There are several ways to prevent chafing: petroleum jelly, baby powder or deodorant from the bathroom cabinet, budget sticks from the drugstore and brand sticks like SUMMERSAVER. Whether you are happy with one only shows in everyday life: when you apply it, on your skin and in the heat. Here you can see how they differ and what to look for when buying an anti-chafing stick.
In short
- Petroleum jelly, baby powder and deodorant: not made for chafing spots. Petroleum jelly is greasy, baby powder clumps when you sweat, deodorant can further irritate irritated skin. A stick goes on cleanly and also cares for your skin.
- Base: similar in many sticks, made of plant oils, waxes and fatty alcohols.
- Texture: the biggest difference. A good stick glides, isn't sticky and doesn't crumble.
- Care: additives such as Allantoin and vitamins make the difference in the INCI list.
- Scent: if you have sensitive skin, choose a fragrance-free version.
- SUMMERSAVER: more skin-caring ingredients, made in Germany, 4.9 out of 5 for skin tolerance at dm.
In this article
01
Brand stick or budget drugstore product?
On the drugstore shelf you will find budget anti-chafing sticks, petroleum jelly, baby powder and deodorant next to SUMMERSAVER. In everyday life they differ a lot. Based on the details and customer reviews on the retailer pages, as of early November 2026.
 SUMMERSAVER with almond and coconut oil |  Budget drugstore stick |  Petroleum jelly |  Baby powder |  Deodorant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contents, price | 25 g, 16.95 € | 25 g, 3.95 to 5.95 € | 75 to 125 ml, approx. €1 | 100 g, approx. €1.50 to €2.50 | 50 ml, approx. €2.50 to €5 |
| Made for | chafing spots such as thighs, feet and bra line | chafing spots | lips and dry skin | baby care | underarms |
| Base | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, fatty alcohols, plant wax, coconut and almond oil | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, fatty alcohols, plant wax, coconut and almond oil | petrolatum (mineral fat) | talc or starch, depending on the product | often alcohol and fragrances, as an antiperspirant with aluminium salts |
| Skincare extras | Allantoin, vitamin E, vitamin C, Glyceryl Linoleate and other fatty acid compounds | Mango butter, vitamin E | none | none, mainly keeps skin dry | not meant as skincare |
| For irritated skin | dermatologically tested, the Sensitive version is also perfume-free | with perfume | dense greasy film that sweat can build up under | may contain talc, which experts do not recommend for daily use | alcohol and fragrances can sting on irritated skin |
| Application | straight from the stick, no fingers needed | straight from the stick, no fingers needed | with your fingers, your hands get greasy | sprinkle on, a little dusty | roll-on or spray, has to dry first |
| Sweat and heat | quick to reapply on the go | quick to reapply on the go | turns soft and smeary | gets damp, can clump | reduces sweat but does not form a gliding film |
| Clothing | colourless film | colourless film | can leave grease stains | can leave white marks on dark clothes | can leave white residue |
| Rating at dm | 4.5 out of 5 stars (197 reviews), skin compatibility 4.9, effect 4.7, 93% would recommend | 3.8 out of 5 stars (85 reviews), skin compatibility 4.2, effect 4.1, 64% would recommend | no comparable data | no comparable data | no comparable data |
On your phone, swipe the table sideways.
The result at a glance:
Why SUMMERSAVER wins
- Made for chafing spots: thighs, feet and bra line, dermatologically tested, the Sensitive version is also perfume-free
- More care: a similar base to the drugstore stick, but far more skincare extras
- Better reviews: ahead on skin compatibility, effect and recommendation rate
The alternatives in everyday life
Drugstore stick: 10 of the 85 reviews are about consistency, 6 of them with 1 or 2 stars
Petroleum jelly: cheap and protective, but greasy and can leave stains on clothes
Baby powder: keeps skin dry, but quickly turns damp and clumpy when you sweat
Deodorant: made for underarms, does not form a gliding film and can further irritate irritated skin
Other varieties: The SUMMERSAVER with cherry blossom scent has 4.5 out of 5 stars at dm (117 reviews). SUMMERSAVER Woman is also available at Rossmann.
