Penetrex Cream Review: Is It a Reliable Solution for Joint Pain or Just a Quick Fix?
Penetrex Cream claims to ease joint and muscle pain with fast absorption, but its temporary effects and lack of manufacturing transparency may be a dealbreaker.

The demand in joint pain supplements has exponentially increased over the years, driven by a rise in health consciousness among adults, increase in bone-related disorders such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and joint pain, and also aging of the global population.
In fact, joint pain has become a serious problem as it now affects people of all ages, often interfering with one’s mobility and making daily routines a bit hard. Well, there are many options on the market that promise to help ease joint discomfort, but finding a reliable solution can be challenging.
One such option is Penetrex Cream, a pain relief product that is designed to help ease joint and muscle discomfort. In this article, we help you understand how Penetrex works, the ingredients it uses, and how it compares to other pain relief options available today.
Formulated to help ease inflammation in tendons, ligaments, and muscles, Penetrex features a blend of ingredients aimed at dealing with the underlying causes of pain. It claims to utilize a newer skin absorption and mixing technology to enhance delivery to the affected area.
While Penetrex Cream has gained attention for its potential effectiveness, it's worth noting that other joint pain relief products have a stronger reputation and notably higher user ratings. We'll explore these points further to help you assess whether Penetrex is a suitable choice for your needs.
Ingredient Analysis

Plants Blend
Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Boswellia Serrata (Frankincense) Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora (Camphor), Helianthu Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glucosamine (Vegetable Source), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate, Water (Aqua)
Boswellia Serrata is a botanical extract, packed with bio-active compounds such as boswellic acid, that contribute to its anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. Boswellic acid works to prevent connective tissue breakdown and tissue proliferation in the swollen areas.
In a clinical research by LiverTox, Boswellia has been proven to improve blood circulation around the joints, thereby reducing stiffness and pain.
According to Dr. Robert D. Ashley, MD, “Boswellia Serrata is one of the most promising natural anti-inflammatory agents we have today. Clinical studies suggest that its boswellic acids help reduce joint swelling and improve mobility, especially in individuals with arthritis.”
The chemical components in Arnica Montana make it a potent anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antioxidant. It is rich in flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, carotenoids, thymol, and inulin, which work to reduce acute and chronic pain caused by joint injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
In the management of inflammation and pain, a review article in the American Journal of Orthopedics, states that Arnica has the potential of serving as a NSAIDs substitute.
A study in the Arthritis Research and Therapy Journal uncovers how supplementation with glucosamine helps in the rebuilding of cartilage that is damaged. For many years now, it has been approved in Europe for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
The combination of Arnica, Camphor, and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate provides a calming relief to inflammatory pain.
We approve of this blend.
Vitamins and Minerals Blend
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Methyl-Sulfonyl Methane (MSM/DMS02), Methyl Gluceth-20, Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO), Methionine, Ammonium Acryloly-Dimethyltaurate/ VP Copolymer, Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Methyl-Sulfonyl Methane is an active organic sulfur, naturally found in humans and animals, and it supports healthy joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles. Supplementation with MSM makes cell walls more permeable and flexible, thus relieving pain and inflammation.
Clinical experiments have shown the effectiveness of MSM usage on people with joint pain, muscle pain, swelling, and arthritis. It is also a potent antioxidant and reduces oxidative stress on joints and muscles.
Vitamin B6 allows for the proper functioning of nerves through the maintenance of balanced sodium and potassium levels in the body, as we cover in Nervive Review. A deficiency in this vitamin may increase the risk of getting arthritis or other joint-related disorders.
In the Journal of BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, we see an article discussing how Vitamin B6 suppresses inflammation and apoptosis thus alleviating osteoarthritis.
Cetyl Myristoleate is known for its anti-inflammatory and joint lubricating properties. A clinical trial in the Baltimore Medicine Journal stated that a dosage of 62.4% of CMO can alleviate knee joint pain in people with mild knee arthritis.
Methionine has been studied and proven to attenuate various symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis by downregulating inflammation markers.
We approve of this blend.
Minerals Blend
Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Esters, Steareth-20, Bilineurine Bitartrate, Ethoxydiglycol, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate.
There are no research studies to back the effectiveness of some of these minerals in the relieving of joint pain or joint-related disorders like arthritis. We therefore do not understand why they are included in the ingredient list of Penetrex Pain Relief Cream.
We consider them to be unnecessary additives because the product already contains active ingredients that are backed by research to prove their effectiveness.
Ethoxydiglycol is the only ingredient that has been said to be a carrier of the active ingredients. It is stated that it can significantly improve the absorption of all the active ingredients from the cream into the skin.
Since the other additives are not backed by science, we are not certain whether some of them may be harmful to the skin or not.
We disapprove of this blend.
We Tried Penetrex Cream

