Sore, painful joints are driven by inflammatory pathways that keep pain switched on. Mangosteen’s α-mangostin has been studied right across them — NF-κB, COX-2 and PGE₂, and the MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5 enzymes that break down cartilage. Published research on a mangosteen-containing cream has examined knee-pain scores (research on the ingredient, not on CannonBalm).

Magnesium sits at the heart of muscle and nerve function and acts as a natural gatekeeper at the NMDA receptor — one of the systems that amplifies pain. ULTIMATE brings magnesium chloride, magnesium sulphate and magnesium diglycinate together, giving three chemically distinct magnesium environments in one rich balm.

Premium pomegranate extract is rich in ellagitannins and has been studied for topical effects on COX-2 and inflammatory pathways involved in pain. In laboratory skin research, its punicalagins penetrated intact skin and reduced COX-2 (research on the ingredient).

Green tea’s EGCG has been studied in human cartilage cells against the cartilage-degrading enzymes MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5. Grape seed has been studied across pain behaviour, cartilage damage and sensory nerves, and grape skin is rich in resveratrol (research on the ingredients).

Ginger has been studied for effects on knee pain on standing in a randomised trial and on muscle pain after hard exercise. Turmeric’s curcumin has been studied for effects on human cartilage cells.

Eugenol-rich clove bud essential oil has been studied for its effects on the sodium and calcium channels that carry peripheral pain signals. Published human studies have examined clove alongside benzocaine and EMLA preparations (research on the ingredient).

Açaí, goji and red-grape skin — some of the world’s most celebrated superfoods, prized for the deep purples and reds that signal an exceptional concentration of plant antioxidants. Goji has been studied for effects on energy and athletic performance (research on the ingredients).

Premium bergaptene-free bergamot essential oil is rich in linalool and linalyl acetate, with research linking bergamot to pain modulation and inflammatory pathways. It is fine-tuned with bergamot mint (research on the ingredients).

Vitamin C is essential for collagen, the protein that gives skin and connective tissue their strength; vitamin E is the skin’s oil-soluble shield. Applied together they outperformed either vitamin alone in protecting skin — and both are liposomal in ULTIMATE.

Premium peppermint essential oil is naturally rich in menthol — a compound with human topical research showing reduced pain sensitivity and well-characterised activity at TRPM8 sensory receptors (research on the ingredient).

The liposomal line-up includes liposomal mangosteen, liposomal ginger, liposomal turmeric (LipoAvail® curcumin) and liposomal vitamins C & E — built into a rich oil-and-wax balm (research on the ingredients).