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Best CBD Cream for Pain: Top 10 Brands Worth Buying in 2023

We’ve exhausted our research of CBD cream for pain to bring you an in-depth list of some of the best brands and products in the industry.
By The CBD Break |
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In today’s market, many brands have a host of products for consumers to choose from. And because there isn’t a specific product that will work best for one unique issue, lots of brands are coming up with CBD creams for pain, oils, salves, gummies, and much more. While CBD oils are fantastic to help with internal or systemic issues, CBD creams are a great way to bring about a more pinpointed or targeted relief to stiff or sore muscles and joints.

Even though there are a wealth of brands to choose from thanks to the ever-rising popularity of CBD, not all of them are created equal. Therefore, you’ll need time and patience in your research so that you can find the best CBD cream for pain that’s made by a brand that’s trusted and respected by both consumers and industry experts. Products made by reputable brands are clean and potent. Moreover, respected brands are highly transparent about how they make and test their products. Our guide to the best CBD cream for pain will both educate you and guide you in the right direction as to which brands and products are the best to try.

CBD Cream for Pain — Top 10 Brands of 2023

The brands below made our top 10 list, and they all carve out a unique corner of the market. You can see what stood out for us the most about each CBD brand, and quickly learn a lot about all the best brand options.

Strongest Formulation — FAB CBD

Clean Products — NuLeaf Naturals

Scientifically Innovative — Batch CBD

High Potency Products — Seabedee

Interesting Selection — Plain Jane

Unique Options — CBDistillery

Best Variety — Green Roads

Pleasant Scents — Joy Organics

Wide Array of Products — cbdMD

High Potencies — PlusCBD

Best CBD Cream for Pain — Top 10 Brands in 2023

After spending a lot of time looking into brands and products, we’ve finally settled on a top 10 for our best CBD cream for pain guide. Not only do these brands make pure and potent products, but they also stood up to our tough guidelines.

#1 Strongest Formulation — FAB CBD

FAB CBD makes its Topical CBD Cream to be smooth, potent, clean, and non-greasy. The cream’s fresh blood orange scent harkens back to tropical islands and special summer places. The brand’s topical cream is excellent for sore, achy, tired muscles and joints, and contains 600mg of CBD that’s been extracted from organic Colorado hemp. FAB CBD Topical CBD Cream is potent and moisturizing all at the same time. 

CBD Type: Full-spectrum

CBD Potency: 600mg

Extraction: CO2

Hemp Source: Colorado

Ingredient Highlights: Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Chamomile, Vitamin E, Cinnamon, Blood Orange Essential Oil.

Scent: Blood Orange

Related Favorite: Full Spectrum Body Salve in 1000mg and 3000mg strengths

Pros

  • Seed to sale involvement
  • CBD cream and salve options
  • Affordable prices
  • Clean and potent products

Cons

  • No international shipping

#2 Clean Products — NuLeaf Naturals

NuLeaf Naturals creates its CBD Balm that’s made only with organic shea butter and potent full-spectrum hemp extract. The balm is lab tested by an independent lab for potency and purity, and absorbs quickly into the skin to help alleviate areas of pain on the body.  

CBD Type: Full Spectrum

CBD Potency: 300mg, 600mg, and 900mg

Extraction: CO2 Extraction

Hemp Source: Colorado

Ingredient Highlights: Full-spectrum hemp extract, organic shea butter

Scent: Unscented

Related Favorite: Multicannabinoid Capsules

Pros

  • Seed to sale involvement
  • Money-back guarantee on products
  • Organic hemp that’s sustainably grown

Cons

  • No scent options for balm
  • Limited product selection

#3 Scientifically Innovative — Batch CBD

Batch CBD’s CBD Cream is a new addition to the brand’s line of products. The cream is designed to melt into the skin and contains aloe vera, lavender oil, and peppermint oil. 

CBD Type: Full Spectrum

CBD Potency: 1500mg

Extraction: CO2 Extraction

Hemp Source: Wisconsin

Ingredient Highlights: Aloe, Jojoba Oil, Peppermint Oil, Rosemary Oil, Lavender Oil, Bergamot Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Evening Primrose.

Scent: A blend of lavender and peppermint oils

Related Favorite: CBD Balm Fire & Ice

Pros

  • Wisconsin-based
  • Unique line of products

Cons

  • Difficult to find the third-party lab reports

#4 High Potency Products — Seabedee

Seabedee’s Muscle and Joint CBD Relief Cream contains 500mg of full-spectrum CBD extracted from hemp. The cream is perfect to use on sore and painful muscles and joints because it absorbs easily through the skin to quickly target areas of pain. The cream also contains menthol to help cool the skin on contact. 

