About This FAQ

Raylieve™ is a topical platform built on far-infrared emissive mineral technology. The same core scientific principle powers two product formats: the Raylieve™ Crème — a 100 ml airless pump designed for daily use and skin repair, with no menthol — and the Raylieve™ Pain Stick — a 65 g twist-up format designed for acute, portable relief, with menthol and a curated terpene complex layered on top of the FIR mineral engine.

The questions below are organized into six sections: how the technology works, how to use the products, safety and contraindications, ingredients and sourcing, how Raylieve™ compares to other categories, and shipping and ordering. If your question is not addressed here, please contact our customer support team.

 

Section 1: How the Technology Works

Q. What is far-infrared (FIR) radiation, and why does it matter for a topical product?

A. Far-infrared is a band of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths between roughly 3 and 14 microns. It is the same kind of thermal energy your body already radiates at 37°C. What makes FIR biologically interesting is that water molecules absorb very strongly in this wavelength range — particularly near 9.4 microns, where the O–H stretch and hydrogen bond bending modes of liquid water resonate. Because human tissue is approximately 70 percent water by mass, FIR delivered at the right wavelengths produces a resonant interaction with the body's own molecular infrastructure.

Q. How does a topical cream or stick produce FIR?

A. The Raylieve™ formulations contain a proprietary mineral matrix — including titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, sericite mica, and plant-sourced trace minerals — that absorbs the thermal radiation your body is constantly emitting and re-emits it as far-infrared photons within the 3–14 micron biological window. This is not a battery, not a powered device, and not a chemical reaction that generates heat. The minerals act as a passive broadband emitter, powered entirely by the warmth of your own skin.

Q. Is this the same as red light therapy or LED face masks?

A. No. This is the most common point of confusion in the infrared category, and it is worth getting right. Red and near-infrared light therapy (photobiomodulation) operates at 600–900 nanometers and targets cytochrome c oxidase inside mitochondria. That is a different region of the spectrum and a different biological pathway entirely. Raylieve™ operates in the far-infrared range at 3–14 microns, where the primary target is water molecules in the tissue. Conflating the two leads to confused expectations on both sides. They are not competing technologies — they address different cellular targets through different physics.

Q. What does FIR actually do once it reaches the tissue?

A. Three things, broadly. First, it drives molecular reorganization of interfacial water at biological surfaces, supporting expansion of what researchers call Pollack exclusion zone (EZ) water. Second, it stimulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), which releases nitric oxide and produces local vasodilation — improving microcirculation, oxygen delivery, and inflammatory clearance. Third, it supports the resonant energy environment in which connective tissue and microvascular beds function. None of this involves heating the tissue surface. The energy transfer is molecular and resonant, not thermal in the conventional sense.

Q. How long does the FIR emission continue after I apply the product?

A. As long as your skin is warm and the mineral matrix remains in contact with the skin, FIR emission continues. The volatile ingredients — menthol in the Pain Stick, the lighter botanical actives — evaporate within roughly fifteen to thirty minutes. The minerals do not. They remain deposited at the application site, continuing to absorb body heat and re-emit it as FIR for hours. This is why a single Raylieve™ application keeps working long after a conventional cream or stick has gone silent.

Q. Is there a difference between the FIR mineral system in the Crème and the Pain Stick?

A. Both products use a proprietary FIR-emissive mineral matrix built on the same scientific principle and the same core constituents — titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, sericite mica, and plant-sourced trace minerals. The matrices are formulated specifically for their respective carriers: the Crème uses an aqueous emulsion designed for daily-use absorption and skin repair; the Pain Stick uses a wax-based stick formulation optimized for portability and sustained surface deposition. The physics is the same. The delivery vehicle is different.

Q. Is the FIR mineral technology patented?

A. The broader Raylieve™ and Sol-Ray Biophysics platform is supported by U.S. Patent 8,389,035 B1, which covers the formulation and treatment process for FIR-emissive materials. The mineral matrices used in our topicals are developed under this patent family.

 

Section 2: Using the Products

Q. When should I use the Crème versus the Pain Stick?

A. The two products are designed for different occasions, not as substitutes for one another.

The Crème is built for daily use. No menthol, no sensory hit — a clean, absorbent formulation engineered for ongoing application to areas with chronic stiffness, soreness, or recovery needs. It also functions as a serious skin-repair product, with hyaluronic acid, a full vitamin complex, an amino acid blend, and a luxury-grade botanical base. Many users apply it morning and evening, or after showering, to specific recurring sites.

