Whether your joints are swollen due to an injury or a chronic disease like arthritis, you’re probably going to use the same medical solutions. In this regard, pain relief creams are particularly effective at relieving localized pain in your joints.
Still, selecting the right one can often be a trial-and-error process. For that reason, we’ve compiled this short guide to help you find the best pain relief cream for joint pain available.
Comparison Chart
Ultra Strength Bengay Topical Pain Relief Cream, Non-Greasy Topical Analgesic for Minor Arthritis, Muscle, Joint, and Back Pain, Camphor, Menthol & Methyl Salicylate, 2 oz
Penetrex Pain Relief Therapy [2 Oz] – Trusted by 2 Million+ Sufferers Since 2009. (for Your Back, Neck, Knee, Shoulder, Foot, etc) Safe to use with Arthritis Gloves, Back Massagers, Knee Braces, etc.
Best Pain Relief Cream for Joint Pain Reviews
Bengay – Topical Analgesic Cream
Bengay is a widely known brand that deals with pain relief. Although it’s mostly advertised as a sports supplement that relieves sore spots and joint stress, it’s very effective in regulating pain caused by arthritis and other chronic or acute joint issues as well.
This topical analgesic cream from Bengay is potent and is used in treatment of various problems, such as backache, strains, bruises, sprains, etc. Notably, it’s effective in counteracting sore muscles and joints and pain caused by arthritis-related inflammation.
Unlike many other products, this Bengay cream is non-greasy, which makes it easy to absorb through the skin. This is also important for avoiding clogged pores.
The cream is applied directly to the affected area. At first, it will feel cool, then it will progressively get warmer. You’ll quickly begin to feel deep relief of joint pain and any muscle pain that goes with it.
The Topical Analgesic Cream from Bengay boasts a unique 3-ingredient formula, consisting of 4% camphor, 10% menthol, and 30% methyl salicylate.
Every one of these ingredients has pain-relieving qualities. It’s the combination of the three that makes this Bengay cream so effective, comfortable, and easy-to-use.
The product comes in a 2 oz. tube, which isn’t the most ideal size, considering the price.
You could get a 4 oz. tube, but you might not end up needing the larger one, and it’s somewhat expensive as well. However, the product itself is so good that it more than justifies the price.
Pros
- Effective
- Unique 3-ingredient formula
- Pleasant on the skin
- Non-greasy
- Also good for muscle pain relief
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Only 2 oz.
Sportscreme
Sportscreme is widely used by many bodybuilders around the world. It can be applied before a workout to ready and warm up the muscles, which helps prevent injuries.
But it can also be used after the workout to provide relief. An unlikely, but very much present, feature of Sportscreme is that of joint pain relief. Whichever part of the body aches, just rub this cream onto the spot and experience relief within minutes.
Yes, both the name and the advertising of this cream indicate that it mostly pertains to sport environments. While it’s true that many professional, semi-professional, and causal athletes resort to this product, it can also be used to effectively treat joint pain caused by inflammation and arthritis.
Another critical application to mention here is injury management. Although most pain relief creams can be used to, relieve injury-related pain, this one is particularly effective at treating the injury itself.
The cream is also widely used to alleviate workout-related back pain, which is something many athletes suffer from.
Most creams tend to have a dubious smell, to say the least. Some just straight-up stink. One of Sportscreme’s main marketing taglines is “No Unpleasant Odor.” Some people claim that it smells kind of like an antiperspirant, while others say that the product is odorless. Regardless, don’t expect a bad smell from this cream.
With that said, there is some potential product inconsistency that you wouldn’t get from major brands.
Pros
- No unpleasant odor
- Quick onset
- Lasts for hours
- Particularly good for back pain
Cons
Potential product inconsistency
Penetrex
This topical pain relief product has been made with alleviating muscle and joint pain in mind. Unlike many sports creams, Penetrex was designed to mitigate the root causes of inflammation and pain in joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and nerves. This is why the product has yielded such excellent results in arthritis patients.
This product boasts five primary ingredients that lead to effective pain relief. Every one of these is known to help with joint pain.
The main Penetrex ingredient is arnica. This is an extract from a plant that has known anti-inflammatory properties. Then, you have methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, for short. This is a popular new ingredient, commonly found in products that provide joint support.
