Best CBD Creams, Topicals & Lotions of 2024

To put it simply, the term CBD topicals refers to salves, lotions, creams, and ointments that have been formulated with cannabidiol and are applied topically on the skin. Most CBD topicals are made with CBD extract derived from hemp plants, and like all CBD products, contain no more than 0.3% THC (a trace amount).

Contrary to popular belief, even though CBD is derived from hemp and cannabis plants, CBD topicals won’t get you high. They are extremely unlikely to appear on drug tests, as standard tests only monitor for THC, not CBD, 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 to be effective for everyday aches and pains, their effects are limited. For example, if you suffer from chronic pain or other serious physiological issues, or have a pressing injury, 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 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, and is non-GMO and has zero pesticides to boot.

With its high potency, this topical CBD cream can be applied to the body for relief from everyday stress, for recovery from exercise, or to elicit a sense of calm or focus. It is 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. With an ingredient list featuring coconut oil, cocoa butter, and aloe vera, this product not only applies smoothly and consistently, it also leaves your skin feeling moisturized, nourished, and softened.

To use, apply a fingertip-sized amount to the targeted area and gently massage 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 balm, 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.

Whether you want to recover from a tough workout, relax some stiff and sore muscles, or if you simply want to relax after a day of quotidien stress and activity, then this is the product for you. The combination of the soothing effects of the warm/cool method paired with the benefits of topical CBD will have you feeling like you’ve just gotten back 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 calmed. Apply as needed: start with a small amount of the product and rub slowly on to 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 in order to provide you with immediate relief before the CBD has time to work through your skin. FOCL’s Relief Cream incorporates this and a number of other ingredients, including camphor oil, aloe, shea butter, arnica, eucalyptus, and wintergreen oil. The combination of all these is to help relieve muscle aches – a great option for those struggling with pain.

FOCL’s Relief Cream incorporates a broad-spectrum CBD extract which 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 out there due to the fact that it only incorporates two ingredients: hemp extract and organic shea butter. This combo is perfect for getting CBD to the skin and relieving specific areas of the body.

NuLeaf offers their CBD balm in two sizes: 0.5 ounces (300mg) and 1.5 ounces (900mg). Admittedly, there are no potency options here (only size changes) which is the only downside we could find 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 of it won’t penetrate through the skin. In order to make up for this, CBDistillery a number of other high-quality ingredients to help provide you with muscle relief. 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!

When it comes to muscle and joint relief, CBD works best alongside other all-natural ingredients. Medterra’s Pain Relief Cream incorporates menthol and arnica along with CBD isolate to give you immediate relief before the CBD 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 – both of which are great deals. However, if you’re looking to save, Medterra offers a subscription service (30% off plus free shipping) and American Marijuana coupon codes.

Well, 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), it’s in your best interest to use CBD creams for pain relief. However, since the CBD in the topicals takes longer to absorb and enter your bloodstream, it is a slower process than consuming CBD oil orally or by vaping.

While CBD cream works well for one-time use, patience is a virtue and consistency is key. Since this is a topical product, you can’t expect immediate results. Start with a small amount and be careful to not overdo it; wait one full hour before reapplying. Another consideration with CBD topicals is 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 be sure to 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, CBD ointment, or other CBD topicals, you want to ensure that it delivers the pain relief you’re expecting. 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. From the potency of your cream, the severity of your pain, the age of the product and how you’ve stored it, there are many stakes to consider before giving up on CBD topicals.

Always clean the affected area and your hands before applying the product. You can wash using soap and water, or using 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 using 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.

If your needs aren’t met by CBD topicals, consider using them in conjunction with other CBD products. Vaping CBD oil is effective if you need fast-acting pain and inflammation relief. CBD edibles are excellent if you want to ensure you’re getting a fixed dose every day. Whether you stick to your CBD cream or create a routine with other CBD products, be sure to stay consistent in order to see results.

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 (a trace amount), is too low to have mind-altering effects on the user.

CBD offers many positive health benefits, like relieving anxiety and stress, and encouraging relaxation. 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 using CBD topicals? Look no further, we’ve got you covered below:

CBD topicals are products you should look into if you are experiencing pain and discomfort in specific areas. With consistent use, they provide localized pain relief. They are particularly useful to people who have conditions such as arthritis, sciatica, chronic pain, and more.

After diligent research for the CBD creams review above, our vote for the best CBD cream in 2021 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.