Deep Blue Rub vs. Icy Hot – The Differences Explained

Deep Blue Rub and Icy Hot are muscle rubs. They help with pain relief after a tough workout. doTERRA is the company behind the Deep Blue Rub.

It’s an essential oils company established in 2008. The products manufactured by this company are available for sale only through Wellness Advocates.

This article reviews the Deep Blue Rub and the Icy Hot muscle rubs based on the ingredients they contains. Read on to find out which of the two is better for your pain relief needs after running, training or working out.

Deep Blue Rub vs. Icy Hot - the differences explained:

The two work against body aches, arthritis, back aches, bursitis, sore muscles and leg cramps. However, Deep Blue Rub seems to be more effective against deeper strains and muscle (joint) tightness or pain after workouts based on active ingredients and reviews.

Ingredients

Ingredients listed in product labels usually range from the most prominent at the top of the list to the least, in that order.

The Deep Blue Rub contains both primary and secondary ingredients. The major ingredients include the following:

Methyl Salicylate

Also known as wintergreen oil, methyl salicylate is an organic ester extracted from plant species such as wintergreens. However, it can also be produced synthetically.

Just like eucalyptus oil, menthol, camphor, and turpentine oil, wintergreen oil is categorized as a counterirritant. They use heat or cold to counteract painful muscles or joints after extensive exercise.

Wintergreen oil is a salicylate related to aspirin. It’s applied topically in the Deep Blue Rub, eliminating the side effects of ingesting aspirin such as:

• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Stomach ulcers and small intestine
• Serious gastrointestinal bleeding resulting from ulcers
• Stomach inflammation known as gastritis

According to a randomized study, unlike patients using placebo patch for muscle pain treatment over a period of 8 hours, those using patch containing l-menthol and methyl salicylate experience significant pain relief from mild to moderate muscle strain.

Methyl salicylate is toxic in pure form, especially when ingested. Follow the directions on the product label to prevent aspirin poisoning or salicylate toxicity risk.

A teaspoon or 5ml of methyl salicylate has 7 grams of salicylate, an equivalent of over 23 aspirin tablets of 300mg each. Even doses as low as 4ml have been proven to be fatal for young children.

When mixed with sugar and dried, methyl salicylate becomes triboluminescent. This is an optical phenomenon where light is produced.

Menthol

Camphor

Camphor is a waxy substance with a strong aromatic scent. It’s extracted from evergreen trees such as Dryobalanops aromatic, Cinnamomum camphora, and Ocotea usambarensis) and dried rosemary leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis).

Camphor is majorly utilized for its scent. Moreover, it easily penetrates the skin and just like menthol, results in a cool sensation.

Blue Tansy

German Chamomile

Daisy-like plants in the Asteraceae family are often known as chamomile. The compound has anti-inflammatory properties, but the exact action mechanism is still unknown.

According to existing studies, chamomile has anti-anxiety properties, making it ideal for treating insomnia and stress.

Helichrysum

The Asteraceae family of plants contains about 600 Helichrysum species. Traditionally, the leaves and flowers of these plants were used to treat colds, allergies, skin, cough, gallbladder and liver disorders, infections, inflammation, and sleeplessness.

Based on the most recent research findings, Helichrysum has potential pharmacological properties. However, the effectiveness of its range of traditional uses are yet to be proven scientifically.

Osmanthus

The Oleaceae plant family has over 30 Osmanthus plant species. Cultivated in various parts of the world, the ornamental plants are used for its fragrant flowers with a sweet scent.

The extract obtained from dried flowers, according to a preliminary study, has free-radical scavenging, neuro-protective, and anti-oxidative effects.

Other Ingredients

Unlike other products with a dozen ingredients or less, the Deep Blue Rub is made up of multiple ingredients. It also contains several secondary ingredients to support its use as a muscle pain reliever.

These other ingredients are mostly inactive, and thus work as preservatives, stabilizers, esters, emulsifiers, suspending agents, solvents, lubricants, moisturizers, and/or even adhesive.

They work to make the pain reliever consistent, slippery, and/or prevent other ingredients from being icky (or bind them).

