You can enjoy your day with less worry about how you feel, and you’ll rest better at night knowing that it’s handled. That’s where CBD creams for pain relief come in.

CBD has become extremely popular over the past few years, and people use it for all kinds of problems, from daily aches and pains to sleep disorders. This means there are plenty of options to choose from: gummies, oils, capsules, and creams, to name a few. Ingestible CBD products like gummies or capsules are better for full-body effects. 

If you just have very localized pain, you might want to try a topical, like a CBD cream. CBD creams utilize the soothing, healing powers of CBD to help alleviate pain and inflammation. Easy to use, you can apply them topically just like you do with any other lotion or cream.

When it comes to relief, few things perform their soothing function as well as Experience CBD’s CBD Potion Lotion, a potent elixir designed to ease discomfort and calm your body from head to toe.

This lotion is a harmonious blend of nature’s finest ingredients, each chosen for its unique ability to provide long-lasting comfort and relaxation.

At the heart of CBD Potion Lotion is the therapeutic power of CBD. This potion incorporates a proprietary blend of Eucalyptus Oil, Coconut Oil, and Peppermint to amplify its healing properties.

With each application, you’ll experience the profound relief this potent fusion of ingredients provides. Whether you’re looking for relief for sore muscles, joint discomfort, or irritated skin, CBD Potion Lotion offers a soothing solution for all your needs.

Available in two potencies, 500mg, and 1000mg, CBD Potion Lotion is tailored to your individual needs, allowing you to customize your experience for maximum effectiveness. Choose the potency that suits you best and let the magic of CBD and botanical extracts work their wonders.

Pros:

• Potent relief of aches, pains, and skin irritation
• Proprietary blend of natural ingredients for enhanced efficacy
• Moisturizing formula without harsh chemicals
• Available in two concentrations to suit individual preferences

Cons:

• May not provide instant relief for severe discomfort
• Eucalyptus and peppermint scent may be too intense for some users

What customers say:

Customers praise CBD Potion Lotion as a “magic potion” for relieving aches and strains, while another describes it as a “game-changing” lotion that offers effective relief for skin irritation with a single use.

Cannabis enthusiasts, gym sharks, and herbalists worldwide… The Crème de la crème has arrived. Diamond CBD’s 5000mg CBD Pain Relief Cream is a prime selection for pain dissipation and physical relief. As you go through your daily regimen, you’ll find that this magical 5000mg CBD Pain Relief Cream aids in recovery and would be an extreme help to those active daily. 

Tailor your CBD dosage to find the sweet spot that eases your pain, providing a personalized experience that’s unique to you. This is not just a cream, it’s a journey towards your own comfort and relief. 

Diamond CBD understands that losing isn’t an option, so prioritizing optimal body health is the key to getting into the winning circle every time.

Hempsi is one of the leading CBD brands and has been around since 2018. They source all of the hemp from organic farms in Oregon, where the plants are grown using only natural methods. The company sells all kinds of CBD products, like gummies, CBD oil, topicals, as well as THC-free items. 

Their Full Spectrum CBD Pain Relief Cream uses plant-based herbal remedies and cannabinoids, including Hempsi’s ​​Early Resin Berry strain to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. Some other soothing ingredients included in this cream are menthol and eucalyptol.

According to Hempsi, this cream targets pain-sensing neurons and interferes with pain signals sent to the brain, providing “multi-pronged pain relief.”

Pros:

• Made with organic hemp
• All-natural ingredients
• Full-spectrum CBD

Cons:

• Somewhat expensive

What customers say: 

Customer reviews say that their arthritis pain was gone within minutes after applying this cream, and there wasn’t any residue left on their skin.

CBDMEDIC is the latest topical line from the popular CBD company Charlotte’s Web. These topicals use naturally-derived pharmaceutical ingredients combined with hemp extract, natural emollients, and essential oils to relieve pain. They don’t contain any artificial dyes, fragrances, parabens, or phthalates. 

