
We compared lab results, prices, and customer service from top brands to find the best CBD topics in the area.
There There are so many ways to take CBD, but if you're looking for quick, targeted relief, it's hard to beat a current CBD product. It's a quick fix because it does not need to be digested and you can use it exactly where you need it.
Creams, balms, roll-ons, gels – the possibilities are almost unlimited. In fact, the abundance of choices can be a little overwhelming.
To help you narrow things down a bit, we looked at (and smelled and felt) a lot of current CBD products and highlighted those that highlighted them. We have conducted background research on companies that blindly tested the products and even sent them to a independent lab to test each product for its effectiveness.
So, if you want to try a CBD cream or ointment, you're not sure where to start. We have everything for you. Take a look at our Quicklinks if you want to jump around or just read on to get started!
Editor's Choice Awards
Before we look at the full reviews, here are a few highlights from the CBD hacker team.
Take a look at these over-satisfied brands! (Or just go to the full ranking for detailed information on 20 different products.)
Best CBD Lotion: All-Round High [
Bluebird Botanicals
As an industry leader, Bluebird Botanicals always raises the bar. Their corporate culture promotes transparency and consistency, and their full spectrum CBD lotions are made from high quality ingredients.
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Best CBD Ointment
Joy Organics
Joy Organics Premium Hemp Ointment is like this pretty much everything you are looking for in a CBD topic. It is strong, absorbs well and smells wonderful.
Save 15%, if you use this code: CBDHACKER
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Recommended new stamp
Kanibi
Kanibi does not exist long, but they seem to know what they are doing. Your CBD sports cream absorbs quickly and leaves no residue. The site includes two third-party reviews to verify CBD effectiveness.
Save 10% by using this code: hacker10
Shop now
This item is sold by CBD Hackers Affiliates
CBD Topic
Spruce
Looking for a highly effective topic? Do not search anymore.
Spruce has developed a simple formulated CBD ointment containing over 1000 mg CBD per ounce.
Shop Now
Table of Contents
In order to find the best CBD topics, we do a lot of research and want to share as much data as possible. And, of course, we'll tell you our top tips on CBD topics (you can go directly to that information through the links below).
However, to make sure you have the necessary context, we have also provided them Some background information about CBD. You can find information about his legal status an overview of its functioning and its security profile .
The topics are very broad category of CBD products, and shopping can be quite overwhelming. To help you get started, we've also added a section that covers some of the factors that help to find the right topic for you .
And do not forget to read the . Laboratory test results and our value comparison . This will give you a good idea of what you are really getting.
Enter the area that interests you the most – or scroll through the entire scope of a leaderboard! Here are some links to help you:
Best CBD Lotions, Creams, and Gels
There are many different types of CBD topics. To avoid comparing apples to oranges with bananas, we have decided to divide products into three broad categories – starting with creams, gels and lotions. These are lighter, water-based products that quickly penetrate your skin leaving little residue.
Best CBD lotions, creams and gels
Bluebird Botanicals: Essential Lotion
Ingredients: Aqua (Deionized Water), Emulsifying Wax, Hemp Blend (Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil and Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Extract), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa ( Carrots) extract, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil, polysorbate-20, gluconolactone, sodium benzoate.
Test Notes: Opaque ivory lotion, which penetrates into the skin quickly and without residue. Very light hemp fragrance.
Bluebird Botanicals is one of the pioneering brands in the CBD industry. They have taken the lead in all areas, from third-party testing to ensuring that their products are organically grown and certified glyphosate-free.
The company offers three lotions, but our favorite was their Essential Lotion. It has a mild hemp odor that does not last long and it contains about 200 mg of cannabinoids per ounce. You can choose between the travel size and the 6 ounce full size bottle. It is also completely free of artificial colors and fragrances, parabens, phthalates and sulfates. So no bad stuff.
Advantages:
- Inexpensive
- Extensive tests by third parties
- Solid Return Policy
Shop Bluebird Botanicals
Regular Price: $ 39.99 – $ 59.99
Hemplucid: CBDA Cream
[1945900]
Ingredients: Distilled Water, Aloe Vera, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Optiphen Plus, Cannabidiol, Chamomile, Vitamin E, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Cinnamon, Blood Orange Essential Oil.
