If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best chamois cream for new cyclists, then I’d recommend the Chamois Butt’r Original Anti-Chafe Cream as the best one.
Even though you’re new to the world of biking, you’ve probably heard seasoned cyclists mention the miracle cream known as chamois cream.
It’s an effective way to keep you free from saddle sores and chaffing. We researched five top-rated products in order to find the best chamois cream for the job.
Here are the top chamois creams we’ll be reviewing:
- Chamois Butt’r Original Anti-Chafe Cream
- Gooch Guard Chamois Cream
- Assos Chamois Cream
- DZNuts Pro Chamois Cream
- Enzo’s ButtonHole Chamois Cream
Chamois Cream – What You Should Know
Before we tackle our reviews of the five best chamois creams on the market today, let’s discover exactly what the product is and how it may benefit a budding cyclist like yourself.
What is Chamois Cream?
Pedaling, especially for long hours at a time, can cause friction.
Chamois cream is intended to help cut back on the friction that can develop between your clothing and your skin while you pedal.
It’s an anti-bacterial substance that’s actually found in various forms such as powders in addition to creams.
Benefits of Using Chamois Cream
The advantages found in using chamois cream seem rather clear. As it can reduce the friction you’ll experience while cycling, it may cut down on the chances of chaffing.
Also, chamois cream might also reduce your risk of developing saddle sores, which are irritations around the thigh and groin areas.
There are a number of ways you can fight saddle sores, but chamois cream may be an ideal way to nip the problem before it occurs.
Chamois cream also has a good chance of preventing inflammation.
A build-up of moisture and heat around your body’s sensitive areas may cause inflammation, so chamois cream can help keep things cool and dry.
Some brands may even have anti-inflammatory properties to further aid with that.
Men Chamois Cream vs. Women Chamois Cream – What’s the Difference?
Although you may notice men and women using the same chamois cream, it is recommended that women opt for female-specific chamois cream.
The ingredients in certain chamois creams play a key role in this.
Although some women may be able to use the same kind as men with no problems, others may experience some irritation in sensitive areas.
This may be due to the fact that some chamois creams not made for women often have a tingling sensation that not all ladies enjoy.
In addition, chamois creams designed for women focus on pH.
Many are formulated with lower pH levels which can help fight off the risks of vaginal infections.
Features to Consider
There aren’t too many important features when it comes to finding the best chamois cream.
However, when you’re new to cycling, one of the aspects you might want to consider is easy application.
No one wants to spend minutes rubbing the cream in whether it’s on your chamois or on your skin.
Quality creams rub in with next to no difficulty.
On the other side of the fence, high-quality creams are also simple to wash off when the time comes.
Some of the best creams are ones that aren’t greasy in texture.
You may also want to take a look at the ingredients.
When it comes to top-rated creams, they usually contain natural or otherwise safe ingredients that won’t cause any irritation to your skin.
Others offer an ability to cool the skin.
You might want to find chamois creams that can provide you with just enough hydration without overly moisturizing your skin.
How to Apply Chamois Cream
You can use your chamois cream of choice either against your skin or on your cycling pads.
However, it appears to be becoming more common to use it on your skin. There’s no right or wrong way to use it though.
If you apply it to your skin, be sure to focus on your most sensitive areas where friction occurs during cycling.
These areas include the groin, sit bones, and inner thighs.
Consider applying it generously without overdoing it. It might help to treat the cream as you would any other lotion.
Do be aware that it may feel awkward at first, but it’s something that you may grow comfortable in after a few uses.
After you’ve applied the chamois cream, take care to wash it off your hands right away.
You don’t want to accidentally touch food or even the handlebars of your bike with the cream still on your hands.
Once you’re completed with your cycling, if you can, hop in the shower and wash the chamois cream off.
Also be sure to wash your cycling shorts since the cream can readily soak in.
Best Chamois Cream – Top 5 Reviewed
Chamois Butt’r Original Anti-Chafe Cream
The Chamois Butt’r Original Anti-Chafe Cream is among the best chamois cream that’s quick and easy to apply.
It comes out of the tube in a controlled fashion, and it rubs on rather easily. A simple application may be beneficial considering you might have to reapply it during longer rides.
Also, the cream isn’t as thick as others like it.
Because of this, it may dissipate under excessive sweating.
Nevertheless, under standard cycling for a few miles, it might last. Even though the cream isn’t thick, it does offer a comfortable texture that is non-greasy.
This may feel rather well against your skin, especially if you’re unused to chamois creams. It might feel as though you’re wearing nothing.
To reduce the chance of it irritating you, the ingredients don’t contain any artificial coloring or any obvious fragrances.
Once you’re finished with your cycling journey, the cream appears to wash off your skin fast.
It may leave a white ring of sorts in your biking shorts, but the cream can scrub out of clothing just as well.