The Pain Stick is built for acute moments. The menthol and terpene complex deliver immediate cooling sensation and multi-pathway pharmacological action within seconds. The format is portable — gym bag, glove compartment, hiking pack, desk drawer. It is the product you reach for when something flares up and you need intervention in the next ninety seconds, with the FIR mineral layer continuing to work for hours afterward.

Many users keep both — the Crème for daily maintenance, the Pain Stick for acute episodes and travel.

Q. How much should I apply, and how often?

A. Apply a thin, even layer to the affected area. For the Crème, one to two pumps is sufficient for most application sites. For the Pain Stick, two to four passes across the skin is typical. Both products can be used multiple times per day as needed. Because the mineral matrix continues emitting FIR for hours after application, frequent reapplication is rarely necessary for the FIR effect — though the sensory and immediate analgesic effects of the Pain Stick's menthol layer do fade and can be refreshed as desired.

Q. Where on the body can I apply Raylieve™?

A. Both products are formulated for application to intact skin on areas such as the lower back, neck, shoulders, knees, elbows, hands, feet, and other large muscle and joint sites. The Pain Stick, because of its menthol content, should be kept well away from the eyes and face, mucous membranes, broken skin, open wounds, or freshly shaved skin where irritation is possible. The Healing Crème maybe used on skin irritations, stings, bites and cuts.

Q. Can I use it before or after exercise?

A. Yes. Both products are well suited to pre- and post-exercise use. Applied before activity, the FIR mineral matrix begins driving microcirculation and tissue warmth through a non-thermal pathway. Applied after activity, both products support the recovery phase. The Pain Stick is particularly well suited to immediate post-workout application on specific hot spots; the Crème is well suited to whole-body recovery routines and overnight use on chronic recovery zones.

Q. Can I apply Raylieve™ under clothing or compression gear?

A. Yes. Both products absorb without leaving a heavy residue, and both are compatible with clothing, compression garments, and athletic gear. The Crème absorbs more fully and is essentially invisible after a few minutes; the Pain Stick leaves a slightly more occlusive layer that some users prefer for that reason.

Q. How long does one container last?

A. Usage depends on application site, frequency, and dosing — but as a general guide, a 100 ml Crème pump typically lasts six to eight weeks under daily use, and a 65 g Pain Stick typically lasts four to six weeks under acute-use patterns. Heavy daily users will burn through both faster. Occasional users may stretch a single unit much longer.

Q. Should I feel anything immediately after application?

A. The two products are deliberately different here.

The Crème has no immediate sensory signal. There is no cooling, no warming, no tingle. This is intentional — the formulation is engineered for daily use without the kind of strong sensory hit that becomes uncomfortable with repeated application. The FIR mineral matrix is working from the moment of contact, but the experience is quiet.

The Pain Stick produces a noticeable cooling sensation within seconds, building over the next several minutes. This is the menthol and the terpene complex engaging cutaneous cold and analgesic receptors. The cooling is the immediate layer. The FIR mineral matrix is the sustained layer underneath it.

 

Section 3: Safety and Contraindications

The information in this section is general guidance, not personalized medical advice. If you have a specific health condition, are taking medication, or are unsure whether either product is appropriate for your situation, please consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.

Q. Is Raylieve™ safe for daily use?

A. Yes. Both products are formulated for ongoing daily use on intact skin. The Crème in particular is designed with daily-use skin-positive ingredients — hyaluronic acid, amino acids, a full vitamin complex, organic botanical oils, and plant-derived preservation — that support skin health rather than degrade it over time. The Pain Stick contains menthol at a calibrated concentration intended to deliver therapeutic cooling without irritation under repeated use, though as with any menthol product, some users may prefer to limit consecutive-day application on the same skin site.

Q. Can I use Raylieve™ during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

A. We recommend consulting your obstetrician, midwife, or healthcare provider before using any topical product — includingRaylieve™ — during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This is standard guidance for any product containing botanical essential oils, menthol (in the Pain Stick), or active topical ingredients. Your provider knows your specific situation and can make the most appropriate recommendation.

Q. Is Raylieve™ safe for children?

A. The Crème's formulation is appropriate for older children under adult supervision on intact skin, but as with any topical product, we recommend consulting a pediatrician before use on children. The Pain Stick contains menthol and a concentrated terpene complex that may be inappropriate for younger children. The American Academy of Pediatrics and major regulatory agencies have specific guidance on menthol-containing topicals in pediatric use; please consult that guidance or your child's pediatrician before applying to a minor.

