Sounds like you're lucky & ok without padded shorts, but selecting padded shorts can be a minefield. I always wear them, but I have some that are comfortable with one bike/saddle combo, but not another
I do tend to find though that spending more is worth it, but saying that I got lucky with some Santini bibs reduced to £25 on Amazon & they are as comfy as anything else I've had, although the pad is getting a bit flat nowadays
I ride pretty much everyday now & I always use chamois cream, never used to, but saddle sores are not very pleasant at all & best avoided