CBD Type: Full Spectrum

CBD Potency: 500mg

Extraction: CO2 Extraction

Hemp Source: Farms in the United States

Ingredient highlights: Sweet Almond Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Arnica Montana.

Scent: Menthol

Related Favorite: Seabedee Extra Strength Muscle Roll On

Pros

  • Products made in the USA
  • Interesting product selection
  • All products are third-party lab tested and are Non-GMO

Cons

  • Not all lab reports for some products are posted on the brand’s website

#5  Interesting Selection — Plain Jane

Plain Jane offers joint and muscle relief with its CBD Cool Rapid Relief Roll On. This product is not a cream, per se, but rather an emulsified CBD gel. This product is easy to roll on and delivers a cooling sensation to sore and overworked muscles and joints. The roll on is also made using essential oils, arnica flower, ivy gourd, turmeric root, and basil extracts, all of which help to relieve localized painful areas on the body.

CBD Type: CBD isolate

CBD Potency: 500mg

Extraction: CO2 Extraction

Hemp Source: Southern Oregon

Ingredient highlights: Jojoba Oil, Daikon Radish Oil, Witch Hazel Distillate, Menthol Crystals, Olive Oil, Arnica Flower Infusion, Aloe Vera Powder, Pine Scotch Essential Oil, Spearmint Essential Oil, Lemongrass Essential Oil, Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Peppermint Essential Oil, Neem Extract, Ivy Gourd Extract, Eggplant Extract, Aloe Extract, Tulsi Extract, Basil Extract, Turmeric Root Extract, Seaweed.

Scent: Cooling, botanical scent

Related Favorite: Plain Jane CBD Salve

Pros

  • High caliber products
  • Unique product offerings
  • Fast shipping

Cons

  • No international shipping

#6 Unique Options — CBDistillery

CBDistillery crafts a huge array of topical products for customers dealing with tough pain issues. The brand makes a 500mg CBD cooling cream that’s perfect for on-the-go. It evokes a refreshing sensation that cools the skin while delivering targeted relief to sore areas on the body.

CBD Type: CBD isolate

CBD Potency: 300mg

Extraction: CO2 Extraction

Hemp Source: Organic Colorado hemp

Ingredient highlights: Water, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycereth-26, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Peppermint Oil, Eucalyptus oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract.

Scent: Fragrance-Free

Related Favorite: 300mg Broad Spectrum CBD Warming Cream, Warming Muscle Melt Creme + Cinnamon Oil in 300mg, a topical CBD salve, 1000mg and 500mg CBD Isolate CBD Relief Stick

Pros

  • Potent products
  • Lab reports are easy for customers to find
  • Programs for veterans, disabled, and low-income individuals
  • Large, distinctive CBD topical options

Cons

  • Uses ethanol extraction process
  • Too many product offerings can be overwhelming to new customers

#7 Best Variety — Green Roads

Green Roads makes CBD creams that pinpoint difficult areas of pain. The brand makes Pain Relief Cream in 150mg, 350mg, and 750mg.

CBD Type: Broad spectrum

CBD Potency: 150mg, 350mg, and 750mg

Extraction: CO2 Extraction

Hemp Source: Hemp from American farms

Ingredient highlights: Menthol, Cucumber Extract, Lavender Oil, Avocado Oil, Rosemary Oil.

Scent: Unscented

Related Favorite: Muscle & Joint Relief CBD Cream in 150mg and 350mg, and Skin Relief CBD Cream in 210mg

Pros

  • Award-winning pharmacist-formulated products
  • Updated third-party lab reports that are easily accessible by customers
  • Free shipping
  • Full-spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate products

Cons

  • Not much specific information on hemp sources
  • Limited CBD strength ranges
  • No international shipping

#8 Pleasant Scents — Joy Organics

Joy Organics makes its CBD Sports Cream by blending high-quality hemp extract with menthol and camphor to go deep into sore muscle tissues to provide fast-acting relief. The cream is cooling and invigorating at the same time.

CBD Type: Broad spectrum

CBD Potency: 1000mg

Extraction: CO2 Extraction

Hemp Source: Hemp from USDA Certified farms in the United States

Ingredient highlights: Olive Oil, Menthol, Camphor Oil, Lavender Oil, Rosemary Oil, Peppermint Oil, Wintergreen Oil, Sweet Marjoram Oil, Aloe Leaf Juice.

