What do shark liver oil and chili pepper extract actually do in this cream?

The two headline components have clearly separated roles in the formula.

Chili pepper extract is the active warming ingredient. It is a source of capsaicin — the same compound that makes chili peppers taste hot. On the skin, capsaicin interacts with heat-sensitive receptors, which is why the treated area feels noticeably warmer shortly after application even though the cream itself is not hot. This surface warming can make a massage feel more effective and helps create a looser, more relaxed feeling in tense zones such as the neck and shoulders. It is a sensory, cosmetic effect on the skin surface — the cream is not a medicine and is not intended to treat any condition.

Shark liver oil is the emollient part of the base. In cosmetics it is valued for its content of squalene and lipids, which soften the skin and improve how the cream spreads. Squalene is chemically close to components of the skin's own sebum, which is why oils rich in it are traditionally used to reduce dryness and tightness.

The combination is what distinguishes this formula from many warming products that focus only on the hot sensation: here the cream also conditions the skin during use, so the treated area is less likely to feel tight or dried out afterwards. In short — the pepper extract brings the heat, the shark oil carries it comfortably and looks after the skin.