Penetrex and Biofreeze are both popular topical analgesic products used for relieving joint pain. While they share some similarities, they do have a few key differences in terms of their ingredients, formulation, and the way they work on relieving joint pain. Here’s a breakdown of their main differences.
Penetrex and Biofreeze Ingredients
Penetrex: The active ingredients in Penetrex include Arnica montana, Boswellia serrata, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), and several other natural extracts, vitamins, and minerals. It also contains a proprietary blend of emollients and essential oils.
Biofreeze: The active ingredient in Biofreeze is menthol, which provides a cooling sensation when applied to the skin. It also contains inactive ingredients such as aloe vera, arnica, and herbal extracts.
How They Work
Penetrex: Penetrex primarily works by targeting inflammation and reducing pain signals. It contains ingredients like arnica and Boswellia serrata, which are believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, MSM may support joint health and reduce pain.
Biofreeze: Biofreeze works through a cooling effect provided by menthol. When applied to the skin, menthol activates certain receptors that produce a cooling sensation, which helps distract from pain and may alleviate muscle and joint discomfort.
Formulation
Penetrex: Penetrex is a cream-based formulation that is designed to penetrate the skin quickly and deeply to reach the affected area. It is non-greasy and has a pleasant scent.
Biofreeze: Biofreeze is available in various formulations, including gel, roll-on, and spray. It is designed to be fast-acting and provide temporary relief. The gel formulation allows for easy application and quick absorption.
Which is Better?
The effectiveness of Penetrex vs. Biofreeze are pretty close although as always, how well they each work on relieving your specific joint pain will vary person to person. Some people may find one product more effective than the other for their specific type of joint pain.
And one thing to note as well is each medication’s ingredients as far as how they go about relieving pain. Penetrex has a different formulation and contains a broader range of natural ingredients, while Biofreeze focuses primarily on menthol’s cooling effect.
Overall Penterex needs a bit longer to work, but its effect lasts longer and it doesn’t create a hot or cold sensation and doesn’t have a strong odor. Penterex is ideal for joint pain since it creates quick results that can last a pretty long time.
Whereas BioFreeze smells like menthol, camphor, and peppermint, but not overwhelmingly so. It also seems to be very effective on muscle pain rather than joint pain specifically and is able to offer temporary relief for cramps, bruises, sprains, back pain, and arthritis.
Penetrex and Biofreeze Side Effects
Both Penetrex and Biofreeze are typically safe and effective as they are both topical medications and have both been on the market for a long time. But each does have potential side effects and you should know what they are in case you find yourself experiencing them.
Since they are both creams or ointments the most common problem that can occur is that you experience skin irritation, redness, or a rash. Although not common for either product, it can happen. If it does, stop using it immediately and try another product.
One important thing to note, if you are doing research on potential side effects of Penterex, you may end up seeing Drugs.com‘s page. Understand that information is completely wrong, including the ingredient list. I don’t know who runs that site, but if I were Penterex, I’d definitely contact them as it must hurt their sales.
And the site RXList.com is just as bad or worse, it lists it as a antibiotic!
And if you want more information on how Penterex stacks up against other products, check out my Penetrex vs Voltaren, Penetrex vs Tiger Balm and Penetrex vs. Arnica Gel articles.