Powder Isn't Working for Chafing: What Should I Use Instead?
Have you been dealing with chafed skin, but body powder isn't doing anything to help solve the problem? Are you looking for alternatives that will help heal and prevent chafe?
Don't worry; we're here to help.
The first thing you'll want to do is examine the powder you've been using to see if you can identify any nasty ingredients that might be causing problems for you. It's possible that powder actually can work for your chafing– it's just that you've been using the wrong one.
If you decide you aren't a powder guy, that's cool too. You can consider several other options and lifestyle changes to ensure that chafe is a thing of the past.
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Why Am I Dealing With Chafing?
The last thing anyone wants to be researching online is what the heck to do about the irritating, itchy rash in their nether regions. We get it.
The reality is, though, that you'll be much better equipped to find a solution once you understand a little bit about why chafing is occurring.
Chafing happens when your skin rubs against clothing, material, or another part of your skin. With this repeated rubbing, your skin gets irritated and creates an uncomfortable, itchy rash.
This unfortunate situation is caused by friction, but it can worsen when moisture and heat are added to the equation. That's why we most often deal with chafing in the warm, moist areas of the body– the groin, inner thighs, and armpits, for example.
The good news is that chafing can be easy to treat if you have the right tools. Beyond that, once you understand the pain of chafing, you will likely be motivated to take preventative measures, which can help ensure you never have to deal with this unpleasant reality again.
Why All Powders Aren't Created Equal
When you look up what to do about chafing, one of the answers that repeatedly comes up is chafing powder.
If you've been using powder to try and control your chafe and it simply isn't working, though, it's reasonable that you might try and look for a different type of product. Before we look at some solid alternatives, though, it's worth understanding that not all chafing powders are created equal.
One thing to understand about powders is that they aren't all made with the best ingredients. In the past, most body powders were made using talcum powder, some of which have been found to contain asbestos.
Assuming that you're not interested in putting asbestos on your balls, this is a good thing to keep an eye out for.
Another ingredient that is commonly included in body powders is menthol. Anytime a powder is advertised as being "medicated," it means that it contains menthol, an organic compound combining acidic compounds and mint oils.
While some people love the strange sensation of using medicated body powder, others have found that it causes more trouble than it's worth. Most guys don't really care if their balls smell like a fresh mint field; they'd rather just be comfortable, free of irritation, dry, and odor free. At the same time, medicated powders smell more like a retirement home than an herb garden.
Men with sensitive skin can negatively react to powders containing menthol, and those that use larger doses or it for long periods. In these cases, it can end up stinging, burning, and potentially even resulting in discoloration.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of weird ingredients that end up getting put into body care products that are unnecessary. For this reason, you might consider giving ball powder another try before switching to an alternative– it might not be that powder inherently doesn't work for you, but rather that you need to find a brand that uses only high-quality, natural ingredients.
If you think the culprit might be a bad product with sub-par ingredients, check out Chassis Premium Powder for men. Made in the US with only the best ingredients, you'll find that chafing and odor are a thing of the past once you add our premium powder to your routine.
Powders are great because you can use them anywhere on your body, but they're particularly good at dealing with moisture and chafe in your groin area. They don't just create a barrier between your skin and what it's rubbing against, but it also helps to wick away moisture and keep your skin dry.
Alternatives to Powders
If powders aren't your thing, there are some other options you can consider. You can find your way to a chafe-free life without dealing with body powder through good chafe-preventative habits, chafing creams, and potentially some home remedies.
A word of warning, though: many lubricating products (ahem, we're looking at you, vaseline) are notorious for their ability to stain clothes. When trying out powder alternatives, it's always a good idea to do some test runs at home before you ruin a bunch of your nicest clothes and have some embarrassing moments when out on the town.
1. Chafing Cream
In a recent post, we deeply explored the eternal question: is chafing cream or powder more effective? If a powder isn't working for you, you might find that a chafing powder is a welcome addition to your anti-chafing arsenal of tools.
You can use chafing cream to help prevent chafe and treat chafing when it's already rearing its ugly head.
To prevent chafing, you can use chafing cream to reduce friction and help lubricate the area where chafing typically occurs. Whenever the conditions are ripe for chafe, apply some chafing cream, and you can prevent dealing with uncomfortable issues down the road.
Essentially, you are giving yourself a layer of protection between areas of your body that tend to rub against each other or between your skin and your clothing.
If you want to use chafing cream when you're already suffering, all you have to do is wash the area first, make sure your skin is dry, and then apply the cream.
Chafing cream is beneficial when you want to help your skin heal overnight. If you're trying out a new cream, it's a good idea to test it out when you're hanging out at home first. This way, you can ensure that it won't leave any oil stains on your clothing when you head out into the world.
2. Vaseline
Like chafing cream, you can apply vaseline to help prevent chafing by providing a buffer layer between your skin and whatever it's been rubbing against; this can be a good choice if you're suffering from the effects of chafe and you have to make something work with what you have at home.
