Versed Vaper TeamGet soothing, localized relief with these excellent CBD creams, lotions, and balms
Here at Versed Vaper our favorite way to dose CBD is to vape it, but that’s far from the only way to use CBD. If you’re suffering from localized pain or skin conditions, CBD topicals are a great way of getting straight to the source.
CBD topicals come in the form of creams, lotions, or balms that are infused with CBD. They can be applied directly to the skin just like a regular lotion and have shown promising results in the relief of pain. They can also be used to help treat skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
However, not all CBD topicals are created equal. To help you choose the CBD topical that is right for your specific needs, we’ve gone ahead and done the legwork and have put together this list of the best CBD topicals in 2024.
These CBD topicals have been selected based on their price, quality, effectiveness, and ingredients so you can be sure that you’re getting a topical that works.
OUR TOP PICKS
Why Trust Us
All of our buyer's guides and reviews are based on market research, expert input, and practical experience with the products we include. This way, we offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
How we test
How we chose these CBD creams, lotions and balms
We chose these products based on a number of factors, but prioritized our selection process based on safety, quality, transparency, and potency. Each product in this buying guide:
- is made by a company that provides proof of third-party lab testing
- is proven through lab testing to contain the amount of CBD listed
- is made with U.S.-grown hemp
- passes tests for pesticides, heavy metals, and molds
- contains no more than 0.3% THC
When selecting the products for this buying guide, we also considered the following factors:
- the company’s manufacturing process
- natural ingredients
- brand reputation
- processing facilities used in the production of the topical
- customer reviews
- pricing
- the type of CBD (full spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate)
5.0
Exemplary
Price: $
Why We Picked It
CBDfx Muscle & Joint topical is a potent, broad spectrum CBD cream that penetrates deep down into muscles and joints. It’s rich in cannabinoids and enhanced with botanical ingredients like white willow bark, menthol, and caffeine for powerful relief.
You get either 1000mg or 3000mg of CBD in each 1.7 ounce bottle. All of CBDfx’s CBD is extracted from 100% organically grown hemp plants in the USA. Their topical creams are made from organic, non-GMO ingredients.
Lab test results are available on the product page.
SAVE 15%
CODE: Versed15
4.5
Outstanding
Price: $$
Why We Picked It
CBDfx Calming & Moisturizing Balm Stick is made from broad spectrum CBD, high quality shea butter, and a blend of powerful essential oils for effective relief that smells great too. Roman chamomile oil, lavender oil, tea tree oil, and vetiver oil all work together to improve, nourish, and moisturize your skin.
You get either 750mg or 3000mg of broad spectrum CBD in each 2 ounce stick. This CBD is extracted from 100% organically grown hemp plants in the USA and made from organic, non-GMO ingredients.
Lab test results are available on the product page.
SAVE 15%
CODE: Versed15
4.5
Outstanding
Price: $
Why We Picked It
Hemp Bombs CBD Pain Freeze contains pure CBD extract combined with a cold therapy rub for long-lasting relief. The cooling menthol aids in delivering quick relief to soothe aches, pains, and inflammation in joints and muscles.
Hemp Bombs CBD Pain Freeze comes in three strengths & sizes: 100mg of CBD in a 1 ounce jar, 400mg of CBD in a 4 ounce jar, or 1000mg of CBD in a 4 ounce jar. Their CBD is sourced from sustainably grown, American industrial hemp and all products are manufactured in-house.
Lab test results are available on their Lab Testing page.
4.5
Outstanding
Price: $
Why We Picked It
Avida CBD Balm is made with broad spectrum CBD oil and loaded with 100% natural and organic ingredients like jojoba oil, beeswax, avocado oil, and lavender essential oil. This CBD balm is formulated to provide fast-acting soothing that also leaves your skin hydrated and rejuvenated.
You get 500mg of CBD in each 1 ounce jar. All of Avida’s CBD is made in the U.S.A and derived from 100% organic hemp plants. No pesticides, no synthetic fertilizers, and no genetically modified organisms are used in any process. Their soil is also cleared for heavy metals and contaminants. Avida then tests each harvest to ensure the absence of pesticides, molds, and mildew.
Lab test results are available on the product page.
4.5
Outstanding
Price: $
Why We Picked It
Medterra CBD Pain Relief Cream targets the relief of serious pain like sore backs, stiff necks, joint pain, and arthritis. It’s registered as an over-the-counter product and packed with CBD, arnica, and menthol for fast-acting pain relief that also cools and soothes the area of application. This cream also contains a bunch of other natural ingredients like aloe vera leaf juice, shea butter, peppermint oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil that further relieve and allay pain.
Medterra CBD Pain Relief Cream comes in 1.7fl oz. bottles with either 500mg or 1000mg of CBD per bottle. It comes in a pump bottle where you simply push down on the nozzle to pump out the cream. 2-3 pumps are all it takes to get the amount of cream you need for a sore neck or lower back.
