If you are dealing with joint discomfort, arthritis pain, or aching muscles, you know too well how any type of pain sensation significantly reduces quality of life. Thankfully, CBD in the form of topical CBD products can deliver the natural pain relief you are seeking.
CBD has the potential to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which often results in reduced pain sensation and pain-relieving effects. Especially effective for acute and chronic pain are CBD topicals, which are designed to be used directly on the skin, as opposed to alternative CBD products that have to be ingested to notice any effects.
As for the best CBD cream on the market, the crown spot goes to the Deep Relief Cooling Cream by FOCL, which is packed with 1,000mg of CBD for natural pain relief.
Our list of the best CBD creams also features six other topical products by reputable manufacturers, and in the sections that follow we discuss them all, so let’s dive in.
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system of the nervous system to offer different pain-relieving benefits. When applied topically, CBD has the potential to reduce inflammation, which makes it beneficial for people dealing with rheumatoid arthritis, painful joints, and aching muscles.
As for the seven best CBD creams on the market, each one can offer pain relief, while the featured products are ranked based on their potency and effectiveness, key features, and overall customer feedback.
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We are starting off strong with the FOCL Deep Relief Cooling Cream. It boasts 1,000mg of 2,000mg of broad-spectrum CBD and has a cooling menthol as an added ingredient for more effective alleviation of joint pain and aching muscles.
This CBD pain cream stands out for its botanical ingredients, that include camphor bark oil that has both cooling and soothing effect, wintergreen oil that has anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera that is rich in antioxidants, and arnica that can reduce skin irritation and boost overall skin appearance and health.
One of the key features of this CBD oil cream for chronic and acute pain is that it comes abundant in botanical ingredients.
Apart from the ingredients previously mentioned, it is also infused with eucalyptus, which is especially beneficial for chronic pain when applied consistently. With an intensely soothing formula, this CBD cream is suitable for people with dry skin, as well as those with sensitive skin.
FOCL Deep Relief Cooling Cream is available in two potency options. If your joint pain is unbearable, you want to give with a more potent option that has 2,000mg of broad-spectrum hemp CBD oil, while the 1,000mg potency option may work for a milder acute pain.
As for the major specs associated with this CBD pain cream, the addition of botanical ingredients with natural pain-relieving and soothing properties is one of them, alongside the fact that FOCL subscribers can get this powerful CBD cream for a 20% discounted price.
Over 150 people posted on the product page, sharing their positive experiences with this CBD product. While only a few noted not liking the overwhelming odor, most noted how the cream’s soothing and calming effect really works for joint pain and aching muscles.
FOCL Deep Relief Cooling Cream stands out as the ultimate choice if you are seeking a high-potency CBD cream for pain relief that benefits from the combined effects of CBD with botanical ingredients, such as menthol, eucalyptus, and arnica.
>>Check the best price for FOCL Deep Relief Cooling Cream at FOCL
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The next product on our list of the best CBD topicals is the CBDistillery 500mg Isolate CBD Warming Cream. When applied topically in a generous layer, this CBD cream does not leave any residue or grease.
What also makes this topical CBD product stand out from alternative options on the market is its rich formulation that includes 500mg of CBD isolate, and the hemp seed oil used is manufactured according to the most rigorous industry standards.
As for the key features of one of the best CBD creams on the market, 500mg Isolate CBD Warming Cream has a soothing warming effect unlike our top pick we discussed previously.
A CBD cream with a warming effect is known to reduce inflammation from exercise injury and muscle pain, and this is exactly what 500mg Isolate CBD Warming Cream does. While its texture may seem greasy at first glance, expect no residue left.
While this is not the most potent CBD oil cream for pain relief on the market, it is made with 500mg of CBD isolate, and this CBD formulation is highly potent on its own. Once again, you will experience a pleasant warming effect when applied to the targeted area.
500mg Isolate CBD Warming Cream is made with zero THC with a high-grade CBD isolate formula, which is naturally more potent than full-spectrum hemp extract. As for the main specs of this product, that would be its non-greasy formulation that leaves no annoying residue after application.
