Menthol and Methyl Salicylate for pain relief
Use Icy Hot® with menthol and methyl salicylate to soothe away aches and pains. It gets to work quickly to relax sore muscles with a powerful cooling sensation. Helping tired muscles recover so you can get back to it.
PRO Massaging Balm
- HSA/FSA
- PRO
- No-Mess
- Balm
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Icy Hot® PRO Pain Relief Massaging Balm delivers fast, targeted relief with two maximum-strength ingredients that work on more pain points.**
PRO No Mess
- PRO
- No-Mess
- Roll On
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Get fast-acting, next-level pain relief** with Icy Hot® PRO No-Mess.
Nighttime Recovery No-Mess
- HSA/FSA
- Nighttime
- No-Mess
- Roll On
- Menthol
It’s the fast-acting, targeted pain relief you love, infused with a crafted fragrance blend of lavender and eucalyptus to help you unwind before bed.
No-Mess Roll On
- HSA/FSA
- No-Mess
- Original
- Roll On
- Back Pain Relief
- Menthol
Get fast-acting pain relief with Icy Hot® No-Mess Roll On. Roll on powerful pain relief that you can feel working instantly.*
Revive & Recovery No-Mess Pain Relief Roll On
- No-Mess
- Roll On
- Menthol
Explore the Icy Hot Revive & Recovery range - our popular No-Mess Pain Relief applicator now available in three NEW fragrances. Formulated with 8% Menthol.
Original Dry Spray
- Original
- Spray
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Spray-on powerful pain relief that you can feel working instantly*.
PRO Dry Spray
- PRO
- Spray
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Get PRO-level pain relief with a formula that dries quickly, works at any angle, and relieves achy muscles and joints.
Original Cream
- Cream
- Original
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Relieve pain with targeted contrast therapy✝.
Advanced Cream
- Advanced
- Cream
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Powerful, fast-acting pain relief through targeted therapy. It includes two maximum-strength pain relievers that work on more pain points**.
Original Balm
- Cream
- Original
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Relieve pain fast with Icy Hot® Balm. It works quickly, penetrating down to your nerves to help you get back in the game.
Pro Patch
- PRO
- Patch
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Targeted relief, no mess, all performance. The PRO Pain Relief Patch sticks where it hurts, delivering fast-acting, next-level relief** for sore muscles and joints.
Original Back Patch
- HSA/FSA
- Original
- Patch
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Targeted, fast-acting pain relief for your back that you can wear for up to eight hours.
Arm, Neck And Leg Patch
- HSA/FSA
- Lidocaine
- Patch
- Menthol
Targeted, fast-acting pain relief for your arms, neck, and legs that you can wear for up to eight hours.
Original Patch Variety Pack
- Patch
- Original
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Conquer your comeback with the Icy Hot® Original Patch Variety Pack. It’s made with a comfortable fabric that you can wear for up to eight hours.
FAQs about menthol for pain relief
How does menthol work?
Menthol works by stimulating the receptors that sense cold. Although the skin temperature doesn’t change, it provides a cooling sensation that distracts from underlying pain or discomfort.1
How does menthol relieve pain?
Menthol is known as a counterirritant. It creates a cooling sensation that travels along the same nerve pathways as pain, therefore competing for the brain’s attention and dulling the pain signal.1
Does menthol help with pain?
Menthol helps to reduce the intensity of pain by creating a cooling sensation that distracts from the pain.1
Does menthol reduce inflammation?
Menthol is primarily used for pain relief, not inflammation.2
What is Methyl Salicylate?
Methyl salicylate is a medicine that is used to relieve mild pain in muscles and joints.2
Is Methyl Salicylate a type of menthol?
Methyl salicylate is not a type of menthol but is often used in combination with menthol for topical pain-relief applications.3
- Pergolizzi JV Jr, Taylor R Jr, LeQuang JA, Raffa RB; NEMA Research Group. The role and mechanism of action of menthol in topical analgesic products. J Clin Pharm Ther [Internet]. 2018 Jun;43(3):313-9 [cited 2026 May 13]. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpt.12679
- Cleveland Clinic. Methyl salicylate cream: Uses & side effects [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; 2025 [cited 2026 Mar 19]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/23680-methyl-salicylate-cream
- Drugs.com. Camphor, lidocaine, and methyl salicylate topical: Uses, side effects & warnings [Internet]. Drugs.com; 2025 [cited 2026 Mar 19]. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/mtm/camphor-lidocaine-and-methyl-salicylate-topical.html