The Science Behind Total Renew
A look at the published research that informed our formula.
At Total Renew, we believe you deserve to know exactly what's inside every jar โ and why we chose it.
Every ingredient in Total Renew was selected based on peer-reviewed scientific research published in respected journals around the world. Below, you'll find a transparent breakdown of each active ingredient, what researchers have explored about it, and links to the original studies so you can read the science yourself.
We don't expect you to take our word for anything. We expect you to read.
Bee Venom Extract (Melittin)
The cornerstone of the Total Renew formula โ and one of the most fascinating natural compounds in modern joint research.
Melittin is the primary active peptide found in bee venom, making up 50โ60% of its composition. For centuries, traditional medicine systems across Asia and Eastern Europe have used bee venom for joint discomfort, muscle stiffness, and inflammation. Today, modern science is beginning to understand why.
Researchers have studied how Melittin, when applied topically, may interact with the inflammatory signaling associated with cartilage-related enzymes โ including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). These are enzymes the body produces during periods of joint inflammation, and they've been linked in scientific literature to how cartilage changes over time.
A 2024 review published in Frontiers in Immunology described how Melittin downregulates NF-ฮบB activity and may interact with MMP-1 and MMP-8 production. Other research has explored its potential to modulate inflammatory pathways at the transcriptional level.
Selected Studies
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Frontiers in Immunology ยท 2024Melittin as a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis: mechanistic insights, advanced delivery systems, and future perspectivesRead the full study
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Frontiers in Immunology ยท 2024The current landscape of the antimicrobial peptide melittin and its therapeutic potentialRead the full study
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Molecules / PMC ยท 2016Anti-Inflammatory Applications of Melittin, a Major Component of Bee Venom: Detailed Mechanism of Action and Adverse EffectsRead the full study
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ScienceDirect ยท 2025Bee venom in pharmacology: Mechanistic insights from pro-inflammatory trigger to anti-inflammatory therapeutic agentRead the full study
Boswellia Serrata
Used in traditional wellness for thousands of years โ and one of the most clinically researched botanicals in the world of joint comfort.
Boswellia Serrata is a tree native to India whose resin contains a family of compounds called boswellic acids. The most studied of these is AKBA (3-acetyl-11-keto-ฮฒ-boswellic acid), which researchers have explored for its interaction with inflammatory pathways.
Multiple randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials have examined Boswellia's effect on joint comfort and mobility. A 2023 study specifically evaluated topical application of frankincense (Boswellia) extract for knee discomfort โ making it directly relevant to a topical cream like Total Renew.
A 2024 trial documented improvements in joint comfort within just 5 days of starting Boswellia supplementation. AKBA has been studied for its inhibitory effects on 5-lipoxygenase, NF-ฮบB, TNF-ฮฑ, and matrix metalloproteinases.
Selected Studies
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PMC ยท 2023 ยท Topical Application TrialEvaluation of the effectiveness of topical oily solution containing frankincense extract in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trialRead the full study
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Frontiers / PMC ยท 2024A standardized Boswellia serrata extract shows improvements in knee osteoarthritis within five daysRead the full study
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PMC ยท 2020 ยท Meta-Analysis (7 trials, 545 patients)Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysisRead the full study
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PMC ยท 2019 ยท 120-Day StudyA pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel Boswellia serrata extract in the management of osteoarthritis of the kneeRead the full study
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PMC ยท 2024Efficacy and Safety of Boswellia serrata and Apium graveolens L. Extract Against Knee Osteoarthritis and Cartilage DegenerationRead the full study
Apigenin (from Chamomile)
A flavonoid naturally found in chamomile flowers โ used in traditional comfort rituals long before modern science gave it a name.
Chamomile has been part of human medicine cabinets for over 5,000 years. What's new is the modern scientific understanding of one of its most important compounds: Apigenin, a flavonoid that researchers have studied for its interaction with enzymes the body produces during periods of joint inflammation.
A clinical trial conducted at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran specifically examined topical chamomile oil application for knee discomfort. The study was a three-arm, randomized, controlled clinical trial that compared chamomile oil against diclofenac and placebo over 3 weeks.
Participants applied the chamomile oil three times per day, and outcomes were measured using the WOMAC questionnaire โ the gold standard for assessing joint comfort, physical function, and stiffness.
