Premax anti friction balm for women
Buy now £19.99, Amazon.co.uk
Rating: 9/10
Premax founder and leading physiotherapist, Randall Cooper, claims that if you’re looking to minimise the chance of getting blisters, chafing and infections while exercising, this balm will not only keep you comfortable and chafe-free for hours but also provide antibacterial protection while nourishing the skin. And I can confirm he’s right. This stuff really works.
At £20 for a small 50g tube, it’s not the cheapest skincare you’ll ever buy but it’s probably one of the wisest purchases you’ll make – and you only need to use the smallest amount, so it lasts a lot longer than you might think.
The formula is made from natural antibacterial ingredients including evening primrose and tea tree oil, avocado, lavender, shea butter, vitamin E and aloe vera. This gorgeous concoction means it smells great while helping to fight bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Why is it important to use a product with antibacterial essential oils, I hear you ask? Well, according to a study published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, post-exercise moist skin is a breeding ground for infections so sports skincare products with antimicrobial ingredients can protect the skin’s natural defence systems.
The slanted tip means it’s super easy to use, too. Simply apply wherever your skin is sensitive to rubbing and chafing – on inner thighs, underarms, around your sports bra, on heels and toes – before you put your clothes on. And don’t worry – it won’t ruin your favourite white running top as it’s also a stain-free formula.
Read more: 9 best running leggings that help you go the extra mile
Most importantly though, this cream is not sticky or greasy and is great for sensitive skin like mine. I hate the feeling of running with a heavy, slimy moisturiser on but this anti-chafe balm offers a silky invisible barrier. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it barely feels like you’ve got any lotion on at all. Plus, as someone who sweats a lot (it literally pours off me), I need my skin to be able to breathe and allow the sweat to escape.
The verdict: Premax anti friction balm for womenNot every run is going to feel easy-breezy but you can always make it a bit more comfortable by fending off chafing. Prevention is a lot easier than a cure, I’d say. It takes way less time and costs less becasue you won’t have to spend your cash on surplus amounts of plasters and Sudocrem while wasting precious training hours waiting to recover. I only wish I knew about this balm before the half marathon that wreaked havoc on my skin.
Of course, chafing is not reserved only for those who run. Chafing can happen whenever friction is paired with a hot or humid environment. Some of us will get chafe from an ill-fitting bra or wearing a summer dress with bare legs, while others will get chafing in the form of blisters.
So if you’re after a solution to help reduce rubbing and friction during exercise – or indeed everyday life – then this easy-to-use sports skincare that actually works is one to try.