strong> You\u2019re kissing someone with scruff<\/strong> You\u2019re doing a lot of repetitive motion<\/strong>
\nChafing is more likely to happen when your skin isn’t properly moisturized, so use a restorative balm on the regular to keep dryness at bay. \u201cMy favorite product without a doubt is Dr. Rogers RESTORE\u00ae Healing Balm<\/a>,\u201d Dr. Karen notes. \u201cIt\u2019s an all-natural skin protectant comprised exclusively of two plant-based ingredients, castor bean oil, and glycerin. It protects your skin with an impaired barrier and moisturizes and repairs damaged or chafed skin. It\u2019s a rescue balm and truly miraculous!\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAccording to Dr. Karen, using the right products to create moisture can help you avoid extra chafing when you shave. Make sure to lavish your most sensitive areas with a cream that protects and heals. The eos Lavender Jasmine Shave Cream<\/a> has natural conditioning oils, antioxidants, and shea butter to help soothe your skin for up to 24 hours after you apply it. Even more, it has added skin protectants to help prevent bumps and nicks while you shave.<\/p>\n
\nYour favorite jeans might look best when it comes right out of the dryer and fits nice and tight, but Dr. Karen suggests avoiding overly tight, restrictive, or scratchy fabric. \u201cSkin chafing can easily occur from overly tight, ill-fit, rough fabric,\u201d she says. If you need to wear form-fitting fabric for a workout, Dr. Karen recommends Udderly Smooth<\/a> as an anti-chafing balm that works to repair painful and broken skin without a greasy feel.<\/p>\n
\nLove your partner\u2019s five o’clock shadow or seeing him with a little extra scruff? We get it! Just know that kissing for an extended period of time or rubbing up against stubble can cause chafing on your face.<\/p>\n
\nRunners, dancers, or anyone who performs repetitive motion for exercise is more likely to experience skin chafing. \u201cWith runners specifically, long races often result in chafing from the repetitive motion that causes rubbing, like in the armpit,\u201d Dr. Karen says. She also notes that Body Glide<\/a> is a game-changer for longer runs. \u201cApply it beneath your sports bra or any other places where you want to prevent rubbing, including your feet,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n