CBDistillery relatively recently introduced this product to its lineup, which means not many customer reviews on the product page. Still, those who have had a chance to try it out report awesome results with some even noting instant targeted relief.
500mg Isolate CBD Warming Cream is a high-quality pain relief cream with a soothing warming effect that is especially effective for muscle strain and muscle injury sustained from exercising too much.
>>Check the best price for 500mg Isolate CBD Warming Cream at CBDistillery
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This leads us to the Exhale Wellness CBD Cream. This product with full-spectrum hemp has a fast-acting and intense formula, which is ideal for those leading a very active lifestyle, like professional athletes and individuals who work out regularly.
One of the top-grade CBD creams on the market has a hefty dose of CBD, 1,000mg of 2,000mg. If you are in need of something stronger to potentially help your aching joints and strained muscled, go with the more potent option.
How much cream you apply to the affected area definitely plays a role in the overall effectiveness, but with Exhale Wellness CBD Cream, both potency options ensure fast-acting pain relief when needed the most.
This is one of the CBD topicals with full-spectrum CBD, but the content of THC is kept minimal. Other than CBD, the formula features all-natural ingredients and essential oils, which in combination with CBD can truly make a difference in every active person’s life.
As mentioned in the previous sections, one of the top-grade CBD products in the form of topicals makes a great choice for recovering athletes and other individuals who lead a very healthy lifestyle, which involves working out on a regular basis.
Once again, the Exhale Wellness CBD lotion for aching joints and strained muscles is available in two potencies: one with 1,000mg of CBD, ideal for mild aches, and 2,000mg, which may work better for more serious muscle strains and injuries.
Exhale Wellness CBD Cream is a remarkable muscle and joint cream made with organic hemp and all-natural ingredients offering targeted pain relief. Applying CBD daily in this form usually means significantly reduced muscle strain and joint discomfort in physically active individuals.
At the time of writing this, the product page lists a few customer reviews. One of the customers noted that this is the only CBD cream they have used that actually works, while others also shared similarly positive experiences.
If you are a person leading a very active lifestyle that involves regular working out sessions, Exhale Wellness CBD Cream may easily become your all-time favorite CBD lotion if you struggle with aching muscles and joint pain from engaging in strenuous workout sessions.
>>Check the best price for Exhale Wellness CBD Cream at Exhale Wellness
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Continuing our search in good spirits, we come across another remarkable product, Tommy Chong’s 100mg Full Spectrum CBD Muscle Balm, which is specifically designed with full-spectrum hemp to offer pain relief from aching muscles and joints.
What is also important to note about this CBD relief cream is its organic nature. More specifically, CBD included in the formula comes 100% from US organic grown hemp ensuring superb quality.
Tommy Chong’s 100mg Full Spectrum CBD Muscle Balm has around 100mg of CBD in the full-spectrum formulation, which means that it mixes CBD with other active cannabinoids to induce what is known as the “entourage effect.”
While the formula is full-spectrum, one of the best CBD topicals on the market contains less than 0.30% of THC by dry weight. When applied topically, high effects are non-existent.
Compared to alternative CBD topicals on the market, Tommy Chong’s 100mg Full Spectrum CBD Muscle Balm is considered moderately potent with 100mg of CBD, while other ingredients include menthol, around 4%, and camphor, around 2%, to offer a longer-lasting relief from sore muscles and tender joints.
As for the major specs associated with Tommy Chong’s 100mg Full Spectrum CBD Muscle Balm at Tommy Chong, the product’s organic formula is one of these.
We also have to mention the product’s infusion with camphor, cinnamon, and menthol, which work together with CBD to warm the skin and target sensitive and strained joints and muscles the best natural way.
The product page has a handful of verified customer reviews, and most are positive, hence the product’s high overall customer rating of 4.83/5. One customer noted that the product works best when applied by a professional massage therapist.
If you are seeking high-quality CBD topicals to soothe your sensitive muscles and joints, Tommy Chong’s 100mg Full Spectrum CBD Muscle Balm with 100mg full-spectrum formula enriched with cinnamon, menthol, and camphor may do wonders.
