The main difference between topical analgesic products like pain relief creams and pain relief ointments is their chemical and ingredient makeup. For example, the separating factor between topical cream and ointments is the ratio of water and oil. The more water the topical analgesic product has, the more absorbent it becomes. Therefore, since creams are of equal parts oil and water, they are much better for penetrating your skin than ointments containing 80% oil. However, the thicker ointment is better at spreading across your skin.
On the other hand, pain-relieving gels have no oil at all, only cellulose, alcohol, and water. Their oil-free nature provides the highest level of hydration and absorption while leaving your skin free of residue and oil. For these reasons, gels are more beneficial for oily or dry skin. The difference between these products provides the users with several options for topical pain relief.