Scent: Cool Menthol

Related Favorite: Organic CBD Salve

Pros

  • Strong focus on transparency
  • CBD topicals in a nice variety of options and strengths
  • Organic CBD products

Cons

  • Does not offer international shipping

#9 Wide Array of Products — cbdMD

cbdMD crafts specialized topical products to help with pain. The brand makes Recover CBD Cream for Pain Relief to help soothe joint and muscle aches. The cream contains pain killing medicine and soothing herbal ingredients. Moreover, arnica, aloe vera, MSM, and essential oils help to boost the product’s pain-relieving properties.

CBD Type: Broad spectrum

CBD Potency: 750mg

Extraction: CO2 Extraction

Hemp Source: Hemp from farms within the United States

Ingredient highlights: Arnica Montana Extract, Shea Butter, Argan Oil, Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Cacao Seed Butter, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Peppermint Oil, Rosemary Oil, Orange Oil, Fir Needle Oil.

Scent: Unscented

Related Favorite: Organic CBD Salve

Pros

  • Many product options
  • Hemp from organic farms

Cons

  • Large product selection can be overwhelming to new CBD users

#10 High Potencies — PlusCBD

PlusCBD makes its CBD Pain Relief Penetrating Cream pure and potent to help alleviate muscle, joint, and neuropathic pain. Along with 1000mg of CBD, the cream also contains camphor and menthol. 

CBD Type: Full-spectrum

CBD Potency: 1000mg

Extraction: CO2 Extraction

Hemp Source: Hemp from Europe using EU certified seeds

Ingredient highlights: Menthol, Camphor

Scent: Fragrance-free

Related Favorite: CBD Pain Relief Arthritis Cream

Pros

  • Detailed product descriptions
  • Non-GMO, gluten free products
  • Transparent brand

Cons

  • Hemp sources are not clearly defined

How We Chose Brands of CBD Cream for Pain

In doing the research for our guide to the best CBD cream for pain, we looked at some of the most trusted brands in the industry. We then came up with a list of strict guidelines that we would follow as we profiled each brand that made our initial list. In creating a guide, we took a number of points into consideration.

Brand reputation

Any CBD company on our list has to have a strong reputation, which means that they’ve been around long enough and served enough customers to create a reliable standing in the industry. While not every brand here has to be famous, they do have to perform well enough to garner a positive following.

Third-party testing and certification

Transparency is a huge part of any brand, especially those who are in the wellness space, and even more so when handling hemp and its related cannabinoids. Because the FDA does not regulate CBD products on a detailed level, it’s up to the companies themselves to hold a high product standard. The only way for customers to truly know what’s in their CBD is to read third party lab reports and the certificates of analysis that they provide. These should be available or accessible on the brand’s website.

Hemp source

Hemp is a hardy plant and can grow in lots of places. So what’s considered a good hemp source? Organic or non-GMO farms are considered the best places to get clean hemp. Not only will the hemp and its byproducts be free of harmful chemical sprays, but the soil will be held to a standard of purity that guarantees a purer product.

Potency

When people take CBD, they are trying to impact their endocannabinoid system in a way that brings them back into balance. So if you’re going after results, you’ll want the CBD product to be potent. And you want that potency to be clearly labeled and easily understood so that you can adjust your dosing as needed.

Scent and texture preferences

Some things, like hemp source and lab testing, are objective. Other aspects of the CBD experience are subjective, like the scent or texture of your CBD product. We took note of the range of options and attention to detail that each brand took in regard to these subjective areas.

Effectiveness

Customer reviews play a big part in our ability to gauge how effective CBD creams are. Because CBD interacts with every human body a little differently, we look at the aggregate of a brand’s reviews and that helps to determine how useful the product seems to be to real people who have tried it.

What Is a CBD Cream?

CBD cream is a special product that’s made when a lotion is blended with CBD, pain-killing medicines, essential oils, herbs, and other types of skin moisturizing ingredients. CBD cream for pain can be broad spectrum, full-spectrum, or CBD isolate in variety. These types of products are also made in an array of potencies and fragrances. Typically, creams are light, smooth, and absorb quickly and easily into the skin so that the CBD can go right to work calming painful muscles and joints.

Does CBD Cream Really Work for Pain and Inflammation?

A big reason why products like CBD creams and oils are so effective for pain management is that they have anti-inflammatory properties that help to quell pain, promote restful sleep, reduce anxiety and depression, and help with other tough health issues.  Some common issues that people use CBD cream for are:

  • Joint pain
  • Muscle cramping
  • Inflammation
  • Back pain
  • Arthritis
  • Chronic pain
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Localized or widespread body aches

How Can CBD Cream Help with Pain and Inflammation?

