Arctic Blast Ingredients: What's Actually in the Bottle

Menthol (10%)

Menthol is the ingredient responsible for the sharp cooling sensation you feel seconds after applying Arctic Blast. It works by activating TRPM8, a cold-sensing receptor in the skin — the same receptor that responds to actual cold temperatures. That's why the brain reads menthol as "cold" even though nothing is physically getting colder. This is well-documented in clinical research on menthol and pain modulation, and it's the same mechanism used in dozens of other over-the-counter pain relief rubs.

Camphor (3%)

Camphor works alongside menthol as a counter-irritant — it creates its own sensation (a mild warming effect) strong enough to partially compete with the brain's attention to underlying pain signals. Published research on camphor- and menthol-containing topical agents supports this mechanism, though it's worth being precise: counter-irritation changes how pain is perceived in the moment, it doesn't reduce inflammation or repair tissue.

DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide)

DMSO is the ingredient that distinguishes Arctic Blast from a plain menthol gel. It's a solvent known for its ability to pass through skin layers quickly, which is why products containing it tend to feel like they absorb faster and "deeper." DMSO doesn't relieve pain on its own — its role is purely as a delivery mechanism for the other ingredients.

Arnica Montana Extract

A flowering herb long used in topical wellness products, popular among athletes for post-exertion muscle support. It's included here primarily for its traditional soothing reputation rather than as a primary pain-relief mechanism.

Aloe Vera & Calendula Extract

Both are included mainly to offset the intensity of menthol and camphor on the skin — moisturizing, soothing botanicals rather than active analgesics.

Wintergreen Oil

Contains naturally occurring methyl salicylate, which contributes additional cooling and mild analgesic properties, similar to its use in massage oils and muscle rubs.

St. John's Wort Oil

A traditional botanical included in small amounts, mainly to round out the formula's skin-comfort profile rather than to drive the primary pain-relief effect.

The bottom line on ingredients

None of Arctic Blast's ingredients are exotic or unique to this brand — menthol, camphor, and DMSO combinations exist in several other topical products. See how it stacks up in our Arctic Blast comparison to Biofreeze, Icy Hot, and Tiger Balm.