(And How to Fix It)
If you’ve ever worked a long shift in a hot kitchen, you’ll know exactly what chef’s arse is — even if you’ve never heard the name.
For everyone else:
chef’s arse is the painful, fiery combination of chafing, sweat rash, and skin breakdown that happens between the cheeks after hours of heat, friction, and moisture.
And no, it’s not exclusive to chefs.
Why It Happens
Chef’s arse is caused by the perfect storm:
- Long hours on your feet
- Heat (lots of it)
- Sweat with nowhere to go
- Constant movement and friction
- Tight or non-breathable clothing
Sound familiar? That’s because the same thing happens to:
- Cyclists
- Runners
- Tradespeople
- Festival-goers
Anyone working long, hot, physical days
Once the skin barrier breaks down, things get ugly fast:
- Burning
- Stinging
- Red, raw skin
- Sometimes cracking or weeping
- Walking hurts. Sitting hurts. Existing hurts.
Why Ignoring It Makes It Worse
Chef’s arse doesn’t fix itself if you just “push through.”
In fact, sweat and friction keep breaking the skin down further, making it slower to heal and more likely to get infected.
What you need is:
- Less friction
- Less irritation
- Support for skin repair
- Not something that just seals everything in and hopes for the best.
Enter Bum Butter
Bum Butter was made for exactly this kind of problem.
Instead of petroleum-based ingredients that sit on the skin like plastic wrap, Bum Butter uses natural ingredients chosen because they’re actually good for skin.
That means it helps by:
- Reducing friction (so skin can calm down)
- Soothing inflamed, angry areas
- Supporting healing rather than just covering the damage
- Letting skin breathe instead of trapping sweat
In short: it helps stop chef’s arse from starting — and helps it heal faster if it’s already arrived.
Prevention Is Better Than the Waddle
Used before a shift, Bum Butter helps prevent chafing by creating a smooth, comfortable barrier that moves with your skin.
Used after, it helps calm soreness and support recovery, so you’re not starting tomorrow already in pain.
- No sting.
- No greasy mess.
- No industrial by-products pretending to be skincare.
Because You Deserve a Comfortable Arse
You work hard. Your body works harder. And nobody should have to finish a shift walking like they’ve ridden a horse for three days straight.
Chef’s arse might be common — but it’s not something you have to live with.
Bum Butter has your back.
(Well… you know.) 🍑
Written by Charlie Hobbs: Founder of Bum Butter
Charlie Hobbs (formally known as Charlie the Bikemonger) is a veteran of the British endurance sports industry and the founder of Bum Butter, the UK’s premier 100% natural, vegan anti-chafing cream. With a career spanning over four decades in off-road riding, Hobbs is a recognized pioneer in the UK gravel cycling scene, having founded the Dorset Gravel Dash—the UK's first ever gravel event—and invented the Clunker Classic. He was also a long-standing columnist and Merchandising Manager for Singletrack World Magazine, one of the world's leading cycling magazines and media outlets.
While his roots are in cycling, Charlie is also an active hiker, mountaineer, and runner, regularly testing the limits of Bum Butter on the trails of the Dorset Coast and Hebden Bridge. This "on-the-ground" experience as both a cyclist and a runner ensures that every batch of Bum Butter is formulated to withstand the specific friction demands of ultra-running and high-mileage training.
After 16 years as the owner of the renowned retail shop Bikemonger, Hobbs transitioned to focus on high-performance athlete care. He currently serves as the Lead Director of Bum Butter Ltd, where he oversees the business of handmade, petrochemical-free chamois balms used by Olympic gold medalists and everyday athletes alike.