For years, scientists have been studying the body’s endocannabinoid system. What they’ve learned through their research is that it works to bring the body back into a state of balance. The ECS, as it’s called, regulates pain, memory, mood, inflammation, digestion, sleep, and much more. More specifically, there are CB1 and CB2 receptors that are found in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. These specialized receptors are located in places like the brain, gastrointestinal system, and nerve endings. And while the body is adept at creating its own endocannabinoids, adding cannabinoids like cannabidiol from full- or broad spectrum CBD cream or oil will serve to boost the workings of the ECS.

When CBD cream is massaged into the skin, it can help to calm down localized areas of pain and tension by interacting with the many nerve receptors found within the skin, which also happens to be the largest organ of the body. The cream bypasses the CB1 and CB2 receptors and goes right to neurotransmitters that stop itch and pain signals. It does this by working with anandamide, a fatty acid neurotransmitter, and 2-AG, or 2-Arachidonoylglycerol, a signaling lipid, which regulates neurotransmitter release. When this happens, the cannabinoids in the CBD cream are able to help lessen inflammation as well as help shut off pain sensations.

How to Use CBD Cream for Pain

Pain typically shows up as either acute, or short-lived pain, or chronic, or long-term pain. Typical health issues that can evoke chronic pain are arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other inflammatory conditions. CBD creams are a fast, effective, and easy way to help calm down isolated areas of soreness and discomfort on the body. Therefore, massaging CBD cream for pain into irritated muscles and joints can also help reduce swelling and lessen aches and pains.

Who Can Use CBD Cream for Pain?

Anyone with chronic or acute areas of pain on the body can use CBD cream for pain. Because this product is fairly universal, it can work great for just about anybody.

How to Apply?

It’s very easy to apply CBD cream for pain. Along with following the instructions on the jar or bottle, you simply take a small amount and massage it into any area of pain on the body.

CBD Cream Dosage

Again, it’s best to follow the instructions on your product container. However, usually when it comes to CBD cream for pain dosage, less is more. Because these products tend to be smooth in texture, a little will go a long way. So, a simple pea-sized amount should do the trick. Obviously, if the area is larger, then you’ll need more cream to cover the area.

CBD Cream Benefits

Unlike CBD oil, you don’t necessarily have to use CBD cream every single day in order to get the most benefits out of it. Because this is a topical product, you can receive the most benefits simply by massaging it into the affected area. Because CBD cream for pain is easy to use, a fingertip-sized amount should do the trick. Once the cream is massaged into the skin, it will go to work calming down irritated muscles and joints. Therefore, a big benefit of using CBD cream is that you’ll have less areas of pain on your body. Consumers who regularly use CBD cream for pain report that they feel their aches and pains lessen within minutes to an hour of initial application. Another great benefit of CBD cream is that you can use it pretty much anywhere on your body at any time you’re feeling discomfort.

Are There Any Side Effects of Using CBD Cream?

Studies have shown that CBD creams, as well as other types of CBD products, are safe and well tolerated among consumers. Some of the most common side effects associated with taking CBD have been reported as:

  • Nausea
  • Dry Mouth
  • Changes in Appetite
  • Low Blood Pressure
  • Sleepiness
  • Changes in Weight

It should also be noted that these side effects are very few and also very mild.

What You Need to Know When Buying CBD Cream

Due to the rising popularity of CBD products, there’s a wealth of brands to choose from in today’s marketplace. And while this may be a good thing, it’s important to know that not all brands or products are created equal. So even though our guide to the best CBD cream for pain is an excellent place to begin your search, you should also do some research on your own.

Some of the things you might want to consider when buying CBD cream for pain are:

Ingredients: If the list is really long and you can’t pronounce most of the words, it’s probably not something you want to put on your skin. Look for products with a majority of natural ingredients.

CBD type: Check whether that cream, balm, or salve is made with full-spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate. All of these are legitimate forms of CBD, but one type might work better for you specifically, and you should buy accordingly.

Product price and value: Ultimately, a CBD cream that is out of your price range just isn’t a sustainable addition to your wellness regimen. Unless you’re only looking for a one-time purchase, you’ll want to look for products that hold a balance of purity, effectiveness, and affordability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between hemp cream and CBD cream?

