Hip discomfort can make walking, sitting, and sleeping harder. A topical cream may offer temporary relief for minor muscle or joint aches near the hip, without requiring a pill.
These 10 options include cooling menthol creams, lidocaine, and other topical pain relievers. The right choice depends on what the label treats, how the cream feels, and whether its ingredients are safe for you.
Best 10 Hip Pain Relief Cream Picks for 2026
Large-Jar Pick
- 4-ounce jar
- Arnica, aloe, and vitamins B6 and E
- Contains emu oil
Best For: Shoppers seeking a larger sciatica-focused cream
Everyday Texture Pick
Hemp Cream with Arnica and MSM
- Lightweight, non-greasy feel
- Hemp seed oil and botanical ingredients
- Approximately 4-ounce jar
Best For: Adults prioritizing an unscented, easy-absorbing cream
Cooling Pick
Biofreeze Menthol Pain Relief Cream
- Cooling menthol formula
- Non-greasy cream with moisturizers
- Travel-friendly 3-ounce jar
Best For: Cooling relief for minor hip-area muscle or joint aches
Three-Active Pick
- Camphor, menthol, and methyl salicylate
- Non-greasy 4-ounce tube
- For temporary relief of minor aches
Best For: Adults wanting a three-active OTC topical analgesic
Best Cooling Roll-On
Tylenol Precise Cooling Sensation Cream
- 4% lidocaine plus 1% menthol
- Precise massaging rollerball
- Non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula
Best For: Targeted, mess-free cooling application
Best Fragrance-Free Option
Aspercreme Original Pain Relief Cream
- 10% trolamine salicylate
- Fragrance-free and non-greasy
- Portable 3-ounce tube
Best For: Low-odor joint and muscle pain relief
Best Warming-and-Cooling Option
- Massage applicator for targeted use
- Four topical analgesic ingredients
- Warming and cooling; up to eight hours
Best For: Warming-and-cooling application for minor aches
Cooling Menthol Pick
- Menthol and camphor cream
- Advertised to work on contact
- Labeled for ages 12+
Best For: Cooling relief for muscle or joint aches around the hip
Massage Applicator Pick
- Built-in massage applicator
- Warming and cooling feel
- Advertised relief up to 8 hours
Best For: Adults seeking targeted application for minor aches around the hip
Numbing Formula Pick
HealthWise Lidocaine Plus+ Cream
- 4% lidocaine plus 10% benzyl alcohol
- Non-greasy formula
- Up to 30 dime-size applications
Best For: Targeted numbing of minor muscle or joint aches around the hip
Large-Jar Pick – Dr JOEL’S Sciatica Cream
If you’re comparing hip pain relief cream options for discomfort that extends toward the thigh or leg, Dr JOEL’S Sciatica Cream is a 4-ounce formula marketed for sciatica-related areas. Its ingredient list includes herbal oil, emu oil, arnica, aloe vera, and vitamins B6 and E.
Best For: Shoppers who want a larger jar of a sciatica-focused cream.
Pros:
- 4-ounce jar offers more product than smaller 2- or 3-ounce options.
- Includes arnica, aloe vera, and skin-conditioning vitamins.
- Made in the USA, according to the product listing.
Cons:
- The supplied details do not identify an OTC pain-relieving active ingredient.
- Contains emu oil, so it is not suitable for shoppers seeking an animal-free formula.
Consider this one for its jar size and ingredient blend rather than assuming its sciatica-relief claims establish how well it will work for a particular cause of hip pain.
For shoppers choosing a hip pain relief cream they’ll find comfortable to apply regularly, this hemp cream emphasizes a lightweight, non-greasy feel. The listing highlights hemp seed oil and botanical ingredients in an approximately 4-ounce jar.
Best For: Adults who prioritize an easy-absorbing, unscented cream for everyday application.
Pros:
- Described as lightweight, fast-absorbing, and non-sticky.
- Features hemp seed oil; the title also lists arnica, MSM, glucosamine, and turmeric.
- Comes in a roughly 4-ounce value-size jar.
Cons:
- The supplied notes do not establish an OTC analgesic active ingredient or a specific hip-pain indication.
- Listing details alternate between 3.9 and 4 ounces.
This is primarily a texture-and-ingredient choice: check the current label if you need a cream with a clearly identified pain-relieving active ingredient.
Biofreeze is a straightforward hip pain relief cream option when the discomfort is a minor muscle or joint ache: its menthol formula produces a cooling sensation and is marketed for hip and other joint areas. The 3-ounce cream jar is also convenient for travel.
Best For: People who prefer targeted, cooling relief for minor hip-area muscle or joint aches.
