Best CBD Cream for Pain: Top Brands and Buyer’s Guide

If you’re wondering what the best CBD cream for pain is, you’ve come to the right place for answers.

It doesn’t matter if you just crossed the finish line of an Ironman Competition or pulled a back muscle bending over to tie your shoe; everyone experiences pain at some point in their lives. When that happens, you want pain relief that is fast and effective.  

Some pain is temporary while some individuals live with chronic pain every day. There are many options for pain relief, whether it’s taking a couple of ibuprofen or rubbing into your skin some generic muscle cream that you picked up at the local big-box store. But maybe you’re looking for some natural alternative that isn’t a prescription medicine, an over-the-counter drug, or a cream made up of synthetic ingredients.  

We’ve been there, and we’re going to tell you how to relieve those aches with what we consider to be the best CBD cream for pain. Whether you’re an elite athlete, a weekend warrior or just want a better quality of life, we’ve got the CBD cream that is right for you.

So, put aside those running shoes and keep reading.

CBD creams are a type of CBD topical that users apply to the skin. Many people use the terms “creams” and “lotions” interchangeably; however, there is a difference. Lotions have a water base and a slightly thinner consistency. On the other hand, creams are oil-based for a richer, thicker feel.  

People can use CBD creams for pain relief, relieve muscle and joint stiffness, or treat various skin disorders. They offer fast, targeted pain relief where it’s most needed. The cream’s thickness makes it great for moisturizing and healing dry and cracked skin. CBD creams treat the skin’s surface and pass through the skin’s dermal and subdermal layers.

In addition to CBD, many companies also add other natural botanicals for added therapeutic benefits. For example, Menthol offers a cooling sensation, Lavender oil has a calming effect, and Camphor Oil has anti-inflammatory properties.

Top 5 CBD Cream Brands for Pain

Just doing an internet search for CBD cream will give you hundreds of options. It can be overwhelming, especially if you aren’t sure what you’re looking for. You are probably wondering what the difference is between Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and CBD Isolate. You might also be worried that CBD might be safe or if it’s even legal. We’ve done the research, and we have your answers. To get a potent enough cure for arthritis, muscle spasms, etc. always buy authentic CBD creams. We’ve looked at the best CBD cream brands on the market and narrowed our list by considering the following:

All industrial hemp in the United States is grown under the strict guidelines of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Schedule 1 List of the Controlled Substances Act, but it can’t contain THC levels greater than 0.3%. THC is the chemical compound found in cannabis which is known for its psychoactive properties. Reputable CBD companies only use hemp grown in the U.S.

There are three different types of CBD, which refers to the level of processing that took place to extract the CBD oil from the hemp plant. Full Spectrum CBD is the least processed. In addition to the CBD, it contains all the other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found in hemp. This type of CBD also includes a trace amount of THC (less than 0.3%). Proponents of full-spectrum CBD state that all the hemp plant parts working together provides the “entourage effect.” Next is the Broad Spectrum CBD. Broad Spectrum has all the beneficial cannabinoids and other chemical compounds of the hemp plant. However, the extraction process removes all traces of THC. Broad Spectrum is a good choice for people who want the entourage effect but don’t even want trace amounts of THC. The most processed of the three types is CBD Isolate. The processing strips away all other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, leaving only pure CBD. CBD Isolate is perfect for people who want to try CBD without any of the other cannabinoids present.

What other elements have been added to the CBD cream? Some companies add synthetic ingredients to their products. Some CBD creams have very little CBD with other oils added as fillers. High-quality CBD creams also contain natural botanical extracts that are noted for their therapeutic benefits as analgesics and anti-inflammatories

Product strength is somewhat subjective, based on an individual’s perceived pain level. However, when comparing brands, customers have a better idea if the product is a good value by determining the amount of CBD per milliliter.

We looked for products with a subtle and pleasing scent and tried to avoid ones that smelled too medicinal. Some CBD creams added essential oils that calm the senses and help the mind and body to relax.

The FDA doesn’t regulate CBD products. Therefore, some products don’t contain the amount of CBD claimed on the label, or the product may include metals, pesticides, herbicides, or other harmful chemicals. Reputable CBD manufacturers have their products tested by independent, third-party labs. These labs test for purity, safety, and effectiveness. 

In a world that is becoming increasingly skeptical, people want a CBD company they can trust. Customer trust and brand transparency go hand-in-hand. CBD brand transparency means being upfront about where it sources its hemp and how it extracts the CBD from the plant. It means making lab reports readily available for viewing. It also means being truthful and realistic about CBD’s benefits without making outrageous claims.

Does the company offer free shipping? Where do they ship? Do they ship to all 50 states? Are there any states where they don’t ship? What about international shipping? Also, do they offer a money-back guarantee if the customer isn’t satisfied?