Hemp cream is crafted from hemp seed oil that’s extracted when hemp plant seeds are pressed. These types of creams do not contain any CBD in them, but are still nourishing to the skin. CBD creams are made using the phytonutrients, terpenes, and cannabinoids that are extracted from the hemp plant using a special process. These types of creams work with the body’s endocannabinoid system to help calm down pain and inflammation on the body.

What is in CBD creams?

CBD creams contain all of the phytonutrients, terpenes, and cannabinoids of the hemp plant. Brands also add in ingredients that help to aid in absorption and that also moisturize the skin like cocoa butter, aloe vera, coconut oil, essential oils, and other skin smoothing agents.

Yes, per the 2018 Farm Bill, all hemp-based CBD products are legal to buy and sell in the United States as long as they contain 0.3% THC.

How do CBD creams work?

CBD creams work when they are massaged into the skin. This way, the CBD can work with the body’s endocannabinoid system to help alleviate and eliminate pain.

Will CBD creams get me high?

Because CBD creams must be made from hemp and must contain 0.3% or less THC, there is no way that anyone can get “high” from using them.

What types of pain can CBD cream help with?

CBD cream can help with a host of different types of pain. The two most common pain types are chronic and acute. Chronic pain is long-lived, while acute pain is short-lived.

How do I choose the right CBD cream for my needs?

In order to pick the best cream for your unique needs, you’ll need to spend time researching brands and products. At the end of the day, you should choose the product that you feel will work best for the type of pain you’re experiencing.

Can CBD cream be used for other skin conditions besides pain?

CBD cream can be used for other types of skin conditions like eczema, dry skin, or rashes, because of its healing and moisturizing properties. If you’re unsure whether you can use CBD cream for pain, then you may want to consult with your primary care doctor or medical specialist.

Are there any potential side effects of using CBD cream?

Because CBD cream is used topically, there really aren’t many side effects linked to it. As we stated above, sometimes consumers can feel drowsy or nauseous, among a few other things, when using CBD in general.

How often should I use CBD cream for pain relief?

You should use CBD cream for pain relief as often as you need to, however, you should read and follow the product instructions before using it.

Can I use CBD cream with other medications?

Because CBD cream is a topical product, you should be able to use it with other types of medications, however, it is strongly advised that you check with your prescribing doctor or pharmacist before using CBD cream while on other types of medications.

How long does it take for CBD cream to start to work for pain?

Consumers who regularly use CBD cream for pain say that they can feel the cream working anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour after it’s massaged into the skin. But because everyone’s body is different, these times will vary from person to person.

Can I use CBD cream for chronic pain?

Yes. CBD cream can be used for both chronic and acute types of pain.

Will using CBD creams for pain result in a positive drug test?

Because hemp-based CBD creams must contain 0.3% or less THC in them per the 2018 Farm Bill, there’s a low probability that it will cause a positive result in a drug test. However, sometimes full-spectrum products do cause a false positive to occur. Therefore, if you are subjected to regular drug screenings, then you may want to opt for a broad spectrum or CBD isolate cream variety.

Is CBD cream allowed through airport security?

These days, airports have specific rules for bringing creams, liquids, and other sorts of products through airport security. The best answer to this question is to call ahead to your airline prior to your flight to double check their rules for bringing such products along with you.

Final Thoughts on Buying CBD Cream for Pain

CBD creams are an excellent way to help calm down tough chronic or acute pain that is either localized or widespread over the body. However, just because you’re excited about the first brand you land upon in your internet search, that doesn’t mean that you should buy a CBD cream for pain from them. Sadly, not all brands and products are created equal. It’s important to do your due diligence and your research in looking for CBD creams for pain. This way, you’ll be sure to choose the most potent, cleanest, and purest product that works best for your unique needs and body.

Our top ten brands for best CBD cream for pain were selected because they are trusted and respected among industry experts and consumers, make pure and potent products, and are highly transparent. These brands know what it takes to make a high-quality product that will be powerful against any type of pain in and on the body. If you’re looking to try a CBD cream for pain, then starting with one or two of our top ten brands is an excellent place to begin.

Finally, along with making sure that you’re buying your CBD cream from a reputable brand that makes top-shelf products, you may also need to decide whether you’ll want to try a cream, gel, or salve. All of these products have their own sets of pros and cons that you’ll want to learn more about. But not to worry, if you become overwhelmed in your research, then you can always refer back to this guide or consult with your primary care doctor or medical specialist to see which brand and product will be best for you. Furthermore, your primary care doctor may also be able to answer your general CBD questions as well.

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