Who SUMMERSAVER is worth it for: if you need a stick regularly, value a smooth feel on your skin, have sensitive skin or want to be protected during sport.
02
Why SUMMERSAVER costs more
An anti-chafing stick is something you use often and directly on sensitive skin. That is why SUMMERSAVER contains more than the basic formula:
- More care in the formula: allantoin, vitamin E, vitamin C and plant-based fatty acid compounds on top of the almond and coconut oil base
- A texture customers love: creamy, gliding and not sticky, rated 4.9 out of 5 for skin tolerance
- Made in Germany
- Dermatologically tested, vegan and cruelty-free
- Four varieties for different needs: peach, cherry blossom, Sport with essential oils and Sensitive without perfume
- Developed from personal experience: by founder Denise Hahn, who suffered from chafed thighs herself, known from the German TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen”
- Happy customers: 93 % recommend SUMMERSAVER at dm
Good to know: A thin layer is enough. Unopened, the stick keeps for 30 months, after opening for 12 months.
03
What our customers say
What customers especially love about their SUMMERSAVER: the texture and the protection in everyday life. These voices are not from us but from public reviews at retailers. Use the links to read all the reviews yourself.
★★★★★
Very, very good!
“Super pleasant to apply and it feels really nice on the skin. It also absorbs quickly and you don’t get sore!”
Review at dm.de
★★★★★
Great product
“absorbs quickly, doesn’t smear on clothes and smells nice”
Review at QVC.de
★★★★★
Perfect product for summer!
“I’m absolutely thrilled, the consistency is perfect and it goes on flawlessly.”
Review at dm.de
★★★★★
Highly recommended!!!
“It doesn’t feel sticky on the skin and you really don’t get chafed thighs anymore.”
Review at dm.de
★★★★★
Super
“Super, does what was promised in the product presentation! Subtle scent, easy to apply!”
Review at QVC.de
★★★★★
The summer saviour
“Applied once a day, it lasts me through long day trips on holiday without having to reapply. Subtle scent, great consistency.”
Review at dm.de
★★★★★
My lifesaver
“But it’s a very fine texture that’s easy to apply thanks to the thick stick.”
Review at dm.de
★★★★★
Highly recommended
“There’s enough product in the stick for the price that the high price is worth it. It also lasts me a few hours.”
Review at dm.de
Quotes taken word for word from 5-star reviews at dm.de and QVC.de, partly shortened, obvious typos corrected. Review figures as of 02.11.2026.
04
What an anti-chafing stick should do
The stick leaves a thin, smooth film on your skin. This means skin no longer rubs directly against skin or fabric. More on this in Anti-chafing stick: how it works and how to apply it properly. A good stick:
- goes on easily, without pulling or crumbling
- feels pleasant, not sticky, wet or greasy
- stays put in the heat and when you move and can be reapplied on the go
- suits your skin, even if it's sensitive
- protects wherever there's rubbing: thighs, under the breasts, bra line, underarms, feet
05
Base, texture, care and scent compared
The ingredients (INCI) are listed by quantity. Many sticks start with almost the same ingredients. The difference lies in texture, skincare extras and scent.
The base
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: light caring oil, provides the glide
- Cetearyl and Stearyl Alcohol: fatty alcohols for shape and firmness, not drinking alcohol
- Plant waxes: make the stick firm and mouldable, without paraffin
- Coconut and almond oil: nourishing oils
How much of each ingredient a stick contains isn't stated on the packaging. It's exactly this ratio that determines how a stick feels.