The results documented meaningful improvements in physical function and stiffness, along with a significant reduction in the patients' need for analgesic medication compared to both diclofenac and placebo. This is one of the most directly relevant studies to a topical joint comfort cream that exists in the published literature.
Selected Study
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Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice ยท 2015 ยท Shiraz UniversityEfficacy and safety of topical Matricaria chamomilla L. (Chamomile) oil for knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled clinical trialRead the full study
Hyaluronic Acid (Low-Molecular-Weight)
The same molecule your body produces naturally to keep joints feeling smooth โ but in a form designed to actually reach where it matters.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a molecule found throughout the human body. It plays a key role in keeping joints feeling smooth, hydrated, and well-lubricated. As people age, the body's natural production of HA tends to decrease โ a process associated with the stiff, grinding feeling many people start noticing in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.
The challenge with most hyaluronic acid products is simple: standard HA is too large to penetrate the skin. It sits on the surface and never reaches where it could actually do the most good.
Research using Raman spectroscopy โ a technique that allows scientists to track exactly how molecules move through skin layers โ has demonstrated a clear difference between standard and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid:
High-molecular-weight HA (1,000โ1,400 kDa): Cannot penetrate the stratum corneum (the skin's outer barrier).
Low-molecular-weight HA (under 100 kDa): Penetrates the skin and can reach the deeper dermal layers.
This is why Total Renew is formulated specifically with low-molecular-weight Hyaluronic Acid โ to give the active ingredient a real chance to reach the joint area.
Selected Studies
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European Medical Journal Dermatology ยท 2024Update on Low-Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid in Dermatology: A Scoping ReviewRead the full study
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Skin Pharmacology and Physiology ยท 2015 ยท Raman SpectroscopyHuman skin penetration of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights as probed by Raman spectroscopyRead the full study
Type II Collagen
The specific form of collagen found in joint cartilage โ and the form your body recognizes when it comes to long-term joint comfort.
Most collagen products on the market today use Type I collagen, which is great for skin and hair โ but isn't the form your joints are built from. Joint cartilage is built primarily from Type II collagen.
Total Renew is formulated with Type II collagen specifically chosen at a molecular weight designed to be absorbed through the skin, supporting the long-term protocol with the form of collagen that joint tissue recognizes.
Multiple peer-reviewed clinical trials have examined how the body responds to Type II collagen and its potential role in supporting joint comfort and mobility. A 2022 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated meaningful improvements in WOMAC joint health scores within just 4 weeks of consistent use.
Selected Studies
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PMC ยท 2022 ยท Randomized Double-Blind TrialEfficacy and safety of native type II collagen in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialRead the full study
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PMC ยท 2021A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of a Hydrolyzed Chicken Collagen Type II Supplement in Alleviating Joint DiscomfortRead the full study
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PMC ยท 2014Undenatured type II collagen (UC-IIยฎ) for joint support: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteersRead the full study
A Note on How We Use This Research
The studies referenced on this page describe research conducted on individual ingredients โ not on Total Renew as a finished product. While the science behind each ingredient informed our formulation choices, individual results from any cream will vary based on factors including consistency of use, severity of joint discomfort, age, and overall health.
We share this research because we believe transparency builds trust. We chose every ingredient in Total Renew because there's published, peer-reviewed evidence supporting its potential โ not because it sounded good on a label.
If you have questions about any of the studies linked here, or want to know more about why we chose a specific ingredient, our team is happy to help. Just send us an email.
Want to Go Deeper?
Every study on this page is publicly available through PubMed, PMC, ScienceDirect, or the original publishing journal. We've linked directly to the source so you can verify everything yourself.
If you're new to reading scientific papers, here's a quick guide:
- Abstract โ A summary of the study at the top
- Methods โ How the study was conducted
- Results โ What was actually observed
- Conclusion โ What the researchers concluded
We encourage you to read at least the abstracts. The more you understand the science, the more confident you'll feel about what you're putting on your body.
Important Disclaimer
The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Total Renew is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results will vary.
The scientific studies referenced on this page describe research conducted on individual ingredients in various forms and applications. They do not constitute clinical evidence of the efficacy of Total Renew as a finished product. The research is shared for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice.
Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before using Total Renew, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, allergic to bee products, or managing a medical condition.