Q. Can I use Raylieve™ on broken skin, wounds, rashes, or surgical sites?

A. Do not apply the Pain Stick menthol product to broken skin, open wounds, fresh surgical sites, active rashes, burns, or skin with active dermatitis or eczema flares. This product is designed for application to intact, healthy skin.  Many find the Healing Crème to be excellent for cuts, irritations, etc.

Q. Can I use Raylieve™ with a heating pad, sauna, or hot bath?

A. You can use Raylieve™ before or after a heating pad, sauna, or hot bath, but we recommend not applying the Pain Stick product immediately before going under a heating pad or other direct heat source on the same area. The Pain Stick's menthol can intensify sensation under added heat, and prolonged direct heat on the application site is not necessary for the FIR mineral matrix to function — the minerals already operate at your body's natural temperature.

Q. Can I use Raylieve™ with other topical pain or skincare products?

A. Generally yes, but apply Raylieve™ first to bare skin and allow it to absorb before layering other products on top. The mineral matrix needs direct skin contact to function optimally. Avoid simultaneous application of multiple menthol or counter-irritant products on the same site — combining them can produce skin irritation without adding therapeutic benefit.

Q. Are there any known drug interactions?

A. Topical products like Raylieve™ have very limited systemic absorption compared to oral medications, and the actives in our formulations are not known to interact with common prescription drugs at the topical exposure level. That said, if you are using a prescription topical (especially other prescription pain or dermatological topicals), or if you are on anticoagulants, anti-inflammatories, or any medication for which you have been advised to be cautious about topical absorption, consult your prescribing provider before adding Raylieve™ to your routine.

Q. Can I have an allergic reaction?

A. Any topical product can produce an allergic or sensitivity reaction in a small subset of users, particularly those with known sensitivities to essential oils, lanolin, mineral pigments, or specific botanicals. If you have a history of skin sensitivities, we recommend a 24-hour patch test on the inside of the forearm before broader use. Discontinue use and consult a healthcare provider if you experience persistent redness, itching, swelling, or rash.

Q. Is the Pain Stick safe for people who avoid menthol?

A. If you specifically avoid menthol — due to personal sensitivity, fragrance concerns, or medical guidance — the Crème is the right Raylieve™ product for you. It contains no menthol and no counter-irritant cooling agents. Both products use the same core FIR mineral technology; the Pain Stick simply layers a menthol and terpene sensory and pharmacological system on top of it.

 

Section 4: Ingredients and Sourcing

Q. What is in the Raylieve™ Crème?

A. The full Crème ingredient deck includes: aqua; sunflower oil, organic jojoba, and MCT coconut oils; MSM; glycerol stearate; stearic acid (from shea and cocoa); phenoxyethanol (from chamomile); an amino acid blend (glutamic, aspartic, and arginine); sodium and magnesium hydroxide; organic shea butter; essential oils of lavender, cedar, and chamomile; a Nutra Organic plant-acid antibacterial blend (lemon and orange citric extracts); the proprietary FIR mineral matrix (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, sericite mica, and 72 plant-sourced minerals); vitamins A, B, C, D, and E; and hyaluronic and polyacrylic acids.

Q. What is in the Raylieve™ Pain Stick?

A. The Pain Stick ingredient architecture includes: pharmaceutical-grade menthol; a terpene complex (β-caryophyllene, linalool, eucalyptol, camphor, α-pinene); MSM; the proprietary FIR mineral matrix (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, sericite mica, and plant-sourced trace minerals); organic shea butter; organic jojoba oil; MCT coconut oil; a botanical wax structural base.  Final printed ingredient list controls in all cases.

Q. Is Raylieve™ free of parabens, sulfates, and petroleum?

A. Yes. Neither product contains parabens, sulfates, petrolatum, mineral oil, or synthetic fragrance. Preservation is handled through plant-derived antibacterial actives (lemon and orange citric extracts) rather than synthetic preservatives, and the carrier base in both products is built on organic plant oils and butters rather than petroleum derivatives.

Q. Is Raylieve™ cruelty-free and vegan?

A. Raylieve™ products are not tested on animals at any stage of formulation or manufacture. The Crème formulation is plant-based; the Pain Stick uses a botanical beeswax base. Please refer to the most recent product labeling for definitive certification status.

