Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 6 Best Muscle Rubs in 2022: Creams, CBD Oils, and Gels to Relieve Pain

PeopleImages/Getty Images

A good muscle rub offers temporary pain relief and can even speed healing and recovery by reducing inflammation caused by acute injury. Although muscle rubs can’t treat the underlying issue for chronic pains, it can, however, make pain much more manageable. Having tried multiple different gels, creams, oils, and roll-ons in recent years, we can tell you that not all types of muscle rub (to use the term generally) work the same for us as they might for you. So if you try a CBD rub and don’t experience much relief, don’t give up on the whole category. Instead, try something with different ingredients like lidocaine or magnesium. And make sure you follow the directions too — slathering on too much cream too often won’t help, and it may cause irritation.

To help you get started, here are the best muscle rubs in 2022 so you can get rid of soreness and muscle cramps.

Related Videos

Icy Hot Max Strength Lidocaine Cream

Icy Hot Max Strength Lidocaine Cream

Icy Hot has been around for years. It was the go-to for coaches and trainers back in high school, and we used the stuff after many a wrestling match back in the day and still use it semi-regularly today. The menthol in the formula creates a quick cooling and soothing sensation (yes, it gets a bit intense at times), and then the 4% lidocaine provides some relief by reducing nerve sensitivity in the area of application. After a little while, you’ll experience a vague warming sensation, thus the hot part of the name. We love this stuff, but definitely don’t use it more than three times in one day, or else you’ll get a rash.

Extract Labs CBD Muscle Cream

Extract Labs CBD Muscle Cream

Yes, $90 for a 2.8-ounce tin of muscle rub is crazy expensive. However, we’ve been using this stuff almost exclusively to treat a shoulder injury, and we can tell you this: You can put a price on pain relief, and it’s a lot higher than $90 before it’s too pricey. The 1,500-milligram cannabidiol (CBD) concentration in this formula is much higher than many other CDB muscle rubs. The blend of other ingredients, like jojoba, menthol, and shea butter are plenty relaxing and soothing on their own. In years past, we were topical CDB skeptics, especially having used a few creams with lesser concentration of cannabidiol. In the search of relief from this damn shoulder sprain, we tried this extra-potent stuff, and the relief has been genuine and most welcome, lasting several hours after each application.

Ancient Minerals Magnesium Lotion Ultra

First, let me be crystal clear: We’re not advocating for, nor do we necessarily believe in the ability of, a topical magnesium product to enter the body and help offset a magnesium deficiency, which can cause everything from muscle cramps to gastrointestinal issues to sleep problems. For relief from sore muscles or joints, however, a magnesium gel or lotion can provide temporary reprieve, reducing inflammation and tightness. Rub it in deeply and allow for maximum absorption (i.e., don’t put on a shirt or pants too fast) and do be ready for a bit of itchiness along with your relief.

Penetrex Pain Relief Therapy

Penetrex Pain Relief Therapy

Penetrex cream is used by seemingly everyone, from competitive marathon runners to people who face backaches every time they stand up out of a chair. What sets this cream apart from most other muscle rubs is that it does not use “cooling” agents like menthol or clove oil that effectively mask pain, but instead it’s designed to reduce inflammation, actually removing the root cause of some pain. The relief effects aren’t as immediate as with other options, but they are comparatively lasting.

Biofreeze Cool the Pain Roll-On

Biofreeze Cool the Pain Roll-On

Biofreeze is not going to fix that strained calf muscle or sprained knee, but it might just help get the pain off your mind. The active ingredient here is menthol, and it is present in enough concentration for quick cooling relief — think 4% compared to the 1% menthol of the Icy Hot. Because this formula does not use other active ingredients, you can apply it up to four times a day, making it a great choice for relief from pain caused by minor injuries that you expect to heal sooner than later.

Tiger Balm Muscle Rub

Tiger Balm Muscle Rub

You probably know this already, but don’t overdo it with the Tiger Balm. This stuff is 5% menthol (the highest concentration in our selections), 3% camphor, and 15% methyl salicylate. All told, that’s 21% active topical pain relief ingredients — in other words, this stuff is intense. But it is also a long-trusted source of relief from muscle pain, not to mention joint and spinal pain. Strongly consider wearing gloves while you apply it, as you really don’t want a bit of Tiger Balm getting into your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Editors' Recommendations

The Best Gluten-free Products to Buy Online
tray of gluten-free foods like oats and seeds.

A decade or so ago, the gluten-free diet was rather rare, mostly reserved for people diagnosed with celiac disease, which is an autoimmune condition triggered by an allergy to gluten. However, the increase in the awareness of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), as well as the potential inflammatory nature of gluten has rapidly exploded the popularity of going gluten-free.

Going gluten-free or adopting a gluten-free diet can be overwhelming when you first get started. Many of the common food products found in the typical American diet and lining the grocery shelves contain gluten, which is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye, along with malt. Gluten is also found as an additive in sauces, soups, processed meats, and even some hair care and bath products, so if you need to strictly adhere to a gluten-free lifestyle, the initial overhaul of your diet can be challenging. Don’t worry; below, we give you some tips, recommended brands, and suggestions to take the stress out of going gluten-free.

Read more
The 11 Best Men’s Toners for Clear and Healthy Skin

For men's skincare, using a facial cleanser, face moisturizer, and sunscreen is already more than enough. So, you might be asking yourself, "Why exactly do I need a toner?" Think of a facial toner as your skin care regimen’s appetizer, formulated to prepare your skin for moisturizer and serums and acne treatments. Toners have several benefits for your skin, including tightening and clearing out pores, which can be a great help for people with acne-prone skin.

The key to finding the most effective toner is to look for one whose ingredients are suited to your skin’s needs. If you suffer from acne-prone skin, look for a toner with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. If you want to achieve radiant skin, opt for a toner with niacinamide that helps exfoliate dead skin cells for more vibrant skin. And if you suffer from dry skin, choose a hydrating toner.

Read more
The 31 Best Men’s Skincare Gift Sets in 2022
Port Products gift set

It's never too early to start planning out gift ideas for your loved ones (or yourself, no judgment here). Finding the perfect gift can be a struggle no matter who you’re shopping for, but if you want to stand out, you can't go wrong with a skincare set.
Regardless if you’re shopping for a skincare expert or someone new to the world of skincare, there are many exciting sets out there that they will surely love and appreciate. We rounded up some of our favorite skincare sets that range from luxurious to body care to travel essentials. We're sure you'll find the right gift set here.

Port Products Daily Essentials Kit

Read more