Thanks to all who have replied or contributed to this discussion so far. I appreciate your feedback.

From Penny:
what about bag balm... used both by dairy farmers and quilters alike. Get it at the feed store. It was made for animals, should qualify for your purity standards.
I'm not sure if you're being facetious or actually disparaging the fact that I am very careful with what I allow to come in contact with my body's largest organ--my skin. It's hard to tell when reading text sometimes.

Whatever your point of view, Penny, I'm going to take it at face value and answer it directly. Bag Balm, while likely very effective for helping cows with mastitis, has a petroleum jelly base and thus is not usable for a chamois cream. It also contains lanolin (an oil derived from sheep's wool), to which I have a contact sensitivity.

I'd encourage you to really think about what is in your skin care and cosmetic products. Companies regularly use low cost synthetics so that they can manufacture and sell products cheaply, resulting in a higher profit margin for them. Many, if not all, of these synthetic compounds are known for causing reactions from skin rashes to actual toxic responses over time. Take a look at this link here: http://www.aubrey-organics.com/about/treat_10synth.cfm My degree is in cell biology/biochemistry, so I can vouch for the information presented at this webpage. Again, I encourage you to read this information and really think about what is in the products you use, beyond a set of words you aren't familiar with or have difficulty pronouncing. Look up those components: see what they actually are.

From Trek420:
I don't know about the ingrediants in ASSOS Chamois Cream , I was just looking for my jar and can't find it. But I DO like the product. No petrulium base, lasts a long time so you do not need to reaply on a long ride.
Unfortunately, the Assos cream contains propylene glycol and methylparaben, which removes it from my list of possibles. But thank you for looking for me, Trek. I appreciate your effort to help my search.

Additionally, for anyone thinking of trying the Qoleum chamois cream, I bear the unfortunate news that it also has a petroleum jelly base. I can't speak to their warming Embrocation formulas, however.

I'd like to add that, in my search, I came across a post at the Bulltek Sports Message Board in which a poster stated that because all chamois pads are now synthetic, there really is no need to use cream. It has become a traditional thing to do, or to address a rider's own physical difficulties only. The poster goes on to state that a number of pro riders use Noxema! Here's the link for the entire post for those who are interested: http://members.boardhost.com/bullteksports/msg/584.html

To conclude this lengthy post, I've talked with my naturopath, and she suggested the simple act of rubbing a natural arnica gel on the areas that may get sore, before and after riding. Arnica is a flower that provides an extract used to greatly reduce swelling, muscle/joint pain, and bruising. I already use it regularly on my bruises (I bruise so easily), and it is fantastic to see a nasty black/blue/purple bruise go to yellow and then be practically gone in less than 48 hours. I think this is the most logical plan to run with for now. I have also read that with regular riding--as in short (3-5 mile) rides every day--the areas that would normally become sore develop a kind of tissue callous--not an actual callous like you'd get on your foot or hand, but more of a "memory effect"--that keeps that area from experiencing soreness during longer contact times with the saddle.

At any rate, that's where I stand on the matter. Thanks again for all your helpful replies. And apologies for the long summary post.

Good Riding, All --

Debbie Kraft
"Ocelot"
cat@eskimo.com