Q. Is Raylieve™ gluten-free?

A. Yes. None of the ingredients in either formulation contain gluten or wheat-derived components. Manufacturing facility cross-contact disclosures, where applicable, are provided on current product labeling.

Q. What is MSM, and why is it in both products?

A. MSM stands for methylsulfonylmethane — a bioavailable form of organic sulfur and the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body. Topically, it does two things in Raylieve™. First, it acts as an anti-inflammatory agent by suppressing NF-κB activation and downregulating IL-6 and TNF-α at the application site. Second, it serves as a penetration enhancer, improving the transdermal delivery of the other actives. MSM is a load-bearing ingredient in both formulations, not a filler.

Q. Why titanium dioxide and zinc oxide? Aren't those sunscreen ingredients?

A. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are best known for their use in mineral sunscreens, but their relevance to Raylieve™ is different. In the FIR context, these minerals are valued for their broadband far-infrared emissive properties — they absorb thermal radiation and re-emit it within the 3–14 micron biological window. Their use in our formulations is not for UV protection; it is for the FIR emission profile they contribute to the mineral matrix. They are pharmaceutical-grade and dermatologically well-characterized.

Q. What is the difference between the essential oils in Raylieve™ and the terpene complex in the Pain Stick?

A. The essential oils in the Healing Creme — lavender, cedar, and chamomile —are present at low concentrations primarily for their calming, gently anti-inflammatory, and aromatherapeutic effects. They are part of the carrier system.

The terpene complex is specific to the Pain Stick and includes β-caryophyllene, linalool, eucalyptol, camphor, and α-pinene at functional concentrations selected for their pharmacological activity — CB2 receptor agonism (β-caryophyllene), COX and 5-LOX inhibition (eucalyptol), enhanced penetration (α-pinene), GABA modulation (linalool), and TRPV3 cold-receptor engagement (camphor). The terpene complex is a therapeutic system. The essential oil layer is a carrier and sensory layer.

Q. Does the Pain Stick contain CBD or cannabinoids?

A. No. The Pain Stick contains β-caryophyllene, which is a selective agonist of the CB2 cannabinoid receptor and is naturally present in many plants — including black pepper, cloves, and hops. β-caryophyllene is not a cannabinoid in the regulatory sense, is not derived from cannabis, is legal in all U.S. jurisdictions, and is non-psychoactive. It delivers a meaningful portion of the cannabinoid-system engagement that draws people to CBD topicals, without the regulatory and sourcing complexity of cannabis-derived ingredients.

Q. Where are Raylieve™ products manufactured?

A. Raylieve™ products are manufactured in facilities that adhere to U.S. cosmetic and personal care good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards.

 

Section 5: How Raylieve™ Compares

Q. How is Raylieve™ different from Biofreeze, Tiger Balm, Icy Hot, and other menthol topicals?

A. Conventional menthol topicals operate through a single mechanism: chemical counter-irritation. The menthol activates cold-sensing receptors in the skin, the central nervous system is distracted from the underlying pain signal, and once the menthol volatilizes — typically within fifteen to thirty minutes — the product has finished its work. There is no sustained action and no benefit to the tissue itself.

The Raylieve™ Pain Stick begins with the same kind of immediate cooling, but adds four additional pathways on top of it: a multi-target terpene complex with documented anti-inflammatory and analgesic pharmacology, MSM-driven inflammatory pathway modulation, the FIR mineral matrix providing sustained energy delivery for hours, and a skin-positive botanical carrier base rather than a petroleum base. Same shelf — different category.

Q. How is Raylieve™ different from CBD topicals?

A. CBD topicals rely primarily on CB2 cannabinoid receptor engagement, layered into a wide range of carrier bases. The Raylieve™ Pain Stick achieves comparable CB2 engagement through β-caryophyllene — a selective CB2 agonist that is not a cannabinoid and is not subject to cannabis-related regulatory complexity — and then layers four additional independent pathways on top. The cannabinoid-system story without the cannabinoid sourcing, legal, and labeling challenges. The Crème contains no menthol or terpene system; it is a different product for a different occasion and is not designed to mirror a CBD topical.

Q. How is Raylieve™ different from lidocaine patches or roll-ons?

A. Lidocaine works by numbing cutaneous nerve endings. The local pain sensation is reduced, but nothing else in the tissue changes — no improvement in circulation, no reduction in inflammation, no support for tissue repair. Raylieve™produces sensory relief (in the Pain Stick) through a non-anesthetic mechanism and simultaneously drives the deeper biological work that lidocaine does not touch. They address different layers of the pain experience.

