I guess it really does come down to scale at some point. I suppose if you wanted you could also add your own tea tree oil too.
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Assos chamois cream is around double the price of sudo cream, which I used before. Sudo cream works but it leaves zinc oxide stains
I never used Chamois cream up till 2018 (I re-started cycling in circa 2003 and upped the distance after 2006, circa 8,0000-16,000miles pa). I only started to get saddle sores in after 2018, it actually turned out to be an imunity problem. It was thankfully sorted in 2019 but I continued with chamois cream though until the summer of last year but I’m cream free again.
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I only bought my first chamois cream a few weeks ago for the marmotte but I think I will continue using it, for 2+h rides at least. It does feel much better than nothing and a bit better than sudo cream but without stains
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That brings to mind a mate, he spends quite a bit on bibs but uses sudo cream 
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That could have been me🤣
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Noxema is not a ripoff, if you actually want to use chamois cream at all. The main point of chamois cream is to keep you clean, not friction reduction or treatment of sores or abrasions. It’s literally a type of soap. How much would you pay for soap. Not as much as assos chamois cream, which is an age-old industry ripoff, especially if you wear their wonderful bib shorts and your fit is dialed in.
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Do a search on Noxema here. There is a Chris Horner video that got a lot of people talking about alternatives to chamois creme. Personally, the alternatives left residue or stains that the Assos creme I prefer does not. It’s cheap enough that I’d buy the Assos. (I almost never use it any more, but I’ve tried a lot of brands, and when I need it, I feel the Assos is the best.
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Me do the search? I participated in those discussions. I’ve been using Novema for 15 years. If you take your bibs into the shower with you, it cleans right out
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Anyone reading the thread. We just happened to post at the exact same time. I wasn’t replying to you and hadn’t seen your post before posting mine.
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Yes, cycling specific chamois cream is a rip off.
I disagree that it isn’t a lubricant. For me it is and that aids in comfort.
I did watch the Horner video a few years ago and tried Noxema and have been using that for a few years. It’s tingly for a minute or two. There is also a moisturizing formula that I haven’t tried. I tried generic Walmart Noxema and it isn’t as good.
Previously I just used some cocoa butter cream. That worked ok.
Prior to that, I used Udder Cream which some use as a hair care product but it became harder to find for a while. I seem to recall that it’s just a lanolin based cream.
Edit: I see that in the YT video the person used Udderly Smooth.
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I tried a tub of Cetaphil moisturizing cream on a wim and it works just fine and on sale is a decent value in comparison.
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I use energy gels for this purpose.
Ants do a good job cleaning it out.
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Anyone else find it lasts for ages? I got an ass magic tube for 10 euros in December and I use it for every ride over 2 hours and its still about 60-70% full. Not sure if it works but I haven’t had any issues with saddle sores or anything.
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I guess rip-off is in the eye of the beholder. I get saddle sores and skin chafing if I use nothing, or with some cheaper products. With Assos cream, I’ve done six-hour rides with only minor chafing. I don’t much care what it costs… it works phenomenally well for me, and I trust that market forces will keep prices reasonable.
I’m perfectly happy to try other very-high-quality alternatives. But I don’t leave the house, running OR cycling, without anti-chafing protection.
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I’m not saying the guy in the video is right or wrong, but “I tried this, and it works for me” doesn’t sound compelling. One might try using Sourcream and find it beneficial, but that doesn’t mean much. Is there anything more scientific out there that’s worth watching/reading on a given topic? I’m not convinced, but always curious.
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Do you think Assos’s chemists developed some super secret formulation specifically for cycling? Do you think they even employ chemists and researchers? The only “rip off” is taking common ingredients found in other much cheaper products and marketing them towards cyclists at 5x the price. Everything Assos is quite pricey so maybe you just call it premium marketed Swiss goop for your bottom?
You are not going to find a scientific study.
The origin of chamois cream was shorts with a real leather chamois sewn-in. After a wash and drip dry, it would be stiff as a board. Back in the day we’d use vaseline to lubricate it and get it soft again. I don’t even recall bike shops selling spendy chamois cream in the 70s and 80s. Then, synthetic bike short pads showed up and everything changed but some people missed out on the lubrication.
Ingrediens ASSOS Chamois Creme:
Aqua, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Octyldodecanol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ozokerite, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Menthyl Lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Stearyl Stearate, Panthenol, Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethyl-Siloxysilicate Crosspolymer, Stearic acid, Menthol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHA, Alcohol Denat., Citric acid
Here is chatGPT’s analysis:
The ingredients listed are commonly found in skincare products, particularly moisturizers or creams. Here’s a breakdown of some key ingredients and their typical functions:
- Water: Solvent and hydration.
- Hydrogenated Polydecene: Emollient, provides a smooth and soft feel to the skin.