The texture
- Creamy, not crumbly: glides on in one stroke, colourless film
- Smooth, not sticky: your thighs glide past each other
- Cared-for, not greasy: feels pleasant after a short while
- Creamy or firmer: creamy for everyday wear, a little firmer for sport, like our SUMMERSAVER Sport
At dm, 19 of the 197 reviews of SUMMERSAVER with almond and coconut oil talk about consistency or texture, 15 of them with 4 or 5 stars. Read their voices
Skincare extras in SUMMERSAVER
- Allantoin: can soothe stressed skin
- Vitamin E and vitamin C: antioxidants that can protect the skin and oils
- Glyceryl Linoleate, Linolenate, Oleate: plant-based fatty acid compounds that can care for the skin barrier
- Only in SUMMERSAVER Sensitive: Panthenyl Triacetate (provitamin B5), Bisabolol and aloe vera, fragrance-free
Scented or fragrance-free?
- Woman: peach, for everyday wear, dresses and skirts
- Limited Edition: cherry blossom, in a design with Angelina Kirsch
- Sport: fresh, mint and bergamot from essential oils
- Sensitive: fragrance-free, for sensitive skin, including after shaving
For sensitive skin, look for “fragrance-free” and test new products on a small area first.
Our tip: Every balm stick gets softer in the heat. Store it somewhere cool, and in summer feel free to pop it in the fridge for a short while.
06
Which SUMMERSAVER is right for you?
All four protect according to the same principle and differ in scent, texture and care. More on our page Which SUMMERSAVER is right for me?
Peach scentSUMMERSAVER WomanCreamy balm for every day.
Mint and bergamotSUMMERSAVER SportA little firmer, for sport and exercise.
Fragrance-freeSUMMERSAVER SensitiveWith Bisabolol and aloe vera for sensitive skin.
Cherry blossom scentSUMMERSAVER Limited EditionThe edition with Angelina Kirsch.07
Your buying checklist
- Texture: search reviews for “consistency”, “sticky” or “crumbly”
- Ingredients: look at the skin-caring additives after the base
- Scent: fragrance-free for sensitive skin
- Use: creamier for everyday wear, slightly firmer for sport
- Quality: check the country of manufacture, tests and reviews on skin tolerance
- Properties: vegan, dermatologically tested, cruelty-free
08 · FAQ
Frequently asked questions about buying an anti-chafing stick
Can I use deodorant to prevent chafing?+
Deodorant is made for underarms. It can reduce sweat but does not form a gliding film, so skin still rubs together. Alcohol and fragrances can sting on irritated skin, and many antiperspirants should not be used on irritated or freshly shaved skin. An anti-chafing stick is made for exactly these spots.
Can I use petroleum jelly or baby powder instead of an anti-chafing stick?+
Both reduce friction. Petroleum jelly is greasy, though, is applied with your fingers and can leave stains on clothes. Baby powder keeps skin dry but gets damp when you sweat, can clump and needs frequent reapplying. If it contains talc, experts advise against daily use. An anti-chafing stick goes on cleanly, glides and also cares for your skin.
Are all anti-chafing sticks the same?+
No. The base is often similar, but the blend ratio, skin-caring additives and scent differ. You'll notice this above all in the texture.
Why does SUMMERSAVER cost more than a drugstore stick?+
It contains extra skin-caring ingredients such as allantoin and vitamins, is made in Germany and is dermatologically tested. Customers rate the texture and skin tolerance especially highly.
Which stick is suitable for sensitive skin?+
Ideally a fragrance-free version, for example SUMMERSAVER Sensitive with Bisabolol and aloe vera. Test a new product on a small patch of skin first.
Can I apply an anti-chafing stick to sore skin?+
It's meant for prevention, on intact skin. Reddened skin is fine, open, weeping or bleeding skin is not. In that case you need wound care and, if necessary, medical advice.
How long does a stick last?+
Unopened, our SUMMERSAVER sticks keep for 30 months, and for 12 months once opened. How quickly one runs out depends on how many areas you protect.
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