As warmer weather becomes the norm and we get used to stifling cars and sweaty commutes, we’re all dusting off our summer essentials, from shorts and tank tops to extra-strength deodorants and, of course, anti-chafe products. While we usually think of the dreaded thigh area when we think of summer chafing, for many women the chest area also proves a troublesome one in those active summer months. If you struggle with chafing under the breasts, don’t fret—we consulted expert dermatologists to get their best recommendations for battling breast chafing this summer.
Featured Experts
- Jeanine B. Downie, MD is a dermatologist in Montclair, NJ
- Heidi Waldorf, MD is a dermatologist in New York
- Marisa Garshick, MD is a dermatologist in New York
What are the best products for preventing breast chafing?
First and foremost, if you struggle with breast chafing, take solace in the fact that you are not alone. “Under breast chafing is common for large-breasted women, especially as breasts sag,” says Dr. Waldorf. “It results from a combination of warmth, sweat and skin-to-skin contact, and the key to prevention is keeping the area dry and blocking skin-to-skin contact.”
In terms of what you should use to safely and effectively prevent under-breast chafing, Dr. Waldorf recommends an underarm or full body antiperspirant. “The best ones for this purpose are invisible and non-irritating—sweat can be reduced without drying out the skin itself—like Dove Advanced Care Clear Finish Antiperspirant Dry Spray ($8) with 20 percent aluminum chlorohydrate plus moisturizing ingredients to maintain the skin barrier,” she explains. “For more powerful protection, apply Dove Clinical Strength Antiperspirant ($9) with 20 percent aluminum zirconium before bed.”
Aside from antiperspirants, gentle healing ointments and balms can help reduce the risk of breast chafing and irritation. Dr. Downie’s favorites for preventing breast chafing before it starts are Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($13), Body Glide Anti-Blister Balm ($11) (editor note: I’ve ran two half marathons and used Body Glide all over for both—I cannot recommend enough) and Cerave Healing Ointment ($10). Dr. Garshick adds First Aid Beauty Anti-Chafe Stick ($19) and Vaseline All-Over Body Balm Stick ($8) as two other chafe-preventing favorites.
What are the best products for treating rashes caused by breast chafing?
While preventing rashes before they start is always ideal, if you do end up with skin irritation caused by breast chafing, there are several derm-approved solutions for providing relief and healing the area quickly. Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream ($26) can be used to help heal chafed skin, improve dryness and calm redness and inflammation,” Dr. Garshick says. “It is fragrance-free and won’t leave the skin feeling greasy.” If you prefer a spray treatment, Dr. Garshick recommends La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 Spray ($25) to calm skin while restoring the skin barrier. “My favorite products for treating rashes and irritation in the breast area include gentle body washes like Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash ($11) and Zeasorb AF Powder ($8) as well as prescription products like Naftin cream or Ketoconazol,” Dr. Downie adds.
One of Dr. Waldorf’s favorite products for treating rashes in the chest area is the Desitin Daily Defense Cream ($16) which she explains is “marketed for diaper rash prevention but also works for breast chafing as it contains 13 percent zinc oxide for sweat reduction, glycerin to maintain normal skin hydration and dimethicone to protect the skin barrier and provide a silky feel.” Dr. Waldorf also adds that excess moisture in the folds of skin under the breasts can lead to a rash called intertrigo, which requires treatment with low potency topical steroids like 1 percent hydrocortisone cream and anti-yeast medications like clotrimazole. “Intertrigo is red and moist often with a white coating and/or pustules and can sting, itch and even be painful,” she says.
What products should you not use around the breasts for chafing and irritation?
The breasts are a sensitive area, and the skin on the chest requires gentle care, so it’s equally as important to know what not to use to treat chafing breasts. “Some antiperspirants and deodorants may be too drying or irritating for the skin, which is why anti-chafe balms and creams may be more helpful to provide a soothing effect as well as a protective barrier,” says Dr. Garshick. If you’re dealing with a rash, Dr. Waldorf recommends avoiding higher potency steroids because of the risk of skin thinning and worsening yeast. “One should never use steroid creams repeatedly in the breast area as they can thin out the skin and lead to stretch marks,” Dr. Downie reiterates. “Women should also not scratch at this area even if it is itchy because that can lead to serious infection. Harsh detergents like bleach and baking soda should also not be used in this area, as these products can lead to chemical burns.”
