Bare legs at 50 degrees sounds miserable until you discover what capsicum can do. Mad Alchemy's Medium Heat Embrocation uses this pepper-derived compound to generate sustained warmth through the skin, making it their go-to formula for cyclocross racing and cold-weather road rides. This is the original product that launched the Mad Alchemy lineup, and it remains the cornerstone of their embrocation range for temperatures below 50 degrees.

The base formula combines grapeseed and soybean oils with unbleached beeswax and raw, unrefined West African shea butter. This blend creates a smooth texture that spreads easily and stays in place rather than running down your legs. The warmth builds steadily after application and holds through the duration of a ride, which matters more than an initial burst of heat that fades before you hit the first climb. Beyond legs, the formula works on your lower back and neck, both areas where cold air finds its way past jersey collars and bibs.

One practical note: embrocation can stain light-colored fabrics, so keep it away from white bibs or socks. The scent comes entirely from natural essential oils rather than synthetic perfumes, and the formula skips preservatives and petroleum-based ingredients. Mad Alchemy handcrafts these products in small batches at their New Hampshire facility. The beeswax content means this isn't strictly vegan, though it otherwise contains no animal ingredients and involves no animal testing.