This CBDMEDIC Arthritis Aches & Pain Relief Cream is made from 100% naturally-derived ingredients and is hypoallergenic, so it’s great for people with sensitive skin. It contains moisturizing ingredients like eucalyptus, jojoba seed, and peppermint oil, along with menthol and THC-free hemp oil for pain relief. The cream has over 600 mg of hemp extract. 

Pros:

• Adheres to Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations
• Hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested
• Made with 100% naturally-derived ingredients

Cons:

• Some customers say the consistency may leave a stain on clothing

What customers say: 

This cream has tons of five-star reviews. Customers say that you only need a small amount for it to relieve pain, and it works on many different areas, including knees, shoulders, elbows, and back. People also use it for both arthritis and muscle pain. 

Just Live was founded by professional athletes Alex Morgan, Klay Thompson, Travis Pastrana, and Paul Rodriguez to create products to specifically help with muscle recovery and performance. 

This CBD cream contains cooling menthol and THC-free broad-spectrum CBD, along with anti-inflammatory botanicals, like camphor & argon. It comes in three strengths, 300 mg, 750 mg, and 1,500 mg, for any level of pain relief. 

Pros:

• THC-free broad spectrum CBD
• Made with non-GMO and natural ingredients
• Created by professional athletes for muscle pain

Cons:

• Even though the cream was third-party lab tested, the results are not updated with the latest batch information.

What customers say: 

Customers love this pain-relief cream. They say it works like traditional pain medication, that it’s great for muscle soreness from workouts, and they can feel the relief almost instantly.  

CBDfx products are organically-grown, pesticide-free, and non-GMO. They are rigorously tested to make sure they meet industry standards, and the packaging has a QR code that allows you to easily check the lab reports. The company adheres to Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations, which are FDA regulations to ensure that products contain the ingredients and strength they claim to have and that they’re safe to use. 

The CBDfx products catalog offers a wide range of high-quality CBD products, from edibles to topicals and CBD for pets. One of their most popular products is the CBD Cream For Muscle & Joint. It contains broad-spectrum hemp extract, as well as white willow bark and caffeine, for natural pain relief. Plus, the cream has menthol to provide a cooling sensation to help ease the pain.

Pros:

• Adheres to Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations 
• Organic, vegan, and cruelty-free
• Contains natural pain-relieving ingredients
• High-dosage of CBD

Cons:

• Some customers find it a little bit expensive

What customers say: 

Customers say that this cream starts working quickly and lasts for a long time. Reviews say that the high dosage of this product makes it extra strong and really helps their pain.

We did a lot of research and testing to figure out which CBD creams were the best for pain relief. To narrow our list down, we started with creams from brands that are highly trusted. Then we picked creams that had high consumer reviews. Finally, we selected the cream with the best combination of ingredients that are proven to reduce pain over time and provide soothing relief on contact. We’ve looked at each of these creams in detail, and in particular, we checked whether they have:

• Certificates of Analysis (third-party lab reports)
• High-quality ingredients
• Natural ingredients
• Positive reviews
• Quality hemp sources

Certificate of Analysis (third-party lab reports)

One way to tell whether a CBD product is good is to look at third-party lab reports. These are reports from a laboratory analysis of a CBD product. They use scientific methods to confirm that what’s on the label is actually in the product, in which quantity, and whether contaminants are present. We made sure that CBD creams for pain relief brands we listed have these lab reports for at least some of their products. This is a great way to confirm that the CBD content is what it is claimed to be.

High-Quality Ingredients

Being able to find a company’s ingredient details easily is important. Even if you don’t fully understand what each ingredient does, being able to look it up allows you to build trust with the product maker. These ingredients are selected for the health benefits they provide.

Natural Ingredients

While there are a lot of synthetic ingredients used to make CBD creams for pain relief, natural ingredients are often preferred to help the body without putting in a lot of extra chemicals. By choosing non-synthetic and natural oils, you also help prevent any potential side effects that could have come from them.

