Chamois Creams (w/o parabens OR witch-hazel)

This is a tip, gear, health, whatever you call it topic, so just posting here in "open"...

OK, I know we have tons of threads on TE about chamois cream. I have read many. But looking for a specific combo in a product. If you know of the thread already, just post the link, purty please.

Chamois cream that does not have parabens, AND does not have witch-hazel astringent...

Any suggestions?

I love my Chamois Butt'r. However, I learned about the whole paraben issue here on TE. My mom has had b-ca twice. I already have some funky-lumpy-bumpy stuff I get diag mammos for in one breast. So, I tried to look for something else without parabens (found in large amount of b-ca tumors, btw).

Next up, I tried Belgium Butter. Found via TE, and Bicycling Mag article written by the Fit Chick. Noteworthy cuz it's "paraben free". OK, fine. BUT... it has witch-hazel.

Witch-hazel is a drying astringen. Which is OK on the chaffing thing in general. But, not so great if you already have your own drying issues with changing hormones and peri-menapause. Plus, the witch-hazel tingles and burns:eek:.

Assoss cream has this tingling and burning thing too.

From lbs, I found Udder Butter. But, re-read the label, and more parabens.

Pick your poison... burn and tingle today--without cancer tomorrow; or be comfortable today, and die of cancer tomorrow. Nice, eh?

Since I want to ride, I've gone back to Chamois Butt'r on pain free "today".

Any other ideas?...let's hear 'em.

TYIA:)

Sportique Century Riding Cream.
http://www.sportique.net/sport.html
No parabens or witch hazel. My DH uses it and likes it. It does have an odor, not unpleasant... sort of like lemon Pledge!

I use a cream that is basically excipient (I think mainly lanolin) and 0.03% vitamin A (very efficient in promoting wound healing).
You could have this mixed up by a pharmacist. Just that the absence of a preservative would mean small quantities and toss soon. Or keep in the fridge.

I think the parabens are overrated.

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A recent review of the available data has concluded "it is biologically implausible that parabens could increase the risk of any estrogen-mediated endpoint, including effects on the male reproductive tract or breast cancer" and that "worst-case daily exposure to parabens would present substantially less risk relative to exposure to naturally occurring endocrine active chemicals (EACs) in the diet such as the phytoestrogen daidzein."

In addition, the American Cancer Society has concluded that there is no good scientific evidence to support a claim that use of cosmetics such as antiperspirants increase an individual's risk of developing breast cancer.

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I just started trying Body Glide (ingredients list here). It works really well and goes on easily with a finger, neither of which I was really expecting. :p I do notice the very slightest burning sensation when I put it on, but it's not noticeable during or after a ride, and it's a big advantage that Body Glide doesn't migrate to places where I don't put it. And it lasts a long time.

I had no idea that Body Glide could be used "down there," but it's right there in the product recommendations, and the ingredients are listed as zero to minimal hazard on the EWG's cosmetics database. (Tribehenin is listed as being a "1" hazard on a scale of 0-10, all the other ingredients are "0.")

I'm still using a dab of Beljum Budder up front, to better lubricate the nooks and crannies. :rolleyes: But like you, I was getting a good bit of post-ride irritation from that, mostly due to it migrating up inside, so I'm really happy with the Body Glide.

Mission Anti-Friction Cream. No parabens, and no tingly stuff. Performance sells it.

You could try Nubutte: http://www.nubutte.com/

(The ingredients are listed on the website).

I ordered some recently and I've only used it once so far. It is harder to spread into the chamois than creamier formulas (like Assos). I suppose if you put it on your skin instead of on your chamois, that might not be such a problem, since the shea butter base will melt with the heat of your skin.

Other than that though, I liked it. It lasts well and I thought it lubricated sufficiently. It smells nice too.

Edit:
oops, the website doesn't list ALL the ingredients. It is all natural and paraben-free, but it does contain "witch hazel hydrosol." I think it is the alcohol in traditional witch hazel preparations that is most drying, so "hydrosol," which I presume is a water-based extract, may be less drying. If anyone knows better feel free to correct me.

Here are *ALL* of the ingredients, per my jar:

organic shea butter, organic beeswax, olive oil, avocado oil, palm-derived glycerin, calendula, st. johns wort, comfrey leaf, grapeseed oil, witch hazel hydrosol, rosewood oil, tea tree oil, vitamin E, peppermint oil.

Perhaps I should add, I did not find it "tingly" like Assos, and it did not burn at all for me, but we all probably have different levels of sensitivity to different substances.

