Ingredient Breakdown
Catalyst Cream — Ingredient Breakdown
Listed by Concentration
Rooted in nature. Backed by biology. Crafted for recovery.
Ingredient Guide
How each ingredient relates to pain-signal modulation, inflammatory balance, tissue repair biology, and post-activity recovery.
Catalyst layers a lipid-rich base, targeted minerals, connective-tissue cofactors, botanicals, and essential oils. Some ingredients contribute ingredient-level biological support; others improve stability, spreadability, and consistent skin contact.
Grass-Fed Tallow
SKIN BARRIER + MASSAGE BASE
Provides a lipid-rich, petroleum-free base that conditions the skin and creates sustained glide for massage. Its recovery role is foundational: comfortable skin contact, consistent application, and supplier of good fats, vitamins and minerals.
DMSO
DELIVERY + COMFORT RESEARCH
An established solvent and skin-permeation enhancer with published research in pain and inflammatory conditions. In Catalyst it supports topical integration and requires application only to clean, dry, intact skin.
Magnesium Chloride
MINERAL + NEUROMUSCULAR SUPPORT
Magnesium is central to neuromuscular function and enzymatic recovery biology. Topical absorption and exercise-recovery evidence remain mixed, so it is best framed as mineral-focused body care rather than a proven treatment.
MSM
SULFUR + RECOVERY SUPPORT
A sulfur-containing compound studied mainly in oral research for joint comfort, oxidative stress, and exercise recovery. It complements
the connective-tissue focus of the formula, although direct topical evidence is more limited.
Arnica Montana Extract
POST-ACTIVITY COMFORT
Topical arnica preparations have shown benefit for discomfort, stiffness, and function in some human studies, although results vary by condition and product. It supports the overworked-area and post-activity side of the formula.
Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate)
COLLAGEN + ANTIOXIDANT SUPPORT
A stable vitamin C derivative. Vitamin C is required for normal collagen synthesis and participates in antioxidant defense, giving the formula a clear skin and connective-tissue support rationale.
Copper Gluconate
MATRIX + REPAIR COFACTOR
Copper is a cofactor for lysyl oxidase, an enzyme involved in collagen and elastin cross-linking, and for antioxidant enzymes. It supplies trace nutrient support for skin and extracellular-matrix biology.
Menthol Oil
COOLING + PAIN-SIGNAL MODULATION
Activates TRPM8 sensory receptors, producing a cooling sensation that can alter the perception of discomfort. Human studies also show dose-dependent increases in cutaneous microvascular blood flow.
Rosemary Extract
ANTIOXIDANT + BOTANICAL SUPPORT
Contains phenolics and volatile terpenes studied for antioxidant and inflammatory-signaling effects, primarily in laboratory and preclinical research. It also adds the clean herbal character of the formula.
Noni Powder
POLYPHENOLS + BOTANICAL SUPPORT
Supplies iridoids and polyphenols with antioxidant and inflammation-modulating activity in laboratory research. Human topical evidence is limited, so its role is complementary botanical support rather than a stand-alone therapeutic claim.
Pine Essential Oil
AROMATIC TERPENES + RECOVERY RITUAL
Rich in monoterpenes such as alpha-pinene, which have been investigated for antioxidant and inflammatory pathways. It contributes a clean forest note; direct human topical recovery evidence remains limited.
Cedarwood Essential Oil
AROMA + SENSORY SUPPORT
Adds a grounding aroma and supports the sensory, massage-friendly character of the formula. Its terpenes have preliminary laboratory research, but human evidence for pain reduction or tissue recovery is not established.
Frankincense Essential Oil
AROMA + BOTANICAL SUPPORT
Provides aromatic terpenes and a resinous recovery-ritual profile. Frankincense essential oil is chemically distinct from standardized oral Boswellia resin extracts, so the clinical evidence for those extracts should not be transferred to the oil.
Olivem 1000
EMULSION + UNIFORM APPLICATION
An olive-derived emulsifying system that keeps the oil and water phases evenly dispersed, improving texture, stability, and uniform application. Its role is formula performance rather than direct pain or inflammation reduction.
Tara Gum
STABILITY + CONSISTENT SKIN CONTACT
A natural polysaccharide thickener that helps suspend minerals and botanicals and maintain consistent skin contact. It supports delivery and usability rather than directly altering pain or inflammatory biology.
FULL INGREDIENT PROFILE
Grass-Fed Tallow; DMSO; Magnesium Chloride; MSM; Arnica Montana Extract; Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate); Menthol Oil; Rosemary Extract; Olivem 1000; Tara Gum; Noni Powder; Copper Gluconate; Pine Essential Oil; Cedarwood Essential Oil; Frankincense Essential Oil.
SCIENCE + USE NOTE
These summaries explain ingredient-selection rationale and ingredient-level literature; they do not establish that the finished cosmetic product treats disease or injury. Evidence strength, dose, route, and formulation vary. Apply only to clean, dry, intact skin. Because Catalyst contains DMSO, do not layer it with other topicals, medications, or chemicals. Avoid eyes and mucous membranes. Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
