references
Arthritis Foundation: "Topical NSAIDs offer joint pain relief"
Cleveland Clinic: "Topical pain relief: What it is + how does it work?"
Harvard Health Publishing: "Rubbing it in"
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy: "A comparison of topical menthol to ice on pain, evoked tetanic and voluntary force during delayed onset muscle soreness"
Mayo Clinic: "Arthritis pain: Treatment absorbed through your skin"
U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Lidocaine transdermal patch"
Cochrane: "Capsaicin applied to the skin for chronic neuropathic pain in adults"
Nutrients: "Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement"
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine: "Low-back pain and complementary health approaches: what you need to know"
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage: "Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial"
Reumatologia: "Diclofenac in the treatment of pain in patients with rheumatic diseases"
Drug Design, Development and Therapy: "Topical Lidocaine for Chronic Pain Treatment"
Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.
The best pain-relief cream for you depends on the type of pain you're dealing with.
Image Credit: monstArrr_/iStock/GettyImages
Image Credit: monstArrr_/iStock/GettyImages
- How We Chose
- Best Overall
- Best for Back Pain
- Best for Arthritis and Joint Pain
- Best for Shingles
- Best Cold Therapy
- Best Hot Therapy
- Best Hot-Cold Therapy
- Best on a Budget
- Best Homeopathic
- Best for a Massage
- What to Look For
- How Pain-Relief Creams Work
- Safety Tips
Non-greasy Numbs and soothes
Strong fragrance
Image Credit: Walmart/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Image Credit: Walmart/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Active ingredient helps numb aches Odor-free
May be hard to squeeze cream out of container
Buy it: Walmart.com; Price: $5.98
Visit Page
https://go.skimresources.com
Image Credit: Voltaren/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Image Credit: Voltaren/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Contains diclofenac as active ingredient Non-greasy
Frequent applications required
Buy it: Walmart.com; Price: $10.46
Delivers warmth Odor-free Non-greasy
Some find the warmth uncomfortable
Buy it: Walmart.com; Price: $16.51
Image Credit: Biofreeze/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Image Credit: Biofreeze/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Works quickly
Strong smell
Buy it: Walgreens.com; Price: $11.99
Visit Page
https://www.flexpower.com
Image Credit: Flexpower/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Image Credit: Flexpower/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Works rapidly Scent-free
Pricier option
Buy it: Flexpower.com; Price: $72
Image Credit: Icy Hot/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Image Credit: Icy Hot/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
All-purpose workhorse Non-greasy formula
Strong odor
Buy it: CVS.com; Price: $6.99
Image Credit: Tiger Balm/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Image Credit: Tiger Balm/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Budget-friendly Works fast
Offers only temporary relief
Buy it: Walgreens.com; Price: $4.79
Visit Page
https://www.amazon.com
Image Credit: Penetrex/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Image Credit: Penetrex/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Contains arnica Non-greasy
Homeopathic remedies are studied less than conventional ones
Image Credit: Free-Up/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Image Credit: Free-Up/LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Non-greasy Fragrance-free
Not innately pain relieving
The Best Painkillers for Every Type of Pain
Arthritis Foundation: "Topical NSAIDs offer joint pain relief"
Cleveland Clinic: "Topical pain relief: What it is + how does it work?"
Harvard Health Publishing: "Rubbing it in"
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy: "A comparison of topical menthol to ice on pain, evoked tetanic and voluntary force during delayed onset muscle soreness"
Mayo Clinic: "Arthritis pain: Treatment absorbed through your skin"
U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Lidocaine transdermal patch"
Cochrane: "Capsaicin applied to the skin for chronic neuropathic pain in adults"
Nutrients: "Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement"
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine: "Low-back pain and complementary health approaches: what you need to know"
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage: "Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial"
Reumatologia: "Diclofenac in the treatment of pain in patients with rheumatic diseases"
Drug Design, Development and Therapy: "Topical Lidocaine for Chronic Pain Treatment"