Positive Reviews

Wanting to buy a product you can trust is natural for any person seeking relief from pain. We looked at first-hand reviews from customers to find which ones are most likely to get positive results.

Quality Hemp Sources

When choosing a CBD cream for pain relief, it is important to make sure that the CBD comes from high-quality hemp sources. Hemp is a plant that produces compounds containing CBD and other cannabinoids. High-quality hemp can be identified by a number of signs, including where it’s grown, whether it’s grown organically, and the presence or absence of pesticides.

What are the benefits of CBD for pain management?

CBD is known to be used to help with pain from many conditions, such as arthritis, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes. 

Unlike opioids, CBD is non-addictive and doesn’t cause analgesic tolerance, making it a safer option for long-term chronic pain management. Studies have also shown that CBD doesn’t cause withdrawal effects, and it can be effective for people whose pain isn’t responsive to opioids. 

How does CBD help ease pain?

Cannabinoids like CBD interact with the human body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system regulates certain bodily functions and helps maintain homeostasis, or balance, in the body. The ECS is responsible for numerous bodily functions, including mood, pain, inflammation, appetite, memory, and immune responses. That’s why CBD and other cannabinoids, like medical marijuana, have so many uses and can be potentially beneficial for different conditions. 

So how does CBD help with pain? Studies have shown that CBD affects endocannabinoid receptor activity — it interacts with receptors (CB1 and CB2) within the ECS. For example, CBD can increase the levels of a neurotransmitter that regulates pain called anandamide.

How to use CBD cream for pain

A topical cream is an easy and convenient way to get maximum pain-relieving effects from CBD. Simply rub a small amount of the cream into the affected area, and your body will take care of the rest. They also provide additional health benefits, like moisturizing dry skin or soothing inflammation in joints. 

Follow the directions on the brand’s packaging or website to find out how much and how often you should apply it, and consult your doctor for their recommendations, too. 

How fast will it start working?

The amount of time it takes CBD to start working depends on a few factors: the dosage, the form of CBD (topical vs. oral vs. inhaled, etc.), and your body composition (some people may metabolize CBD faster than others).

CBD creams usually start working within an hour, and some people can feel the effects almost immediately after applying a topical CBD product. CBD that’s inhaled or taken orally typically starts working even more quickly (within around 15 minutes).

A CBD cream can be a great option if you suffer from chronic pain, whether it’s muscle aches, joint pain, or arthritis. CBD creams can also be useful for people whose pain doesn’t respond well to traditional pain medications or opioids. Even if you’re just looking for a natural pain reliever for occasional aches, you might want to try CBD.

Just remember to talk to your doctor before trying any new supplements and do your research on the best products and companies. Be sure to look for products tested in a third-party lab that contain high-quality and natural ingredients and use high-quality hemp sources. Also, check out the customer reviews to get an idea of what other people think.

What does CBD feel like?

While CBD won’t make you high because it’s not psychoactive, it has a relaxing effect, which is why it can be a good option to help with chronic pain or anxiety. The perceived effects of CBD can be pretty subtle, and how you feel after using it depends on many factors, such as the dosage and type of CBD you’re using.

Some feelings people report from using CBD include:

• Calmness
• Relaxation 
• Happiness
• Numbing sensation
• Tingling 
• Sleepiness
• Spacey or “floaty” feelings

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural substance from the cannabis plant — but it won’t get you high. It doesn’t have the same psychoactive effects as THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, a chemical in marijuana that produces a high feeling. 

CBD that comes from hemp plants contains 0.3% or less THC and is legal at the federal level in the U.S. (but some states have laws against it), while CBD derived from non-hemp marijuana is only permitted in certain states — so make sure you do your research before buying. 

