The Perfect Pain Relief Cream You’ve Been Waiting For
THE VOYAGE THROUGH GUIDE to TOPICAL PAIN RELIEF
One of the most daunting rabbit holes of the chronic pain consumer experience; Pain Relief Cream, Balms, Gels, Salves, Sprays, Ointment... it Never Ends!
Here is our attempt to navigate the complicated world of Topical Pain Relief.
Where to start with all the pain relief cream, balms, and gels? Pain is unfortunately, a universal experience that binds us all—one that can be especially burdensome for those with chronic pain. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to dealing with pain, but for many, topical pain creams and balms offer temporary relief. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the more popular products on the market, from well-known brands like Biofreeze and Tiger Balm to lesser known formulas like Sombra and Amish Origins, we’ll try anything.
We’ll explore what makes each one special, how they work, their effects on chronic pain, and the pros and cons of each in regards to usefulness for travelers.
The topical pain cream industry is booming, with many companies offering a variety of products to meet the varying needs of consumers. In the US alone, sales of pain creams and ointments exceed $800 million each year, and the global market is estimated to reach $1.8 billion by 2023. Consumers have embraced creams and balms as an effective alternative to prescription medications, which are often associated with side effects or are simply too costly for some people.
Our editor’s brother sold him on his first bottle of Sombra pain cream by telling him to head to the local equestrian shop. I.E. Sombra’s pain relieving topicals are strong enough to treat horses.
Sombra pain cream works wonders. Sombra offers several different delivery methods, gels, roll ons, etc. and is used by professionals.
Now available with Hemp blend. (We haven’t tried it yet)
Mr. Alfredo Cortazar, a native of Mexico, had observed for years the way the indigenous people in Mexico treated pain with plant extracts. With his background and expertise in cosmetics, he blended some of those plant extracts into an elegant gel that helps relieve pain.
Sombra pain relief products are created with a blend of plant extracts with a refreshing aroma of Orange Peel and Witch Hazel and the deep heating strength of Menthol. Sombra pain relieving gel works by depressing cutaneous sensory receptors resulting in a topical anesthetic and anti-pyretic effect. When these ingredients are combined in precise amounts, they relieve arthritic pain, muscle soreness and inflammation, offering immediate pain relief. We travel with a Sombra Roll on and have both the Sombra cooling and Sombra warming creams for our home.
PROS
- Very Powerful
- Several Variations. from Hot and Cold Creams, Roll Ons, Gels, CBD etc…
- Long Lasting
- Used by Therapeutic Professionals.
CONS
- Too Powerful? (not for sensitive skin)
- We recommend using a glove for applications
- Watch out for next day remnants.
Our Runner Up pain cream was a surprise. Amish Origins is low- odor, fast acting and affordable pain cream that doesn’t require gloves for application like Sombra.
Amish Origins Pain Cream is a topical ointment created by Amish biochemists (yes, there are apparently Amish biochemists) to help relieve muscle aches and pains. The Amish pain cream formula was first developed in the 1970s and has been continually improved over the years to increase its efficacy. Today, there are a few different strengths in the line such as maximum strength.
Amish Origins contains natural ingredients, such as menthol, camphor, and clove oil, as well as comfrey root, an herb known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Amish Origins Pain Cream can also be used to soothe sprains and bruises. Amish Origins really impressed up with its deep, long lasting penetration and its non-invasive odor.
Owell Natural’s Amish Origins Pain Cream is non-toxic and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals or synthetic ingredients, making it a popular choice among people looking for safe yet effective relief.
PROS
- All Natural, Non-synthetic, No Chemicals
- Comparatively Low smell
- Fast Acting
- Smell and feel Not overwhelming
- Can be used for Bruises as well
CONS
- Not readily available outside the U.S.
- Skin feel is a little greasy (though not as much as others)
- Not as long lasting as many of the other options
BioFreeze comes on strong and cold but fades quickly and doesn’t have much of a penetrative effect into the muscles.
Biofreeze is a popular topical ointment that has been on the market since 1994. It is made with menthol and camphor, its special formula helps to reduce pain from aches, muscle pain, and arthritis. When applied topically, it provides a strong cooling sensations for fast-acting relief. For travel, we love the Biofreeze spray as it can hot hard to reach spots like the back.
Biofreeze is safe for use on all skin types and does not contain any harsh chemicals or toxic ingredients. However, it can be expensive compared to some of its competitors, so it’s important to factor that in when considering which product to use.
PROS
- Several Variations besides cream.
- For fans of cooling therapy
- Aerosol spray version that can help hit out of reach places.
- Great Portability. Perfect size for travel.
CONS
- Fades Fast
- Aerosol goes fast
- Not Long Lasting
- Very mentholated
Ah Tiger Balm, Balm of the Tiger; the true classic of our list. Ubiquitous across all continents, Tiger Balm is a classic for a reason. It was first created in the 1870s by herbalists Aw Chu Kin and Aw Boon Haw, who wanted to create an effective remedy for muscle aches, pains, and inflammation. The original recipe uses camphor, menthol, and clove oil as the main active ingredients.
