The Best Chest Rub
We looked at the top 10 Chest Rubs and dug through the reviews from 21 of the most popular review sites including Best Choice Reviews, Spy, The Baby Swag, Chill Mom Vibes, All Natural Mothering, Super Healthy Kids and more. The result is a ranking of the best Chest Rubs.
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Our Picks For The Top Chest Rubs
- The Best Chest Rub
- 1. JR Watkins Natural Chest Vapor Rub
- 2. Mentholatum Natural Congestion Ointment
- 3. Puriya Plant-Based Chest Rub
- 4. Maty’s All Natural Baby Chest Rub
- 5. Zarbee’s Naturals Baby Soothing Chest Rub
- 6. Maty’s All Natural Chest Vapor Rub
- 7. The Honest Company Organic Chest Rub
- 8. Vicks VapoRub Chest Ointment
- 9. Vicks VapoRub Lavender Scented Chest Rub
- 10. Svasthya Body & Mind Eucalyptus Chest Vapor Rub
Best Cold ReliefUse the JR Watkins Natural Chest Vapor Rub as soon as you begin experience cold and flu symptoms for immediate relief.
Natural Active IngredientsThe Mentholatum Natural Congestion Ointment has many uses, including relieving sore muscles and opening up nasal passages.
100% Plant-BasedSkip the chemicals and give the Puriya Plant-Based Chest Rub, which comes with an 180-day manufacturer's guarantee, a try.
Best for BabiesMaty's All Natural Baby Chest Rub works to ease your baby's sniffles and help them relax for a peaceful night's sleep.
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Expert Reviews Included
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Our experts reviewed the top 10 Chest Rubs and also dug through the reviews from 21 of the most popular review sites including Best Choice Reviews, Spy, The Baby Swag, Chill Mom Vibes, All Natural Mothering, Super Healthy Kids and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Chest Rubs.
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The Best Overall
JR Watkins Natural Chest Vapor Rub
Our Take
If you're looking for cold and flu relief that doesn't contain any harsh chemicals, you'll find it in the JR Watkins Natural Chest Vapor Rub. The main ingredients in the rub are menthol and camphor, which are known for clearing nasal congestion and reducing coughing spells. Users will appreciate how easy the rub is to apply and that it is safe enough to use on skin.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
The Best Bang For Your Buck
Mentholatum Natural Congestion Ointment
Our Take
In addition to relieving cold symptoms, Mentholatum Natural Congestion Ointment also soothes minor muscle aches and joint pains. It's safe for children ages 2 and up and can be used as many as four times per day. It's important to note that while the active ingredients are natural, this remedy does contain chemicals, like fragrance, that may not be suitable for people with sensitive skin.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
Our Findings
JR Watkins Natural Chest Vapor Rub
What We Liked: If you’re looking for cold and flu relief that doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, you’ll find it in the JR Watkins Natural Chest Vapor Rub. The main ingredients in the rub are menthol and camphor, which are known for clearing nasal congestion and reducing coughing spells. Users will appreciate how easy the rub is to apply and that it is safe enough to use on skin.
Mentholatum Natural Congestion Ointment
What We Liked: In addition to relieving cold symptoms, Mentholatum Natural Congestion Ointment also soothes minor muscle aches and joint pains. It’s safe for children ages 2 and up and can be used as many as four times per day. It’s important to note that while the active ingredients are natural, this remedy does contain chemicals, like fragrance, that may not be suitable for people with sensitive skin.
Puriya Plant-Based Chest Rub
What We Liked: Each of the ingredients in the Puriya Plant-Based Chest Rub are of the highest quality. The company even sources its eucalyptus and tea tree oils from Australia. You won’t find any parabens, artificial fragrances or harsh chemicals in this rub! Users can also feel good about the product being cruelty-free.
Maty’s All Natural Baby Chest Rub
What We Liked: While other formulas are only safe for toddlers and adults, Maty’s All Natural Baby Chest Rub can be used on infants as young as three months. The rub is free of menthol and petroleum, and instead contains soothing ingredients, like lavender and chamomile, that will relax your baby. The company also takes giving back seriously and donates a portion of each sale to Vitamin Angels.
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Our Chest Rub Buying Guide
Once cold and flu season arrives, you’ll want to have a few products on hand in case anyone in the family gets sick. One must-have item is a chest rub. Chest rubs are excellent for relieving nasal congestion, as well as for soothing chest aches and reducing coughs. When you’re ready to shop for the best chest rub, keep the following information in mind.
Choose a chest rub that meets the age requirements of the children in your home. While some rubs are safe for kids age 2 and up, others, like Maty’s All Natural Baby Chest Rub, can be used in infants as young as 3 months.
Review the ingredients carefully before you choose a chest rub. Mentholatum Natural Congestion Ointment is made using 100% natural active ingredients, while all of the ingredients in the Puriya Plant-Based Chest Rub are free of parabens and artificial fragrances. You want to avoid using any chest rubs that contain harsh chemicals, as these can irritate the skin of sensitive individuals.
Look into the company that makes the chest rub to ensure its practices match your personal convictions. For example, the JR Watkins Natural Chest Vapor Rub is 100% cruelty-free and never tests its products on animals. Other companies choose to donate a portion of their sales to charity.
DWYM Fun Fact
The two most commonly used ingredients in chest rubs are camphor oil and menthol. While you already know these elements aid in the relief of cold and flu symptoms, you may not be aware of their other lesser-known health benefits.
Camphor essential oil is a stimulant that improves circulation. It also assists in expelling gas, reduces inflammation and acts as a disinfectant to prevent infections.
Menthol oil calms the digestive system, relieves soreness from a cut or scrape by causing a cooling sensation on the skin, soothes muscle cramps and even deters pests from damaging plants.
The Chest Rub Tips and Advice
- If you’ve never tried a chest rub before, you may want to stick with a brand that offers a satisfaction guarantee or warranty. You may even find a 180-day manufacturer guarantee. If you don’t feel the product works as described, you can get your money back without any problems.
- Do not heat the chest rub up in a microwave or place it in hot water or you may suffer a burn.
- Always store the chest rub where children and pets can’t get access to it, even if the ingredients are listed as all-natural.
- Chest rubs are meant for external use only and should not be consumed or placed in one’s eyes, ears or nose.
- It’s good practice to test the rub on a small area of your skin before you use it for the first time. This is the best way to determine if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.
- When comparing chest rub prices, you’ll first need to take into consideration how many ounces are in each tub. As you compare similar-sized rubs, you’ll want to look at the ingredients. The higher the quality of ingredients, the higher you can expect the chest rub to cost.
About The Author
Alicia Bodine is a New Jersey-based writer specializing in health and nutrition. She enjoys spending time searching for the best all-natural products that will keep her and her family in optimal health. With more than 15 years of experience, her work has appeared on leading health and wellness publications.