The 11 Best Pain Relief Creams of 2024, According to Experts - Shape Magazine

If you've ever suffered from any kind of body ache or pain – whether it was from an injury, an arthritis flare, is induced by stress/tension, or something else entirely – you know the feeling of wanting it to go away, fast. And when that pain comes on, it's safe to say that you're probably not in the best state to be worrying about which product to use. That's where this list comes in.

We've done the legwork for you – along with a dermatologist and an emergency medicine physician – to round up the best pain relief creams so that the next time you start to ache, you can get the sweet relief that you're craving, stat. Like anything else, not all pain relief creams are created equal: Some rely on heating while others provide a cooling effect to ease your discomfort. Texture and scent are big factors to consider, too. There's everything from gels to thick creams; some with minty scents and others with little to no fragrance. Whichever you prefer, there's sure to be a solve (or a salve) for you, here. 

Amazon

Why We Like It: Its high strength formula is fast-acting. 

It's Worth Noting: The microspheres hydrate the skin, too. 

As a beauty editor, the health of my skin is always top of mind. But, when you need a topical pain relief product to work fast, it can be easy to forget about what you're putting on your skin. Enter: Icy Hot Pro Cream with Micro Spheres. For pain-relieving, it taps 11 percent camphor and 16 percent menthol. The high percentages of active ingredients makes this cream fast-acting and can be used on muscles aches and joint pains as well as sprains, bruises, and arthritis. 

The microspheres contain jojoba oil to ensure skin is smooth and hydrated as well as pain-free. 

Size: 2 oz | Active Ingredient: Menthol, Camphor and Jojoba Oil

Amazon

Why We Like It: It helps alleviate arthritis pain. 

It's Worth Noting: This may need to be applied four times per day. 

According to Owais Durrani, DO, an emergency medicine physician in Houston, Texas, if patients come in with a flare of arthritis pain in their joints, he recommends diclofenac gel (Voltaren). "It is a topical NSAID with fewer systemic side effects compared to oral formulations," he explains. NSAID stands for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, known best for their inflammation, fever, and pain-fighting benefits. Ibuprofen is a well-known NSAID, but in this formulation, it's working topically versus internally.

While Voltaren can be a great option for pain management, be aware that also means a dedicated routine — this needs to be applied up to four times a day for 21 days to see the full effects. 

Size: 5.3 oz | Active Ingredient: Diclofenac

Amazon

Why We Like It: It's mess-free.

It's Worth Noting: Some reviewers had trouble opening the product.

"I love recommending lidocaine-based products for strains and sprains in flat areas like the lower back," says Dr. Durrani. "They are a great option for someone that's still had to go out [or to] work and a great part of a multimodal pain control strategy." Being that this lidocaine formula is dispensed in a roll-on, it offers a convenient and mess-free application, plus the act of rolling it onto the affected area acts almost like a massage as another form of treatment. And in terms of efficacy, Rebecca Marcus, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MaeiMD says, "Lidocaine or another numbing agent would likely provide the most effective localized pain relief."

Size: 2.5 oz | Active Ingredient: Lidocaine

Amazon

Why We Like It: It works quickly. 

It's Worth Noting: Some people don't like the cold feeling.

Tiger Balm is known for its cooling properties thanks to its menthol content. Dr. Durrani explains that it's part of a group of products called counterirritants which include menthol or camphor-containing products. "These products induce a hot or cold sensation on the skin, temporarily diverting attention from pain by creating a less intense discomfort to counteract the more severe pain." In Tiger Balm specifically, there's a combination of equal parts menthol and camphor that's believed to boost circulation and in turn, speed healing and reduce inflammation.

Size: 1.7 oz | Active Ingredient: Menthol and Camphor

Amazon

Why We Like It: The gel offers warm and cool therapies. 

It's Worth Noting: The burning sensation may be too much to tolerate. 

Similar to Tiger Balm, the Sombra Warm Pain Relief Gel also contains camphor and menthol for a cooling effect to divert your attention from the pain, but this also has capsaicin – a chili pepper extract – for a warming feel, too. Dr. Durrani explains that you will feel it warming your skin and sometimes even experience a burning sensation that triggers pain relief. If you have an aversion to overly minty smells, this might be a better choice for you because it has an orange aroma to it instead. 

Size: 8 oz | Active Ingredient: Capsaicin, Camphor, and Menthol

Amazon

Why We Like It: It's in a handy format for hard-to-reach areas. 

It's Worth Noting: Some people have difficulty getting the sprayer to work.

This formula is menthol-based which will give you that icy fresh feeling, but because it's housed in an aerosol spray, you'll experience an even chillier sensation when the cool mist hits your skin. We love that it's in a spray format because it makes it easier to get hard-to-reach areas like your shoulders and back. Simply spray, let it dry, and feel your pain slip away. 

Size: 3 oz | Active Ingredient: Menthol

Amazon

Why We Like It: It offers fast relief. 

It's Worth Noting: Jars can be unhygienic to dip your fingers into. 

If you prefer a thick consistency over a lightweight gel, this is the cream for you. Another unique facet of this cream is its ingredient label, which is different than what you'll find in most products on this list. It packs a natural trio of inflammation-fighting arnica, vitamin B6, and MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) for deep penetration and pain relief in the joints and muscles. We were sold on its hundreds of positive reviews from customers (including nurses!) who've experienced everything from surgeries to chronic conditions and couldn't sing high enough praise for this cream.