Although the product is marketed as organic, other ingredients it contains include:

• Searic acide
• Cetearyl alcohol
• Allantoin
• Glyceryl stearate
• Squalane
• Caprylic/capric triglyceride
• Ceteareth-20
• Butylene glycol
• Xanthan gum
• Dimethicone
• Caprylyl glycol
• Hydroxyethyl acrylate/ sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer
• Hexylene glycol
• Phenoxyethano
• Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer
• Sodium PDA
• Ethylhexylglycerin
• Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate
• Polysorbate 60
• Maltodextrin

The Side Effects of Deep Blue Rub

Deep Blue Rub has no known significant side effects when used topically. However, seek medical attention if you develop a severe allergic reaction. Don’t apply it on damaged or broken skin, and keep it off your eyes.

People with allergic reactions to salicylate compounds or aspirin, or have nasal polyps or asthma can react to the Methyl Salicylate (winter green oil) contained in the muscle rub. Use the product with caution if any of the above is true about you.

Ingesting 4ml to 10ml of wintergreen oil can be deadly. Avoid using it on the skin of children below 2 years because it’s poisonous to kids.

No conclusive evidence exists to show that topical or internal use of wintergreen oil is safe for breast-feeding or pregnant women. However, it’s safe if taken as supplements or part of food.

Such women should opt for topical gels without wintergreen oil or methyl salicylate, or seek medical recommendation. Avoid Deep Blue Rub if you’re allergic to nuts because the topical solution also contains almond oil.

Icy Hot has a stimulating effect on the area it’s applied, turning your skin red. It feels cool initially to reduce pain on your muscles or joints.

It then generates a heat sensation to foster blood flow. It contains many natural ingredients that work together to cool and heat your fatigued or tense muscles.

We have a very in-depth article detailing everything you ever wanted to know about Icy Hot in this review. 

The heat of the cream can be painful, hence shouldn’t be applied on wounds or cuts on your skin. Just like the Deep Blue Rub, Icy Hot contains both major and secondary ingredients. The main ingredient in the cream is menthol.

They include:

• Aluminum Glycinate – Also referred to as C2-H6-A1-N-04, this is an antacid compound used for treating indigestion and heartburn. It’s also a metal.
• Licodain – It numbs the muscles or joints you apply it onto; it blocks nerve signals from transmitting pain signals to the brain. Redness, swelling, nausea, purple dots constipation, and vomiting are some side effects of using this compound.
• Cellulose Gum – This is a thickening agent or compound that’s often used in food.
• Aluminum Hydroxide – It’s used for heartburn relief of back pain, and reducing phosphate amounts in patients diagnosed with conditions of the kidney.
• Sodium polyacrylate – This is the substance used in diapers to absorb urine. It’s toxic when ingested or inhaled.

• Methylparaben – This is a paraben utilized to prevent mold and bacteria growth to increase shelf life. It’s ideal for products that may take several months or years in warehouses run by manufacturers and retailers.
• Menthol – This is an organic compound with a cooling sensation. As mentioned before it can also be produced synthetically.
• Ceresin – It’s obtained from ozokerite and makes a perfect alternative to beeswax. It’s also known as dirtwax or earthwax because it’s like dirt.
• Methyl Salicylate – This compound is utilized for pain relief, and chewing gum flavoring.
• Hydrogenated Castor Oil – The oil is extracted from beans for use on the skin.
• Cyclomethicone – This obtained from silicon for use in skin care products that condition the skin and hair.
• Paraffin and Microcrystalline Wax – It’s obtained from petroleum, making it flammable. It’s also used for snowboard and ski waxes.

• Propylene Glycol – This is a safe substance used as a solvent in plastics and paints, including artificial smoke and fog.
• Stearic Acid and Stearyl Alcohol – Stearic acid is deemed benign and is used in many ways to create a smooth finish or texture. Stearic alcohol is obtained from stearic acid.
• PEG-150 Distearate – This compound has the ability to penetrate your skin, making it controversial. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), PEG-150 is hazardous. However, it’s a less hazardous PEG due to its high molecular weight.
• According to a study published on the International Journal of Toxicology, the substance contains impurities such as Ethylene Oxide, a precursor for cancer.

Deep Blue Rub vs. Icy Hot: Conclusion

Menthol and wintergreen oil are used for mild to moderate muscle and joint pain relief.

Deep Blue Rub is a natural pain relief product with limited side effects and low risk for users. On the other hand, Icy Hot is also ideal for persons suffering from indigestion and heartburn.

Order the Deep Blue today on Amazon and rub pain away from your body muscles or joints.