ButtonHole Chamois Cream Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

Enzo’s Cycling Products

Price: $2.99 (14 g reusable tin), $6.00 (2 oz. jar), $19.95 (8 oz. jar)

Formula: Tingle or no tingle 

Vegan: Yes

Availability: Online or retail

Obtained by: Company sample

RBR advertiser: No

Reduce Friction and Inflammation

I usually avoid reviewing chamois cream because it is much like reviewing saddles ― it’s very personal. Like saddles, one brand might work great for one person but not so well for another. While roaming the aisle at CABDA in February, I came across some bike industry friends, Leah Sanda and Rob Curtis, working at the ButtonHole booth. I’ve known them for several years through their custom wheel-building company, Psimet. However, I didn’t realize Psimet is the parent company of ButtonHole. 

I spent some time at the booth talking about the product and formulation. My LBS carries ButtonHole, but I’d never picked up a tub. Learning more about the product, including its natural ingredients, 100% vegan, and two formulations (tingle and no tingle), I decided to give it a spin. 

Two Formulations 

ButtonHole comes in two formulas ― tingle and no tingle. I’m a no tingle kind of gal, especially in the winter. I don’t need additional cooling in the southern region when it’s only in the 30s at ride time. I might consider the tingle version in the summer when you need a little cooling down there. The key difference between the two formulations is that the no tingle version has less menthol, tea tree oil, and peppermint oil.

Both versions have the same consistency, and I found it thicker than most chamois creams I’ve used. The thicker consistency allows it to stay where you apply it, reducing friction and inflammation. 

My test rides using ButtonHole were indoors on the trainer (2-hour rides) and outside on gravel and road rides between 30-55 miles. The chamois cream did not have a greasy feel when applied. It washed off my hands and body easily with soap and water. I never experienced chaffing on any of the test rides while using ButtonHole.  

Formulation and Ingredients 

A small formulator in Chicago prepares the product in bulk according to the company’s strict guidelines. Then, labeling and fulfillment are completed just west of Chicago in their East Dundee, Illinois, facility.

The product is 100% vegan, and several of its ingredients can be found in a health food store. One ingredient I’m familiar with is tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil. I’ve used it to calm a random saddle sore or boil for years. It’s one of nature’s miracles. Other ingredients used in ButtonHole and its function include:

• Peppermint oil soothes inflammation, irritation, and itchiness.
• Hamamelis (aka witch hazel) provides anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
• Wu-Chu-Yu herb is an extract prepared from the small berry fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa and reportedly has anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity.
• Menthol is a counterirritant that works by causing the skin to feel cool and then warm.

According to the company, because of the healing properties of ingredients in ButtonHole, it can also be used off the bike as a salve, working to eliminate existing saddle sores.

ButtonHole comes in 2 oz and 8 oz tubs, costing $6 and $19.95, respectively, cheaper than many name brands. There’s also a 14-gram reusable tin for $2.99, which conveniently fits in a jersey pocket or saddle bag. As a side note, be sure to secure the lid after use. One user told me the cream dried up when they forgot to put the lid back on the tin.

I contacted the company to find out if they considered offering tubes in addition to tubs. I am asking this question because sharing a tub or if someone “double dips” could introduce bacteria. Also, as a woman with long nails, it’s hard to scoop the cream out without getting it all under your nails. I feel tubes eliminate some of these issues. At the time of publishing this review, I had not heard back from the company. However, I’m sure it would require costly new machinery to accommodate filling tubes.

Bottom Line

ButtonHole chamois cream is thick, non-greasy, and stays where you put it. Then, it washes cleanly off the skin and cycling chamois. The 100% vegan formulation boasts skin-repairing ingredients to keep your southern region happy. Made in the Chicagoland area, it’s economically priced and an excellent value for the money. 

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Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.