Penetrex – Do Transdermal Anti-Inflammatory Creams Really Work?

POP QUIZ: How much water is the human body made up of?

The human body is anywhere from 55% to 78% water depending on body size.  Let’s just say 70% for argument sake.  Or two-thirds.

Whatever it is, the human skin has evolved to prevent desiccation to our cells.

There’s a reason why we humans are called thick skinned.  Others, such as our managers, supervisors, and the BP CEO have more than others. 

Memories of my Histology class with Dr. Hershey Warshawsky and epithelial cells come to mind.  All I can say is the skin is very thick.

So do you think applying creams, lotions, and potions can actually penetrate the skin layer and get down to your muscles and tendons?

Perhaps… but I’ll save DMSO for another article.

Of course, when you apply these creams, you “feel” something is happening because of the capillary vasodilation at the skin surface.  You can get the same effect with rubbing alcohol and a wind current.

I discussed Tiger Balm and Arnica briefly in a previous article Treating Sore Muscles – Try Arnica or Traumeel.  As well, I went into the dark secrets of Ancient Chinese Secrets, Sports Creams and Lotions.

There is one product that is increasing in popularity, and that is Penetrex Transdermal Anti-Inflammatory.  They are claiming it’s the World’s “Go To” Transdermal Anti-Inflammatory.

From their web site, they list their “active” ingredients:

Utilizing a transdermal delivery system, Penetrex delivers Vitamin B6, Pyridoxine, Arnica, Choline, MSM, Cetyl Myristoleate, Glucosamine and other proven elements deep into muscles, nerves, ligaments & tendons

Purified Water, Arnica Montana Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Esters, Stearic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Choline Bitartrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Methylsulfonylmethane, Glucosamine Sulfate, Ethoxydiglycol, Cetyl Myristoleate, Boswellia Serrata Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate, Polysorbate Sixty, Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyl-Dimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

As you can see, Arnica Montana (not to be confused with TV star Hannah Montana), MSM and Glucosamine are the key ingredients.  There are several reports that Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate in conjunction with MSM may be beneficial.

You can read more about MSM from the article More Natural Painkillers – MSM and Celadrin

If you give it a try, please comment below on your results.

Penetrex – The World’s #1 Transdermal Anti-Inflammatory