Embrocations & Creams

For cold rides, a warming embrocation with natural vasodilators and oils can help boost blood flow and ease stiffness. Mad Alchemy Russian Tea, for example, uses grapeseed and rapeseed oil plus shea butter and unbleached beeswax for a warming, skin-friendly texture.

Cooling creams with menthol or eucalyptus help soothe muscles and regulate surface temperature after hard efforts. They often include aloe vera or chamomile for additional calming benefits and come in lightweight, non-greasy formulas suited to hot conditions.

Chamois creams reduce friction and protect skin during extended saddle time, and many include moisturizing oils like coconut oil or shea butter to prevent chafing. Reviews for chamois options average around 4 stars in small samples, but it’s still wise to test a small amount to confirm compatibility.

Match the formulation to your skin: choose hypoallergenic or plant-based creams for sensitive skin, lightweight non-greasy versions if you have oily skin, and moisturizing blends with shea butter or coconut oil for dry skin. Also test a small amount on your leg before full application to watch for irritation.

For pre-race routines, compact tubes like the 6.7 fl. oz. DZ Nuts InHeat are convenient and available in low, medium, and high heat to suit different needs. If you use embrocations often, consider lower or medium strengths to avoid skin overload, or choose longer-lasting chemical formulas if you need stronger effects.