In praise of Shea butter

[veggieburger]

I’ve had this nagging saddle sore right in the left crease, so I dipped into my wife’s fancy lotions and pulled out a tin of shea butter. Not a mix, no mineral oil etc, just pure Shea butter. The texture is chalky yet sticky, and it worked like a charm.

Not sure if this used by others, but if you’re having issues and it’s already in the house, worth trying.

[Louis]

I’ve had this nagging saddle sore right in the left crease, so I dipped into my wife’s fancy lotions and pulled out a tin of shea butter.

She better not find out how/where you've been using it, otherwise you're going to have to buy her a new tin of it...

I believe some home-brew chamois cream recipes include shea butter.

[ddeand]

That stuff is pretty good. I mixed up a batch of chamois cream, and shea butter was the main ingredient (along with coconut oil and lanolin).

[veggieburger]

That stuff is pretty good. I mixed up a batch of chamois cream, and shea butter was the main ingredient (along with coconut oil and lanolin).

Do you remember the proportions? Would be very interested in trying this.

[Veloo]

Yup, I already suffer from dry skin and even some patches of eczema. In the winter it gets bad. I find shea butter works better than anything else for me.

[J.Higgins]

Never tried shea butter. I've been using Bag Balm since the 1960's.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bag_Balm

If it works for cows it works for my bottom just fine.

[zap]

Have been using real Shea butter for years as a skin moisturizer. Never thought to use shea butter as part of a chamois mix.

[CDM]

My daughter is highly alergic to tree nuts. Shea butter comes from some type of nut and gave her extreme skin reaction...didnt need the epi pen but worth mentioning..

[zap]

My daughter is highly alergic to tree nuts. Shea butter comes from some type of nut and gave her extreme skin reaction...didnt need the epi pen but worth mentioning..

Shea tree nuts.

[David Tollefson]

Been making my own chamois cream for a while.

4 oz Shea butter
2 oz coconut oil
2 oz lanolin
3/4 tsp tea tree oil
3/4 tsp peppermint oil

Melt the shea butter, coconut oil and lanolin in a small sauce pan, add the tea tree and peppermint oils, mix. Pour into a small wide mouth jar. Put in freezer until it just starts to get some firmness, then pull it out and mix to get a smooth texture. Let fully set.

[Blue Jays]

That chamois cream recipe sounds pretty easy-peasy to make, @David Tollefson.
It seems one could source those ingredients from any decent health food store.

[reuben]

Wait, what? What are y'all doing? I thought the chamois was supposed to age, like leather. Yeah, keep it out of the sun so it doesn't crack, but never ever apply any sort of cream.

I've got a nice pair of premium '87 Assos that have that well-worn, well-loved bronzing.

[reuben]

Been making my own chamois cream for a while.

4 oz Shea butter
2 oz coconut oil
2 oz lanolin
3/4 tsp tea tree oil
3/4 tsp peppermint oil

Melt the shea butter, coconut oil and lanolin in a small sauce pan, add the tea tree and peppermint oils, mix. Pour into a small wide mouth jar. Put in freezer until it just starts to get some firmness, then pull it out and mix to get a smooth texture. Let fully set.

Crikey! What's next, balsamic vinegar reduction sauce? Cilantro?

It's a regular potpourri!

[veggieburger]

Been making my own chamois cream for a while.

4 oz Shea butter
2 oz coconut oil
2 oz lanolin
3/4 tsp tea tree oil
3/4 tsp peppermint oil

Melt the shea butter, coconut oil and lanolin in a small sauce pan, add the tea tree and peppermint oils, mix. Pour into a small wide mouth jar. Put in freezer until it just starts to get some firmness, then pull it out and mix to get a smooth texture. Let fully set.

Excellent, thank you. The tea tree oil is a great thought.

[David Tollefson]

That chamois cream recipe sounds pretty easy-peasy to make, @David Tollefson.
It seems one could source those ingredients from any decent health food store.

Or Amazon...

Also - the recipe isn't originally mine, just found it an Le Google.

[ddeand]

Do you remember the proportions? Would be very interested in trying this.
Here’s the recipe I got online - very similar to David Tollefson’s recipe. I doubled the amounts and have enough for this year and maybe part of next year. It works really well.

Chamois Cream Recipe

4oz shea butter
2oz coconut oil
2oz lanolin
1/8oz tea tree oil
1/16oz peppermint oil
Quarter tube of Cortizone 10

1. Melt the shea butter and coconut oil together in a pot on the stove (or in a double boiler if you have one).
2. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
3. Stir in lanolin.
4. Place in freezer for 20 minutes (or until partially solidified).
5. Add essential oils and mix for 10 minutes.
6. Place in freezer 10 more minutes.
7. Whip until a butter-like consistency is achieved.
8. Once ready, place in a small jar for storage.
9. Test it out.
*Note that cooking times and exact preparation will vary depending on your cookware and the specific brands of ingredients you’re using

[Blue Jays]

"...Also - the recipe isn't originally mine, just found it an Le Google..."Excellent, it is a classic old French concoction for cyclists! LOL.
This sounds like it will make enough for a few weeks of typical riding.

[Clancy]

Here’s the recipe I got online - very similar to David Tollefson’s recipe. I doubled the amounts and have enough for this year and maybe part of next year. It works really well.

Chamois Cream Recipe

4oz shea butter
2oz coconut oil
2oz lanolin
1/8oz tea tree oil
1/16oz peppermint oil
Quarter tube of Cortizone 10

1. Melt the shea butter and coconut oil together in a pot on the stove (or in a double boiler if you have one).
2. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
3. Stir in lanolin.
4. Place in freezer for 20 minutes (or until partially solidified).
5. Add essential oils and mix for 10 minutes.
6. Place in freezer 10 more minutes.
7. Whip until a butter-like consistency is achieved.
8. Once ready, place in a small jar for storage.
9. Test it out.
*Note that cooking times and exact preparation will vary depending on your cookware and the specific brands of ingredients you’re using


Although it might not make a difference, I think Cortizone comes in different size tubes. Do you know approximately how many ounces?

[2metalhips]

Here’s the recipe I got online - very similar to David Tollefson’s recipe. I doubled the amounts and have enough for this year and maybe part of next year. It works really well.

Chamois Cream Recipe

4oz shea butter
2oz coconut oil
2oz lanolin
1/8oz tea tree oil
1/16oz peppermint oil
Quarter tube of Cortizone 10

1. Melt the shea butter and coconut oil together in a pot on the stove (or in a double boiler if you have one).
2. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
3. Stir in lanolin.
4. Place in freezer for 20 minutes (or until partially solidified).
5. Add essential oils and mix for 10 minutes.
6. Place in freezer 10 more minutes.
7. Whip until a butter-like consistency is achieved.
8. Once ready, place in a small jar for storage.
9. Test it out.
*Note that cooking times and exact preparation will vary depending on your cookware and the specific brands of ingredients you’re using

Is it April 1st?