Test Notes: Opaque ivory cream feeding within a few seconds. Light, refreshing citrus scent.
Hemplucid is a newer company that works hard to create a reputation based on transparency. They are careful not to claim unjustified claims for their products and provide batch-numbered third-party lab tests for each of their products.
Hemplucid offers its customers both comprehensive and THC-free options. What is special about this topic is that CBDa (or cannabidiolic acid) plays a major role in combination with CBD and traces of other cannabinoids. It is a fairly strong cream with 500 mg cannabinoids per ounce.
Advantages:
- Full Spectrum Formulation
- High Potency
- Solid Tests by Third Parties
]
[ShopHemplucid
Regular Price: 129.95 $
Populum: Cold Therapy Hemp Rub
Ingredients: Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Chamomile Extract, Arnica Extract, Emu Oil, Isopropyl Alcohol, L-Menthol, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Triethanolamine, Full Spectrum Hemp Extract.
Inspection Notes: Fast absorbing, translucent gel. Has a strong menthol fragrance and leaves a cool, tingling sensation on the skin.
Populum caused a sensation in the industry when they first hit the market in 2016 and presented their 30-day, risk-free trial for first-time buyers. Having a solid return policy is now a given in the industry, and Populum has definitely done its part in raising the bar for customer service.
All Populum products use quality ingredients and are thoroughly tested. And if you like a bit of cool action on your topics, this may be a good choice. Although the CBD potency is very low, this gel absorbs very well into the skin and leaves no greasy residues.
Advantages:
- Accurate identification
- Solid customer service
- Cooling effect
Shop Populum
Save 15% with this code: hacker15
Best CBD Balms and Ointments
The products tested in this category are exclusively balms and ointments based on oil or beeswax. Unlike lotions, these are solids that take longer to be absorbed into the skin. These remedies are great for painful joints and skin conditions but may not be optimal for your face due to their density.
Best CBD Balms and Oils
Joy Organics: Premium Hemp Ointment
Ingredients: Organic MCT oil, organic beeswax, phytocannabinoid-rich hemp extract, organic lavender oil and organic eucalyptus essential oil.
Test Notes: Smooth ivory ointment, which penetrates into the skin with a slightly waxy residue. Lavender smells, but is not overwhelming.
Joy Organics has been around for a little over a year, but you would not know that the quality the company emits is a newer one. All products use THC-free broadband CBD derived from organically grown hemp. The customer service is unbeatable.
Joy Organics' CBD Ointment contains a combination of phytocannabinoid-rich hemp oil, beeswax and aromatic essential oils that soothe the muscles and support skin health. The amount of lavender oil is just right and absorbs quite quickly and leaves only slight residue.
Advantages:
- Great Customer Service
- Higher Effectiveness
- Generous Return Policy
Store Joy Organics
Save 15% with Code: cbdhacker
Charlotte's Web: Hemp-Enriched Balm
Ingredients: Sunflower Oil, Melaleuca Leucadendron (Cajeput) Oil, Camphor Oil, Chinese Cinnamon Oil, Clove Flower Oil, Peppermint Leaf Oil, Menthol, Beeswax, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Jojoba Seed Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Hemp Oil CO2 Extract, Tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E).
Light olive green solid. Spicy aroma of menthol and cinnamon. Feeds well with some oily residue.
Charlotte's Web is one of the most trusted brands in the industry for a reason. They take their position as industry leaders seriously, use high quality ingredients and conduct lab tests on all products.
Her hemp-infused balm is one of our favorites. With a strong, spicy aroma and a cooling sensation, this balm feels and smells wonderful. It has a moderate potency of CBD (300 mg per ounce), but you may not want to use it on your face as it leaves some oily residue.
Advantages:
- Trusted Brand
- High quality ingredients
- Invigorating scent
Disadvantages:
- Some oily residues
- One potency
Shop Charlotte's Web
Save 15% with Code: cbdhacker
4 corners: CBD salvo
Ingredients: Coconut oil, Beeswax, antioxidants, CBD-dominant hemp extract.
