Methyl salicylate (or methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate), also known as wintergreen oil, is a natural product and is present in white wine, tea, porcini mushroom Boletus edulis, Bourbon vanilla, clary sage, red sage and fruits including cherry, apple, raspberry, papaya and plum. Methyl salicylate is topically used in combination with methanol and under brand name SALONPAS to temporarily relieves mild to moderate aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with: strains, sprains, simple backache, arthritis, bruises. The precise mechanism of action of methyl salicylate is not known, but there is suggested, that it cause dilation of the capillaries thereby increasing blood flow to the area.

Trolamine, an organic compound, is the salt formed between triethanolamine and salicylic acid. It is widely used as a topical analgesic. 10% trolamine salicylate medical products sold over-the-counter such as are creams for temporarily relief of minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with arthritis, simple backache, lumbago, neuralgia, strains, bruises, and sprains. The FDA approved in 1958 otic solution drops containing triethanolamine polypeptide used in the ear to break down and loosen earwax was discontinued. Trolamine can enhance skin healing by recruiting macrophages and modifying the concentrations of various immunomodulators. Trolamine (Biafine; Genmedix Ltd, France) is commonly prescribed at the beginning of radiotherapy for preventing acute radiation-induced skin toxicity in China. Biafine has been studied in radiodermatitis and Phase 2 clinical trial has been initiated in 2016 by Sun Yat-sen University to establish the efficacy of trolamine (Biafine) for the management of radiation dermatitis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving IMRT.