Biofreeze or Deep Heat in India? What to look for instead
Biofreeze cools with menthol and Deep Heat warms with methyl salicylate; here is how to find the same feel on an Indian label.
Biofreeze and Deep Heat are mostly sold in India as imports, so you pay more and need to watch for fake listings. You can find the same feel locally by reading the label. Menthol gives the Biofreeze-style cool. Methyl salicylate (wintergreen) with menthol gives the Deep Heat-style warmth. Then check whether the gel contains diclofenac.
The short version
- Biofreeze is a menthol-based cooling range. One example is a 10% menthol cream.
- Deep Heat is a warming rub. The UK Max Strength gel lists 30% methyl salicylate and 8% menthol.
- In India both mostly come in as imports on marketplaces. Check the seller, batch number and expiry before you buy.
- To get a similar feel locally, look for menthol (cool), camphor or wintergreen (warm), and note whether diclofenac is listed.
What is Biofreeze, and how does it feel?
Biofreeze is a menthol-based cooling product, so the first thing you notice is a cold, fresh tingle on the skin. Its labels put menthol up front as the active ingredient, and one of its creams lists 10% menthol. People who like it usually like the icy feeling after a run or a long day on their feet.
What is Deep Heat, and how is it different?
Deep Heat is a warming rub made by Mentholatum, built on methyl salicylate with menthol. The UK Max Strength gel lists 30% methyl salicylate and 8% menthol. Methyl salicylate is the compound behind the wintergreen smell, and it gives that slow, spreading warmth people reach for on a stiff back or cold morning. If you are unsure which sensation suits you, our guide on cooling vs warming walks through it.
Can you buy Biofreeze or Deep Heat in India?
Yes, but mostly as imports through marketplaces rather than at your local chemist. That brings two practical issues.
The first is price. Imported tubes carry shipping and reseller margins, so the Biofreeze price in India is often well above what the same tube costs abroad, and it varies from listing to listing.
The second is fake or old stock. Before you order, check:
- Seller: is it the brand, an authorised importer, or an unknown reseller with few ratings?
- Batch number and expiry: ask for a photo of the crimp or box if the listing does not show them.
- Importer sticker: genuine imports normally carry an Indian importer's name and address.
- Reviews: look for comments about a different smell, texture or packaging from the usual.
How do I find a Deep Heat or Biofreeze alternative in India?
Read the ingredient list, not the name on the box. Most Indian pain relief gels use the same handful of actives, and the label tells you how the gel will feel. Our menthol, camphor and wintergreen label guide goes deeper into each one.
| If you liked… | Look for… on the label | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Biofreeze (cooling) | Menthol, mint or pudina extract near the top of the list | A cold, fresh tingle that fades over time |
| Deep Heat (warming) | Methyl salicylate or wintergreen oil, often with menthol; camphor adds to the warmth | A slower, spreading warmth and a strong wintergreen smell |
| Something in between | Menthol plus camphor or wintergreen together | Cool on contact, then gentle warmth |
| A medicated option | Diclofenac (often diclofenac diethylamine 1.16%) | An anti-inflammatory medicine, not just a sensation |
Does it matter if the gel contains diclofenac?
Yes, because diclofenac is a real anti-inflammatory medicine, not a scent or sensation. Diclofenac gels have good evidence for pain and swelling, which is why many doctors suggest them. Neither Biofreeze nor Deep Heat is built around diclofenac, so if you want a like-for-like swap for the feel, you may prefer a gel without it. If you take blood thinners, are pregnant, or have reacted to aspirin or painkillers before, ask a pharmacist before using any medicated rub, including salicylate ones.
Which Indian gels are worth comparing?
Here is what three local options list on their own labels and retailer pages:
- Volini Gel (Sun Pharma): diclofenac diethylamine 1.16%, methyl salicylate, menthol and linseed oil. Closest to Deep Heat in actives, with diclofenac added.
- Moov Pain Relief Cream (Reckitt): Ayurvedic, with wintergreen oil, mint extract (pudina), eucalyptus oil (nilgiri) and turpentine oil (tarpin). No diclofenac. A warming wintergreen feel.
- thswtch Pain Relief Gel: menthol, camphor, wintergreen, arnica and boswellia in an aloe base. No diclofenac. Cool first, then warm.
Are cooling and warming rubs safe to use?
They are widely used, but the US FDA has reported rare cases of serious skin burns from menthol and methyl salicylate rubs. Use a thin layer, never on broken or irritated skin, never under a tight bandage, and never with a heating pad or hot water bottle. Stop if you get pain, swelling or blistering where you applied it, and wash your hands afterwards. Our guide on how to use a recovery gel covers the basics.
Where thswtch fits
If you liked the cool of Biofreeze but miss a bit of Deep Heat's warmth, thswtch Pain Relief Gel sits between the two: cool on contact, then a gentle warmth. It is non-greasy, absorbs in seconds and has a light smell, so it works before badminton, after a Mumbai Marathon training run, or before a long night of dancing at a sangeet. It is made in India, contains no diclofenac, and a 50g tube is ₹500 with free shipping. It is a cooling and warming gel, not a replacement for medical care.
Last updated 19 October 2026 · Written by Team thswtch
Sources
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If pain is sharp, severe, follows an injury, or lasts more than a week, see a doctor or physiotherapist.