Hammer makes a new one called SeatSaver. All natural, no witch hazel. It's hard to find (I think it's too new), so I ordered a container from Hammer directly (website). It smells very herbal and works reasonably well. I've only used it twice and I definitely didn't use enough the first time.

I still haven't formulated a firm opinion of it because I haven't been riding anything longer than 40 miles lately, but so far, so good.

Oh, and Hammer gets HIGH marks for customer service. After I placed my order, a customer service rep called and left me a message that he was including some free samples in my order and wanted to make sure that everything went well. The free samples list was HUGE and the shipping was fast. Big thumbs up to them for that....

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

I just started trying Body Glide (ingredients list here). It works really well and goes on easily with a finger, neither of which I was really expecting. :p I do notice the very slightest burning sensation when I put it on, but it's not noticeable during or after a ride, and it's a big advantage that Body Glide doesn't migrate to places where I don't put it. And it lasts a long time.

I had no idea that Body Glide could be used "down there," but it's right there in the product recommendations, and the ingredients are listed as zero to minimal hazard on the EWG's cosmetics database. (Tribehenin is listed as being a "1" hazard on a scale of 0-10, all the other ingredients are "0.")

I'm still using a dab of Beljum Budder up front, to better lubricate the nooks and crannies. :rolleyes: But like you, I was getting a good bit of post-ride irritation from that, mostly due to it migrating up inside, so I'm really happy with the Body Glide.

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+1 on the Body Glide. Best thing about it is it isn't squishy in your shorts (sorry if TMI)! An like Oak said, it lasts all day without reapplying.

The active ingredients of Bag Balm are 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate 0.3% (antiseptic) in a petroleum jelly and lanolin base. I've only ever tried Chamois B'ttr but I like this.I use it on myself as well as on seams that could rub!

Belgium Buttr. They have a web site and sell it in my local shop.

I've tried Assos, Chamois Butt'r, and the new Hammer Seat Saver, and I have to say none of them work for me as well as Vasoline--which was a tip I got from Levi Leipheimer (not personally though!). I average 200 miles a week (more in the summer) and have had trouble with saddle sores--but all good since I switched to petroleum jelly.

Long post edit above :rolleyes:.

I also use Body Glide, which I originally got at a runner's store to prevent blisters on my feet (which it's also great for).

IIRC, the new formulation of assos doesn't have witch hazel, and it's much lower in menthol (much less tingly than before). I think it may have synthetic parabens, though.

Chamois Butt'r Eurostyle does have witch hazel and tingly ingredients (more like old Assos, but not quite as tingly), but no parabens. I experience zero dryness due to the chamois cream. I think that the witch hazel doesn't do much in that department (on the face, it is much much better than alcohol), because it's not really evaporating. Instead, it's put in there for its antibacterial properties. Plus, you have oils and other skin conditioners and urea which all promote skin hydration plus help keep the cream from disappearing too easily mid-ride (like traditional Chamois Butt'r and many other creams).

These 2 are my favorite.

I'm intrigued by DZ-Nuts, though. It contains soy ingredients (which some people may not like because of hormonal stuff), but no parabens or witch hazel. It does contain tea tree oil and menthol, but I have no idea how tingly it is.

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it does have an odor, not unpleasant... sort of like lemon Pledge!

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ccnyc: something about this cracks me up! i don't like menthol products but i'm not sure i want to smell like furniture polish either. ;)

Getting back to my thread here...

:)Thanks! You guys are awesome. Those are great responses and some things to check out. Our lbs usually have only one option in stock if lucky. Which I was already aware of. Appreciate the input on the search abroad.

http://www.beljumbudder.com/

Here is the web site for the Belgium budder. Great stuff.

FWIW, I'm not sure it's really the witch hazel in Beljum Budder that's the irritant. I'm more inclined to think it's one or both of the quaternary ammonium compounds or the phenoxyethanol.

So you might yet try something else that does have witch hazel, but not those.

+1 on the Bag Balm. The ingredients are simple, it works and it's less expensive than probably anything else you can try for this, um, issue. I apply it directly to my body and to the seams.

So, I've done a few 40-50 mile rides, and so far, I haven't used any sort of chamois cream, bag balm, etc. To date, I've had only minor saddle soreness. Tomorrow, I'm riding 70 miles. Do you all use the products just on longer rides, or is it something you use with every ride? I guess a trip to the lbs would be advantageous--just in case?

