Your Buying Guide to Creams

Whether you need a cream for relieving pain, moisturizing the skin or massaging your body, there's a cream that's available for you.  It's easy to apply and absorbed by the skin.  We would be discussing the different types of creams, what other buyers are saying, what to look out for and some of the types of creams available.

Types of Creams

Topical pain killers, or analgesics, are sprayed on or rubbed into the skin over painful muscles or joints. Although are all designed to relieve pain, different products use different ingredients. Here are the most common ingredients found in products available without a prescription.

• Counterirritants. Ingredients such as menthol, methylsalicylate, and camphor are called counterirritants because they create a burning or cooling sensation that distracts your mind from the pain.
• Salicylates. These same ingredients that give aspirin its pain-relieving quality are found in some creams. When absorbed into the skin, they may help with pain, particularly in joints close to the skin, such as the fingers, knees, and elbows.
• Capsaicin. The main ingredient of hot chili peppers, capsaicin is also one of the most effective ingredients for topical pain relief. When first applied, capsaicin creams cause a warm tingling or burning sensation. This gets better over time. You may need to apply these creams for a few days up to a couple of weeks before you notice relief from pain.

What Other Buyers Are Saying

There are many creams available so, be sure to read the customers' reviews to get an idea of their firsthand experience on using the product.  Here are some feedback that a popular cream has received from its buyers:

I'm now purchasing my second pot...found this cream gives me lots of relief and better nights sleep because reduces the pain in both my knees and my hip due to arthritis. Yes little on the expensive side but well worth it to improve quality of my daily life. Works really well for me, so wouldn't hesitate recommending this product. Love the follow up from the company asking how I'm getting on with their product and to get in touch if I need any help/advice, excellent customer service.

This cream enhances one's coping capacity to deal with arthritic knee pain. It's soothes, calms and increases mobility, reducing the need for prescription pain killers. I love the fact that it contains natural ingredients and my usually dry skin has benefited too. A bit expensive though, hence 4 instead of 5 stars.

This stuff is awesome, and you don't need much of it. I have fibromyalgia, hypermobility syndrome, sciatica, dowagers hump. I'm always in pain and aching, when I use this it helps so much. The smell is strong but that wears off after a while. I definitely recommend this. It does come in a smaller tub than I expected, but it's worth the money.

What to Look Out for

When you buy a cream, make sure to read the ingredients first as you may be prone to allergies.  Ask your doctor for recommendations on what works for you and be ready to try some of them before choosing the best one.

Most Popular Brands

Puriya - is a popular brand in the UK that manufactures creams with patented ingredients, which promote deep penetration and fast relief from conditions like Fibromyalgia, Plantar Fasciitis, Carpal Tunnel, Shin Splints, Tendonitis, Tennis Elbow, Golfer's Elbow, Meniscus, Bursitis, Pain from Shingles, Nerve Pain, Sciatica, and Neuropathy.      

Teisen - the most popular application of Mint-Ease. Contains 35% pure ethereal mint oil, and is blended with a skin friendly cream lotion for easy application. Massage liberally into joints and muscles for full effect.    

Remedinature - is a product that is made for rugby players.  It contains natural ingredients so, it can be applied daily for muscle aches and pains.  Also, it soothes, comforts and prevents cramps.