Just to clarify, all the "chamois" in modern bike shorts is synthetic. The reason real chamois skin was used in bike shorts originally was because of its absorption and amazing softness and slickness when wet. My dad always had a chamois for washing the car when I was young because it was so soft and wouldn't scratch the finish. He always told me that it had another unique characteristic. If you soaked it in gasoline you could then strain contaminated gasoline through it. Only the gasoline would pass through; the water would be filtered out. Growing up on a farm in the country in the '30s and even through the '50s this was handy as it was not unusual for gasoline in storage tanks to accumulate some water. Interestingly, the chamois would also do the opposite if needed. Soak it in water and only water would pass through, trapping and filtering out gasoline or oil.

I don't think of the "chamois" in shorts as padding exactly. It does provide some chafing protection, but it doesn't really provide much cushioning. If your saddle is hurting you it is usually more because of bike setup. I am a big guy, but I can ride just about any saddle with reasonable comfort. I find firm to hard, narrow saddles most comfortable. Wide, padded saddles are not comfortable. Padding is counterproductive for longer rides because 1) it doesn't provide any support and 2) it allows your bottom to move around too much, both of which lead to that almost bruised feeling.
FWIW,
Raymond