Commitment to high quality was the cornerstone for the establishment of Sombra Cosmetics, Inc. in 1974. With a strong belief in pure ingredients, combined with an unyielding stance against unhealthy solvents, diluting agents, and animal testing and by-products, Sombra® is an economical, environmentally sensitive choice.

Mr. Alfredo Cortazar, a native of Mexico, had observed for years the way the indigenous people in Mexico treated pain with plant extracts. With his background and expertise in cosmetics, he blended some of those plant extracts into an elegant gel that helps relieve pain. As the Founder and President of Sombra® Cosmetics, Alfredo harnessed his extensive research and development experience from working in major companies in the United States and abroad, to create this product called “Sombra®   Pain Relief”, which is unique due to its purity, composition and performance. After graduating from the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico City with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering and a minor in Business Administration, he created cosmetics and personal care products for his family-owned drug store. In 1969 he accepted the position of Inspector/Chemist with the Department of Health in Mexico City, where he was responsible for inspections and certification of food products. Alfredo moved to the United States of America and in February of 1970, joined Max Factor in Hollywood, CA where he became an R & D Chemist specializing in waterproof makeup and moisturizing creams. Years later he joined Dart Industries in Los Angeles, CA., where he was instrumental in the development of the Vanda Beauty Counselor line of cosmetics. After 20 months at Dart Industries, he accepted the position of Director of Operations with National Cosmetics Laboratory in North Hollywood, CA. where he built expertise in manufacturing, quality control, purchasing and customer formulations. Capitalizing on his knowledge and skills, he founded C & S Laboratories in October of 1974, which then became Sombra® Cosmetics Inc., manufacturer of the “Sombra® Pain Relief.”

Sombra® Cosmetics has been in business for over 45 years, but it has been in the past 25 years that we developed our analgesic and started selling to health care professionals around the world. The Sombra® products are a blend of plant extracts with a refreshing aroma of Orange Peel and Witch Hazel and the deep heating strength of Menthol. The pain relieving gel works by depressing cutaneous sensory receptors resulting in a topical anesthetic and anti-pyretic effect. When these ingredients are combined in precise amounts, they relieve arthritic pain, muscle soreness and inflammation, offering immediate pain relief..

Contrary to other analgesics sold on the market today, which are formulated with waxes, oils, artificial colors, and other chemicals, Sombra® carefully selects botanical extracts and other ingredients for the safest results. The Sombra® professional line is manufactured in our own facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA for over 45 years where oversight and quality control are strictly monitored. Sombra® uses ingredients backed by science to relieve and prevent pain. With a Research and Development and Analytical Laboratory on-site, each product is formulated and evaluated to be scientifically functional while still maintaining a ingredient base. The goal is to have a product that works quickly and effectively, so that patients may reap the benefits while in your care; each product is vigorously tested to ensure it meets this goal. As a company, Sombra® stands by scientific practices and knowledge which continuously pushes us to better ourselves and our products. With the thousands of testimonials, we have received over the years from our customers, it is no wonder they call Sombra® Pain Relief the “Miracle Gel”.