>>Check the best price for Tommy Chong’s 100mg Full Spectrum CBD Muscle Balm at Tommy Chong
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The next product on our list is a full-spectrum CBD balm by CBDPure. The company’s CBD Topical Cream is made with 500mg of CBD oil of the highest-quality.
One of the major features of this full-spectrum CBD balm is its fast-acting formula which basically means experiencing the first soothing effects within just a few minutes following application. This relief cream is also enriched with menthol and willow bark for extra effectiveness.
As for the major features of this CBD oil lotion, you can expect an almost instantaneous relief thanks to the product’s fast-acting and intensely effective formula.
Willow bark included in the formula has anti-inflammatory effects, while menthol leaves a pleasant soothing effect on the skin. It also feels important to note that these CBD topicals from the CBDPure lineup are rigorously tested for safety and potency.
One of the best CBD topicals on the market is infused with 500mg of CBD in the full-spectrum formulation, which basically means you can benefit from the “entourage effect.”
CBD combined with minimal amounts of THC also promises greater effectiveness, and for this product, it means more effective pain relief when applied to the area affected.
The high-quality CBD cream by CBDPure is designed with people with sensitive skin in mind, while its fast-acting formula promises almost instantaneous pain relief. The regular price is quite affordable, but the product is more budget-friendly if you become one of many CBDPure subscribers.
This is a relatively newly added product, so there is no wonder why there are not many verified customer reviews on the product page, but those who have tested it report immediate relief from aching joints and a pleasant cooling sensation.
CBDPure CBD Topical Cream with willow bark, menthol, and 500mg of CBD promises more intense effects, while the fast-acting formula is specifically designed for those in need of immediate relief from pain.
>>Check the best price for CBDPure CBD Topical Cream at CBDPure
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The last product on our list of the best CBD creams is the Medterra Pain Relief Cream, which, in addition to a hefty dose of CBD, also contains menthol for its pleasant soothing effect and arnica that is used to reduce swelling from joint injury and inflammation from mosquito bites.
This is one of the best-selling CBD cream products from the company’s extensive lineup and Medterra subscribers can get it for a 30% discounted price, including those who are first-time shoppers.
This muscle and joint cream is made with organic hemp, while the enriched formula also includes Argania spinosa kernel oil and bentonite that are both used for their potent anti-inflammatory effects.
One of the best CBD topicals on the market is also infused with aloe barbadensis leaf juice, which is one of the most nourishing and soothing topicals used for centuries, and shea butter, which has anti-aging properties. The latest formulation has around 4% of menthol for cooling effects.
Medterra Pain Relief Cream is designed to suit different needs and preferences. Hence, it comes in two potency options, one with 500mg of CBD and the other one with 1,000mg of organic hemp of the highest quality.
This CBD cream offers relief from arthritis and neck pain when applied regularly for an extended period.
As for the main specs of this CBD balm, one of these is organic and cruelty-free formula that includes shea butter, arnica, and menthol, alongside other botanical ingredients.
As one of the best CBD creams on the market, Medterra Pain Relief Cream has a deeply penetrating and fast-acting formula and it is especially effective when used with proper massage techniques.
As one of the best-selling products from the Medterra product lineup, this CBD cream has received praise from over 900 individuals. One customer diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis noted how it works like a charm and how it smells lovely.
Medterra Pain Relief Cream can easily become your go-to product if you are dealing with stiff neck, stiff joints, arthritis, or back pain. The formula is designed to penetrate the skin deeply and induce an almost instantaneous soothing effect on the targeted area.
>>Check the best price for Medterra Pain Relief Cream at Medterra
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Cornbread Hemp’s CBD Lotion + Menthol is a full-spectrum topical designed to provide targeted relief for sore muscles and joints. Each 30ml bottle contains 750 mg of CBD, delivering 25mg per ml. The inclusion of menthol offers a soothing, cooling sensation upon application, enhancing the overall relief experience.