I generally use it if I am going to ride more than about 40 miles. For 70+ miles, I consider it a must!

I use Method Baby squeaky green diaper cream. No bad ingredients, washes off fine and lubs well. I have read before that A and D ointment works too.

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Originally Posted by skinimini

So, I've done a few 40-50 mile rides, and so far, I haven't used any sort of chamois cream, bag balm, etc. To date, I've had only minor saddle soreness. Tomorrow, I'm riding 70 miles. Do you all use the products just on longer rides, or is it something you use with every ride? I guess a trip to the lbs would be advantageous--just in case?

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Trip to the LBS is not really necessary. I started out with baby cream. so Drug store will do.

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Originally Posted by Norsegoddess

I generally use it if I am going to ride more than about 40 miles. For 70+ miles, I consider it a must!

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Ditto.

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Originally Posted by skinimini

So, I've done a few 40-50 mile rides, and so far, I haven't used any sort of chamois cream, bag balm, etc. To date, I've had only minor saddle soreness. Tomorrow, I'm riding 70 miles. Do you all use the products just on longer rides, or is it something you use with every ride? I guess a trip to the lbs would be advantageous--just in case?

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I've been riding for 25 years and I've never used any kind of chamois cream or anything. I think it depends on the person, and if what you are doing works for you, why change it?

Please enlighten us Oakleaf, what do you use. I was simply adding my 2 cents. That is why I put the site up for her to be the judge. Sorry for butting in. I did not know that it had quatuary components :confused:

I use my all natural women's specific chamois cream. It contains no water just all natural nut butters, oils and essential oils. Lasts a long time, goes on thick like a paste and works with the heat of your body to lubricate and heal the skin. it is called Booty Balm. There is a men's version called Ballocks.

It's good to look outside of the LBS. 100% pure shea butter is excellent. I have chemical allergies to i-dunno-what. So i try to avoid all kinds of creams and stuff. Shea butter is great, doesn't sting, spreads on thick and absorbs into the skin, keeping it smooth and soft too. It also washes right out of yr clothes. unlike mineral oil based products. I have had huge stain on my bedsheet from mineral oil and took 4 washes to wash out..Shea butter, never.

I dont use any products and only got a minor rub last year doing my first century. If I did though I would want paraben, witch hazel and animal free ingredients so A+ to this thread! :)

Hoo ha ride glide...

I have some coming in any day now. I got samples at the show, and liked it's consistency, smell etc. But I haven't been riding anything long enough to warrant needing anything for the hoo ha.
But I did have one of our male friends, who has lots of trouble down under try some. He said it actually healed his boo boo's, and gave it a thumbs up.
I did hand out some samples, but have yet to have anyone give me a solid review.

I use A&D ointment. I smell like a freshly diapered baby, but it's easy to find (even in my small community) and works well for me. I think bag balm would also work well for me, but A&D is easier to get hold of.

Here are the ingredients I see: Petrolatum (53.4% - Skin Protectant), Lanolin (15.5% - Skin Protectant)

Inactive Ingredients: Cod Liver Oil (contains Vitamin A & Vitamin D), Fragrance, Light Mineral Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Paraffin

I found a new product called, ironically...That Butt Stuff. :rolleyes: I emailed the owner of the company asking for the ingredient list, and he promptly replied with:

Hi Linda

I have a blend of the following oils:

Olive oil. Avocado oil. Sweet almond oil. Shea butter.

Aloe Vera.

Water & vegetable glycerin

Preservative free of parabens or formaldehyde.

No animal products or byproducts.

Sweet orange essential oil & tea tree oil in small amounts.

Not all natural or organic but it is as natural as posible and is still affordable. 99% natural!

Thank you for the question! Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Thanks

Adam Moore
That Butt Stuff


When I run out of my current stock of Assos and Nubutte creams, I'm definitely giving That Butt Stuff a try.

http://www.thatbuttstuff.com/

semi OT, but I have discovered that Nubutte doubles as an amazing cuticle cream.

I have also used it more as a chamois cream since my last post. It works quite well and I have no complaints about its function as a chamois cream at all (and it seems to soothe and soften the bikini line too), but I still think it's slightly more of a pain to apply to the chamois than other formulas.

I just wanted to add something to this topic and also take it and run....