CBD comes in many forms, such as gummies, edibles, oils, creams, vape pens, and capsules, so there are plenty of options, depending on your interest. There are many different uses for CBD, too. The most common treatments are chronic pain, anxiety, inflammation, sleep problems, migraines, or cluster headaches. There’s even an FDA-approved seizure medication, Epidiolex, that contains CBD, used to treat two rare forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

Main types of CBD

Not all CBD is made equal — there are a few different types of CBD:

• Full-spectrum: Full-spectrum CBD includes all parts of the cannabis plant and contains a small amount of THC (less than 0.3%). Some research has shown that combining CBD and THC makes the results more effective (this is called the entourage effect).

• Broad-spectrum: Broad-spectrum includes most other cannabis compounds and only trace amounts of THC.

• Isolate: A CBD isolate is pure CBD — it doesn’t contain any other compounds from the cannabis plant. This is also the most concentrated and potent form of CBD, but you won’t get the entourage effect.

The difference between broad and full-spectrum CBD

The main difference between broad and full-spectrum CBD products is the cannabinoids found in them. Full-spectrum CBD products contain all parts of the cannabis plant, so along with CBD, you’ll also find other cannabis plant extracts, like THC, terpenes, essential oils, and cannabinol. Broad-spectrum, on the other hand, can include some other cannabinoids, but it will have no THC or just undetectable trace amounts of it. 

You likely won’t feel a high from full-spectrum CBD because the amount of THC is still minimal. However, THC can build up in your system if used all the time, so it could be an issue if you take a drug test (more on that below). 

Both full and broad-spectrum CBD can produce the entourage effect, so if you’re interested in those benefits but don’t want THC, broad-spectrum is the way to go. 

How is CBD different from marijuana or hemp?

Hemp, also known as “industrial hemp,” and marijuana are part of the same species: Cannabis sativa. A major difference between them is the amount of THC they contain. Industrial hemp has 0.3% or less THC, so it won’t get you high. 

CBD and THC are both cannabinoids, which are compounds found in cannabis. So basically, they’re just a small part of hemp and marijuana.

The benefits of the “entourage effect”

The entourage effect can happen when using full or broad-spectrum CBD products. It means that all of the cannabinoids and other compounds found in these types of CBD work together to make the effects and benefits even stronger. 

What does CO2 extracted mean?

While looking for CBD products, you might notice the term CO2 extraction comes up a lot. That’s because many companies use CO2 to extract CBD from cannabis. This extraction technique uses pressurized CO2 (carbon dioxide) to pull CBD and other chemicals from the plant. This method is standard because it’s safe and effective. CO2 can be found in lots of foods and drinks, like seltzer and soft drinks, and CO2 extraction techniques have been used for food for a long time. There’s also minimal risk of contaminants with this type of extraction.

Can I use CBD every day?

Yes, you can use CBD every day. It’s not addictive, and you can’t overdose on it, so as long as you’re not taking medications that can interact with CBD, it’s safe to use all the time. You should talk to your doctor first to check what dosage they recommend and see if they have any concerns about using CBD frequently.  

Will CBD cream show up on a drug test?

While it’s highly unlikely with topical usage, it’s technically possible if you use a high dosage of CBD products containing THC. Drug tests check for THC, and since some types of CBD contain small amounts of THC, it could cause a positive drug test result. This is more likely to happen if you use high doses of these products or if you use them every day, resulting in THC build up. If you’re taking any interacting drugs, that can also affect the amount of THC in your body.

There are some ways to avoid a positive result when using CBD, though:

• Look for products made with CBD isolates or broad-spectrum CBD, which will only contain trace amounts of THC.
• Check the product’s COA to ensure a non-detectable amount of THC.

What are the potential side effects of CBD?

While there are a lot of benefits of using CBD cream for pain, as with any medicine or supplement, there are some side effects, too. They include:

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Lightheadedness 
• Low blood pressure

If you’re taking any other medications that can cause similar symptoms, like antidepressants, antihistamines, or melatonin — or even combining it with alcohol — there can be an increased risk of developing these side effects.

