How to Prevent Chafing at the Beach

Most of us daydream about beach days (especially in the dead of winter.) But sometimes, the realities of the beach don’t quite live up to the fantasy.

Sunburn, skin chafing, and stepping on sharp stones or shells are some of the pesky inconveniences that can occur. Not to mention sand literally everywhere and all those pesky stinging creatures that live in the ocean…

While some of this is just part and parcel of the beach experience, there are things you can do to set yourself up for success by the sea!

Sun, Sand, Salt Water… Sweat and Skin Irritation

After months of being carefully swaddled in layers of clothes, the beach can be a bit of a shock to the skin. Your poor skin is suddenly exposed to sun, sand, and salt water. And while all of this may be exactly what you are craving, your delicate skin may react otherwise.

Skin chafing is caused by friction due to repeated rubbing. It can be skin-on-skin (like the inner thighs rubbing together) or materials on the skin (like clothes rubbing against the skin.) Chafing is always exacerbated by sweat. And, of course, if you’re active or sitting in the sun, you will sweat more.

But the beach has another chafing ingredient: Sand. Sand is made of tiny particles of stones, rocks, and shells that have been battered by the sea. We all know the abrasive properties of sand (just think of sandpaper!), so when sand repeatedly rubs against the skin, it can cause or exacerbate skin chafing.

Thigh Chafing Is Especially Common on the Beach

You can experience chafing almost anywhere on the body, but the inner thighs are a common area for skin-on-skin chafing. The delicate skin of the inner thighs is suddenly exposed to all the elements when you hit the beach. And because we often sit on the sand on the beach, the sand can definitely be a huge contributor here. So you should take steps to prevent thigh chafing before you hit the beach!

Beach Chafing: How to Prevent Chafing at the Beach

If you’re experiencing chafing on your beach vacation or just planning one and want to avoid beach chafing altogether, follow these steps to prevent chafing on your beach trip:

Rinse Sand Off the Skin Regularly

Sand can quickly build up on the skin, and when you move around, it will act like literal sandpaper, rubbing the skin until inflammation and small tears occur.

So, make sure you rinse the skin off the sand regularly to prevent chafing. Remember: Sand floats around in the ocean too, so if there are beach showers, they’ll be a better way of rinsing off. Pat the skin dry before returning to the beach, as sand will stick more easily to wet skin.

Shake Out Your Towels 

If you have the choice, lounge on a chair or lounger, as this will help you avoid beach chafing. But if you are lying on a beach, do use a beach towel and make sure you shake out your beach towel regularly to make sure sand is not building up on it. 

Add a Coverup or Try Anti-Chafing Swim Shorts

When you’re not in the water, an extra layer will help protect the skin from sand (and from the sun.) There are lots of styles of cover-ups out there, but if you experience inner-thigh chafing, you could think about throwing on a pair of drawstring shorts or even a specialty product of anti-chafing beach shorts.

Even in the water, there are styles of swimsuits that will offer more coverage and skin protection. Products like rash guards, swim shorts, and even wetsuits can help.

Explore Body Glide Balms and Anti-Chafing Creams

There are many anti-chafing products hitting the market to help prevent friction and combat (and treat) skin chafing. These products are designed to create a barrier that sits on top of the skin and help the skin “glide” past other skin rather than it rubbing and creating friction.

It might take some trial and error to find an anti-chafe balm or product you like, but they might be worth trying. Some notes to consider: 

• These anti-chafe products might rub off on or stain clothing, and
• Of course, they will run out and need to be replenished!

If you don’t have these products handy, you can even try good old petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) to create a skin barrier, and it’s worth noting that petroleum jelly can also be used to treat chafing if it does happen.

Try Anti-Perspirants or Deodorants

Sweat is a major contributor to skin-chafing. While we usually think about our armpits when it comes to sweat, you have sweat glands all over your body, including your boobs, groin, back, and thighs. 

Factors that impact how much you sweat include:

• How many sweat glands you have (the average person has 3 million, but it can range between 2 million and 4 million. The more glands, the more sweat).
• Gender
• Genetics
• Age
• Fitness level
• Environment

But if you sweat more, you are more susceptible to chafing. So deodorants or antiperspirants can help.

Antiperspirants work by temporarily plugging your sweat glands, so they are very effective at preventing sweat. Many of us use antiperspirants for underarm sweat (though people increasingly switch to natural deodorants for various health reasons connected with aluminum - the chief ingredient used to plug those glands). Whether you are for or against them, antiperspirants can offer an effective solution to sweat. And you can use antiperspirant on other body parts too. 

A Very Light Dust of Powder May Prevent Sand Clinging

If sweat is a major source of bother, moisture-absorbing powders can keep you dry by absorbing excess moisture. A light dusting of baby powder may also help prevent sand from sticking to the body.  Look for non-talc all-natural products with ingredients like kaolin or cornstarch to absorb moisture. Other ingredients, like aloe and lavender, can cool, soothe and have antibacterial properties.

Treat Sensitive Skin Gently: But Keep Clean and Dry (but Moisturized)

If your skin is already irritated, red or inflamed, sand chafing can happen more easily. There are certain body parts where the skin is just naturally more delicate. These include:

• The skin of the inner thighs and vulva
• The breasts and nipples (and beneath the breasts)
• Inner arms and armpits

Always make sure that you are treating the skin gently. This includes not scrubbing too hard in the shower nor drying too aggressively (pat dry rather than rubbing harshly.) It also includes the kinds of products you choose: Products with scrubbing particles or acids (like lactic acid, fruit acid, or AHAs) may irritate, as might products with a strong fragrance. Also, consider the temperature of the water you’re bathing in: Hot showers and baths can agitate sensitive skin. 

If your skin is sensitive (or is already a chafed area), gentle washing with a scent-free shower gel is ideal. Pat the skin dry and moisturize it with a light lotion.

While gentle cleaning is best, it is also worth noting the importance of staying clean and dry. If you work up a sweat, don’t sit around with wet skin in damp and sweaty workout clothes. Remember, damp conditions can easily aggravate the skin (as well as create a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause skin infections, UTIs, or yeast infections!)

Shower and change often to keep the skin clean and dry. But also treat the skin gently so you don’t cause any irritation!

We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.