Best CBD Creams, Topicals & Lotions

To put it simply, the term CBD topicals refers to salves, lotions, creams, and ointments that have been formulated with cannabidiol (CBD) and are applied topically on the skin. Most CBD topicals are made from hemp extract. Like all CBD products, this type of cannabis contains no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Contrary to popular belief, even though CBD is derived from hemp and cannabis plants, CBD topicals won’t get you high. CBD is unlikely to appear on drug tests, as standard tests only monitor for THC and trace amounts are unlikely to be detected.

CBD creams, salves, lotions, and other topical products are formulated to ease pain related to the inflammation of the muscles and joints. CBD has been found to possess anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to soothe ailments as diverse as arthritis and back pain.

Though topicals are considered effective for everyday aches and pains, their effects are limited. For example, if you suffer from chronic pain or other serious physiological issues, CBD topicals are not an adequate treatment. Seek medical assistance and follow the treatment recommended by your doctor.

Clocking in at 600mg of CBD per 2oz jar, it’s no wonder this topical cream is at the top of our list. Besides its impressive potency (3x stronger than the average CBD topical) this cream also gets five stars for using organic, full-spectrum hemp extract grown in Colorado. It’s also non-GMO and has zero pesticides to boot.

With its high potency, this topical CBD cream can be applied to the body to relieve everyday stress, and for recovery from exercise to elicit a sense of calm. It’s also formulated to help manage muscle and joint pain and reduce inflammation.

Scented with blood orange and cinnamon, this cream leaves a pleasant aroma on the skin and efficiently masks the natural smell of hemp.

FAB CBD incorporates an ingredient list featuring coconut oil, cocoa butter, and aloe vera. This allows the product to be applied smoothly and consistently, leaving your skin to feel moisturized, nourished, and softened.

Apply a fingertip-sized amount to the targeted area and gently massage it into the skin. If you feel no change in your discomfort, apply a second coating using the same fingertip-sized amount.

If you’re a fan of the cooling/warming sensation of standard muscle-soothing balms, then this is the product for you. Experience the time-tested relief of the warming effects of camphor oil and the cooling feeling of menthol (peppermint and wintergreen oils), paired with the relaxing benefits of broad-spectrum CBD.

This product is perfect to recover from a tough workout, relax some stiff and sore muscles, or calm down after a day of quotidian stress and activity. The soothing effects of the warm/cool method and the benefits of topical CBD will make you feel like you’ve just returned from a day at the spa! We tip our hats to the CBDfx team for dreaming up this iconic duo.

This balm stick comes in an easy-to-use format and is made with supporting topical ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and black pepper oil, leaving your skin feeling moisturized and calm. Apply as needed: start with a small amount of the product and rub slowly onto the affected area(s). Re-apply as frequently as needed.

Get up to 20% off with our CBDfx coupon code.

In our opinion, the best CBD creams incorporate menthol to provide immediate relief before the CBD has time to work through your skin. FOCL’s Relief Cream incorporates this and several other ingredients, including camphor oil, aloe, shea butter, arnica, eucalyptus, and wintergreen oil. The combination of all these are to help relieve muscle aches – a great option for those who struggle with pain.

FOCL’s Relief Cream incorporates a broad-spectrum CBD extract that is THC-free. This makes this topical a great option for athletes or anyone else who’s trying to avoid a CBD product containing THC.

Furthermore, FOCL offers their cream in bundle packs to help you save.

NuLeaf Naturals full-spectrum CBD Balm is one of the best because it only incorporates hemp extract and organic shea butter. This combo is perfect for getting CBD to the skin and relieving specific body areas.

NuLeaf offers its CBD balm in 0.5 ounces (300mg) and 1.5 ounces (900mg). Admittedly, there are no potency options here (only size changes) which is the only downside to this product.

Still, if you’re looking for a high-quality full-spectrum topical, it’s hard to beat NuLeaf Naturals. Every order comes with free 2- to 3-day shipping, and you can use their subscription service to save on this product.

CBDistillery offers a handful of CBD topicals, but their most popular has to be their CBDol. This comes in a full-spectrum hemp extract using 500mg per container. This is an ideal amount of CBD, as most won’t penetrate the skin. To make up for this, CBDistillery has several other high-quality ingredients to help relieve muscles. Furthermore, this product has been made for all skin types.

If you’re interested in the CBDol, each costs $50.00. If you’re looking to save on this, you can sign up for CBDistillery’s subscription service or use our promo code! Undoubtedly, we consider this one of the best CBD lotions on the market.