Q. How is Raylieve™ different from red light therapy, LED face masks, or photobiomodulation devices?

A. This is the most important comparison to get right because it is the most commonly conflated. Red and near-infrared light therapy operates at 600–900 nanometers and targets cytochrome c oxidase inside mitochondria. Raylieve™ operates at 3–14 microns in the far-infrared range and targets water molecules in the tissue. Different wavelengths. Different cellular targets. Different physics. They are not competing technologies, and a product working through one mechanism cannot be evaluated by the metrics of the other.

Powered photobiomodulation devices also require electronics, charging, set session times, and physical setup. Raylieve™requires only body heat and skin contact.

Q. How is Raylieve™ different from infrared saunas?

A. Infrared saunas — particularly the Relax Sauna platform we work closely with — deliver high-intensity FIR exposure across the whole body during a defined session. Raylieve™ delivers lower-intensity FIR continuously at a specific site, powered by your own body heat. The two are complementary rather than competitive. The sauna session is whole-body and time-bounded. The topical is site-specific and continuous throughout the day. Many users do both.

Q. How is Raylieve™ different from FIR clothing or CELLIANT textiles?

A. HEXTEX, CELLIANT and similar FIR-emissive textiles use mineral-infused fabrics — sleeves, socks, bedding, athletic apparel — to deliver passive FIR through clothing or bedding. The principle is the same: body heat absorbed and re-emitted as FIR by an embedded mineral system. Raylieve™ is the topical expression of that same principle. The textiles work through clothing. The topical works through direct skin contact and can be applied precisely where it is needed.

Q. Is Raylieve™ a substitute for medical care?

A. No. Raylieve™ is a topical comfort and recovery product. It is not a medication, not a medical device, and not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare provider. If you are experiencing persistent, severe, or worsening pain — or symptoms that may indicate a serious underlying condition — please consult a medical professional. Raylieve™ can be a useful part of a broader care or recovery approach, but it does not replace medical evaluation.

 

Section 6: Ordering, Shipping, and Returns

Q. Where can I buy Raylieve™ products?

A. Raylieve™ products are available directly through rayleive.com and relaxsaunas.com. We will announce additional authorized retail and practitioner partnerships as they become available. To ensure formulation integrity and the most current product version, we recommend purchasing directly through our website or through verified authorized partners.

Q. Do you ship internationally?

A. Current shipping coverage and international availability are listed at checkout on rayleive.com. We are actively expanding international fulfillment; please contact customer support if your destination is not currently shown and we will advise on options.

Q. How long does shipping take?

A. Standard domestic orders typically ship within 1–3 business days of order placement, with delivery times depending on destination and shipping option selected at checkout. Current shipping timelines and any seasonal updates are reflected at checkout and on the order confirmation.

Q. Do you offer subscription or auto-replenishment?

A. Subscription and auto-replenishment options for both the Crème and the Pain Stick are available through rayleive.com, with subscriber pricing and flexible scheduling. Subscribers can pause, skip, or cancel at any time through their account.

Q. Do you offer bundle pricing for both products?

A. Yes. The Raylieve™ dual-format bundle — one Crème and one Pain Stick — is available at a discount to single-unit pricing on rayleive.com. The bundle reflects how many users actually use the platform: the Crème for daily maintenance, the Pain Stick for acute moments and travel.

Q. What is your return policy?

A. We stand behind our products. If you are not satisfied with your Raylieve™ experience, please contact customer support to discuss return or replacement options. Current return windows and conditions are detailed on rayleive.com.

Q. How should I store Raylieve™ products?

A. Store both products at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and extreme heat. The Crème's airless pump preserves formulation integrity once opened. The Pain Stick should be twisted down and re-capped after each use to protect the wax base and the volatile terpene actives. Under reasonable storage conditions, both products maintain full potency through the date printed on the packaging.

Q. What is the shelf life?

A. Unopened, both products maintain full potency until the date printed on the packaging — typically 24 months from manufacture. Once opened, we recommend using the Crème within 12 months and the Pain Stick within 12 months for optimal performance.

Q. I have a question that isn't answered here. Who do I contact?

A. For product questions, order issues, professional and practitioner inquiries, ambassador and affiliate program questions, or anything else not covered above, please reach out through the contact form on rayleive.com. We aim to respond within one to two business days.