This lotion is formulated with USDA-certified organic ingredients, including distilled water, organic sugarcane alcohol, and a blend of organic oils such as jojoba, argan, and safflower. The full-spectrum CBD extract ensures the presence of various cannabinoids and terpenes, promoting the entourage effect for enhanced efficacy. The addition of menthol provides a cooling effect, making it ideal for post-exercise recovery.
With 750 mg of full-spectrum CBD per bottle, this lotion offers a moderate potency suitable for daily use. Users have reported experiencing relief from muscle soreness and joint discomfort shortly after application, attributing the effectiveness to the combination of CBD and menthol.
The lotion comes in a 1 oz (30 ml) bottle, providing a convenient size for both home use and on-the-go application. The fast-absorbing, non-greasy formula ensures that it can be applied without leaving a residue, making it suitable for use throughout the day.
Customers have praised the lotion for its effectiveness in alleviating muscle and joint discomfort. Many appreciate the cooling sensation provided by the menthol and the natural, organic ingredients used in the formulation. Some users have noted that the natural scent may not be to everyone’s liking, but overall satisfaction remains high.
>>Check the best prices for Cornbread Hemp’s CBD Lotion + Menthol
CBD cream is an easy to apply topical product that has CBD as the main ingredient. CBD creams available on the market today are typically made with CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD. There are also full-spectrum topicals with CBD naturally present in the cannabis sativa plant.
Being a topical product, CBD-infused creams are meant to be used directly on the skin. While CBD is the main active ingredient, CBD-infused creams are often mixed with essential fatty acids, essential oils, lavender oil, olive oil, just a few milligrams of tea tree oil, jojoba oil, citric acid, and sometimes even vitamin E.
Many cruelty-free products of this kind have organic nature, meaning that they do not contain artificial preservatives of any kind. The best products on the market are tested for their effectiveness and safety by third-party testing labs that conduct different tests to ensure accurate labeling and no presence of harmful additives.
The process of making CBD-infused creams starts with sourcing CBD. CBD is one of the major cannabinoids present in cannabis sativa and cannabis plants, and it does not have intoxicating effects.
For these types of products, sourcing from the cannabis sativa plant is preferable as they naturally have a very low concentration of THC. Following the process of sourcing CBD, manufacturers move onto the extraction process, which aims to extract CBD from the cannabis plant.
Manufacturers typically use one of the two extraction methods: CO2 extraction or solvent extraction. The first one is known for ensuring purity and potency, while the second one ensures no presence of solvents.
Some manufacturers also rely on oil infusion, which involves soaking plant material in some type of carrier oil. Following the extraction step, manufacturers focus on purification and testing. More specifically, derived CBD undergoes a rigorous purification process which aims to remove all unwanted substances. Purification usually means using filtration and winterization steps.
Once the purification process is done, testing is performed for contaminants, purity, and potency. Next, manufacturers focus on formulating the cream base. This means blending the extracted CBD with other ingredients, such as emulsifiers and botanicals.
Then, there is the process of mixing and homogenization, which involves carefully measuring all the ingredients and mixing them together to get a uniform and smooth texture. The last step is packaging.
>>Check the best price for FOCL Deep Relief Cooling Cream at FOCL
CBD creams are applied directly to the skin to the affected areas, and CBD in different forms interacts with the endocannabinoid system [1]. The ECS is a complex system of cannabinoids and neurotransmitters which are scattered all throughout the body.
CBD is known to interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors of the central nervous system and immune system. When you apply CBD in the form of a cream, the main ingredient impacts cannabinoids in the targeted area.
More specifically, it works by modifying these receptors’ ability to interact with other cannabinoids and endocannabinoids, and this interaction may boost the body’s ability to manage inflammation and pain, alongside offering other therapeutic effects, such as reduced skin inflammation, better skin health and boosted moisturization [2].
When it comes to properly using CBD-infused creams, below is our step-by-step guide to ensure maximum absorption and effectiveness regardless of what type of cream you use.
This leads us to the potential health benefits of using CBD-infused creams, and naturally these include pain relief, reduced inflammation, tension relief, and better overall skin health, as briefly discussed in the section below.
Now that you are familiar with the potential benefits of applying CBD-infused creams, it only makes sense to go over potential risks.