Pros
- Non-greasy formula
- Readily washes off
- Easy to spread
Cons
- Might need to reapply frequently
- May dissipate with sweat
Gooch Guard Chamois Cream
The Gooch Guard Chamois Cream boasts a unisex formula in an effort to reach a variety of users.
It doesn’t have any of the common allergens or parabens some other creams might have. The formula is also soothing so that it may help keep you cool.
For the specific ingredients, they are all-natural while also lacking any added fragrance.
However, there is a smell that is unique to the product. There’s a chance that it may bother you.
Otherwise, this cream may be useful on various skin types. It should work well under various weather conditions, hot or cold.
It is lotion-like in texture, which may help you rub it in easier. At the same time, it may need to be a bit thicker so you don’t have to apply so much.
Even so, the cream is easy enough to take out of its container. It should last a good deal of time in spite of it being thin and absorbing in the skin.
There is still a healthy barrier of lubricant provided to fight off chafing and friction.
Pros
- Works well under various weather conditions
- All-natural ingredients
- Almost lotion-like in texture
Cons
- Could benefit from being thicker
- Does have a specific odor
Assos Chamois Cream
The Assos Chamois Cream may do well at fighting off inflammation. There are anti-bacterial properties as well.
This may seem a bit more expensive than some other similar creams, especially considering it comes only in a 4.7oz jar.
However, it appears to last long as you don’t need to reapply it that often.
Although the ingredients seem common enough, there is menthol in it. This is intended to help keep you cool for your entire ride.
Even so, the menthol may cause a burning or tingling sensation throughout the area you apply the cream to.
Some of you may not be bothered by it, but others, mainly women, may feel some discomfort with it.
Nevertheless, it may readily cut back on friction. It may even manage to be effective under various temperatures so you might feel relief no matter the weather.
This cream may have a consistency issue though. When it comes out of the jar, it may be thicker than necessary.
It might take a bit of coaxing between your hands to soften it up. Once it is soft, it should be able to rub on smoothly for an easier application process.
Pros
- May last awhile
- Does well at keeping you cool
- Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
Cons
- Might cause a tingling sensation
- Poor consistency
DZNuts Pro Chamois Cream
The DZNuts Pro Chamois Cream may be the best chamois cream that utilizes healing properties.
These properties may help strengthen your body’s natural skin defenses so that you can heal faster.
This way, you might be able to use the cream on damaged areas with less risks of experiencing pain.
In addition, there are anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory aspects of the cream.
By reducing the chance of infection, it may further promote healing of pre-damaged skin. The anti-inflammatory aspects may help cut down on any irritation too.
There doesn’t seem to be any greasy residue left behind when you use this product.
When you first apply it, it may actually cause some stinging considering there is menthol in it.
It’s a sensation that may not last long though as it might simply leave behind a slight cooling effect.
With this cream, you may also feel it absorbing moisture well. This can help reduce the chances of chaffing or developing saddle sores.
How long the affects of the cream will last is questionable, however. You might be encouraged to reapply often if you’re going on longer rides.
Pros
- Moisture-absorbing properties
- Contains healing agents
- Doesn’t leave a greasy residue
Cons
- May not last long
- Chance for it to sting initially
Enzo’s ButtonHole Chamois Cream
With the Enzo’s ButtonHole Chamois Cream, you may get a product that’s completely vegan-free.
Not only that, but it also doesn’t feature the use of any parabens or mineral oil.
Instead, it uses ingredients such as sunflower seed oil, coca seed butter, and peppermint oil that may be less irritating against the skin.
These ingredients do cause a rather obvious scent though.
Not everyone may appreciate such smells coming off the cream as it may stick to your clothing.
This cream doesn’t rub on oily.
You may have to rub it a bit between your fingers and hands first as there’s a chance it can clump together.
Perhaps applying the cream quickly may reduce the chance of it thickening up.
It seems to wash away simply enough, however.
If there are any other effects you may notice from the cream, it’s that it focuses on reducing inflammation as much as eliminating friction.
It appears to last a comfortable length of time before you have to reapply the product.
Pros
- Not oily
- Vegan ingredients
- Washes off with ease
Cons
- Chance for it to clump while applying
- Noticeable scent
Final Thoughts
There are many quality chamois creams that can provide you with the necessary protection so that your biking experience is pain-free.
From the products we reviewed, we have to lean toward the Chamois Butt’r Original Anti-Chafe Cream being the best chamois cream for new cyclists.
Since you’re just starting out using creams like this, the application is simple enough that it may take you no time getting used to it.
The formula isn’t greasy, and you may grow comfortable wearing the cream fast enough that you might just forget it’s on.
There’s no obvious fragrance to it, which may lessen the risk of it irritating you. It also washes off fast so you can move on after you’re finished biking.