Test Instructions: Olive ointment, which is absorbed by the skin and leaves noticeable oily residues. Light coconut and hemp fragrance.
4 Corners Cannabis is one of the pioneering CBD companies that paved the way for the industry before the green rush really started. They produce high quality CBD full spectrum products in small batches, using their valuable, self-cultivated, high CBD maize hemp variety.
When you open a tub with 4 Corners CBD ointment, you will notice the scent of coconut that blends well with the fragrance of its full-spectrum hemp. This ointment needs some massage to be fully absorbed, but leaves oily residue (hence may not be the optimal option for your face). With 250 mg CBD per ounce its effectiveness is in the middle range.
Advantages:
- Trusted Seller
- Solid Customer Service
- free delivery
Buy 4 Corners Cannabis
Save 20% with the Code: hacker20
Best Roll-on CBD Topicals
Sometimes you need a practical, freehand theme that You can also use on the go. These roll-ons combine high-quality ingredients with effortless application.
Best Roll-On CBD Themes
RE Botanicals: Mandarin Turmeric Relief Body Oil (Extra Strength)
Ingredients: Organic MCT Coconut Oil from Young Organic Coconuts, Organic Hemp Oil Extract, Organic Curcuma Longa Oil (Turmeric), Organic Citrus Nobilis (Tangerine) Peel Oil ,
Test Notes: Clear, pale yellow liquid in an amber roll-up bottle. The oil absorbs well into the skin (it leaves behind slight residues) and smells of freshly peeled mandarin.
RE Botanicals is one of the few CBD companies to carry the USDA Bio-Seal. This is due to the company's commitment to regenerative agriculture, resulting in consistently high quality ingredients.
RE Botanicals roll-on body oils are available in two strengths and all fragrances are great. However, our favorite was the tangerine turmeric, which really smells like tangerine orange and has the added benefit of being one of their stronger formulations. It's (according to the label) a body oil, so it leaves some residue, but its effectiveness means you do not need much of it to feel the effects.
Advantages:
- USDA Certified Organic Ingredients
- High Efficiency
- Fixed Tests by Third Parties
Shop RE Botanicals
Save 10% with this code: cbdhacker
PlusCBD: CBD Oil Gold Formula Roll-on
Ingredients: Water, Aucklandia Lappa Root Extract, Achuranthes Bidentata Root Extract, Cinnamom Cassia Bark Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Isopropyl Alcohol, Camphor, Menthol, Hemp Oil, Glycerin, hydrolysed jojoba ester, cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, xanthan gester.
Test Notes: Creamy-beige fluid that penetrates the skin very quickly, leaving no residue. Pronounced menthol odor and lasting cool feeling.
PlusCBD oil is a major player in the CBD industry, and its combination of high-quality ingredients and in-depth testing makes it difficult to ignore. They continue to import their hemp from Europe and do not promise that it comes from organic farming. However, the third-party tests are so thorough that it is clear that their products contain nothing negative.
PlusCBD's Gold Formula Roll-On combines warming camphor with cooling menthol (though in our experience the cooling sensation was definitely the most noticeable). This is a fairly potent product with 500 mg CBD per ounce, and we really liked how easily it can be absorbed by the skin.
Advantages:
- Quickly Feeding
- Highly Effective
Shop PlusCBD Oil
Save 10% with this code: cbdhacker
Best CBD Themes: More Choices
We've reviewed a whole range of products for this ranking and have some meets our quality standards. In alphabetical order, these are some of our favorite topics that are worth a look.
Ambary Gardens: Full Spectrum Deep Rub
Ingredients: Shea Butter, Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, CBD Hemp Extract (250 mg CBD per glass), argan oil, jojoba oil, calendula, arnica, essential oils of lavender, camphor, rosemary and eucalyptus.
Tasting Notes: Ivory Ointment, which leaves a little waxy residue, along with a cooling sensation. Light lavender scent.
Ambary Gardens was founded in 2014, making it one of the vintage cars in the industry. The company builds its own hemp in Golden, Colorado, and values environmental and sustainable practices, leading to the least possible waste. In her words: "We do not cut corners. We make no compromises.