My mother is a BC survivor, her mother was a BC survivor and my father's sister is a BC survivor. That makes me HIGH RISK and you can bet that I am going to pay attention to everything that goes in and on my body. Admittedly there is a lot of information out there that may or not be reliable. However, there is something that I try to keep in mind. Parabens in small amounts may not be a big deal but most people do not realize that just how much they are putting on their bodies each and every day. It's in conditioners, lotions, make-up, styling products, deodorants and more. And who knows how they interact with other chemicals people come in contact with?

My rule is if I couldn't put it in my body, I don't put it on my skin. :)

I've been a user of Assos/Butter cream, and Body glide for sometime now (used it on century rides, racing, running, marathons,etc) but recently came across a new chamois cream scientifically formulated for specific needs of us ladies.

I got a few samples at the Tour of california a couple of weeks ago and after trying out it, I am in love! This stuff is wonderful!! It worked amazing for me and it does not contain parabens nor witchhazel.

The name of the product is Dznuts Bliss High viscosity chamois cream. Although sometimes I do prefer the tingle (:, this product has no Tingle at all!

I emailed the company for more samples for my friends, and they were more then happy to provide me with some.

After checking out the website (www.dz-nuts.com) I was able to obtain the following information regarding the ingredients they use and the ones they stay away from, in addition to the benefits of Dzbliss!


Tea Tree Oil
powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal

Evodia
powerful anti-inflammatory and wound healing from traditional Chinese herbal medicine

Masterwort (Peucedanum Ostruthium)
herb found in the Swiss Alps used by ancient Greeks for wound healing and calming properties -- Name means “Supreme Strength”

PLANT-DERIVED NATURAL INGREDIENTS

Water, Glycerin, Ozokerite, Cetearyl Alcohol, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Wood Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Hordeum Distichon (Barley) Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Olive Fruit Unsaponifiables, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Peucedanum (Masterwort) Ostruthium Extract, Linoleic Acid, Soy Sterols, Soy Phospholipids, Ergothioneine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Menthol, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Xanthan Gum, Capric/Caprylic Triglycerides, Retinyl (Vitamin A) Palmitate, Panthenyl (Provitamin B5) Triacetate, Tetrahexyldecyl (Vitamin C) Ascorbate, Phenoxyehtanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Cetearyl Methicone, Dimethicone.


INGREDIENTS WE WILL NEVER USE

Parabens
PPG - PolyPropylene Glycol
PEG - PolyEthylene Glycol
Propylene glycol
TEA-Triethanolamine
Ingredients Containing DEA (Diethanolamine)
Paraffin
Petrolatum
Mineral Oil
Petrolatum
Animal by Products
Aluminum
Artificial Colors
Diazolidinyl Urea (formaldehyde donor preservative)
DMDM Hydantoin (formaldehyde donor preservative)
Imidazolidinyl Urea (formaldehyde donor preservative)
Lanolin
Artificial Colors (D&C or FD&C)
Methylchloroisothiazolinone, or Methylisothiazolinone
Phthalates


*The product has anti-chafe, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory and anti-irritation components.
*Pre/Probiotics complex encourages the growth of beneficial skin flora and inhibits pathogenic yeast
*Decreases feelings of itching, prickling & discomfort by 35%
*Strengthens natural biological skin defenses
*Moisture adsorbing polymers sequester excess moisture, making more comfortable skin/chamois interface
*No Tingle whatsover

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Originally Posted by ccnyc

Sportique Century Riding Cream.
http://www.sportique.net/sport.html
No parabens or witch hazel. My DH uses it and likes it. It does have an odor, not unpleasant... sort of like lemon Pledge!

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But note this in their product description:
Keepaway from mucous membrances and eyes.

Might work for boys' parts, but I wouldn't be quick to try that "down there."

Alpine Rabbit - this is totally off topic but I LOVE your signature!

I just use some hypo-allergenic plain unscented hand lotion. Works great for hours (did a 70 mile ride once and it lasted through), washes out in the laundry nicely because it is water soluble, and it's cheap. :)

I'm a total convert to shea butter. Thanks deeaimond! It isn't as hard to find as it used to be, either. A little goes a long way and really lasts.

I saw the dznuts bliss advertised in something (Triathlete?) recently and meant to ask here about it. Though I don't have any "junk" and kind of resent their offerings in the tshirts department that refer to women as feed zone babes and domestiques, some of the tongue in cheek humor is, well, humorous. It's often such a sensitive subject that we approach with caution, so I suppose it's nice to see someone just up and say "it's good for your junk and your lady bits."

http://www.dz-nuts.com/catalog/index.php?p=about is where the pasted details come from.