Combination approaches make biological sense. Glucosamine addresses specific aspects of cartilage health (primarily structural support), but other compounds address other aspects. MSM provides anti-inflammatory support. Chondroitin contributes additional structural components. Combining them addresses joint health more comprehensively than any single ingredient.
Active people deserve products that take their needs seriously. That means products developed with understanding of both the science behind ingredients and the lived experience of physical demands. It means shellfish-free sourcing that includes everyone. It means honest communication about what products can and can't do.
Including both glucosamine and MSM in Active Cream reflects a broader formulation philosophy: address the problem completely rather than partially. Real joint concerns involve multiple mechanisms. Effective support should too.
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring amino sugar found in cartilage, the tough tissue that cushions your joints. Your body produces it, using it to build and maintain the cartilage, tendons, and other connective tissues that keep you moving smoothly. The compound plays a fundamental role in the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans—the building blocks of cartilage structure.
Your skin is designed as a barrier, protecting your internal systems from environmental threats. But it's not impenetrable. Small molecules can pass through, and pharmaceutical companies have exploited this for decades with transdermal patches, hormone creams, and medicated ointments. The question is always: can this particular molecule, in this particular formulation, penetrate effectively?
On our Washington State farm, we've built a skincare company around fresh goat milk and organic ingredients because we believe quality matters and real ingredients outperform synthetic shortcuts. The same philosophy applies to sourcing: when a better option exists that includes more people without compromising quality, that's the option to choose.
What we've learned is that joint support becomes more valuable, not less, as years accumulate. The younger athletes recover faster and can push through things that would sideline older bodies. But the older members who consistently support their joints can still participate in ways that matter to them.
On our Washington State farm, some of us run and some of us don't—but we all understand the value of maintaining the body that lets us do what we love. Whether that's covering trails or covering the endless ground of farm work, healthy joints make the activity possible.
Joint concerns can signal serious conditions that require medical attention. Inflammatory arthritis, structural damage, infections, and other conditions need proper diagnosis and treatment. Glucosamine doesn't identify what's wrong, and using it instead of seeking medical evaluation risks missing treatable conditions.
On our Washington State farm, where the physical demands of daily work rival many training programs, we've learned to think about joint health as a long-term investment. The choices we make now—including consistent glucosamine application—influence whether we're still moving freely decades from now.