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Skincare & embrocation
Athlete Performance Luxury Chamois Cream – Pour FemmeMuc-Off Womens Chamois Cream

Athlete Performance Luxury Chamois Cream – Pour Femme

8
by Siobhan Kelly
UPDATED Sun, Nov 04, 2018 09:45

First Published Nov 4, 2018

0
£13.99

VERDICT:

8
10
A long-lasting, cooling and pleasant smelling cream that does the job, but it ain't cheap
Weight: 
113g
Contact: 
muc-off.com
How we test

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It may be a bit of a mouthful, but Athlete Performance Luxury Chamois Cream – Pour Femme is, you guessed it, the female-specific version of the consistently very well reviewed Athlete Performance Luxury Chamois Cream (formerly branded Muc-Off). Like the men's cream, it does its job really well, keeping you comfy in the saddle on long rides thanks to a formula that means it stays put yet doesn't feel greasy.

  • Pros: Long lasting, non-greasy and non-tingling, washes out well, smells great
  • Cons: Only comes in 100ml size, which works out quite pricey

It shares its retail price and some ingredients – notably aloe vera, shea butter and sunflower oil – with the men's version, with the addition of castor seed oil and beewax. It is antibacterial, which helps stave off saddle sores, and lubricating, which reduces chafing. Its formulation also makes it a really effective moisturiser – the directions advise using it 'on all skin areas which might be dry or chapped' and it softened my hands a treat. Seeing as its (rather poncy) 'Pour Femme' name sounds like a perfume, it's just as well it has a rather lovely scent too, all natural fragrances, something between minty and herby.

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When you first apply it there's a pleasing cooling sensation, which lasts a good hour or so, but no unpleasant tingling. I was initially surprised at how thick a consistency it has for a tube cream, but that means a little goes a long way and there's no issue with it absorbing into your skin. The video on the Athlete Performance web page (part of Muc-Off's site) shows the cream being liberally smeared all over the chamois pad, but I found it sufficient to use far less and apply it directly.

And you wouldn't want to be so profligate because it's a costly cream. However, it's not bad value because it is long lasting compared to some other brands. So if you tend to go out on long rides of, say, five to six hours, it's worth the money because you shouldn't need to reapply it all day. However, it's not as good value as the men's Luxury Chamois Cream because it's not available in a larger 250ml size, which works out a lot cheaper (see test report for detailed price comparisons).

Compared to other chamois creams, there are both cheaper and pricier brands. It's well over twice the price of the 235ml tube of Paceline Chamois Buttr Her, now £13 RRP, which works out at £5.50 per 100ml – although this cream does require more frequent reapplication. On the other hand, it's less expensive than Bikemonger's Happy Bottom Bum Butter, which is advertised as female-friendly and costs £18 for 100ml.

> Read more road.cc reviews of skincare and embrocation products

Although, if you consider the hygiene aspect of dipping your fingers in a pot a little disconcerting, you might find a tube is better, and the 100ml size is useful to carry with you if you're touring, say – especially as it will double up as your moisturiser. Another plus point is that the cream washes out with just soap and water, again handy if you're touring and washing your shorts in the sink of an evening.

All things considered, I'd recommend this cream – especially if you can find it on a deal.

Verdict

A long-lasting, cooling and pleasant smelling cream that does the job, but it ain't cheap

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Athlete Performance Luxury Chamois Cream – Pour Femme

Size tested: 100ml

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Athlete Performance says: "Luxury Chamois Cream formulated to deeply moisturise and protect the skin of endurance athletes in all conditions. Enriched with natural Aloe Vera, Shea Butter & Sunflower Oils to provide deep moisturising & lasting protection.

"Saddle sores? It happens to the best of us. That's why we decided it was time to develop the ultimate, high-performance Chamois Cream. Our formulation has been specifically formulated for women to deeply moisturise your skin for total riding comfort and protection, over long distances, in all conditions. Our luxury formula is pH balanced, enriched with Provitamins, uses natural ingredients and fragrances, it also creates a mild cooling effect for total riding comfort.

"We've also left out the Parabens (we don't believe you should have Parabens anywhere near your nether regions, or anywhere else on your skin for that matter!), SLS's and DEA. Our cream is designed to form a protective barrier to help prevent skin damage on sensitive areas, it's also anti-bacterial, and ideal for all riding styles from hard-fought classics through to long sportives. So it's adios to sore and uncomfortable rides!"

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

A pH balance formula enriched with natural Aloe Vera, Shea Butter & Sunflower Oils

Provides deep moisturising & lasting protection

Uses natural fragrances and ingredients

Antibacterial

Suitable to use on sensitive skin

INGREDIENTS:

Aqua (Water), Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ozokerite, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Triethyl Citrate, Polysorbate 60, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cera Alba (Beeswax), PEG-100 Stearate, Parfum (Fragrance), Phenoxyethanol, Sodium PCA, Limonene, Polyacrylamide, Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Menthol, BHT, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/ Dicaprate, Laureth-7, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Linalool, Benzalkonium Chloride, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Panthenol, Geraniol, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
10/10

The cream has a nice, quite thick consistency and pleasant scent. Comes in a handy-sized 100ml tube.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
8/10

A handy size to pop in your pre-ride bag; pity it doesn't come in a bigger more cost-effective size, though.

Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

It's at the pricier end of the spectrum, particularly as it only comes in the one 100ml size, but because it stays put so well you don't need to reapply, so this tube will last a good while, making it decent value if you regularly go on long rides.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well – it lasts all day so no need to reapply during most rides, feels good on the skin and helps keep your nether regions chafe-free. It also washes out easily.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The cooling sensation, pleasant scent and moisturising effect.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Only the price.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

This 100ml tube is priced the same as the men's Luxury CC Chamois Cream at £13.99 RRP – but the men's version is also available in a 250ml tub for £20 RRP (£8 per 100ml) plus it is widely discounted: it's currently on Wiggle for just £13 for 250ml. So, the girls get a bum deal (sorry!) when it comes to cost, and I can't find the Pour Femme cream discounted at the moment, not even on Amazon.

Compared to other chamois creams, there are both cheaper and pricier brands. It's well over twice the price of the 235ml tube of Paceline Chamois Buttr Her, now £13 RRP, which works out at £5.50 per 100ml – although this cream does require more frequent reapplication. On the other hand, it's less expensive than Bikemonger's Happy Bottom Bum Butter, which is advertised as female-friendly and costs £18 for a 100ml.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, at a discounted price.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

It's certainly a good product but marks deducted for the price.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 45  Height: 170cm  Weight: 62kg

I usually ride: Marin Point Reyes 29er  My best bike is: Whyte T-130 RS

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, mountain biking, audax

Athlete Performance Luxury Chamois Cream – Pour Femme 2018
Athlete Performance Luxury Chamois Cream – Pour Femme
Athlete Performance 2018
Athlete Performance

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