At Flawless Blood, our team conducted a thorough review of Penetrex to evaluate its effectiveness as part of a joint care routine.To provide an honest and detailed assessment, one of our authors personally tested the Penetrex Cream.
Our tester, who has been dealing with knee osteoarthritis for over two years, was an ideal candidate for this experiment. After trying various creams and gels with only short-lived relief, she was eager to see if Penetrex could offer a better solution.
After a week of consistent use, she reported a noticeable improvement in her knee pain. “Penetrex penetrates the skin better than any other creams or gels I’ve tried,” she shared. “It also has a pleasant texture and didn’t irritate my skin.”
However, when she stopped applying the cream regularly, the knee pain returned. While Penetrex delivered immediate relief, the effects were temporary and required ongoing application to maintain results.
In summary, Penetrex Cream effectively penetrates the skin and provides fast pain relief, but its impact is short-lived. While it may offer a temporary solution for joint discomfort, we cannot recommend it as a long-term fix for pain management.
Side Effects & Safety
There have been no severe side effects reported from the use of Penetrex Cream. However, the most common mild side effect is a tingling, stinging or burning sensation when applied on the skin.
Other common side effects include rashes for those with very sensitive skin; allergic reactions or irritations in some, and others may experience nausea when using it in the abdominal area. It is recommended that you consult a medical professional if the side effects persist.
One of the Safety concerns we have about Penetrex is that there is limited information about its manufacturing process and the sourcing of its ingredients. The identity of the chemist, who is the brains behind this cream, has not been disclosed, and there is also no Certificate of Analysis to guarantee the potency and safety of the product.
Real Customer Reviews
In our opinion, Amazon is a better source for honest customer reviews than the brand’s official website because it is bias-free.
When we were updating this article, Penetrex Cream had 93, 595 ratings on Amazon, with ana average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars.
A top positive review from a verified purchaser comes from a user named “Emmy” who gave it a 5/5 rating:
“I was in excruciating pain from July to November with a knee joint sprain. I run a dog walking business and could barely walk. I saw an orthopedic who recommended ice, elevation, rest and some medication. Later on, I found Penetrex Cream while looking for a better knee brace. Applied it twice the first and second days, and by the third day, I was 99% free from pain and was able to walk again. The swelling around my knee cap was gone too. It has also helped my shoulder and hand pains from dog walking… This stuff is miraculous medicine and I have recommended it to everyone I know struggling with pain issues.”
A top negative review from a verified purchaser is written by a user named “John T.” who gave it a 1/5 rating:
“After going through the reviews online, I decided to try Penetrex for my shoulder pain. I, however, did not experience much relief at all. At first, the cream felt soothing, but it was not long-lasting enough to make a difference. Disappointed! I really anticipated better results, especially for the price. Would not recommend.”
Penetrex Cream currently has a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating on Walmart, with 9,434 ratings and 8,822 reviews.
Despite the fact that Penetrex is in a renowned facility, the absence of detailed information about the founder and the manufacturing process may cause some consumers to question the transparency of the brand.
Where to Find the Best Value
Penetrex Pain Relief Cream is only available for purchase on the official website, Amazon, and Walmart.
Here’s a cost breakdown of a 2-ounce pack of 1 at the time of updating this article:
Brand website: $16.98 (Free US Shipping for orders above $35)
Amazon: $16.98
Walmart: $18.68 (Inclusive of shipping)
We can say Penetrex Cream is fairly priced compared to other pain relief creams like Prehemptive Sports Cream, which retails for $35 for a 2 Ounce pack. It was on offer at $26.25 at the time of reviewing this article and that is still more expensive compared to Penetrex.
Pros & Cons
Here are the pros and cons of Penetrex Cream in our opinion:
Pros:
- It uses a skin penetration and emulsification technology.
- Easy to use
- High-quality ingredients.
- It may reduce inflammation.
- Free from gluten and preservatives.
Cons
- Requires daily use for optimum results.
- Can only be purchased online.
- Contains added minerals.
Should You Buy Penetrex Cream?
The majority of the customers on the official website, Amazon and Walmart seem to have positive things to say about this product. They rave about it being the best-kept secret for pain relief. However, some complained of minor side effects like skin irritation, and others lack of results after use.
There is lack of transparency about the manufacturing process and ingredient sourcing of this product, and that is why we currently do not recommend it. The identity of the chemist, brains behind Penetrex, has also not been disclosed and that raises eyebrows. Another reason would be the unnecessary minerals in the ingredient list, making it very questionable.
There are, however, some ingredients in Penetrex that have been studied and proven to help alleviate joint pain and inflammation, such as Arnica Montana, Boswellia Serrata, MSM, and Vitamin B6.
JointXL Plus would be a better option over Penetrex Cream. If you prefer a product with more sure results, consider JointXL Plus. In particular, all the ingredients in JointXL Plus are clinically approved, and more customers have found it helpful. With studied ingredients like Bromelain, Glucosamine, and Methionine, JointXL’s constituents work synergistically to help tackle the root cause of joint and muscle pain. If you're searching for the best supplement for arthritis, you may want to explore systemic options like JointXL Plus, which targets inflammation from within.
FAQs
References
- Boswellia Serrata https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563692/
- An overview of Boswellia Serrata as a potential anti-inflammatory agent https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3309643/
- Effects of Arnica as an adjunct medication for pain management https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8537440/
- Use of glucosamine in the management of human osteoarthritis https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3392795/
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5372953/
- Effects of MSM in improving joint function https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4502733/
- Vitamin B6 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11155127/
- CMO in persons with knee joint pain https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5340442/