After weeding out the companies that didn’t meet the above criteria, we dug a little deeper. We read all the customer reviews on how well the customer service team addressed problems, how fast orders arrived, and most important, the pain cream’s effectiveness.  From that, we came up with our list of the 5 best CBD creams for pain.

#1 FAB CBD Topical Cream: Best Overall

FAB CBD has been around since 2017. The company’s founders have a goal to make CBD products that anyone would feel comfortable taking. FAB makes a CBD cream that feels amazing on the skin and provides fast pain relief right where you need it. The company also makes a roll-on CBD salve that is easy and convenient to take wherever you go. FAB CBD gets high ratings for the quality of its products and its outstanding customer service.

Highlights

Pros

Cons

#2 Cheef Botanicals Body Lotion: Best Value

Cheef Botanicals believes strongly in natural healing methods instead of pharmaceuticals. The founders have over 25 years of combined experience in the organic food industry and sought to fill the need for health-conscious, plant-based cannabis products.

Highlights

Pros

Cons

#3 CBDistillery Relief Stick: Best for On-the-go

In 2016, a group of Colorado natives felt that the CBD market was being flooded with high-priced, inferior products. So, they founded CBDistillery with the intent of providing high-quality CBD products at reasonable prices. The company is also on a mission to educate the public about all the benefits of using CBD, so it offers “The Ultimate CBD User Guide” as a free download. 

Highlights

Pros

Cons

#4 Medterra CBD: Best THC-free Cream

Jay Hartenbach, founder and CEO of Medterra, has a passion for the benefits of CBD and wants others to have that passion too. The company is continuously innovating to create CBD products that will benefit everyone. Its Pain Relief Cream is perfect for sore shoulders, necks, and upper backs after a day of Zoom meetings.

Highlights

Pros

Cons

#5 Joy Organics: Best Broad Spectrum

Joy Smith founded Joy Organics after a frustrating journey to find a high-quality, natural solution to her various health issues. Joy Organics is truly a family business that Joy runs along with her husband, children, and in-laws. The company’s CBD Sports Cream will moisturize dry skin and soothe aching muscles and joints with cooling Menthol.

Highlights

Pros

Cons

Even though CBD is the trendy wellness buzzword, people have been using it for thousands of years for pain relief. Ancient Chinese healers wrote about using cannabis for treating pain.

For many years, cannabis research stagnated due to the stigma associated with it, specifically marijuana and the idea of “reefer madness.” That started to change in the 1980s and 90s. Things really picked up after discovering how CBD could lessen the frequency and severity of seizures in certain types of epilepsy, such as Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.

Since then, there have been numerous studies of CBD’s effectiveness in treating pain. Here are just a few:

A 2008 study found that cannabinoids were effective in managing challenging to treat pain. Another study in 2014 discussed the use of cannabinoids in treating a wide range of neuropathic pain compared to the adverse effects of pharmaceuticals. And a recent study out of Syracuse University looks at both the physiological and psychological effects of CBD in treating pain relief.

Continuing research is promising about using CBD to treat pain associated with:

Does CBD Cream Actually Work for Pain

Over-the-counter pain relief creams just numb the painful area. CBD creams do more than that; they work with the body’s Endocannabinoid System to treat the pain at its source.

Many people aren’t familiar with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), and that’s understandable. It was only discovered in 1992 by Czech Lumir Hanus and American William Devane. The Endocannabinoid System aims to keep the body’s functions in balance and a state of homeostasis. 

The ECS has three parts:

Endocannabinoids are molecules produced by the body whenever they’re needed.

Cannabinoid Receptors sit on cells’ surfaces throughout the body. There are two types:

The endocannabinoids will bind to the receptors whenever they perceive any instability within the bodily functions and work to bring them back into balance.

Enzymes come along and break the endocannabinoids down when they’ve completed their function.

The ECS also regulates and maintains homeostasis on the body’s biggest organ: the skin.

CBD works with the ECS by keeping the enzymes from breaking down the endocannabinoids and allowing them to work longer in the body.

As previously stated, CBD creams penetrate the skin’s layers. It works directly with the ECS to treat the pain right at its source. Rather than masking the symptoms, it addresses and fixes them. 

CBD cream is easy and convenient to apply. It’s always best practice to try it on a small area to ensure it doesn’t irritate the skin. After washing your hands:

Even though CBD creams for pain relief are topical solutions, they can still interact with other topicals or medications. There have been studies showing that CBD can alter the effects of certain medicines. Anyone who is currently under a physician’s care for medical or skin conditions should consult with their healthcare provider before using a CBD pain relief cream.

