FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about OCTANE Pre, our pre-workout warming cream, and OCTANE Post, our muscle recovery cream: how to use them, what to expect, safety, and shipping.
OCTANE Pre: Pre-Workout Warming Cream
How does OCTANE Pre fit into my warm-up?
Most lifters spend 20 to 30 minutes foam rolling, stretching, and stepping through warm-up sets before they feel ready. OCTANE Pre is built to be part of a faster routine. It absorbs quickly and brings a visible flush and an intense warming sensation to the area within minutes, so you feel warm and ready sooner.
When and how should I apply OCTANE Pre?
Apply 2 to 4 pumps (each pump is about 1 ml) to the target muscle group 10 to 15 minutes before training. Massage it in until it is absorbed. It rubs in clear, with no white streaks and no greasy film. Wash your hands with soap and water right after.
How warm does it get, and can I make it warmer?
One layer of OCTANE Pre gives what we call level 5 warmth: a comfortable, sustained heat you start to feel within about 5 minutes, and it lasts. If you want more, add another layer once the first has absorbed: each layer turns the warmth up. Do not apply more than 3 layers per day.
Can I use OCTANE Pre after training?
For after training, use OCTANE Post. Pre is built to heat: its warmth lasts for over an hour, which is what you want going into a session, not coming out of one. Post leaves out the heat and gives you a clean cooling sensation with skin-soothing botanicals instead.
Can I use it every day?
Yes. Use OCTANE Pre before any session, up to 3 layers per day. If your skin becomes irritated, stop and give it a rest.
OCTANE Post: Recovery Cream
What does OCTANE Post do?
OCTANE Post is the after-training half of the routine. It has no heat. A cooling Menthol base gives a clean, lasting cooling sensation, and Allantoin, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Arnica, Licorice Root, Calendula, and Chamomile condition the skin and leave it feeling calm.
When and how should I apply OCTANE Post?
Apply 2 to 4 pumps to the muscle group you trained, after your session. Massage it in until it is absorbed, then wash your hands with soap and water.
Does OCTANE Post heat up or make my skin flush?
No. The heat and the visible flush belong to OCTANE Pre. Post is cooling only.
Do I need both Pre and Post?
They are made to work as a pair: Pre before training, Post after. You can buy either one on its own, and the Pre + Post kit costs less than buying the two separately.
What to Expect & Safety
My skin is turning bright red and feels very hot. Is this an allergic reaction?
Localized redness and intense warmth are the normal, intended flush from OCTANE Pre. It contains Methyl Nicotinate, which causes temporary skin redness and warmth where it is applied. The flush fades on its own. Stop use and wash the area if you develop hives, swelling, blistering, or irritation that does not fade.
Do I really need to wash my hands right after using it?
Yes. OCTANE Pre contains Cayenne Pepper extract resin for long-lasting heat, along with Camphor, Menthol, and nicotinates. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after applying. Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, or sensitive skin. Application gloves are recommended.
Can I wrap or use a heating pad over OCTANE?
Never. OCTANE Pre is already built to absorb fast and run hot. Heat pads or tight plastic wraps can push the heat to a painful intensity. Let the cream do the work on its own.
What does OCTANE smell like?
OCTANE Pre has a strong menthol and ginger scent. You will notice it when you apply it, and so will the people around you. OCTANE Post is menthol-forward with a warm note of frankincense.
Will it stain my clothes or skin?
No. OCTANE rubs in clear and does not stain. Give it a moment to absorb before you get dressed.
Orders & Shipping
Where do you ship, and what does shipping cost?
We ship within the United States only for now. Shipping is free on orders of $50 or more. Under $50, it is $5 per bottle.
How long does a bottle last?
Each pump is about 1 ml and a workout takes 2 to 4 pumps. A 50 ml pump lasts roughly 12 to 25 workouts and a 30 ml pump roughly 7 to 15.
Can I return an order?
Orders can be canceled before they ship. After delivery, unopened and unused products may be returned within 30 days, subject to approval by our support team. Opened bottles are generally not returnable. See the Legal page for the full policy, or email support@octanemusclecreams.com.
How fresh is the OCTANE I receive?
OCTANE is made in small batches every week, so what ships to you is fresh. Every batch is quality-checked before it goes out the door. Each bottle carries a lot code and a best-by date: for optimum effectiveness and strength, OCTANE is best used within 6 months of manufacture.
How OCTANE Is Made
Why does OCTANE feel different from drugstore muscle rubs?
Many drugstore rubs use inexpensive lotion bases that turn waxy, white, and streaky when you rub them in. OCTANE is built on an olive-derived cream base, balanced to your skin's natural pH, that rubs in clear: no white streaks, no greasy film.
Is OCTANE tested on animals?
No. OCTANE is not tested on animals.
Is OCTANE a white-label product?
No. OCTANE was formulated from scratch by a veteran and gym owner with 20 years under the bar who was not satisfied with what was on the shelf. Every batch is handcrafted in small weekly runs and quality-checked before it ships.