The Science: How it Works
How Radical Relief Works:
Pain, tension, and soreness don't come out of nowhere. They're part of how the body responds to movement, stress, and everyday wear and tear. Radical Relief was created as a topical wellness product to support comfort at the skin level using plants, compounds, and practical formulation choices that have been relied upon for generations and continue to be studied scientifically today.
This page isn't about miracle claims. It's about understanding what's in the bottle and why it's there.
How topicals work (in real life):
Topical products are designed to work where you apply them. When you spray Radical Relief onto the skin, the ingredients absorb into the upper layers, where they interact with sensory receptors and surface tissues involved in how the body perceives comfort.
Because topical formulas act locally rather than systemically, they're often used as part of a hands-on recovery routine after movement, long days on our feet, or any physical activity that leaves certain area feeling like they've been over worked.
Why We Care About Ingredients
We don't throw ingredients into our formulas because they're hyped up, going viral, or just sound good on a label. Every component in Radical Relief is chosen for a reason whether it's a botanical that's been used traditionally for generations, or a compound that's been scientifically studied and proven medically for how it behaves when applied to skin.
The goal isn't to overpower the body's natural healing process. It's to support it thoughtfully without unnecessary extras.
Radical Relief is built around a small group of primary ingredients that give the formula it's character and purpose. Each one was chosen for how it behaves in topical use; drawing from traditional herbal knowledge, practical experience, and what current research suggests about their interactions with the body.
Rather than relying on a single "star", these ingredients work together in a balanced way, supporting comfort and usability without overwhelming the skin.
Cannabidiol (CBD)
CBD is a non-intoxicating compound derived from hemp that has been widely studied for how it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system — a regulatory network involved in processes such as sensory signaling, immune activity, and skin balance.
While CBD is often discussed in the context of ingestible products, a growing body of research has focused specifically on topical CBD and how it behaves when applied to the skin. Current evidence suggests that CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors and other signaling pathways present in skin cells, sensory nerve endings, and surface tissues.
In topical applications, CBD has been studied for its potential role in:
• Supporting localized comfort after physical activity
• Helping calm skin that feels irritated or stressed
• Supporting the skin’s natural barrier function
• Contributing to overall skin balance
Importantly, topical CBD is understood to act locally at the skin level, rather than entering the bloodstream in meaningful amounts. This makes it well-suited for targeted, external use as part of a hands-on recovery or self-care routine.
We use hemp-derived CBD that is third-party tested for identity, purity, and potency. You can view the Certificate of Analysis (COA) for your specific bottle on our Your Bottle page.
Some early bottles (“OGs”) were released before QR codes were standard. If your bottle does not include one, our customer service team can help locate the appropriate lab documentation.
Arnica (Arnica montana)
Arnica refers to a group of flowering plants that have been used topically in European herbal traditions for centuries. Traditionally, arnica preparations were applied to the skin after physical exertion, manual labor, or impact — especially in routines focused on recovery and comfort.
Modern research has taken interest in arnica’s plant compounds, particularly sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids, which are understood to interact with pathways involved in the body’s response to physical stress when used topically.
In topical formulations, arnica has been studied for its potential role in:
• Supporting comfort after physical activity or overuse
• Helping calm areas that feel tense or worked
• Supporting the body’s natural recovery response at the skin level
Arnica is intended only for external use and is commonly included in topical blends designed for short-term, localized application. In Radical Relief, arnica is used in a balanced formulation alongside complementary ingredients, rather than as a standalone extract, to support comfort while remaining gentle on the skin.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a plant with a long and well-documented history in traditional European herbalism. For generations, comfrey preparations were used topically as part of external care routines focused on skin comfort after physical strain.
Modern research has taken interest in compounds found in comfrey, including allantoin and rosmarinic acid, which are commonly used in topical formulations for their skin-conditioning and comfort-supporting properties. These compounds are understood to interact with surface tissues involved in maintaining skin balance.
In topical use, comfrey has been studied for its potential role in:
• Supporting skin comfort after physical stress or exertion
• Helping maintain a healthy skin environment
• Supporting the skin’s natural conditioning processes
Today, comfrey is used thoughtfully in topical products designed for external application to intact skin. In Radical Relief, it appears as part of a balanced blend — chosen for its traditional relevance, studied skin-level properties, and compatibility with other ingredients.
Menthol
Menthol is a naturally occurring compound found in mint plants, especially peppermint. It’s widely used in topical products for the distinct cooling sensation it creates when applied to the skin — something people recognize almost immediately.
What’s interesting is that menthol doesn’t actually cool the tissue itself. Instead, it interacts with sensory receptors in the skin that are involved in how the body perceives coolness. Research shows menthol activates cold-sensitive receptors (often referred to as TRPM8 receptors), which send “cool” signals to the brain even though there’s no actual change in temperature.