For muscle and joint relief, CBD works best alongside other all-natural ingredients. Medterra’s Pain Relief Cream incorporates menthol and arnica to give you immediate relief before the CBD isolate works its way into your skin. Each cream can be purchased in 500mg and 1000mg. So, you have potency options depending on what you’re looking for.

Furthermore, these creams are 100% THC-free – so, you don’t have to worry about failing a drug test while taking them.

The 500mg cream costs $39.99 whereas the 1000mg cream costs $59.99, which are great deals. However, to save on these products, Medterra offers a subscription service (30% off plus free shipping) and American Marijuana coupon codes.

The answer depends on your needs and what you hope to get out of your CBD usage.

If you are looking to experience the soothing pain relief benefits of CBD, topicals will not disappoint. Since you can apply the products directly to the affected area(s), you can use CBD creams to target pain relief. However, since the CBD in the topicals take longer to absorb and enter your bloodstream, it’s slower than consuming CBD oil orally or by vaping.

While CBD cream works well for one-time use, patience and consistency are key. Since this is a topical product, you can’t expect immediate results. Start with a small amount and wait one full hour before reapplying. Another consideration with CBD topicals is the packaging: they often come in tubs with wide openings and are applied with your fingers and hands.

To ensure that your product doesn’t become contaminated with each use, wash your hands and skin before and after each application, or choose a product that comes in a pump bottle. Some products also come with spatulas that can be used for application and cleaned between uses.

Compared to CBD topicals, CBD oils, tinctures, vape oils, gummies, and capsules have more overall systemic effects. They are an excellent choice for less area-specific issues such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

It’s important to make an informed decision when buying CBD topicals: that’s why we prepared the CBD creams review above! To make the most of the research we’ve compiled you need to identify your needs and goals for the product. Here are some crucial factors to consider when selecting the best CBD cream:

When using CBD cream, ointment, or other CBD topicals, you want to ensure that it delivers the pain relief you expect. Though it seems counterintuitive, trust us when we say to start with a small amount.

If the pain persists an hour after application, you can gradually increase the amount, being sure to stay consistent with the amount of product applied. Remember that there’s a wide range of factors that can affect the effectiveness of the product. These include:

• Potency of the cream
• Severity of your pain
• Age of the product
• How you’ve stored it

Always clean the affected area and your hands before applying the product. You can wash using soap and water, or an antibacterial sanitizing gel. While washing the area, check for any open wounds or cuts. CBD topicals should not be applied if there is a break in the skin, as it could cause further irritation and infection.

With clean fingers or a clean application spatula, take a small amount of the product and rub it on the affected area(s). You can use circular motions to help with absorption. Store your topicals in a cool, dark place, similar to any other therapeutic product. Check the expiration date and do not use if the seal has been broken before your use.

You can always use other CBD products, if a topical does not meet your needs. Vaping CBD oil is effective if you need fast-acting pain and inflammation relief. CBD edibles are excellent to ensure you get a fixed dose every day.

The question of psychoactivity is an important one where cannabis products are concerned. CBD creams and topicals are made from legal industrial hemp. According to US law, only hemp containing 0.3% THC may be grown legally. This level of THC is too low to have mind-altering effects on the user.

CBD offers many positive health benefits, like relieving anxiety and stress. The relaxation and anxiety relief you may experience after consuming CBD or applying it topically is not equivalent to the psychoactive effects of THC.

However, there may be other side effects of CBD cream. For example, if a topical CBD product has ingredients not suitable for you, it may cause skin irritation.

Looking for a quick cheat sheet on the benefits and limitations of CBD topicals? Look no further, we’ve got you covered below:

CBD topicals are products you should look into if you experience pain and discomfort in specific areas. With consistent use, they provide localized pain relief. They are useful to people with conditions like arthritis, sciatica, chronic pain, and more.

After diligent research for the CBD creams reviewed above, our vote for the best CBD cream is the Topical CBD Cream from FAB CBD. Featuring impressive potency, organic full-spectrum hemp grown in the US, and a certified pesticide-free and non-GMO status, it’s no wonder this product came in first place.

Whether you need a topical for relief from everyday stress, for recovery from exercise, or to elicit a sense of calm or focus, it is an excellent choice. And to top it off, this cream dares to veer from the mint/menthol trend and is scented with blood orange and cinnamon.