What to Look for When Shopping for Pain Relief Creams

• Active Ingredients: Different pain relief creams rely on different active ingredients to do their job. Common ingredients to look for are arnica, menthol, and camphor. Be sure to select a cream that suits your specific type of pain. Always exercise caution with salicylate- or lidocaine-based creams, as it is possible to overuse these pain-relieving agents.
• Natural Ingredients: Jaliman suggests staying as natural as possible when you can. Natural ingredients can help minimize your risk of irritation, especially if you have allergies or sensitive skin. 
• Fragrance: Whenever you're applying products to your skin, be cautious with ones that contain fragrances, says Zeichner. Fragrances can often cause skin irritation, especially for people with sensitive skin.

How We Selected the Best Pain Relief Creams

To find the best pain relief creams, we first consulted experts to learn the best ingredients and formulations to look for. Then, we researched dozens of pain relief creams, carefully reviewing product specifications and customer reviews. As we created our final list of recommendations, we considered the following key features:

• Application Type: The type of cream and how it is applied can affect how easy the pain reliever is to use. To accommodate a variety of users, we look for pain relievers in different types, including creams, balms, and gels. We also consider ease of application: Can it be rolled on? Squeezed from a tube? Scooped from a tin?
• Ingredients: It's important to know what you're putting on your body when using a pain relief cream. When researching, we look for products that contain natural ingredients and powerful pain relievers. We note if any ingredients have the potential to cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. We prioritize creams that not only include pain-relieving ingredients, but also ingredients that can soothe, moisturize, and calm irritated skin.
• Price: Pain relief creams can get quite expensive, so we make sure to include a variety of options to cater to every user. We look for effective and safe-to-use creams at various price points to suit the needs of as many people as possible.

Other Pain Relief Creams We Considered

We researched and reviewed dozens of pain relief creams, but only 13 made it on our final list of top recommendations. While these three have noteworthy features, they ultimately didn't end up meeting the rigorous standards of our top picks.

• Tylenol Precise Pain Relieving Cream: This cream uses 4 percent lidocaine to numb pain receptors with a mess-free, unscented formula that soaks in quickly, but it doesn't include the soothing addition of aloe like our Best With Lidocaine pick.
• Capzasin HP Arthritis Pain Relief Cream: Best for arthritis pain, this cream uses 0.1 percent capsaicin to temporarily relieve pain, and it's also beneficial for muscle pains like aches, cramps, or strains. However, capsaicin is derived from peppers and may cause a burning sensation for some users.
• Rub A535 Ultra Strength No Odour Cream: With 20 percent triethanolamine salicylate, this cream provides relief from aches and pains with anti-inflammatory benefits. But compared to creams that use methyl salicylate, triethanolamine salicylate creams may not absorb as deeply into the skin.

Our Experts

We consulted several experts while researching this list. They helped us learn what ingredients to look for and the properties each different ingredient adds to each cream. They also helped us understand what, if any, precautions to take when using pain relief creams.

• Susan Bard, MD, a dermatologist at Vive Dermatology
• Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist
• Joshua Zeichner, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pain relief creams really effective?

Pain relief creams are an effective alternative to oral pain relief options. The ingredients in topical creams are absorbed through the skin to target pain, often with anti-inflammatory formulations.

How do pain relief creams work?

Most pain relief creams work in one of four ways:

1. Anti-inflammatory pain relief creams use soothing ingredients like arnica to reduce swelling. 
2. Counterirritating pain relief creams use menthol and camphor to cool the skin.
3. Some pain relief creams use salicylates, a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), to block a key enzyme in the inflammation process.
4. Other pain relief creams numb the skin with a local anesthetic called lidocaine. 

Can I use pain relief cream while pregnant?

You can safely use pain relief creams containing lidocaine and arnica as long as you follow the product directions. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to know if ingredients like camphor or menthol are truly safe, so it's best to be cautious and avoid creams with these ingredients. Avoid NSAID-based pain relief creams during your third trimester.

How long do pain relief creams last?

Pain relief creams usually last for a few hours, with the majority lasting between 3 to 12 hours. However, some key ingredients provide relief longer than others, and certain pain relief creams may last up to 24 hours. To determine how long your specific pain relief cream will last, consult the manufacturer's specifications, and be careful not to apply the cream more often than recommended.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

As a seasoned health and fitness writer at Verywell Fit, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.