With these types of products, the biggest risk is skin irritation in the form of contact dermatitis, itching, or annoying redness.
To minimize the risk of adverse reactions, it is highly recommended to apply a very small amount of the product on a discreet area and observe. If an adverse reaction occurs, the best option is to go with another product.
>>Check the best price for FOCL Deep Relief Cooling Cream at FOCL
As for how much cream you should apply in a day, there are different factors to consider, including the product’s potency or the concentration of CBD, size of the targeted area, and of course, severity of your condition.
There are no general dosage guidelines for CBD-infused creams, but you want to start with a small amount, especially if this is your first time using products of this kind. When we say a small amount, we mean the size of a dime or pea, for starters.
As for how frequently you should apply the cream a day, most manufacturers recommend consistent application of one to three times a daily, depending on your individual response and the severity of your condition.
Some people may benefit from applying CBD creams more frequently, while others will find a single application a day enough to experience relief. When you apply the cream, make sure you monitor your skin. If any adverse reactions occur, maybe go with an alternative product.
When it comes to the major factors you should consider when looking for the right CBD-infused cream for you, make sure you consider third-party testing, customer feedback, brand reputation, and other factors, as discussed below.
First and foremost, you want to identify your specific needs and preferences, alongside what types of effects you are seeking.
Whether you are seeking reduced inflammation, pain relief, or improved skin appearance, there is a CBD-infused cream specifically designed to offer the effects you desire, you just need to experiment a bit with different products.
Flavor and aroma are most relevant to ingested CBD-infused products. CBD creams often include fragrances that, whether you like it or not, will impact your overall experience.
This being said, when choosing the right product for you, it is essential to consider scent. Lavender and eucalyptus scents are naturally soothing, which means that products infused with these ingredients often offer added benefits.
Next, make sure you opt for products that have been third-party lab-tested for potency and safety by acclaimed third-party testing labs.
Different types of third-party lab tests confirm accurate CBD labeling on product packaging in addition to confirming no presence of preservatives, solvents, heavy metals, and other harmful chemicals.
It is equally important that you consider customer ratings and reviews associated with the products you are interested in, as going through customer reviews provides the most valuable insight into the products’ quality.
This being said, you want to focus your attention on products that have mostly positive customer feedback or products that customers praise for their ability to provide pain relief.
During the process of looking for the right CBD-infused creams for your specific needs and preferences, you also want to invest some time in verifying brands’ transparency and reputation.
Essentially, you want to do your research into the company’s values, mission, and history to make sure it takes all the extra steps to ensure ultimate customer satisfaction by promising the highest-quality products.
Needless to say, it is also important to determine the potency of the product before you make a purchase. To do so, check the concentration of CBD in the product you are interested in, and the CBD concentration should be clearly visible on the product packaging.
This being said, highly potent products are more suitable for those who are not new to these types of CBD products, while newbies and those with mild to moderate pain should stick to lower-potency options.
Lastly, make sure you consider the effect onset time and the duration of effects, as both will significantly impact your overall experience. Some creams offer a faster effect onset time, making them more suitable for those seeking immediate effects.
Some products on the market are known for inducing longer-lasting effects with a delayed effect onset time, and these are more suitable for those seeking longer-lasting pain relief.
For our ranking process, we considered a few important factors, including lab-testing, the quality of ingredients, and of course, overall customer feedback.
For starters, we only considered products that have been third-party lab-tested for safety and potency by reputable labs. Acclaimed third-party labs ensure correct labeling of cannabinoid profiles, or verify the content of CBD and other ingredients in the product.
Third-party labs also perform contaminant screening with the main goal of ensuring no presence of harmful chemicals and substances, such as residual solvents, heavy metals, and pesticides, that, of course, pose different health risks.
Next, we focused on assessing the quality of ingredients in each featured product. Needless to say, we prioritized CBD-infused creams that are made with organic and all-natural ingredients simply because they are less likely to cause allergies and skin irritations.
