Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice. All statements are merely the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to pain relief.

There are a large number of analgesic (pain-relieving) creams available on the market, but consumers may be wary about whether a cream applied to the skin can really reduce pain in the same way a pill or other medication can. Many pain relief creams make bold and unproven health claims which can further this concern.

But can creams applied to the skin actually reduce pain, and if so, what ingredients are shown in medical studies to have that effect? Are drugstore creams better options than more novel pain relief creams like CBD? What do medical experts have to say about pain relief creams? And what was our honest experience using a pain relief cream for exercise-related pain?

In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze clinical studies on pain relief creams to highlight certain ingredients that are proven to be effective.

We’ll feature some YouTube videos with medical experts discussing pain relief cream, and share our experience trying a pain relief cream.

Key takeaways:

• Menthol and CBD are clinically shown to relieve pain when used topically
• Author tried a pain relief cream that didn't have much effect, but pain was minor
• Lidocaine is also clinically proven and available OTC

Which Ingredients are Shown to Relieve Pain?

There are several compounds that have been shown in medical studies to relieve pain when applied topically.

Menthol is a compound that’s derived from plants like peppermint, and was shown in a 2018 medical review to produce a “cooling sensation” when applied to skin, and to desensitize pain receptors.

A clinical trial published in the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation found that menthol decreased pain scores by over 10% after one single application.

This ingredient is in a large number of drugstore pain relief creams, including Vicks VapoRub and Bengay.

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a compound primarily derived from the hemp plant which has been studied for its effectiveness in relieving pain when applied topically. A 2020 medical review on patients with chronic back pain described the following:

“Hemp-derived CBD in a transdermal cream provided significant symptom and pain relief for the patients described in this case series.”

A clinical trial published in the Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology journal reported that a CBD cream provided “significant improvement in pain and other disturbing sensations” in patients with peripheral neuropathy.

Lidocaine is another well-studied topical pain relief compound.

A 2021 medical review described topical lidocaine as being “widely used in current practice for a variety of pain conditions.”

Another medical review found that topical lidocaine was effective in relieving pain from skin burns:

“Our results indicate that topical lidocaine cream offers significant pain relief of long duration without associated systemic side effects.”

Based on the available research, we would recommend that patients searching for pain relief creams choose a brand that has one of the above-mentioned active ingredients.

We also recommend that users pay attention to the amount or strength of the active ingredient in the products.  Topical lidocaine, for example, is often found at 4% strength and called “maximum strength” but 5% lidocaine products are also available.

We Tried Pain Relief Cream Ourselves

As the author of this article, I wanted to try pain relief cream myself to share my thoughts on its effects and the overall experience.

I play full-court basketball for several hours at a time, and when I do so on back-to-back days, I often get shin splints. I wanted to see how effective this cream would be at relieving that pain.

I found a cream that contained CBD and menthol at appropriate doses, so I figured that would be a good option to try.

I applied the cream to my shins on the second day of a back-to-back workout.

I experienced a slight relief in pain and discomfort, but not enough to justify the cost. Since my shin splints aren't too extreme, just resting them is a better solution for me.

For people with more severe pain, this type of cream may be worthwhile.

I strongly disliked the smell of the cream and how the cream would stick to my socks and clothing. It really only works if you can apply it to a part of the body that doesn't need to touch clothing for several hours.

Overall, I don't plan to purchase this product again.

Medical Experts Discuss Pain Relief Creams

A YouTube video from the “Talking With Docs” channel discusses the best topical medications for pain relief:

A Good Morning America segment features a doctor discussing whether CBD cream can relieve pain:

Our Clean Anti-Inflammatory Picks

Illuminate Labs Ceylon Cinnamon Extract is our top anti-inflammatory supplement.

Cinnamon was shown to reduce inflammatory markers in a 2020 clinical trial. The study authors concluded that “Cinnamon could be regarded as a safe supplement to relieve pain.” 

Cornbread CBD Lotion is our top anti-inflammatory skin lotion.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is clinically shown to be effectively absorbed through the skin, and CBD caused "significant improvements in pain" when applied topically in a 2020 clinical trial. 

Both of the products recommended in this section are free of ingredients that we consider to be unhealthy.

Conclusion

There are a number of research-backed ingredients for reducing pain when applied topically.

In this article, we highlighted research on three such compounds that consumers may wish to look out for when shopping for pain relief creams: menthol, CBD and lidocaine.

We also shared two videos where medical experts confirmed that some pain relief creams are likely to be effective based on their formulation, and shared unsponsored user reviews that compared various over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief creams.

We hope that this article can serve as a useful guide for consumers experiencing pain.