Behind every effective formula is a rationale—a reason why these ingredients and not others, why this combination and not some other. When we developed our Active Cream on our Washington State farm, we weren't throwing compounds at the wall to see what stuck. We were building a formula around four pillars, each chosen for specific properties that contribute to comprehensive joint support.
Those four pillars are chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, MSM, and organic Montana arnica. Each works through different mechanisms. Each addresses different aspects of joint health. Together, they create something more effective than any single ingredient could be alone.
Understanding these four pillars helps explain not just what's in the formula, but why. And it helps you understand what you're applying when you reach for the jar.
Pillar One: Chondroitin Sulfate (Shellfish-Free)
Chondroitin sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan—a type of complex sugar molecule naturally present in cartilage throughout your body. In healthy joints, chondroitin plays several critical roles.
First, it helps cartilage retain water. Hydrated cartilage is resilient, effective at absorbing shock, and capable of cushioning bones during movement. Dehydrated cartilage becomes brittle and vulnerable to damage. By supporting water retention, chondroitin helps maintain the physical properties that make cartilage functional.
Second, research shows chondroitin inhibits enzymes that break down cartilage. These enzymes—matrix metalloproteinases—become more active with age and stress, gradually degrading the cartilage matrix. Chondroitin's inhibitory effect may help slow this breakdown, preserving joint structure over time.
Third, chondroitin supports the body's natural repair processes. Studies demonstrate that it stimulates the proliferation of cells that produce cartilage components and supports the synthesis of extracellular matrix materials.
Our chondroitin is shellfish-free, derived from bovine rather than marine sources. This makes it accessible to people with seafood allergies while delivering the same functional benefits as traditional chondroitin.
Clinical research supports topical chondroitin's effectiveness. A systematic review found pharmaceutical-grade chondroitin sulfate as effective as prescription anti-inflammatory medication for reducing joint discomfort and improving mobility. When applied topically, it can work directly on the joint tissue beneath the skin.
Pillar Two: Glucosamine (Shellfish-Free)
Glucosamine is an amino sugar that serves as a building block for cartilage. When your body synthesizes new cartilage or repairs existing tissue, it needs glucosamine to create the glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans that form cartilage's structural framework.
The body produces glucosamine naturally, but production declines with age. Supplemental glucosamine provides raw material that aging or stressed joints may not be getting enough of from internal synthesis alone.
Glucosamine also appears to stimulate production of hyaluronic acid—a key component of synovial fluid, the lubricant that reduces friction within joints. Adequate synovial fluid is essential for smooth, comfortable movement.
Research shows that glucosamine and chondroitin work synergistically—their combined effect exceeds what either produces alone. The GAIT clinical trial found the combination particularly effective for moderate-to-severe joint discomfort. This synergy is why the two are so often paired in joint support formulas, and why separating them makes less sense than combining them.
Like our chondroitin, our glucosamine is shellfish-free. Traditional glucosamine comes from crustacean shells; ours is derived from non-marine sources. Same compound, different origin, no allergen concerns.
Pillar Three: MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
MSM is a sulfur compound that supports joint health through mechanisms distinct from chondroitin and glucosamine.
Sulfur is essential for synthesizing collagen and other connective tissue proteins. The body uses sulfur-containing amino acids to build the structural frameworks that hold joints together—cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and the connective tissue that surrounds and stabilizes joints. MSM provides bioavailable sulfur that supports these synthesis processes.
Beyond structural support, MSM has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. Research shows it can help moderate the body's inflammatory response, potentially reducing some of the discomfort associated with joint stress. This complements the structural support provided by chondroitin and glucosamine with a different type of benefit.
Studies have found that MSM combined with glucosamine produces better outcomes for joint comfort and range of motion than either ingredient alone. Athletes in particular have reported benefits from MSM supplementation for reducing exercise-induced discomfort.
MSM naturally occurs in many foods but is often depleted through cooking and processing. Supplementation ensures adequate availability for the body's sulfur-dependent processes.
