First of all, I love my thighs. I really love them. When I wear shorts (open in new tab), they inevitably bump against my thighs and I get a rash immediately. Plot: I have and will continue to show off my thighs, but the pesky thigh chafe, also known as "chub love," always shows up at parties as an uninvited guest.

Unfortunately, this happens to everyone, regardless of body type, and is a real bummer in the summer. Chafing: One of the worst summer disasters is skin-to-skin contact, which can cause skin irritation and a pretty bad rash. There are tons of products on the market that claim to help with chafing, but what actually works?

When I was in high school, I confided in a close friend of mine that I needed something to help with my chafing issues. Lucky for me, he introduced me to LUSH Silky Underwear Powder. He said this was like a high-end baby powder, but without the dreaded talcum (opens in new tab) found in some powders. Instead, this vegan product is based on cornstarch and kaolin, which ethically absorbs moisture and leaves the softest feel.

I was sold and excited to move away from what I was using at the time (more on that later). I went home, shook the bottle three or four times to get the product to blend in my hands, then applied it where it was needed. To my surprise, it worked. The jasmine and vetiver scent wasn't bad either. Needless to say, this product has become a staple in my skin care routine.

Now, remember when I said I was looking forward to moving away from other options? These jockey magic shorts, with their long, seamless design, are a godsend in the fight against chafing. They were my staple when I wore skirts and dresses to school in middle school. Because 1) they prevented shoe chafing, and 2) I had the peace of mind that if I magically tripped down the stairs, half the school would not see my day underwear.

These shorts have come a long, long way in their technology and now have breathable mesh panels and mesh wicking fabric that will definitely keep me cool in the Texas heat. They also come in more sizes than in their heyday, from S to XXXL. Sometimes I still wear these, but when I want to be a little more ~light~, I'll stick with another option: thighbands.

Ah, the thigh band. This slightly sexier-looking tool is a smart option for minimizing good old chafing, especially when wearing shorter dresses (which open with new tabs) or skirts. Especially when wearing shorter length dresses (tabs open) or skirts. When I first tried them on I was unsure if they would hold my thighs in place all day. (Imagine my surprise when the Bandelettes (opens in new tab) arrived.

They hold up all day and I even bartered down only one size so that they are extra tight, but they perfectly hold up well in your usual size. They run from S-XXXL, just like our faithful jockey shorts. I've been using them for over a year and they still hold up; the price of around $20 for two pieces of fabric may seem high, but it's well worth it.

If you have thigh rubs and access to the Internet, you know the deodorant (opens in new tab) trick. I use it all the time on my armpits, there's no reason not to apply it to the skin of my inner thighs" This was all I had when I was younger.

News flash: it's not true, and this secret has been passed down forever and has become the O.G. fighter in the fight against thigh chafing. Just make sure your skin is not chafed when you apply it. Some deodorants only go on top of the skin, not inside it. If your skin is rough, try using two of the garments on this list.

When I told everyone about my chafing problem, several people asked, "Have you tried Mega Babe?" I exclaimed. I certainly had never tried it, but after using it once on a hot summer day in Houston (opens in new tab), I found the product irresistible. This non-toxic anti-friction stick is composed of aloe, grapeseed oil, and antioxidant vitamin E, which creates a barrier over the skin. This allows the thighs to rub against each other like a holy couple and go about their day without pain.

Great product, needed to be applied 2-3 times throughout the day full of sweat, but by the end of the day the bumps were gone. To get the most out of the product, be sure not to leave it in hot areas. Wishing you a chafe-free summer this year.