About Sombra
Sombra is a topical pain relief company based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sombra Cosmetics, Inc. was established in 1974 by Alfredo Cortazar, a chemical engineer who had worked as an R&D chemist in the cosmetics industry. He had watched indigenous communities in Mexico treat pain with plant extracts, and he blended plant extracts into the gel that became Sombra Pain Relieving Gel. The company says it makes its professional line in its own Albuquerque facilities, with an on-site research and analytical laboratory.
The Original Warm Therapy gel is the line we feature. Sombra describes it as alcohol free, NSAID free, gluten free and animal free, with an orange-citrus aroma and a fast-absorbing, non-greasy, non-staining feel. The brand also makes a Cool Therapy gel for strains and post-workout use, a Hemp Massage Crème, and PLUS CBD versions of both gels. Sombra supplies health care professionals, who can order factory direct, and consumers can buy through local practitioners or an authorized Amazon distributor.
Brand website: sombrausa.com
What Sombra makes
Sombra's range runs wider than the products we review. The lines we know best from our own testing are marked with a star:
Original Warm Therapy Pain Relief Gel
warming gel with an orange-citrus aroma, sold in 2 oz, 4 oz and 8 oz jars, a 4 oz tube and a 3 oz roll-on — featured on BestRatedDocs
Original Cool Therapy Pain Relief Gel
cooling gel with a lemon scent, aimed at strains, bruises and post-workout soreness
PLUS CBD Warm and Cool Therapy
the Original warm and cool gels, infused with CBD
Hemp Massage Crème
multi-purpose massage crème sold in an 8 oz tube and a gallon tub
Therapeutic Massage Lotion
massage lotion made for use during deep tissue and gentle massage, in 8 oz and gallon pumps
Revitalizing Hand Lotion
light lotion blending vitamin E, aloe, triglycerides and yucca root
Why we recognized Sombra
The BestRatedDocs Top Brand recognition isn't paid for and can't be applied for. We award it to the brands whose products consistently stand out in our category reviews. Sombra earned it on the strength of the products below, evaluated the same way every product on this site is: assessed against clinical criteria, verified specifications, and real-world user outcomes, and judged on merit.
Sombra products we rated highly
Sombra Warm Therapy Natural Pain Relieving Gel
A top pick among muscle rubs for readers who want contrast therapy. Our review describes a cool-then-warm sensation in a non-greasy gel jar, with a light citrus scent in place of a medicinal odor.
Read the 7 Best Muscle Rubs of 2026 guide →
Sombra Warm Pain Relief Gel 2 oz
A top pick among pain relief creams for readers who want a warming counterirritant without a harsh smell. It is a non-greasy gel in a light citrus scent, free of NSAIDs, and our review notes it suits people who use a topical as a warm-up before movement.
Read the 7 Best Pain Relief Creams of 2026 guide →What earned Sombra the recognition
- Two different warm gels from Sombra appear among our top picks, one in muscle rubs and one in pain relief creams.
- A light citrus scent in both products, in place of a medicinal odor.
- A non-greasy gel texture on both products.
- NSAID free, a point our review of the 2 oz gel highlights for readers who need to avoid NSAIDs.
- Made in the company's own Albuquerque, New Mexico facilities, according to Sombra.