Pillar Four: USDA Certified Organic Montana Arnica
Arnica Montana is where our formula diverges from typical joint support products. This flowering plant has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and modern research has begun to validate its traditional uses.
Arnica supports the body's natural response to physical stress. It's routinely used in professional sports medicine for pre and post-workout support, helping athletes manage the demands of intense training. Our arnica is USDA Certified Organic and sourced from Montana, where growing conditions produce particularly potent botanicals.
Unlike the other three pillars, which address joint structure and cartilage health directly, arnica addresses how the body responds to the stress that training and activity place on joints. This makes it a perfect complement—while chondroitin, glucosamine, and MSM support the structural integrity of joints, arnica supports the body's ability to recover from what you put those joints through.
The organic certification matters because arnica's beneficial compounds can be affected by growing conditions and processing methods. Organic cultivation without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, combined with sourcing from Montana's ideal climate, ensures we're using arnica that delivers what the traditional reputation promises.
Why Four Pillars, Not One
The joint support industry often markets single ingredients as solutions. Glucosamine alone. Chondroitin alone. MSM alone. This approach makes marketing simpler—one ingredient, one story—but it misses how joints actually work.
Joints are complex systems. Cartilage needs both hydration (chondroitin) and raw materials for synthesis (glucosamine). The connective tissue framework needs sulfur for collagen production (MSM). The body needs support in recovering from physical stress (arnica). Addressing one aspect while ignoring others creates an incomplete approach.
The research supports combination formulas. Studies consistently show synergistic effects when joint support compounds are combined. The whole becomes greater than the sum of parts. Our four-pillar approach isn't about throwing everything at the problem—it's about including what research and experience show works better together.
The Goat Milk Foundation
While the four pillars get top billing, they work within a base formula that includes fresh goat milk from our Washington State farm.
Goat milk isn't here for joint support specifically—it's here because it's an exceptional base for topical products. Its pH closely matches human skin, reducing irritation potential. Its lactic acid content supports gentle exfoliation and skin health. Its fat composition helps other ingredients absorb effectively.
This foundation matters because a topical formula needs to actually reach the tissue it's meant to support. The best active ingredients in the world accomplish nothing if they sit on the skin surface. Goat milk creates a base that supports absorption while bringing its own skin-health benefits.
Using the Formula Effectively
Understanding the four pillars helps inform how to use Active Cream most effectively.
Apply after activity when blood flow to stressed joints is elevated. This may enhance distribution of the active compounds to the tissues that need them.
Target specific joints rather than applying broadly. If your knees bear the most stress, focus on your knees. If your shoulders need attention, address your shoulders. The topical delivery method allows this precision.
Be consistent. The four pillars work through mechanisms that compound over time. Chondroitin and glucosamine support ongoing processes of cartilage maintenance and repair. MSM supports continuous synthesis of connective tissue proteins. Consistent application—after workouts, before bed, whenever works for your routine—produces cumulative benefits that sporadic use cannot match.
Use enough product. Apply enough cream to fully cover the joint and massage until absorbed. The formula should disappear into the skin rather than sitting on the surface.
The Philosophy Behind the Formula
Our Active Cream wasn't developed in a laboratory by scientists who never use the products they create. It was developed on a working farm by a family that includes four college athletes, two at the Division I level. We needed something that worked—something grounded in research, comprehensive in approach, and practical for daily use.
The four pillars emerged from that need. Chondroitin because the research supports it and because joint hydration matters. Glucosamine because cartilage needs building blocks. MSM because connective tissue needs sulfur and because its anti-inflammatory properties complement structural support. Arnica because athletes need recovery support and because traditional wisdom, backed by modern research, points to its value.
Shellfish-free sourcing because allergies shouldn't exclude people from joint support. Organic arnica because quality sourcing produces quality results. Fresh goat milk because a formula needs a foundation as thoughtful as its active ingredients.
Four pillars. One comprehensive formula. Designed for people who refuse to stop moving.
