When it pulls in the back or the knee hurts after sport, many use pain ointments. But the current eco-test examination shows that not every pain gel is a good choice. Out of 20 products tested, only five products receive the top grade – Voltaren is not among them.
In the case of smaller sports injuries and short -term tension, many people want to save themselves to the doctor’s office and first treat themselves with a pain ointment. In drugstores and pharmacies, you have the choice between products that contain known painkillers such as ibuprofen or ointments that rely on vegetable ingredients. There are also gels that warm or cool the appropriate place after applying. But which combination of active ingredients is most effective?
Voltaren, Thermacare and Co.: Öko-Test checks 20 pain ointments and pain gels
To answer this question, Öko -Test has examined 20 pain ointments and gels -including 19 medicines and a medical device. The products contain both well -known synthetic active ingredients such as ibuprofen, diclofenac or piroxicam as well as vegetable ingredients such as arnica, campher or capsaicin.
The consumer protection magazine evaluated effectiveness, health and ecological risks as well as possible pollutants such as fragrances or mineral oil residues. In order to assess the effectiveness, Öko-Test commissioned a pharmaceutical chemist. This evaluated the active ingredients it contains based on the current study situation.
Thermacare pain gel at Öko-Test: one of the few test winners
Only six products perform in the examination with the overall judgment “very good” or “good”. One of the five “very good” test winners: the Thermacare pain gel.
It contains the active ingredient Felbinac, the effectiveness of which is scientifically well documented. Products with ibuprofen or Piroxicam were also able to convince in the evaluation – provided that there were no controversial substances or unnecessary additives.
Voltaren pain gel only “satisfactory” – due to environmental problems
Voltaren is one of the best known and most popular pain ointments. In the case of Öko-Test, however, the gel only cuts off with the grade “satisfactory”. The analgesic effect of the active ingredient Diclofenac is well documented. However, Öko-Test criticizes Diclofenac due to its ecotoxic effect: after use, the active ingredient often ends up using the wastewater in rivers and lakes, where it damages fish, aquatic plants and algae.
According to the UBA, the harmful effects of the drug active ingredient were first uncovered in Pakistan in the 1990s: a mass extinction of vultures could be attributed to the residues of Diclofenac at the time. The birds had taken them in with the meat of died cattle.
Voltaren is one of the few products in the test that advises on the packaging for the environmentally friendly handling (for example, wiping the hands with a cloth before washing), but that is not enough for a better test judgment. Already in the 2017 pain gel test, Öko-Test criticized Voltaren for the active ingredient diclofenac. Eight years ago, the test judgment was therefore only “sufficient”.
Öko test pain gel: buy test results as an epaper
Test losers: controversial active ingredients and mineral oil
In total, Öko-Test awards the worst rating “insufficient”-for more than every third product. These test losers include Edeka’s “Elkos Vivede Pain and Rheumatism Salbe intensive”. It contains vegetable ingredients such as Campher and Eucalyptus oil – but the effects of pain are not scientifically proven.
In addition, the laboratory found mineral oil residues here. These were aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons, Moah for short. Some of these fabrics have a carcinogenic and hereditary. In addition, the ointment contains a strongly acting allergen that can trigger skin allergies.
The “Mivolis Pain and Reuma ointment intensive” by DM is also one of the test losers. The reasons are similar: Here, too, the pain relieving effect of the ingredients is not proven. In addition, the laboratory also found Moah in the ointment and another pollutant.
The “tiger Balm red n”, known as traditional and effective pain gel, also disappointed with Öko test. The effectiveness of the ingredients Campher, menthol, cajeput oil and peppermint oil is not scientifically confirmed. And also in this product, Öko-Test was able to demonstrate MOAH connections. All in all, this leads to the worst rating “insufficient” at the Tiger Balm.
Öko test pain gel: buy test results as an epaper
Pain ointments in the test: What has improved since 2017?
Before the current test 2025, Öko-Test Pain ointments last took a closer look at 2017. Thermacare was one of the test winners at the time. Pain gels of the large drugstore chains, on the other hand, cut off as now “insufficient” or “poor”:
- With the dm pain gel from DM with Arnic blooming tincture, Öko-Test lacked a scientific evidence of effectiveness.
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Rossmann used a mixture of turpentine oil, D-Campher and eucalyptus oil in the “Altapharma pain and rheumatism ointment intensive”. Öko-Test found this “unnecessary” and explained that Campher can only expect injuries a cooling effect-nothing more.
Conclusion: Which pain gel really helps?
If you want to rely on effective and as possible pollutant -free pain gels, you should not necessarily use the best known brand. Products such as the Thermacare pain gel do significantly better than some classics. The price is also not an indicator of an effective product: While you get the Thermacare pain gel for 7.97 euros per 50 grams, the test loser Tiger Balm red N with 19.30 euros per 50 grams costs more than twice as much.
You can read all the details and test results in the Öko-Test edition 08/25 or online on Ökotest.de.
Therefore, find out before buying which active ingredients are actually occupied as pain relieving. You should research more precisely in vegetable active ingredients, because they were less able to convince in Öko-Test. According to the Öko-Test examination, pain gel from the pharmacy with one of the following active ingredients are particularly effective for bruises, sprains and strains:
- Ibuprofen
- Felbinac
- Piroxicam
The active ingredients are also available as painkillers, but the side effects are significantly lower in the pain gel, since the gel is only applied externally.
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