Can I use CBD every day?

Yes, you can use CBD every day. It’s not addictive, and you can’t overdose on it, so as long as you’re not taking medications that can interact with CBD, it’s safe to use all the time. You should talk to your doctor first to check what dosage they recommend and see if they have any concerns about using CBD frequently.  

Will CBD cream show up on a drug test?

While it’s highly unlikely with topical usage, it’s technically possible if you use a high dosage of CBD products containing THC. Drug tests check for THC, and since some types of CBD contain small amounts of THC, it could cause a positive drug test result. This is more likely to happen if you use high doses of these products or if you use them every day, resulting in THC build up. If you’re taking any interacting drugs, that can also affect the amount of THC in your body.

There are some ways to avoid a positive result when using CBD, though:

• Look for products made with CBD isolates or broad-spectrum CBD, which will only contain trace amounts of THC.
• Check the product’s COA to ensure a non-detectable amount of THC.

What are the potential side effects of CBD?

While there are a lot of benefits of using CBD cream for pain, as with any medicine or supplement, there are some side effects, too. They include:

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Lightheadedness 
• Low blood pressure

If you’re taking any other medications that can cause similar symptoms, like antidepressants, antihistamines, or melatonin — or even combining it with alcohol — there can be an increased risk of developing these side effects.

What are possible drug interactions?

CBD can also interact with certain drugs (prescription and over-the-counter), including blood thinners, thyroid medication, and seizure medicines. There might be less of a chance of CBD creams or other topical forms causing any negative drug interactions since these take some time to absorb into the body.

How is CBD regulated? 

Non-prescription or over-the-counter CBD is not currently regulated by the FDA, which is why it’s important to look for products that have been tested in a laboratory for safety. 

If you’re planning to try out CBD, you can talk to your doctor first. Also, since CBD isn’t regulated by the FDA, there are no standard doses. It’s recommended to start with a smaller dosage to see how your body responds and progressively increase your intake.

Is there anyone who should avoid using CBD?

CBD is considered generally safe for most people. But since it’s relatively new and there’s not a ton of research on it yet, there are still a lot of unknowns about it. 

Based on the existing research, certain groups of people that CBD might not be good for.

People with liver problems: Research in mice has shown that CBD could potentially cause liver damage if taken in very high doses, but it’s not that common, and some studies even show beneficial effect on the liver. People who already suffer from liver problems should be cautious about dosage.

People taking certain medications: As mentioned above, CBD can interact with some types of medicine and increase their potency. So if you’re on any prescription medications, it’s best to ask your doctor before trying CBD.

People with hemp allergies: Hemp allergies are usually caused by a reaction to hemp pollen. CBD products don’t usually contain pollen, but you should talk to your doctor if you have a severe allergy, just in case. Also, be sure to choose high-quality CBD products that likely won’t include any pollen.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women: There’s not enough research to understand how CBD could affect pregnant women and their babies, but the FDA recommends that pregnant and breastfeeding women stay away from CBD (and other cannabis products). CBD could potentially be contaminated with substances that are dangerous for pregnant women (like bacteria or pesticides), and experts also recommend that pregnant women avoid THC, which some types of CBD contain. THC can affect a baby’s brain development or even lead to premature birth. Breastfeeding mothers can pass THC to their babies through their milk. 

When it comes to daily aches or chronic pain, many people who want relief and don’t want to worry about harsh side effects are turning to CBD. CBD tops the list of all-natural therapies when it comes to getting relief from pain. And because CBD creams give you complete control over where and how much you apply, it’s easy to work out at first what kind of dose you need and go from there. CBD creams are a great way to get the benefits of CBD without having to worry about taking it orally. 

While there are now many pain relief creams on the market, we wanted to find the best and safest of them all. Hopefully, this shortlist will help you to find the right CBD product that works best for you.