Yep, Thigh Chafing Happens In The Winter, Too — Here’s How To Deal

Summer was only a few short weeks ago, meaning that your sun-kissed glow might be slowly going away — but your chafed thighs may have not. Granted, thigh-chafing isn't exclusively a seasonal issue — however, three months' worth of high-cut swimsuits, miniskirts, and short shorts lend themselves to the cause. And leads to thigh chafing happening in the fall and winter, too — even underneath all of our layers.

"Thigh chafing results from friction and rubbing of the thighs produced by repetitive skin-to-skin contact or from skin-to-clothing contact," Pearl E. Grimes, MD, FAAD, a Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist, explains. "Common causes ... include fatty tissue of the superior inner thigh."

And it's not just uncomfortable: Due to the friction and irritation from rubbing, it can cause hyperpigmentation, too. Coupled with improper drying of the inner thighs after showering, wearing moisture-retaining clothing during workouts, and frequently crossing and uncrossing your legs, chafing is often inevitable. And while you can easily slip on a pair of bike shorts, Spanx, or Bandelettes underneath your dresses, creating a barrier of fabric between your legs is only a temporary solution.

Instead, look to keep your skin hydrated, rather than damp, by opting for products like chamomile and almond oil, as well as ingredients like azelaic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide to combat discoloration, Hedieh Asadi, MD — who also co-founded of DeoDoc — tells TZR. Ahead, find out from Dr. Grimes and Dr. Asadi, MD how to heal your chafing at home, plus grab some insight on the best products to do so.