Today, Tiger Balm continues to be a popular option for providing quick relief from these types of ailments. It is non-toxic and free of harsh chemicals, and comes in cooling or warming varieties depending on what type of balm you get. We love the tiger balm patches which are long lasting and work throughout the day.
Despite its popularity and long history, Tiger Balm still has some drawbacks that should be taken into account before deciding to use it.
A full body massage featuring Tiger Balm is not on anyone’s menu.
PROS
- Very Powerful
- Thick and long lasting.
- A popular topical ointment with a long history of effective safe use.
- Globally Available
- Many Variations including patches.
- Great Portability. Perfect size for travel
CONS
- The smelliest on our list and so recognizable, people around you will know you are using it.
- Hard to rub into skin so focused application is best.
- Geez this stuff is super thick and sticky.
- You may need a glove to avoid lingering sticky gunk.
- Too Powerful? (not for sensitive skin)
If you are like us, you have a love / hate relationship to Hemp products. The insane plethora of Hemp products, all hemp derived, all claiming healing abilities with zero psychosomatic effects is baffling.
New Age Hemp Cream has been gaining traction in the health and wellness space due to its natural, plant-based ingredients and its effectiveness in providing relief from everyday aches and pains. We found that it does provide some long lasting, deep muscle relief but was not fast acting.
Due to the massive flood of hemp products, Hemp may become an acquired taste for customers. Some people swear by it, some don’t get it. We will continue to test and provide results.
PROS
- Non-toxic and free of harsh chemicals
- Effective at providing relief from everyday aches and pains
- Not as smelly as many Hemp prodcuts
- Somewhat Affordable, some Hemp products are very expensive.
CONS
- Not fast acting
- Not suitable for those with nut allergies due to some of the ingredients used
- Midlevel price. Relatively expensive compared to other topical creams on the market but not the most expensive Hemp cream by far
- Can cause skin irritation in those with sensitive skin
- Does Hemp even work for you?
Dr. Bronner’s is one the most revered all natural “ethical” brands in the world. Founded in 1948 by Dr. Emanuel Bronner, this balm was originally developed as an all-purpose skin salve that could address a range of skin needs from dryness to inflammation.
Over the years, the product has been modified and improved upon, becoming an effective option for soreness and joint pains and skin issues.
PROS
- Great for the skin.
- We found it more of an everyday salve with nourishment more than pain relief.
- The unscented is a popular recommendation among tattoo artists for the healing process.
- Great Portability.
CONS
- The potent “natural” scent may not be suitable for everyone’s taste
- Not very strong
- Doesn’t have a great amount of deep muscle penetration
EBANEL NUMB520 It includes the numbing agent Lidocaine so a small amount packs a punch. We were surprised at how small the container was, almost as if it is a prescription.
It is made with a combination of lidocaine, tea tree oil, and menthol, which are known to reduce inflammation and provide a cooling sensation.
PROS
- Powerful Numbing agent
- Also recommended for hemorrhoids. (can be an issue for many travelers)
CONS
- The potent scent is overwhelming and nearly irritating.
- Shockingly small amount for the price.
- Due to its high concentration of active ingredients, it can be quite expensive compared to other products on the market.
Sagely Naturals pain cream’s active ingredients include menthol, camphor and white willow bark, which are known to provide soothing benefits. Our favorite pain reliever of the lighter creams also has a very distinct, unpleasant smell.
PROS
- Totally natural, free from harsh chemicals or toxins and has no known drug interactions
- We found it great for deeper muscle pains, which is high praise for a topical cream
- Their hemp infused line is really good compared to others
CONS
- It has a very intense, long lasting odor we found odd and medical smelling.
- Some users complain that the effects wear off quickly
- Can leave behind an oily residue on the skin
Recommended to us by the staff at Whole Foods is this small batch cream created in Italy.
Dulàc Natural Arnica Gel Cream Extra Strong is a skin forward solution to soothe sore muscles and reduce post-exercise discomfort. This all-natural cream is formulated with organic ingredients that are proven to provide powerful, long-lasting relief from inflammation and pain. Its unique combination of arnica extract, ginger root, rosemary leaf oil, and other natural plant extracts work together to reduce swelling, improve circulation, and restore mobility.
The lightweight texture and gentle scent offers a pleasant user experience without leaving behind an oily residue but doesn’t help much during stronger pains.
PROS
- Cream feels pleasant and even moisturizing
- Extra Strong is a decent all natural solution that has very low unpleasant odor
- The gel cream absorbs quickly, providing fast-acting relief, and has a pleasant aroma
- Great for SPD
CONS
- It may cause skin irritation in some rare cases.
- No real deep penetration.
- Not nearly as strong and long lasting as other options