All of Medeterra’s CBD topicals are made in the USA from non-GMO, organically grown hemp. These use 99% pure cannabidiol (CBD) isolate and, referencing their lab test results, contain no other cannabinoids, no pesticides, and no residual solvents. All of their CBD topicals are THC free.
SAVE 15%
CODE: VERSEDVAPER
4.5
Outstanding
Price: $$
Why We Picked It
Medterra CBD + Manuka Cream is specially crafted for skin care purposes. It’s formulated with organic ingredients and more than 20 botanical parts to help soothe and nourish skin. Ingredients include aloe vera leaf juice, palm fruit oil, carrot, sunflower seed oil, organic beeswax, coconut oil, and many other easily recognizable ingredients.
The main star of this cream, manuka honey, originates in New Zealand and is produced by bees that pollinate the native manuka bush. This honey contains several specialty compounds that set it apart from traditional honey, and it has been used throughout history for a wide variety of skincare uses.
Medterra CBD + Manuka Cream comes in either a 1fl oz. jar with 125mg of CBD or a 2fl oz. jar with 250mg of CBD. All of Medeterra’s CBD topicals are made in the USA from non-GMO, organically grown hemp. These use 99% pure cannabidiol (CBD) isolate and, referencing their lab test results, contain no other cannabinoids, no pesticides, and no residual solvents. All of their CBD topicals are THC free.
SAVE 15%
CODE: VERSEDVAPER
4.0
Excellent
Price: $$
Why We Picked It
Receptra Serious Relief is made with full spectrum hemp, jasmine, ylang-ylang, camphor and arnica. Arnica is a flower that grows in the mountains of Europe and Siberia and its extract can be used to address muscle soreness and aches, bruising, joint pain, swelling and inflammation. Receptra Serious Relief targets irritated areas with a blend of all-natural and organic ingredients to soothe and promote speedy recovery.
You get 400mg of CBD in each 1.25 ounce jar, or 800mg of CBD in each 2.5 ounce jar. Their CBD is extracted from locally and sustainably grown, organic hemp plants in Colorado. Their staff harvests the fully grown plants and hand-shucks them to keep plant compounds from being broken down unnecessarily. Before being used in their products, their extract is tested for everything from residual pesticides to heavy metals and more.
Lab test results are available on the product page by entering the batch number.
SAVE 15%
CODE: Versed15
4.0
Excellent
Price: $$$
Why We Picked It
CBD American Shaman carries an Ultra Concentrated CBD Topical Cream that works wonders for pain relief & skin conditions. It’s all-natural and terpene rich which means that you get the full “entourage effect” of other cannabinoids — not just CBD. This ultra concentrated topical cream penetrates deep into skin and muscle tissue for fast, effective relief.
You get 250mg of CBD in each 1 ounce jar. All of their topical creams are made with non-GMO hemp that is grown in the USA. Their CBD products use their proprietary nanotechnology which results in bioavailability that is 10x higher than CBD made without nanotechnology. All of their CBD is lab tested to ensure purity and potency.
Lab test results are available on their Lab tests page.
SAVE 20%
CODE: Versed20
4.0
Excellent
Price: $
Why We Picked It
Elixinol Hemp Balm is a full spectrum CBD balm that is great for all skin types. It’s 100% plant based and packed with ucuuba butter and a suite of all-natural essential oils including copaiba, calendula, grapeseed, and rosemary leaf extract. It’s free of synthetic chemicals or fragrances and contains no harsh solvents or toxic chemicals.
Elixinol Hemp Balm comes in one strength and size which is 1000mg of CBD in a 2 ounce jar. All of Elixinol’s hemp extracts are made from hemp plants grown in the USA. Their hemp is grown without the use of chemicals or synthetic fertilizers. Every ingredient used in their products is vetted for efficacy, quality, and safety.
Lab test results are available on their COA page.
SAVE 10%
CODE: VERSED10
What Are CBD Topicals?
CBD topicals are creams, lotions, or balms that are infused with CBD. CBD is a component found in cannabis plants, however it does not get you high.
Some CBD topicals will have a consistency that is similar to your average lotion, while others will be much thicker like a paste.
While the research is still emerging, the research that is available is promising. CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in a study performed on rodents. Another study found that CBD seems to be effective in reducing the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
CBD topicals are commonly used to help treat skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and acne. They’re also commonly used for muscle and joint pain, aches, and inflammation. CBD topicals have become popular due to the fact that they’re a natural, safe alternative treatment to prescription drugs and painkillers which can be dangerous and addictive.
CBD creams are meant to be applied directly to the affected area of skin. They work by delivering CBD straight to the source and penetrate locally into the muscle, joints, and surrounding tissue for fast localized relief.
