doTERRA Ice Blue Rub — 120ml
Topical essential oil cream for soothing cooling and warming sensation on muscles and joints.
A topical cream formulated with the Ice Blue Athletic Blend
doTERRA Ice Blue Rub is a topical essential oil cream formulated with the Ice Blue Athletic Blend, a proprietary combination of eight essential oils in a base of moisturising emollients.
It is manufactured by doTERRA, a US-based essential oil company founded in 2008, and is marketed as an athletic and recovery cream used by massage therapists and sports practitioners. The product is known as Deep Blue Rub in some international markets.
Ice Blue Rub is a cosmetic wellness product and is not TGA-registered as a therapeutic good in Australia. Its cooling then warming sensation is driven primarily by menthol from Peppermint and methyl salicylate from Wintergreen.
Key ingredients and their roles
The Ice Blue blend contains eight essential oils, each included for a sensory, aromatic, or supportive role.
Wintergreen
Composed predominantly of methyl salicylate, a topical counterirritant structurally related to aspirin and widely used in sports rubs and analgesic creams.
Camphor
Activates sensory nerve receptors and contributes to the product's characteristic cooling-then-warming sensation.
Peppermint
Contains menthol, which activates cold-sensitive TRPM8 receptors in the skin to create the familiar cooling sensation.
Blue Tansy
Contains chamazulene and sabinene and primarily contributes to the blend's sensory profile.
Blue Chamomile
Also known as German Chamomile and rich in chamazulene, contributing to skin soothing.
Helichrysum
Traditionally used for bruising and skin recovery, with preliminary evidence supporting anti-inflammatory activity.
Ylang Ylang
Primarily contributes to the fragrance profile and is included for its calming aromatic properties.
Osmanthus
A floral essential oil included for fragrance, with antioxidant properties but a primarily aromatic role in this blend.
Cooling then warming sensory comfort
- Produces a cooling then warming sensation on the skin when massaged into the target area.
- Acts as a topical counterirritant, creating a competing sensory stimulus that can reduce the perception of underlying discomfort.
- Increases local skin microcirculation and surface blood flow via the vasodilatory effects of methyl salicylate and menthol.
- Absorbs into the skin without leaving a greasy residue, making it practical before or after activity or as a massage medium.
- Provides a convenient, non-oral way to apply a combination of botanical ingredients to a specific area of the body.
A comfort aid between appointments
Ice Blue Rub is a cosmetic wellness cream, not a registered analgesic medicine. It does not treat the underlying cause of musculoskeletal pain and should not replace chiropractic assessment or treatment.
- Post-exercise muscle soreness and fatigue: The cooling and warming sensation can support comfort during recovery.
- Localised muscle tension and stiffness: Applied with massage to a tense area, the cream can help reduce the sensation of stiffness.
- General aches from prolonged sitting or desk work: It can be applied to the neck, upper back, or shoulders at the end of the day as a comfort measure.
- Supporting massage therapy: The non-greasy emollient base makes this a practical medium for self-massage or partner massage.
- A note on evidence: Menthol and methyl salicylate are supported as topical counterirritants, but the Ice Blue blend as a whole has not been subjected to independent peer-reviewed clinical trials.
Massage a small amount into the target area
- Apply a small amount of cream to the target area and massage in gently until absorbed.
- For a more intensive effect, apply the Ice Blue essential oil blend directly to the skin first, then apply the cream on top.
- Use on areas of muscle tension, joint discomfort, or post-exercise soreness, including the neck, upper and lower back, shoulders, and limbs.
- Can be used before or after physical activity, or at any time of day as needed.
- Do not apply to wounds, broken skin, mucous membranes, or sensitive areas. Avoid contact with eyes.
- Do not bandage tightly after application and do not use with a heating pad.
- Wash hands thoroughly after application to avoid accidental contact with the eyes or face.
- For external use only. Keep out of reach of children.
Important — please read before use
- For external use only. Do not swallow. If swallowed, contact the Poisons Information Centre immediately.
- Do not apply to broken skin, open wounds, or irritated skin. Avoid contact with eyes, mouth, and mucous membranes.
- Do not use with a heating pad or tight bandaging after use, as this can significantly increase systemic absorption of methyl salicylate.
- If skin irritation, rash, or allergic reaction occurs, discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.
- This product contains essential oils that may cause sensitisation. Perform a patch test before widespread use.
- Camphor-containing products should be kept away from children and should not be applied to the face of infants or young children.
- This is a wellness product, not a therapeutic medicine. Persistent or worsening pain should be assessed by your chiropractor.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking blood thinners, consult your GP or pharmacist before use.
Topical methyl salicylate and menthol
The document notes that a 2010 randomised controlled trial in Clinical Therapeutics found a topical methyl salicylate and menthol patch effective for mild to moderate muscle strain, while the Ice Blue blend itself has not been independently tested in peer-reviewed clinical trials.
