Key Takeaways
Menthol is a compound from mint that creates a cooling sensation on the skin, which is why it appears in so many muscle creams. The feeling is real and fairly quick, though it is a sensation on the surface and not a treatment for what lies underneath.
Menthol gives a cream its cooling feel. It comes from mint plants, it is widely used in rubs for tired muscles and it works on the skin where it is applied.
It is a natural compound found in mint plants, and it can also be made synthetically.
Peppermint and other mints produce menthol in their leaves. It is the reason mint tastes and smells cool. The same compound is used in toothpaste, chewing gum, cough drops and skincare.
In a cream it is usually listed by name. The amount varies a great deal between products, which is why one cream feels mild and another feels intense.
It is understood to trigger the same nerve endings in the skin that respond to cold.
The skin does not actually get colder. Menthol is generally described as activating cold-sensing receptors, so the brain reads the signal as coolness. That is why the sensation arrives quickly and fades as the menthol wears off.
It is a clever trick of the senses, and it is all happening at the surface. A cooling feeling can be pleasant on a tired muscle, and it does not change what is going on deeper down.
Our older post on CBD cream for muscle pain covers the wider topic of creams and sore muscles.
Each ingredient usually has its own part to play.
The table below shows how the common ingredients in a muscle cream are generally described. The topical range we offer includes a cream that lists menthol together with arnica and lidocaine.
| Ingredient | Where it comes from | How it is generally described |
|---|---|---|
| Menthol | Mint plants | A cooling sensation |
| Arnica | A mountain flower | A traditional muscle-rub ingredient |
| Lidocaine | A common topical ingredient | A numbing sensation |
| Camphor | A tree resin, often synthetic | Warming and aromatic |
| CBD | Hemp | Widely used in topicals |
| Carrier base | Oils, water and waxes | Carries the rest onto the skin |
Apply it to unbroken skin, follow the label and keep it well away from your eyes.
Wash your hands after applying, since menthol on a fingertip is unpleasant near eyes, nose or mouth. Do not put it on cuts, grazes or irritated skin, and do not cover the area with a tight bandage or a heat pad.
Menthol can irritate sensitive skin, so try a small patch first. If a product stings, burns or causes a rash, wash it off and stop using it.
Menthol creams are not for young children, and anyone who is pregnant, nursing or taking medication should check with a doctor first.
How strong the cooling is, what else is in the formula and whether the product is tested.
Some people love a strong, icy feel, and others find it too much. Scent matters too, since menthol is hard to hide. Read the full ingredient list so you know what the cream contains besides menthol.
If a cream includes cannabinoids, a third-party lab report should confirm them. That matters to anyone who is drug tested, so ask before you buy.
A cream is not a substitute for medical care, and pain that is severe or lasting should be seen by a doctor. Products from Pure Standard Extracts are third-party lab-tested, and our team can send you the ingredient list and lab report for any of them.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before using any hemp, CBD, or related products, especially if you have medical conditions, are pregnant or nursing, or take prescription medications. Pure Standard Extracts products contain ≤0.3% Δ9-THC and are intended for adult use (21+). Our products are not FDA-approved to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
It creates a cooling sensation where it is applied.
Mint plants such as peppermint. It can also be made synthetically.
No. It is understood to trigger cold-sensing nerve endings, so the skin feels cool without changing temperature.
It varies with the product and the person, and it fades as the menthol wears off.
It can, especially on sensitive skin. Patch test first and wash it off if it stings or burns.
No. Do not combine a menthol cream with a heat pad or a tight bandage.
Menthol creams are not for young children. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first.
Yes. Our topical cream lists menthol together with arnica and lidocaine.
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PRODUCTS ON THIS SITE CONTAIN A VALUE OF 0.3% OR LESS Δ9-THC (OR NO MORE THAN 0.3% Δ9-THC).
THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. THE DELTA-9 TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL CONTAINED IN THIS PRODUCT DOES NOT EXCEED 0.3% ON A DRY WEIGHT BASIS. DO NOT USE IF YOU ARE A PREGNANT, NURSING, SUFFERING FROM ANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS(S), OR ON MEDICATION. CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE TAKING. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND ANIMALS. THIS PRODUCT MAY IMPAIR YOUR ABILITY TO DRIVE OR OPERATE MACHINERY.