We also ranked higher products that have extra ingredients that boost the effectiveness of CBD, such as botanical ingredients, chamomile, menthol, or arnica. We also ranked higher creams that are free of artificial fragrances.
Lastly, every featured product was ranked based on its overall customer rating for obvious reasons. We took the time to examine customer reviews behind each product to gain insights into its effectiveness, potency, and potential side effects.
Apart from checking customer reviews for information on the product’s potency and quality, we also looked into customer reviews that share valuable information on the creams’ effect onset time, duration of effects, absorption rate, and texture.
>>Check the best price for FOCL Deep Relief Cooling Cream at FOCL
Before we wrap it up, we wanted to briefly discuss other types of CBD-infused products and dietary supplements readily available on the market, focusing on CBD oil goodies, tinctures, capsules, topicals, and bath bombs.
CBD capsules are easy to consume and come with a pre-measured dose of high-quality CBD oil. Some capsules are also filled with CBD powder, but either way, these types of products promise a more consistent dosage, discreet consumption method, and longer-lasting effects.
As for CBD topical goodies, this category includes salves, balms, lotions, and creams that are intended to be used directly on the skin for localized relief from inflammation and pain. They may benefit individuals with skin irritations, muscle pain, and arthritis.
CBD oil products are most popular in the growing CBD market. CBD oil is made by sourcing CBD from hemp and carefully diluting it with coconut or some other carrier oil. With CBD oil, you benefit from a faster effect onset time due to CBD’s higher absorption rate in this form.
You can also shop for high-quality CBD-infused topicals and these are alcohol-based CBD extracts with a highly concentrated CBD form. Tinctures can be consumed sublingually or mixed with beverages and foods. They come in different flavors which mask CBD hempy taste.
CBD bath bombs are relatively new products on the market, and they combine the benefits of CBD with the calming effects of having a nice, warm bath. Bath bombs infused with CBD are also infused with different fragrances to offer a more soothing CBD experience.
CBD edibles are also rather popular CBD goodies, and they typically come in the form of delicious gummies, chocolate treats, and CBD-infused beverages. They come in a range of flavors as well. With CBD edibles, you typically benefit from longer-lasting effects.
For more information on how CBD creams reduce physical discomfort and pain, please take a moment to check out our FAQs section below.
CBD creams and topicals are the best for joint pain because they target inflammation directly at the source.
The legality of CBD creams varies from one location to another. In the United States, CBD-based products that have no more than 0.30% THC are federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, but state laws are different, so checking local regulations is a must.
No, you will not experience any “high” effects from applying CBD-infused creams. CBD is non-psychoactive, unlike THC.
Also, CBD-infused creams are applied to the skin, and CBD applied this way does not travel to the bloodstream in any major amount to get you high.
How long it takes for a CBD-infused cream to work depends on different factors, including the severity of the condition you want to treat, your metabolic rate, and the product’s formulation. Generally speaking, you may notice the first effects between fifteen- and forty-five minutes following application.
CBD from creams interacts with the ECS and modulates the activity of different cannabinoids without directly interacting with them. This being said, CBD-infused creams may reduce inflammation and pain and even improve skin appearance.
Yes, CBD-infused creams may reduce symptoms associated with nerve pain, especially tingling and burning sensations, that some people diagnosed with different neuropathic conditions experience.
The best CBD for arthritis is the Medterra Pain Relief Cream that comes available in two potency options, but every other featured product may provide relief from arthritis symptoms, such as stiff joints and aching muscles.
CBD creams offer effective and natural relief from muscle pain, arthritis, and various forms of physical discomfort by targeting inflammation and inducing calming effects on affected areas.
Our top pick, FOCL Deep Relief Cooling Cream, stands out in the crowd for its organic approach to pain management. The 500mg Isolate CBD Warming Cream by CBDistillery is the closest runner-up, boasting a special non-greasy formula for those who prefer a lighter touch.
Whichever product you choose, remember to start with a small amount and monitor how your skin responds. Also, in the world of CBD topicals, a little goes a long way.
Remember that even the best CBD-infused cream cannot offer its magic overnight, so be consistent, and hopefully, pain-free days are ahead of you.
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