Review: Beljum Budder chamois cream

[OakLeaf]

After someone mentioned Beljum Budder on this board, I had to try it. The folks at the company were kind enough to send me a sample tube, so here's a full (and happy) review.

I'll preface this by saying: I chafe. A lot. I've detailed my issues in gruesome detail in other threads, so I'll just say that the reason I asked for a sample of Beljum Budder before ordering a whole tube is that I was very reluctant to give up my beloved Chamois Butt'r. But I've also been making an effort to eliminate endocrine disruptors like parabens from my life. Not so much for my own health - realistically, I'm too old to worry much about long term health effects - but for the sake of the planet, and not supporting companies that pack their products with dangerous and unnecessary chemicals. So here's my take on paraben-free Beljum Budder.

Applying the cream. Beljum Budder is creamy and light, similar to Chamois Butt'r - slightly heavier than mayonnaise, maybe. Although that image really grosses me out, so if you have the same reaction, forget I said it . Like hand cream, eh. It has no added fragrances and has a faint, pleasant scent like massage oil. It tingled very slightly going onto my intimate areas (probably because it contains witch hazel), but this wasn't unpleasant and it was very quickly unnoticeable. On my shorts, it seemed to soak in just enough. It rinsed easily off my fingers, leaving just a very slight oily feeling, again similar to massage oil.

The ride. Thirty-nine miles with no breaks, flat and windy, in the saddle the whole time, just the kind of thing to test anti-chafing measures. I did start to develop a hot spot in one area, but the skin wasn't broken. After I got back, the tender spot seemed dry in comparison to the rest of my saddle area, so maybe a more liberal application of Beljum Budder would've prevented it. (I didn't use the whole 1/3 oz tube.) Generally, I re-apply lube every 30-35 miles, but just didn't have the opportunity today (and I might've skipped it anyhow, just to see how the product performs). In any case, based on this one use, Beljum Budder performed as well as anything I've used before - I don't always get hot spots with Chamois Butt'r, but it does happen.

The shower. As expected, Beljum Budder washed right off with my usual soap and no extra scrubbing.

Laundry: the final frontier. The product is light enough that I didn't hesitate to throw my shorts into the front-loader with the rest of my delicates, even though there seemed to be more visible residue than with Chamois Butt'r. I washed my shorts right ways out, i.e. chamois in (I'm never sure with cycling shorts) on gentle cycle. Cold water (although here in Florida, water comes out of the tap at about 70 F, which would qualify as warm for some washers) with All Free & Clear Small & Mighty detergent (yeah, I know, so much for reducing toxics. Little by little eh). Out of the washer, there's still some visible residue, and the chamois is slightly oily to the touch, but there are no stains on any of the rest of my laundry. Unfortunately, that might not be the case if I were to use a larger amount, or if there's buildup after repeated use.

In summary: washability is the one disappointment, but I'm ordering some as soon as my old supply gets low. Maybe TE can start carrying Beljum Budder.

[koala]

I tried this product also, and didn't think it lasted well enough even with re-application. It seemed to wash right out with just a little water, which is probably why it didn't stay put once I started to sweat. The ones that last longer seem to need some soap as well as water to dislodge.

I am with you 100% on wanting to use a paraben-free product down in that region. Two other products that don't have parabens are Nubutte (South African product) and Sportique Century Chamois Cream (from the Czech Republic). Both are imported here, and both are available online.

[Reagan]

I have been riding for a while and bought CENTURY riding cream on a tour through Europe and have loved it since! No parabens and no petroleum plus it lasts a long time. It was recommended to me by the coach of California Sirius Training. All of his girls are using it and it is supposed to be getting vert hot in California. It was pretty widely available in Europe, but does anybody know where I can get my hands on it here in the states???

[CLM]

I googled 'Century Riding Cream' and came up with one for sale at Coloradocyclist .com. Is this the one?

[koala]

Lickton's Bike in Chicago carries the Sportique chamois cream, along with the rest of their line, which I think is fabulous. My favorite is their Elements cream, to protect skin from sun & wind. I've been using this on my face for wind protection on very cold, windy rides & have come back just fine. My face doesn't get red & raw anymore, comes back nice & smooth.

http://www.lickbike.com/productpage....B='2877-00'

For someone who rides in the winter, it is worth every penny.

For the poster who had residue left in the chamois after machine-washing, try washing inside-out. I always wash with the chamois facing out & never have any residue, even with gentle environ-friendly detergents. An extra-rinse cycle can help, too.

[Reagan]

yes, that's it! Didn't know they had a vendor in the states. Thanks!