When we formulated our Active Cream, we could have kept it simple. One hero ingredient, straightforward messaging, easy marketing. But recovery isn't simple, and the products that actually help address multiple needs simultaneously. That's why we paired arnica montana with MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)—two ingredients with distinct mechanisms that complement each other beautifully.
Understanding why this pairing works requires understanding what each ingredient brings to the formula.
Arnica: Supporting the Inflammatory Response
Arnica montana's claim to fame is its traditional use for bruising, soreness, and muscle discomfort. The botanical contains sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids that have been studied for their effects on inflammatory pathways. When you apply arnica topically, these compounds work directly with tissues that have experienced stress.
For athletes and active people, this matters most immediately after training. The acute inflammatory response that follows exercise is what makes you sore, and arnica has been used for centuries to support comfort during this period.
But arnica works primarily through one mechanism—modulating the inflammatory response. A comprehensive recovery cream should do more.
MSM: The Sulfur Connection
MSM is an organic sulfur compound found naturally in plants, animals, and humans. Sulfur might not sound glamorous, but it's essential for numerous biological processes, including the formation of collagen and keratin—the structural proteins that make up skin, hair, connective tissue, and muscle.
When applied topically, MSM provides bioavailable sulfur directly to tissues. This can support the body's natural repair processes, including the synthesis of new connective tissue after exercise-induced damage.
MSM also has its own research base suggesting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Studies have explored MSM for joint discomfort and muscle recovery, with promising results that complement what we know about arnica.
The Synergy Principle
Here's why pairing matters: arnica and MSM work through different mechanisms. Arnica's sesquiterpene lactones target inflammatory signaling pathways. MSM provides sulfur building blocks for tissue repair. Together, they address recovery from multiple angles.
Think of it like a sports team. You wouldn't field a team of all point guards or all defensive players. Different roles complement each other, creating a more effective whole. Arnica and MSM play different positions in the recovery game.
This isn't just theoretical. In our years of athletic training as a family—including Division I track and field competition—we learned through experience that multi-faceted approaches to recovery outperformed single-ingredient solutions. The Active Cream formula reflects that learning.
The Goat Milk Foundation
Both arnica and MSM are delivered in a base of fresh, non-reconstituted goat milk. This matters more than you might think.
Goat milk's fatty acid profile helps carry active ingredients through the skin's outer layers. Its naturally acidic pH (matching healthy skin) creates an optimal environment for absorption. And the milk's own nourishing properties—vitamins, minerals, lactic acid—provide additional benefits beyond just serving as a carrier.
Other creams might contain arnica or MSM, but suspending these ingredients in goat milk rather than water or synthetic bases changes how they interact with your skin. It's one of our key differentiators as a goat milk skincare company.
When to Use Active Cream
The combination of arnica and MSM makes our Active Cream appropriate for several situations:
After workouts, particularly intense or novel training that challenges your muscles.
Following competitive events or races.
During heavy training blocks when accumulated stress builds up.
Any time you experience minor bruising or tissue discomfort from physical activity.
For general maintenance of joints and connective tissue in active individuals.
The cream absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue, so it won't interfere with compression garments, athletic tape, or whatever else your recovery routine involves.
Formulation Philosophy
At Artisan The Goat, we believe ingredients should work together toward a common purpose. Every component of our Active Cream earns its place by contributing something meaningful. Arnica and MSM anchor the formula, but they're supported by aloe, shea butter, ginger, turmeric, and other ingredients that reinforce the overall recovery mission.
When you apply Active Cream, you're not just getting arnica or MSM—you're getting a thoughtfully constructed blend designed by a family that's spent years learning what actually helps with recovery. That experience and intentionality is something we're proud of.
