By far the most important factor in preventing saddle sores is getting the saddle position right.
Then comes your bibs/shorts - getting the brand that "fits your bits", and putting them on correctly.
Then comes pedaling form. Not sitting too far forward, rotating your pelvis to keep the pressure on your sit bones and not your perineum, keeping some weight off the saddle and on your legs, changing your position and standing periodically, etc.
After that, the chamois cream is to help with the last bit of remaining friction. Personally, I just get the cheapest/whatever is on sale/whatever is on the shelf at the LBS, and it seems to work (although I prefer chamois cream without "tingle"). I've tried A&D ointment, Bag Balm, etc. also, but the purpose-designed chamois cream cleans up better and seems to work longer. Among chamois creams I've tried, I have no preferences, they all seem to work fine. I'll still use A&D in a pinch if I run out of chamois cream, because it's around the house anyway.