Boswellia Serrata can also be found in Penetrex. This is a popular herb-based medicine, especially effective in inflammation removal, thanks to the Boswellic acid it contains.
Vitamin B6 helps with the balance of sodium and potassium in your body, encouraging normal nerve function. This is what makes Penetrex particularly fitting for arthritis patients. Add cetyl myristoleate (CMO) to the equation, and you get joint-lubricating properties, along with more anti-inflammatory features.
All in all, Penetrex is an excellent solution for joint pain. Although it’s excellent for people with arthritis or similar chronic ailments, Penetrex is very versatile. It has anti-inflammatory properties, meaning that it can be used as a post-workout recovery measure. It has joint-lubricating features, which means that it can help preserve your bones and joints.
And, of course, it encourages normal nerve function, which is essential.
Of course, a cream this powerful doesn’t come without side effects. Nothing too crazy, mind you, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll experience anything untoward. Still, it’s worth mentioning.
Pros
- Effective for a variety of uses
- Quick pain relief
- Long-lasting
- Promotes healing and repair
- Targets the root cause of pain
Cons
Potential mild side effects
Sombra Warm Therapy 8-Ounce
Whether you suffer from chronic back pain, strains and sprains, sciatic pain, neuralgia, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or any other temporary or chronic condition, this gel might be right up your alley.
It may not mean much to you, but this product is 100% alcohol-free. This means that you’ll avoid skin redness associated with applying alcoholic products to your skin.
Natural aloe is used to counteract inflammation, which is hugely important. Then, there are the pain relief properties, thanks to menthol and camphor, as active ingredients.
The particularly special thing about Sombra is that it uses something called the “gate theory.”
The gate theory is based on the idea of using cooling and warming sensations to counteract pain. How does it work? Well, provide a sensation that’s stronger than pain (heat, for example), and you’ll trick your brain into giving you the relief that you may need. This is what’s so exciting about Sombra – it’s based on natural principles.
You can rest easy when it comes to pore clogging and staining of clothes. Sombra Warm Therapy is non-greasy and is easily absorbed into the skin.
Although the Sombra products come in a variety of sizes, the 8 oz. jar is probably the best way to go for starters.
The only apparent downside to this product is that it shouldn’t be used in combination with other warming gels, or as a supplement to heat or ultrasound therapies. This may not seem like a lot, but these therapies can also help in terms of joint pain relief.
Pros
- Natural
- Aloe counteract inflammation
- Non-greasy
- The gate theory
- 100% alcohol-free
Cons
Shouldn’t be used in combination
Outback Pain Relief Roll-On
This Outback product boasts a four-oil natural formula. It’s used for chronic as well as minor pain. The package size here may not look sufficient, but this is a rather potent topical oil. Apply only the tiniest amount, and you’ll start feeling the soothing effects of this roll-on very quickly.
It’s important that you use the product as directed. Start by applying the oil on the affected area and massage until your skin absorbs the oil. Over the first 10 days, repeat the procedure 3-4 times a day.
After that, feel free to apply the Outback oil as you please. Keep in mind, though, that consistency is key here – the more you use it, the more effective it becomes. Once your symptoms start improving, reduce the application frequency.
The mentioned four natural oils are absolutely GMO- and cruelty-free. These oils are tea tree oil, blue malle eucalyptus, vanilla, and olive oil.
You might become accustomed to temperature changes from various pain relief creams and supplements. Don’t expect this from Outback – there aren’t any ingredients in the product that will induce any kind of temperature sensations.
Unlike some other products that feature temperature sensations upon application, don’t expect this Outback product to provide you with immediate relief. Although you’ll feel an almost instant soothing effect, the pain won’t go away immediately. Remember, consistency is key here.
Pros
- 100% natural
- GMO-free
- Cruelty-free
- Potent
Cons
Lack of immediate pain relief
Final Verdict
Penetrex is probably the best pain relief cream for joint pain option featured on the list, although another entry may suit you better. First of all, it contains all the joint pain-relieving substances out there, from MSM to Boswellia.
Secondly, it actually targets the root cause of the pain, which can’t be said for many other creams. Finally, Penetrex doesn’t just provide temporary relief – it promotes healing and repairs afflicted joint areas.