- Octyldodecanol: Emollient, helps improve texture.
- Glyceryl Stearate SE: Emulsifying agent.
- Glycerin: Humectant, draws moisture to the skin.
- Propylene Glycol: Humectant and solvent.
- Cetearyl Alcohol: Emollient and thickening agent.
- Sorbitan Stearate: Emulsifying agent.
- Polysorbate 60: Emulsifier.
- Cyclopentasiloxane: Silicone, provides a smooth application.
- Ozokerite: Thickening agent.
- Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil: Emollient.
- Menthyl Lactate: Cooling agent.
- Phenoxyethanol: Preservative.
- Stearyl Stearate: Emollient.
- Panthenol: Pro-vitamin B5, skin conditioning agent.
- Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer: Silicone-based skin protectant.
- Stearic Acid: Emulsifier and thickener.
- Menthol: Cooling and soothing agent.
- Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water: Astringent and soothing agent.
- Tocopheryl Acetate: Vitamin E, antioxidant.
- BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole): Preservative and antioxidant.
- Alcohol Denat. (Denatured Alcohol): Solvent and antimicrobial agent.
- Citric Acid: pH adjuster.
Given these ingredients, the product is likely a facial or body cream, possibly with a focus on providing a cooling effect (due to menthol and menthyl lactate) and hydration. The inclusion of Witch Hazel suggests it might also be targeting soothing or astringent benefits.
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Noxema’s ingredients analyzed by Chat GPT sound familiar?
The ingredients listed suggest this product is likely a liniment or a topical analgesic cream, often used for relief of muscle or joint pain. Here’s a closer look at some of the key ingredients and their typical functions:
- Water: Solvent.
- Stearic Acid: Emulsifying agent.
- Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil: Emollient, provides moisturizing properties.
- Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil: Emollient, also provides moisturizing benefits.
- Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil: Provides a cooling sensation and is commonly used in products for pain relief.
- Fragrance (Parfum): Adds scent.
- Propylene Glycol: Humectant and solvent.
- Gelatin: Thickener and stabilizer.
- Camphor: Provides a cooling effect and is used as a counterirritant for pain relief.
- Ammonium Hydroxide: pH adjuster.
- Phenol: Antiseptic and anesthetic properties.
- Calcium Hydroxide: pH adjuster.
- Menthol: Provides a cooling sensation and is commonly used for pain relief.
- Sodium Bicarbonate: pH adjuster.
- Calcium Chloride: Stabilizer.
- Magnesium Sulfate: Commonly known as Epsom salt, used for its soothing properties.
- Potassium Chloride: Stabilizer.
Given the presence of camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oil, the product is likely used to provide a cooling effect and pain relief when applied to the skin.
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You can see the pattern here - moisturizing, soothing, antiseptic properties. They will all work similarly. If you like Assos, buy Assos. I buy the Noxema. $4.50 at Walmart and it lasts 1-2 months of riding almost every day.
Chat GPT on Udderly Smooth cream:
The product described is likely a moisturizing cream or lotion, intended for use on the skin. Here’s a breakdown of its components and their functions:
- Deionized Water (Aqua): Solvent and hydrator.
- Stearic Acid: Emulsifier and thickening agent.
- Glycerin: Humectant that attracts moisture to the skin.
- PEG 2 Stearate: Emulsifier.
- Isopropyl Myristate: Emollient that helps the product spread smoothly.
- Dimethicone: Silicone-based polymer that provides a smooth, silky feel and acts as a skin protectant.
- Mineral Oil: Emollient that helps to lock in moisture.
- Lanolin Oil: Emollient that helps to moisturize and protect the skin.
- Triethanolamine: pH adjuster and emulsifier.
- Allantoin: Skin protectant that soothes and moisturizes the skin.
- Methylparaben & Propylparaben: Preservatives that prevent microbial growth.
- Fragrance: Adds a pleasant scent.
In the “Hand Tube” version, Propylene Glycol is also included, which is a humectant that attracts water to the skin, providing additional hydration.
Function: This product would primarily act as a moisturizer, hydrating the skin and forming a protective barrier to retain moisture. The inclusion of allantoin adds soothing properties, making it beneficial for dry, irritated, or rough skin. It is suitable for use on hands or other body parts to keep the skin soft, smooth, and hydrated.
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Nope, I’m sure it’s generally comparable/similar to other products in the same category. And if/when I try a cheaper product that works as well or better, I’ll happily switch to that one.
A more expensive product often does have better quality, even if in theory it contains the same ingredients as its competition. Of course, that’s not always true and shouldn’t be assumed!
In this case, what matters to me is that, so far, this is the best-performing product I’ve tried, and that the cost (roughly $5/month when paying $26 for a 7-oz tub that lasts me 4-5 months of daily use) is entirely acceptable to me.
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