Key Benefits of CBD Cream Other Than Pain

People can use CBD cream to treat various health conditions and treat the pain associated with arthritis, overexertion, fibromyalgia, and surgery. It can also treat some of the following ailments:

Possible Side Effects of CBD Cream

There are really no side effects when it comes to using CBD cream. However, here are some things you may want to consider:

Since CBD cream is a topical solution and not meant to be ingested, any side effects would be extremely rare. But some possible reactions may be:

If you are taking any oral or topical medications, it’s always best to check with your healthcare provider before trying a CBD cream.

While there may be some stores that advertise CBD cream, they might not be the best option. Many places that promote “the cheapest CBD in town” usually sell an inferior CBD cream with insufficient CBD and many chemical additives. 

The best way to purchase CBD cream is by going directly to the manufacturer’s website. There are several advantages to purchasing CBD cream online.

Stores carry a variety of products in addition to CBD products. Most store clerks aren’t knowledgeable about CBD’s health benefits and how to use it to treat pain. Reputable CBD brands have customer service teams that are educated about CBD. They can answer any questions and address any concerns that customers have. Our top picks for the best CBD creams for pain all receive top marks for their customer service.

CBD companies that sell high-quality products are passionate about CBD and want other people to enjoy all the benefits of adding CBD to their lives. Therefore, most offer discounts to past and present military personnel, low-income households, first responders, and disabled individuals. 

Satisfied customers are loyal customers, and companies want to reward that loyalty. They have reward programs where customers can earn points for every dollar they spend and for referring other customers. Those points add up to discounted pricing and other benefits.

Life gets busy, and CBD companies understand that. Customers don’t always have time to run to the store whenever they run out of CBD cream. Some CBD brands offer an auto-ship program where customers can sign up to receive a shipment of CBD cream regularly. As a bonus, many companies offer a discount to customers that subscribe.

Many CBD companies offer a money-back guarantee to customers who are completely satisfied with their products. 

Unlike some pain relievers, you don’t need a doctor’s prescription to buy CBD cream for pain. Due to a rampant opioid addiction crisis in the United States, many people are hesitant to take prescription pain relievers and prefer a natural alternative.

While CBD cream is excellent for relieving pain, it might not be for everyone. In that case, there are several other ways to use CBD for topical pain relief.

CBD salves usually contain some sort of wax, such as beeswax, that is heated and combined with the oil. After it cools, it will have a harder texture than cream, though it will still spread easily on your skin. CBD salves can act as a barrier to protect the skin from external elements and promote healing.

CBD lotions are very similar to creams, but lotions have higher water-to-oil ratios and have a thinner consistency. Lotions are an excellent choice for people who don’t like the thickness of a CBD cream.

Sometimes you just want to soak your whole body in a bathtub of warm water and wellness. Adding a CBD bath bomb to your tub helps rejuvenate tired muscles and calm the mind with therapeutic aromas. 

CBD ointments are similar to salves because the manufacturer combines CBD with beeswax. However, it has a more significant amount of oil, giving it a softer texture similar to a cream. 

A CBD transdermal patch is another excellent way to apply targeted relief to an area of the body. Using the patch will allow the CBD to absorb into the skin. Patches should be left on for a couple of days, eliminating the need for regular re-application.

Over 50 million adults live with chronic pain every day. Additionally, millions more wake up with pain due to an injury or overexertion or lack mobility due to stiffness in muscles and joints. Many of these people avoid prescription medicine. They’ve seen the rise in opioid use and the nation’s addiction crisis. They fear the same fate might befall them. 

But, there is a better, more natural way to treat pain that’s fast, safe, and effective without the fear of addiction or side effects. For thousands of years, various cultures have known that cannabis can treat pain and have used it for various ailments. It’s only been in modern times that scientists have discovered that the over 100 phytocannabinoids found in cannabis works with the endocannabinoids within the human body to treat pain and inflammation.

CBD creams for pain are the alternative to prescription medicines and their potential for addiction. CBD creams are also a better alternative to mass-market muscle rubs with their long list of chemical additives that just numb the pain. Users can directly apply the cream to areas of pain or stiffness. They relieve pain, moisturize the skin, and penetrate deep within the skin’s layers to work with the body’s Endocannabinoid System for long-lasting pain relief. 

Research continues on all the ways that CBD can benefit the body, in addition to relieving pain. There are also plenty of testimonials throughout the internet from chronic pain sufferers who have finally found relief and are finally enjoying a better quality of life.

Anyone experiencing pain should first speak with their healthcare provider as the pain may signify a more serious, underlying condition. Discuss with your doctor if you are interested in trying CBD cream. Once they give their approval, be sure to research to find a high-quality CBD cream that comes from organic hemp and contains natural ingredients. Or, you can review the research that we’ve already done for you and choose one of our picks for best pain creams, such as FAB CBD, our #1 pick for best overall cream for pain.