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

[Miranda]

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.

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

[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!

[alpinerabbit]

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.

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.

[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. 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. 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.

[Becky]

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

[VeloVT]

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.

[GLC1968]

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....

[ttaylor508]

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. 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. 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.

+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.

[easterbird]

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!

[ladyicon]

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

[endurancerider]

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.

[VeloVT]

Long post edit above .

[redrhodie]

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).

[aicabsolut]

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.

[maryellen]

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

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.