Ambary Gardens Deep Rub is a full spectrum CBD ointment with a beautiful, light lavender scent. Arnica, calendula and jojoba oils promote the healing properties of CBD in this current product. You can choose between two sizes with 250 mg CBD per ounce.
Advantages
- Established company
- Positive customer reviews
- Cooling sensation
Disadvantages [StrictReturnPolicy
Shop Ambary Gardens [ ]
Regular Price: $ 65.00 – $ 115.00
- Ingredients: Organic Aloe Leaf Juice, Organic Coconut Oil, Cannabidiol (CBD), Organic Arnica Blossom Extract, Vitamin B6, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), histamine dihydrochloride, emulsifying wax, stearic acid, cetyl alcohol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, glycerin, basil leaf oil, black pepper oil, Roman chamomile flower oil, German chamomile flower oil, cinnamon leaf oil, citronella oil, eucalyptus leaf oil, Helichrysum B lentil oil, ginger root oil, pink grapefruit peel oil, juniper berry oil, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, pine needle oil, ravensara oil, rosemary leaf oil, spearmint oil, wild oregano oil, organic cypress oil, sweetfat oil, lemon peel oil, lavender blossom oil, bioalcohol, phenoxyethanol, caprylylglycol, and sorbic acid.
Test Instructions: Opaque white lotion, which absorbs very quickly and leaves little residue. Invigorating spicy fragrance.
cbdMD entered the CBD scene in 2018, quickly showing the industry that it is possible to offer high quality products that will not rob the bank. The company sources organic hemp from Colorado and Kentucky and offers all types of THC-free products that are available in various potencies.
Recover by cbdMD combines a remarkable dose of CBD with ingredients such as arnica (for white wine) cell stimulation) and vitamin B6 (used to repair inflammatory and arthritic damage). You can also choose your CBD potency, up to 375 mg per ounce. We only wish that cbdMD offers third-party lab reports after formulation!
Advantages:
- Three Power Options
- Free Shipping
- Good Customer Service
Disadvantages:
- No COAs Written on Formulation
- Fragrance & # 39; t & # 39; be for everyone
Shop cbdMD
Save 15% with the code: 15CBDHEndoca: CBD Salvo
Ingredients: CBD Hemp Oil (Cannabidiol 750 mg), Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Shell Oil , Citral, vanilla, vitamin E.
Test Notes: Olive ointment, which absorbs after a few seconds and leaves a little waxy residue behind. Hemp citrus scent.
Endoca is a Denmark-based CBD company that recently opened a US office for its CBD business. They grow their own organic hemp in northern Europe and produce high quality full range products at reasonable prices.
Endocas CBD ointment contains only food ingredients ("so pure you can eat it") and no synthetic fragrances. Your salve is free of animal testing, contains no preservatives or artificial colors and is both vegan and GMO-free. It smells good too. This is a highly effective product, so it will do a little much!
Advantages:
- Fair Prices
- Accurate identification
Disadvantages:
- Severe Return Policy
- Customer Service for Certificate of Authenticity by Email
Shop Endoca
Regular Price: $ 64.00Fab: Topical CBD Cream
Ingredients: Full Spectrum Hemp Oil Extract (CBD), Distilled Water, aloe vera, cocoa butter, coconut oil, olive oil, cetearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, Optiphen Plus, chamomile, vitamin E, citric acid, potassium sorbate, cinnamon, essential blood orange oil.
Test Instructions: Opaque ivory cream, which absorbs easily and leaves behind slight residues. Light citrus fragrance.
Fab CBD is a Florida-based company that focuses on customer satisfaction. Products made with CO2-extolled CBD organic hemp from Colorado ensure their products are of consistently high quality.
Fab's topical CBD cream feels luxurious, non-greasy and has a really nice, light, citrusy (especially blood orange odor) At 300 mg per ounce, this cream has a remarkable effectiveness and contains ingredients like aloe vera and vitamin E.
