Rub in talc freely — it can be soothing (9)

I believe the answer is:

lubricant

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'be soothing' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'rub in talc freely' is the wordplay.
'freely' indicates an anagram.
'rub'+'in'+'talc'='rubintalc'
'rubintalc' anagrammed gives 'LUBRICANT'.

'it can' is the link.
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(Other definitions for lubricant that I've seen before include "it has a smoothing effect" , "What might have you well oiled" , "Oil or grease" , "E.g. oil" , "Eg, grease" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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