On the other hand, vaseline is super greasy (it's petroleum jelly, after all!) and thick. Famous for its ability to stain clothing, you don't want to try this on a day you're venturing outside the house.
3. Aloe Vera Gel
Another at-home remedy you can try to relieve skin that's already chafed is aloe vera. Much like chafing powder and vaseline, you can apply a layer liberally to the skin. Often used to treat and help heal sunburns, aloe vera doesn't just add a protective coating but also can help to alleviate redness, irritation, and stinging sensations.
Aloe vera also isn't as likely to stain clothing as vaseline is. However, this treatment is only helpful if you are trying to treat chafing, and it shouldn't be a solution for preventing chafing.
4. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has a lot of uses in your at-home remedy tool kit, one of which is helping to soothe chafed skin. Research has also found that it can help to promote wound healing, reduce inflammation, and prevent harmful bacterial growth.
Coconut oil is, well, oily and will gladly stain your clothing if you give it the opportunity; this means that you only want to use it when you're at home or before bed to ensure that you don't get an embarrassing stain on your pants that's impossible to get out in the wash. Again, though, there are limitations to using coconut oil when dealing with chafed skin.
5. Other Home Remedy Powder Options
If body powder isn't helping you with your chafed skin, you won't want to use any of these options. That being said, we want to ensure we offer you a full spectrum of possibilities for chafing powder alternatives.
Cornstarch is one of the most widely used home remedy powders to deal with chafing. Another classic solution is baking soda– but you'll want to be careful as it can be abrasive for sensitive skin.
Some people also choose to use tapioca starch, arrowroot starch, oat flour, kaolin clay, and rice powder to help keep their groin and other chafe-prone areas dry and protected.
If these ideas intrigue you, you might be best off finding a specifically formulated body powder product that uses only natural ingredients. Rather than being in a situation where you're buying arrowroot starch from the health food store to pour over your balls, you might find that a high-quality, all-natural men's ball powder is more effective both at reducing moisture and getting rid of any nasty odors.
Other Tips For Preventing the Occurrence of Chafing
Of course, waiting until you are dealing with chafed skin to tackle the problem is unideal. The best cure is prevention, as the saying goes. If ball powder isn't working for you and you don't want to try chafing cream, you'll want to incorporate some of these preventative tips into your routine.
1. Practicing Good Hygiene
One of the things that can make a big difference when you're prone to chafing is to take a shower or bath after you exercise; this can help get rid of sweat and dirt while also cooling your skin down.
If you aren't able to shower after your workout, you'll at least want to make sure you change out of your sweaty clothes into some clean, dry duds.
Be sure to wash the affected area with mild soap and water daily. Avoid using scented soaps or lotions that may further irritate the skin.
It is also essential to keep your skin moisturized adequately. If the area is already dry, apply a light moisturizer to help prevent the skin from becoming even more irritated.
Finally, when engaging in any physical activity, keeping yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, during, and after exercise is essential. Proper hydration will help keep your body temperature cool, which can help reduce the amount of sweat that builds up and potentially leads to chafing.
2. Staying Dry
Though chafing is caused by friction, moisture on the skin can worsen the situation; this is why good ball powder can be so helpful in preventing chafing– they help to provide a layer of protection and reduce moisture in your most prone areas.
If you live in a hot climate or engage in strenuous physical activity, consider keeping a towel nearby and dabbing away any sweat that may accumulate during your activity. Additionally, if you're taking part in activities that involve water, like swimming or kayaking, change out of wet clothes as soon as possible.
If you do use a powder, be sure to apply it before putting on your clothing so that it has time to work its magic.
3. Wearing the Right Clothes
Choosing the proper clothing can also go a long way in your campaign to prevent chafed skin. If you're exercising, a good choice can be fast-drying, well-fitting fabrics that wick moisture away from the skin. You might also find that wearing compression shorts and other specialized clothing helps to reduce your skin rubbing against itself in a way that causes chafe.
You might assume that wearing natural fabrics would be a good idea when your skin is irritated, but that isn't always the case. However, if you're just lounging around at home, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and silk can let the area receive some airflow.
You can also opt for moisture-wicking materials, such as synthetic fabrics like polypropylene. These fabrics are designed to move sweat away from the body to help keep you cool and dry. Synthetic fabrics are often the better choice if you expect to sweat or move around a lot.
When possible, avoid clothes made from wool, polyester, spandex, or any other material that may cause friction and irritation.
Finally, make sure to change out of sweaty clothes as soon as possible. Sweaty clothes can cause chafing and irritation, so changing out of them right away can help prevent the occurrence of chafing.
The Search For High-Quality Men's Product Is Over
Suppose you've been using medicated body powder or powders with questionable ingredients. In that case, you'll want to try Chassis premium powder before you give up on using powder to prevent chafed skin.
Using only the best ingredients and made in the USA, Chassis men's products are all free from talc, aluminum, parabens, menthol, and everything that you don't want in your body care products. They also smell great and won't leave you smelling like a retirement home.
Does that sound good to you? If so, check out our complete line of men's care products.