@DarthShivious I just took at tablespoon of each gel and slathered it on. So, not real rigorous but an actual ‘use case’. My basic hypothesis is that none of the topical ergogenics actually have the capacity to make the skin permeable.
** warning, grandpa simpson mode engaged **
Back in the day it was underground popular to use a chemical that really did make the dermis/epidermis permeable, grind up some ‘ergogenic pellots’, and lash them to the body with saran wrap overnight. Such behaviour caused a wave of health issues among the fitness community because making the skin permeable allows all manner of undesirable things to diffuse into the bloodstream.
I’ve not heard about any of those problems popping up recently…which makes me think the amount of ‘active ingredient’ that diffuses through the skin and into the bloodstream from a product like pr lotion or lactigo is zero. Zip. Nada. It just doesn’t behave in the same way as a product that actually makes the skin permeable.
But there is clearly some ergogenic benefit. At least in my opinion. So I think it’s all down to the menthol. And there is some support in the literature that topical menthol can improve performance.