CBD creams can be an effective way to reduce localized pain and discomfort. They work by bypassing the CB1 and CB2 receptors in your skin’s surface, interacting directly with nerve cells, causing them to stop itch and pain signals.
In addition, they provide the added benefit of hydrating and soothing your skin. The Forbes Health editorial team analyzed more than 50 CBD cream products made with hemp grown in the United States, and all have a certificate of analysis and were third-party tested by ISO 17025-compliant laboratories to ensure they contain no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by dry weight. We then ranked them on several different factors, including price, potency, and special effects. Below are our top picks for best cbd cream to help you find the perfect one for your needs.
NuLeaf Naturals’ creamy and luxurious CBD cream is designed for targeted relief. It has a soothing effect, and the combination of revitalizing peppermint oil and calming lavender gives it an invigorating, refreshing scent that customers love. The product comes in a pump bottle, so it’s easy to dispense the right amount for the desired area. You’ll want to start with just one pump for smaller joints, while larger ones may require two pumps. It’s also free from sulfates, phthalates, and dyes.
Another favorite is Green Roads’ Muscle & Joint Cream, which is pharmacist formulated and contains broad spectrum CBD. It’s also enhanced with methyl salicylate and menthol, both of which have powerful pain-relieving properties. It’s an excellent choice for sprains, strains, backaches, and arthritis. Like many of the other CBD creams we reviewed, this product is pharmacist formulated and lab tested, and it’s also vegan and cruelty-free.
Plain Jane’s emulsified CBD cream is a convenient and quick-absorbing option for joint and muscle relief. It’s made using essential oils, ivy gourd, turmeric root, and arnica flower extracts to help relieve sore muscles and joints. The product is also fragrance-free, so it’s a good option for people with sensitive skin.
R&R Medicinals’ unscented cream has plenty of CBD for your money, with 1,000 mg in each 2.5-ounce tube. It also contains shea butter and jojoba oil for skin hydration and soothing, along with calendula flowers and arnica flowers for pain relief.
The final product on our list is from CBDistillery, which puts its customers first. It’s a full-spectrum CBD cream that includes soothing ingredients such as shea butter and jojoba oil, but no terpenes. That’s important for some people, as terpenes can affect how you experience the benefits of CBD.
This CBD cream is water-based, so it will hydrate and soothe your skin while relieving inflammation. It also doesn’t include any synthetics or plasticizers, and it’s made with non-GMO ingredients. The company also offers discounts for veterans, teachers, first responders, and low income households. This CBD cream also has a money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.