Pros:
- Menthol provides a cooling sensation for temporary relief of minor aches and pains.
- Non-greasy cream includes moisturizers.
- 3-ounce jar is listed as TSA-friendly.
- Free of NSAIDs, ibuprofen, aspirin, and salicylate.
Cons:
- Cooling menthol may not suit anyone who dislikes a cold sensation.
- Smaller container than the 4-ounce products in this selection.
Choose Biofreeze if you want a recognizable menthol-based topical for minor aches, while keeping in mind that it does not address the underlying cause of persistent hip pain.
For a hip pain relief cream with clearly stated OTC active ingredients, Bengay Ultra Strength combines 4% camphor, 10% menthol, and 30% methyl salicylate. It is labeled for temporary relief of minor muscle and joint aches associated with conditions such as strains and minor arthritis.
Best For: Adults seeking a three-active topical analgesic in a portable tube.
Pros:
- Clearly lists three active ingredients and their concentrations.
- Non-greasy cream targets minor muscle and joint pain.
- 4-ounce tube is convenient for a gym bag or suitcase.
Cons:
- Contains methyl salicylate, so it is not a salicylate-free choice.
- Directions limit application to no more than three to four times daily for adults and children 12 or older.
Bengay is the more ingredient-forward option here if an OTC analgesic is your priority. Follow the package directions and check suitability before use, particularly if you need to avoid salicylates.
Best Cooling Roll-On – Tylenol Precise Cooling Sensation Cream
If you want a hip pain relief cream that is easy to apply precisely, Tylenol Precise pairs 4% lidocaine with 1% menthol in a massaging rollerball applicator. It is intended for minor aches, including hip and other joint pain.
Best For: Adults and ages 12 and older who prefer targeted, mess-free application with a cooling sensation.
Pros:
- 4% lidocaine and 1% menthol combine numbing relief with cooling.
- Rollerball makes application precise and portable.
- Fast-absorbing formula is non-greasy and non-sticky.
Cons:
- Cooling sensation may not suit shoppers who prefer an unscented, sensation-free cream.
- Directions limit application to no more than three to four times daily.
The rollerball is the standout if applying cream to a specific sore area is your priority; check the directions for appropriate use.
Best Fragrance-Free Option – Aspercreme Original Pain Relief Cream
For shoppers comparing hip pain relief cream options who would rather avoid a strong odor, Aspercreme Original is a fragrance-free, non-greasy choice. Its active ingredient is 10% trolamine salicylate, marketed for minor arthritis, joint and muscle pain.
Best For: Adults who want a traditional cream for joint or muscle aches without added fragrance.
Pros:
- Maximum-strength 10% trolamine salicylate topical analgesic.
- Fragrance-free formula applies without greasy residue.
- Compact 3-ounce tube is easy to bring along.
Cons:
- Tube application is less hands-free than a rollerball applicator.
- Not the pick if you want a pronounced cooling or warming sensation.
Choose this one for its straightforward cream format and low-odor application, particularly if scent matters more to you than an applicator or temperature sensation.
Best Warming-and-Cooling Option – Advil Targeted Relief Cream
If you prefer noticeable warming and cooling from a hip pain relief cream, Advil Targeted Relief offers both sensations on contact. Its massage applicator helps apply the cream to sore areas, and the product is intended for minor joint and muscle pain, among other aches.
Best For: Adults seeking a massage applicator and a warming-and-cooling sensation for minor aches.
Pros:
- Massage applicator supports targeted application.
- Contains camphor, capsaicin, menthol and methyl salicylate.
- Warming-and-cooling relief is described as lasting up to eight hours.
Cons:
- Warming and cooling sensations may not appeal to everyone.
- At 2.3 ounces, the tube contains less product than the other two options here.
This is the sensation-forward choice in the group. If you prefer a fragrance-free cream or a lidocaine-based formula, consider one of the alternatives instead.
Cooling Menthol Pick – Vicks VapoFreeze Pain Cream
If you want a hip pain relief cream with a cooling sensation, Vicks VapoFreeze is a topical option for minor muscle and joint aches. Its 3-ounce formula combines menthol and camphor and is labeled for ages 12 and up.
Best For: People who prefer a menthol-based cream for muscle or joint aches around the hip.
Pros:
- Menthol and camphor formula starts working on contact, according to the product description.
- Advertised to provide relief lasting for hours.
- Cream format allows targeted application.
Cons:
- Not labeled for children under 12.
- The cooling menthol sensation may not suit someone seeking a numbing cream.
Choose this if a fast-acting, menthol-forward cream appeals to you; the product information does not establish that it treats the underlying cause of hip pain.
