Walk the expo at any major ultra and you'll find a table full of anti-chafe products. Most runners grab whatever is familiar. Almost none of them read the ingredient label. For a one-hour run, that's probably fine. For a 30-hour race in variable conditions, what's in your anti-chafe product matters.
The Synthetic Standard: Petroleum-Based Products
Most mainstream anti-chafe sticks use petrolatum or dimethicone as their primary barrier ingredient. These are effective at reducing friction. The tradeoffs: petroleum-derived ingredients are occlusive — they seal the skin surface completely. This reduces friction effectively but also prevents skin from breathing, which can contribute to heat buildup in friction zones during long efforts. Some runners find petroleum-based products attract and hold trail debris, increasing abrasiveness over time.
The Natural Alternative: Botanical Barrier Balms
Natural anti-chafe balms typically use beeswax or plant-based waxes as their barrier agent, combined with skin-nourishing oils (shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba) and therapeutic botanicals (calendula, arnica, lavender).
The advantage is multifunctional performance. A beeswax-and-shea butter balm reduces friction while also delivering anti-inflammatory botanicals directly to friction zones. If skin becomes irritated or broken, the balm is already doing therapeutic work — not just mechanical protection. Natural balms also tend to breathe better than petroleum-based products because plant waxes have a different molecular structure.
The tradeoff: natural balms sometimes require more frequent reapplication than the most durable synthetic products. Plan accordingly — reapply at key drop bag stations.
Washing After Anti-Chafe Application
Post-race, removing balm residue requires a soap with enough cleansing power to cut through oil-based products. Our Activated Charcoal Black Bar Soap is the most effective bar in our lineup for removing oil-based residue — the charcoal adsorbs the lipid compounds in both synthetic and natural balms, leaving skin genuinely clean rather than just rinsed.
Test both approaches in training. A product that performs beautifully on a 50K may fail at hour 20 of a 100-miler.
Beyond Clean, Beyond Ordinary.