Size: 2 oz | Active Ingredient: Arnica, Vitamin B6, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)

Walmart

Why We Like It: Patches are no mess and offer hours of relief. 

It's Worth Noting: They can be hard to find in-store.

For those of us who can't stand slathering on lotions, balms, and creams, there's a pain relief option for you, too. Personally, I love the idea of slapping on a patch right where I need it and going about my day, not worrying whether or not my clothes are a.) getting ruined or b.) wiping away the cream that I so desperately need to work. I've used these patches on different areas including my knees, back, and neck, and completely forget I'm wearing them other than the fact that my pain goes away. The only con is we have trouble finding these in-stock — Walmart seems to be the most consistent option online.  

Size: 5, 5.5" x 3.94" patches | Active Ingredient: Menthol

Dermstore

Why We Like It: It offers a hot and cold feeling. 

It's Worth Noting: The luxe texture of the cream is a self-care treat. 

It's definitely pricier than the others, but this feels more like a nice self-care treat than an OTC medicated product. Created by clean skincare brand, Indie Lee, this pain-relieving gel is great for remedying muscle aches – I've found it especially helpful on areas of tension like my neck and shoulders. It has a hot and cold effect brought on by black pepper, menthol oils and eucalyptus, but it also has arnica, lavender and patchouli essential oils for more of a spa-like experience for enhanced relaxation.

Size: 2.4 oz | Active Ingredient: Black Pepper, Menthol Oils, Eucalyptus, Lavender and Patchouli Essential Oils

Amazon

Why We Like It: It's soothing and leaves skin feeling hydrated. 

It's Worth Noting: Some reviewers found that it has too strong of a scent. 

If texture is something that's important to you and you'd prefer a balm consistency over a cream, the Dr. Bronner's Organic Magic Balm fits the bill. The natural formula relies on menthol and peppermint oils for cooling with arnica and camphor to fight inflammation. The balm consistency comes from organic beeswax and it also has a trio of jojoba, avocado and hemp oils that leave skin moisturized. Not only can it be used on joint and muscle aches, but we've found relief when they've used it on eczema and even bug bites. 

Size: 2 oz | Active Ingredient: Arnica, Camphor, Menthol and Peppermint Oils

Amazon

Why We Like It: It's the brand's strongest product for more relief. 

It's Worth Noting: Some reviewers noted that its strong scent can linger for days. 

For those who's muscle aches go beyond a little post-Peloton soreness, this pain relief cream is best for athletes. It is considered a Salicylate cream, explains Dr. Durrani, because it has methyl salicylate, which is similar to the active ingredient in aspirin. "It functions similarly to oral aspirin products, offering pain relief." As for how it works, he says that they're absorbed directly through the skin, "potentially providing faster relief due to this direct delivery." It also packs trusty camphor and menthol plus methyl salicylate for a three-pronged pain-relieving approach.

Size: 2 x 4 oz | Active Ingredient: Methyl Salicylate, Camphor, and Menthol 

How We Selected

The soreness that stems from a grueling workout can be a nice little reminder of how hard you worked, but when that pain becomes chronic or is brought on by other types of injuries, finding relief can be a challenge. In addition to testing some of these pain relief creams ourselves, we spoke to a dermatologist and an emergency medicine physician to create this list of the best pain relief creams that put a stop to all kinds of aches. 

We looked for products that worked fast, were long-lasting, and had a tolerable smell and texture. We noted the positives and potential downsides for each product as well as who each cream is best for — those looking for cooling or warming sensations, for example. 

Types of Pain Relief 

Pain relief creams use different ingredients to target the pain and ease the symptoms, here's the different types of topical pain relief and how they work. 

• Local Anesthetics: Lidocaine is an example of a local anesthetic that prevents pain signals from reaching the brain by blocking the nerves where the product is applied. Our top pick: Aspercreme with 4% Lidocaine
• Counterirritants: This category relies on "counter pain," like warming or cooling, to distract you from the muscle aches or pains. Menthol is a common counterirritant. Our top pick: Icy Hot Pro Cream with Micro Spheres
• NSAIDS: These are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs taken to relieve pain, often in the form of pills like Aspirin or Ibuprofen. Our top pick:
• Capsaicin: This is a natural pain reliever derived from chili peppers that delivers a warming sensation on contact. Our top pick: Sombra Warm Pain Relief Gel

What to Know About Pain Relief Creams

Application Type

"Clean the affected area first and never apply if there are any cuts, open wounds, or broken down skin," warns Dr. Durrani. Dr. Marcus adds, "This [application] varies according to the active ingredients; it is best to stick to the directions on the label." In general, you will apply to the affected area as you would with any other type of cream, but if you're dealing with a patch, roll-on or something different than a traditional cream (like Tiger Balm), there will likely be varying instructions. 

Aspercreme with 4% Lidocaine comes in a convenient roll-on format, whereas J.R. Watkins Extra Strength Cooling Pain Relief Patches are put on and worn for hours. Dr. Durrani also says that it's important not to apply more than the directed amount and "if you are having to use the product beyond a few days, consult with your doctor."

Key Ingredients

Common ones include: Lidocaine, Capsaicin, Menthol, Diclofenac, and Methyl salicylate, says Dr. Durrani. "Some of these relieve pain by reducing inflammation, while others change how your body will process pain." Menthol and Capsaicin are why you'll see many formulas touting hot and cold modalities, while anti-inflammatory properties can be attributed to Diclofenac and Methyl salicylate. Lidocaine on the other hand is for numbing, so that's another one to look out for, too.

Fragrance