Those same sensory pathways also play a role in how the brain interprets other surface sensations. Because the body doesn’t have a single, dedicated receptor for every type of feeling, the brain often combines temperature and touch information to make sense of what’s happening at the skin. Menthol taps into that system, which is why the sensation feels immediate and very noticeable.
In topical formulations, menthol has been studied for its role in:
• Creating a cooling sensory effect on the skin
• Supporting comfort through sensory perception
• Contributing to a refreshed, alert feeling in areas of physical stress
Menthol’s role in our formula is purely experiential. It shapes how the topical feels and how quickly the body notices it for that fast-acting comfort. Sensory science shows that when multiple signals are present at the skin — such as cooling, warmth, and touch — the brain integrates them rather than processing each sensation in isolation. Menthol works within this system, creating a clear, noticeable signal that shapes how surface sensations are perceived. We use just the right amount of menthol for it to play a supporting role while leaving room for the other characters to do their work.
Capsaicin
Capsaicin is the naturally occurring compound responsible for the warming sensation found in chili peppers. In topical products, it’s valued not for heat itself, but for the distinct sensory signal it creates when applied to the skin.
Like menthol, capsaicin doesn’t actually change tissue temperature. Instead, it interacts with sensory receptors involved in how warmth is perceived at the skin’s surface — most notably receptors commonly referred to as TRPV1. These receptors are part of the body’s broader sensory network and are activated by heat, spice, and certain physical stimuli.
Because of this, capsaicin produces a clear, noticeable warming sensation that’s based on perception rather than temperature. Research in sensory neuroscience shows that strong surface sensations — whether cooling or warming — become prominent signals that the nervous system integrates when interpreting what’s happening at the skin.
In topical formulations, capsaicin has been studied for its role in:
• Creating a warming sensory effect on the skin
• Supporting comfort through sensory perception
• Contributing to a feeling of activation
Capsaicin is always used thoughtfully in topical products and is intended for external application to intact skin. In Radical Relief, it appears in carefully balanced amounts, complementing cooling ingredients like menthol and contributing warmth without overwhelming the overall feel of the formula.
Together, cooling and warming ingredients create contrast — not to mask sensation, but to shape how it’s perceived. In Radical Relief, menthol and capsaicin work as sensory counterparts, each contributing a distinct signal that helps define the character and experience of the formula on the skin.
Supporting Ingredients
The hero ingredients give Radical Relief its action it's most known for, but the supporting ingredients are what make the formula work well in practice. These components shape how the spray applies, how it feels on the skin, and how it fits naturally into your daily routine.
At the base of the formula is a lightweight blend designed for skin comfort and usability. Concentrated aloe vera provides a foundation that helps the formula apply evenly and comfortably as a natural humectant that hydrate evenly and cleanly. Witch hazel is included for its long history of topical use and for the clean, refreshed skin feel it contributes without heaviness.
Humectants and emollients play an important role in how the formula behaves once applied. Small amounts of nourishing oils — including jojoba oil, MCT coconut oil, and vitamin E — help condition the skin’s surface and contribute to Radical Relief's ability to condition the skin and reduce that dry and tight feeling associated with damage and inflammation.
Jojoba oil is somewhat unique among plant oils because its structure closely resembles the wax esters naturally present in human skin oils. Because of this similarity, it’s widely used in topical formulations for its compatibility with skin and its ability to provide lightweight conditioning without feeling greasy or occlusive.
MCT coconut oil is commonly used in topical products for its light texture and ability to help oils spread evenly across the skin. This supports a fast-absorbing feel and helps the formula distribute smoothly at the surface level. Vitamin E is included to support overall formula stability while also contributing to skin-conditioning properties commonly valued in topical products.
Scent is an often-overlooked part of how a topical product is experienced. Radical Relief includes a carefully composed essential oil blend — featuring bitter orange, rosemary, mint, eucalyptus, and frankincense — chosen for compatibility with topical use and for the way these plant aromas shape the overall sensory experience.
Aromas are processed alongside other sensory input, and familiar plant scents can influence how a moment feels without making promises or claims. In practice, the fragrance profile is designed to feel fresh, grounded, and clear — complementing the physical sensation of the formula and making it pleasant to reach for as part of a regular routine. In fact, olfactory signals are routed directly to brain regions involved in memory, pattern recognition, and emotional context. The smell alone of Radical Relief reminds the brain of the comfort it provided you before it even touches your skin — much like how the smell of coffee can make you feel awake without even drinking a sip.
Together, the supporting ingredients create the foundation that allows the hero ingredients to shine — supporting smooth application, skin comfort, and a sensory experience that’s curated with intention.
For the Extra Credit Nerds (Here are the Receipts)
If footnotes are your love language (hi fam), then you'd love to explore the peer-reviewed research referenced throughout this page that we've collected for you to here:
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