Massage Applicator Pick – Advil Targeted Relief Cream
Advil Targeted Relief stands out as a hip pain relief cream for shoppers who want an integrated massage applicator. The 4-ounce cream combines camphor, capsaicin, menthol, and methyl salicylate for temporary relief of minor muscle and joint aches.
Best For: Adults who want a warming-and-cooling cream with an applicator for targeted use around the hip.
Pros:
- Built-in massage applicator helps with targeted application.
- Provides warming and cooling sensations on contact.
- Advertised relief lasts up to eight hours.
- Non-greasy formula.
Cons:
- Warming and cooling sensations may not appeal to everyone.
- Labeled for adults rather than younger users.
This is the most feature-heavy choice here if you value applicator convenience, but the listed uses are for minor aches—not a diagnosis or treatment for the cause of hip pain.
Numbing Formula Pick – HealthWise Lidocaine Plus+ Cream
For a hip pain relief cream without a warming or burning sensation, HealthWise Lidocaine Plus+ offers a numbing approach to temporary relief of minor muscle and joint aches. The 3-ounce, non-greasy cream contains 4% lidocaine and 10% benzyl alcohol.
Best For: Shoppers who prefer targeted numbing over warming or cooling sensations for minor aches around the hip.
Pros:
- Contains 4% lidocaine and 10% benzyl alcohol.
- Described as non-greasy and formulated without burning.
- Manufacturer estimates up to 30 dime-size applications per tube.
Cons:
- Do not use on large areas or on cut, irritated, or swollen skin.
- Consult a doctor before using for more than one week.
This is the straightforward numbing option in the group. Apply only as directed and check the label precautions before using it near a painful hip.
How We Picked These Hip Pain Relief Creams
We compared the 10 selected creams by their stated uses, active ingredients where identified, application style, and package size. The list includes familiar over-the-counter pain relievers alongside hemp- and botanical-ingredient formulas. We did not treat a higher-strength claim, a longer ingredient list, or a larger jar as proof of better relief. Check each package’s current Drug Facts panel and directions before buying, since formulations and labeling can change.
Quick Comparison: Match the Cream to Your Preference
For a noticeable cooling sensation, start by comparing Biofreeze, Tylenol Precise Cooling, and Vicks VapoFreeze. Bengay Ultra Strength combines camphor, menthol, and methyl salicylate for a different counterirritant blend. HealthWise Lidocaine Plus+ 4% is worth considering if you prefer a lidocaine-based option. Aspercreme Original offers another approach; check its current active ingredient rather than assuming every Aspercreme product uses the same one.
The two Advil Targeted Relief sizes include massage applicators, so compare their price per ounce as well as the applicator. The sciatica-branded cream and the hemp cream may appeal to shoppers looking at alternative ingredient blends, but their names and marketing claims should not replace a check of the label.
Key Buying Factors for a Hip Pain Relief Cream
Active Ingredients and Intended Use
Choose a Hip Pain Relief Cream based on the type of discomfort its label says it temporarily relieves. Menthol and camphor create cooling or warming sensations; methyl salicylate is a topical pain reliever; and lidocaine numbs the area. Read the Drug Facts panel for the exact active ingredient, concentration, age limits, and application frequency. Ingredients such as arnica, MSM, or turmeric may appear on packaging, but do not assume they work like an FDA-labeled active pain reliever.
Feel, Application, and Value
Consider how strong a cooling sensation you want, whether you dislike fragrance, and whether a hands-on cream or massage applicator is easier to use. Compare cost per ounce only after checking the formula and directions: a larger package is not necessarily the better fit. Try a small amount as directed if you are concerned about skin sensitivity, and avoid broken or irritated skin.
Safety and When to Seek Care
Do not combine topical pain relievers on the same area unless a clinician advises it. Avoid heating pads and tight bandages over treated skin, and wash your hands after application unless the label says otherwise. Ask a pharmacist before using a methyl salicylate product if you have an aspirin allergy or take blood thinners. A cream may ease a minor ache, but it cannot diagnose or fix a hip injury. Seek medical advice for severe pain, pain after a fall, inability to bear weight, fever, or persistent or worsening symptoms.
Who Should Buy Which Hip Pain Relief Cream?
Choose a menthol-forward cream if you want a cooling feel; compare Bengay if you want its multi-ingredient counterirritant formula. Consider HealthWise if lidocaine is your preferred active ingredient, or an Advil applicator size if less direct hand contact matters most. If you are drawn to hemp- or sciatica-branded options, verify their ingredients and labeled uses first. When in doubt, the safest starting point is the product whose Drug Facts directions clearly fit your needs.