We’ve all been there, out and about enjoying life when the irritation starts. It usually begins as an uncomfortable sensation, but can become quite painful if left unchecked.
We’re talking about skin chafing here – those red, irritated patches that develop due to too much friction between your skin or your skin and your clothes.
There are 5 main reasons why skin chafing occurs, and we’re going to highlight them here in hopes you can prevent future incidents. But for those times it happens anyway, we’re also covering how to treat it.
Lack of hydration. Chafing is more likely to happen when your skin is dry. Even if it doesn’t look particularly dry, it’s still important to keep the skin nourished. Applying a skin moisturizing product, like our true natural skin gel or moisturizing skin gel (depending on your skin type) from head to toe will help. These skin gels work to nourish, hydrate and rejuvenate the skin. And since they’re lightweight, fast-absorbing and non-greasy, they can be used anywhere on the body.
Shaving. Quick shaves are often a culprit of chafing. But so is not using the right products for a shave. You’ll want to look for products with ingredients that condition the skin, like oils and essential oils, shea butter, etc. These will help soothe the skin for up to 24 hours after being applied. And extra hydration will also help prevent bumps and nicks.
Fit of clothes. While skin on skin friction is primarily the cause of chafing, your clothes can also be a culprit. Mainly when they’re tight-fitting or scratchy. Think jeans, freshly washed and right out of the dryer – while the fit looks fantastic, chafing can be a threat. Or workout wear that needs to be tight (or swim suits + life jackets). In this case, applying a barrier balm or cream would be a good idea.
Stubble. That 5 o’clock shadow might look great on your guy, but snuggling up to it can irritate the skin and lead to chafing on your face. We’re not saying don’t canoodle, just be forewarned. And apply a cool cloth and some of our aloe-based gel to soothe any irritation after.
Repetitive motion. If you participate in a sport or activity (running, swimming, biking, etc.) that requires repetitive motion, your skin is more likely to experience chafing. In these cases, it’s especially important to follow the above tips about keeping your skin well moisturized and using a product that will create a barrier between your skin and your clothes.
For those times that chafing does occur, apply a cool, damp cloth to the area for a few minutes. Then apply our true natural skin gel to help soothe inflammation and heal the area.
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