What to look for in a CBD topical
When you’re choosing a CBD topical, there are a few things to look out for. These factors should be taken into consideration to ensure that you purchase a product that is not only safe, but that also provides the effective results that you’re looking for.
Ingredients
Make sure that you take a good look at the ingredients before you purchase. Each CBD topical is going to have its own unique formulation so ensure that none of the ingredients are going to be harsh on your skin. Go for all-natural, organic, U.S. grown ingredients when possible.
Looking at the ingredients is doubly important when looking for a CBD cream for your face. Take care to ensure that there are no harsh ingredients that will irritate the sensitive skin on your face.
Potency
One of the most important things to look at when purchasing a CBD topical is the potency. You’ll need a potent CBD cream to pass through skin, so ensure that you’re getting a cream with enough CBD in it.
Because CBD topicals come in different sizes and different CBD strengths, it can be difficult to know the exact concentration of CBD that you’re getting. To make choosing easier and on a more level playing field, always calculate for CBD per ounce.
For instance, let’s say you’re choosing between two CBD products: 1000mg of CBD per 4 ounce jar, or 600mg of CBD per 2 ounce jar. While it might seem like a better buy to purchase the 1000mg of CBD in a 4 ounce jar, if we do the math we find that:
1000mg / 4 = 250mg CBD per ounce
600mg / 2 = 300mg CBD per ounce
In terms of pure concentration, the 2 ounce jar containing 600mg of CBD is actually more concentrated than the 1000mg jar. You get less CBD per jar, but it will be more effective when used.
Type of CBD
When choosing your CBD topical you’ll want to pay special attention to the type of CBD that is used. There are commonly three types of CBD extract that you’ll find in CBD products: full spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate.
Full Spectrum CBD is an extract that contains all compounds found naturally occurring in the plant. This includes terpenes, essential oils, and other cannabinoids. This full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils work together to increase the therapeutic effects and benefits of each cannabinoid, including CBD. This is known as the “entourage effect”.
Broad Spectrum CBD is an extract that contains cannabidiol (CBD) and all other compounds within the plant, except for THC, which is completely removed after the initial extraction. Because broad spectrum CBD extracts contain multiple cannabinoids and terpenes, they also produce the “entourage effect” just like Full Spectrum CBD.
CBD isolate is an extract that contains only CBD. This extract isolates CBD from all other cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils. CBD isolate is typically 99%+ pure CBD and this means that you get the exclusive benefits of CBD, however there is no “entourage effect”.
The type of CBD extract that will work best for each individual can vary, but typically full spectrum or broad spectrum CBD extracts will be the most effective in CBD topicals for pain relief and skin conditions. This doesn’t mean that CBD topicals that use CBD isolates are bad or won’t work, only that most people will benefit from the “entourage effect” that you get from full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD extracts.
Source of Hemp
When looking at CBD topicals, try to choose brands where the CBD is sourced from organically grown, USA hemp plants.
Lab Test Results
Lab test results should be a must-have from any CBD brand that you purchase. This is because currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or quality of over-the-counter CBD products. As such, companies may mislabel or misrepresent their products.
This is why it’s particularly important for a company to have easily and readily available lab test results for their CBD products. This way you know that you’re getting exactly what they’re advertising; that their CBD products contain the amount of CBD that they state, and that they’re free of pesticides, harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and mold.
How to use CBD Topicals: Creams, Lotions, and Balms
CBD topicals are meant to be used just like any other lotion or rub, however they’re much more expensive. As such, you will want to use as little cream as possible while still using enough to get the desired effects. Start with a small amount of CBD cream and see how it works. If you don’t achieve your desired results, gradually increase the amount of CBD cream until you get results. Keep in mind that for skin conditions it can take a few days before you start seeing noticeable differences in your skin.
- Start by thoroughly cleaning the area of skin where you’re going to apply the CBD topical. You don’t need to take a shower; cleaning the area with soap and water will do just fine. After cleaning, completely dry the skin.
- Remove clothing from the area of skin where you’re going to apply the CBD topical.
- Take a small amount of CBD cream and rub it into the skin in a circular motion. You’ll want to use light pressure while rubbing it in.
- Continue rubbing the CBD topical into the skin until it is completely absorbed.
- Apply the CBD topical daily or as necessary and monitor your results. If you aren’t getting the results you’re after, increase the amount of CBD cream that you use or consider using a cream with a higher CBD content.
Benefits of using CBD creams
When compared to other forms of taking CBD, there are a few distinct advantages to using a CBD topical. First and foremost, CBD topicals can be applied directly to the affected area of skin which makes them great for muscle and joint pain, swelling, inflammation, and skin conditions. They’re also convenient to use and as inconspicuous as using any other lotion or cream.
- Localized relief that is straight to the source
- Convenient
- Inconspicuous
- Treats mild skin irritations
- Good for dry skin
- May help heal burns faster
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