Advantages:
- Solid Return Policy
- Outstanding Customer Service
- Reasonable Pricing
Shop Fab CBD [Regularprice:$6400
Hemp: CBD Balm
Ingredients: Water-soluble phytocannabinoid-rich hemp oil, beeswax, MCT oil, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil.
Ivory ointment, which absorbs relatively quickly and leaves a slightly waxy residue. [lavender]
Das i Colorado-based Hempure was founded in 2018 to raise the bar for CBD quality. Their broadband products are derived from GMO-free, organic hemp and obtained using CO2 technology. The company also takes care to provide a sufficient amount of educational content on its website.
Hempure's CBD balm is one of the most effective we have tested. With 750 mg CBD per ounce, this product provides a pretty good CBD breakdown. Their balm also uses water-soluble hemp oil, which can lead to better absorption. One thing to keep in mind if you are not a fan of lavender oil, this may not be the issue for you.
Advantages:
- High Potency
- Affordable Prices
- Free shipping over 25 USD
Disadvantages:
- Severe Return Policy
- Leaves a bit of debris
Shop Hempure
More … regular Price: $ 66.99Kanibi: CBD Enhanced Sports Cream
Ingredients: Aqua, methyl salicylate , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Mentat, Hemp Extract, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera), Organic Tapioca Starch, Glycerol, Caprylic Capric Triglycerides, Xanthan Gum, Bio Rosmarinus Officinal is (Rosemary) Lef Extract, Cinnamom Camphora (C bark oil, organic arnica extract, glyceryl caprylate, capryl hydroxamic acid, citric acid.
Test Instructions: Opaque white cream that absorbs very quickly and leaves no residue. Invigorating menthol scent.
Kanibi is a brand new Oregon-based CBD company that wants to redefine CBD manufacturing. They use organic hemp, clean extraction methods and produce their products in a cGMP-compliant manufacturing facility. Precision dosing is one of their promises and they offer two COAs for each product.
We liked the fact that Kanibis sports cream absorbed quickly and left a tingling cool feeling, without greasy residue. It comes in a cool donor pump that simplifies the application and helps you monitor how much you are consuming (each pump contains about 6-8 mg of CBD). In terms of efficacy, our lab test yielded a CBD level that matched the label exactly – a good indication that a company is paying close attention.
Advantages:
- Accurate Dosage
- Sound Customer Service
- Light Chill
Disadvantages:
- New Company
- A Potency
Shop Kanibi
Save 10% with your code : hacker10Mission Farms: Joint and Muscle Gel
Ingredients: Organic Aloe Leaf Juice, Meadow Foam Oil , Mentholkristalle, Capsicum Fruit Oleoresin, Whole Hemp Extract, White Camphor Rindenöl, Basilikumblattöl, Schwarzer Pfeffer, Römisches Kamillenblütenöl, Deutsches Kamillenblütenöl, Zimtblattöl, Zitronengrasöl, E ucalyptus leaf oil, helichrysum flower oil, ingwerwurzelöl, pink grapefruit peel oil, wacholderbeerenöl, zitronengrasöl, pfeff erminzöl, tannennadelöl, ravensaraöl, rosmarinblattöl, minzeöl, wildoreganoöl, glycerin, zaubernusswasser , Organischer Alkohol, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Triethanolamin, Tetranatriumglutamat-Diacetat.
Prüfhinweise: Durchscheinendes Orangengel, das schnell und rückstandsfrei in die Haut einzieht. Frischer Menthol-Duft mit einem Hauch von Zitrusfrüchten.
Mission Farms ist ein in Oregon ansässiges CBD-Unternehmen, das 2018 gegründet wurde. Das Unternehmen baut in Oregon nährstoffreichen vulkanischen Boden eigenen Bio-Hanf an und kontrolliert dessen Produktionslinie vom Saatgut bis zum Regal.
Mission Farms unterscheidet sich von vielen anderen CBD-Produkten durch die Verwendung von ätherischen Ölen, die die Wirkung von CBD ergänzen. Das Thema umfasst eine lange Liste von Ölen, die aufgrund ihrer schmerzlindernden und entzündungshemmenden Wirkung ausgewählt wurden. Sie verleihen diesem Gel auch seinen belebenden, würzigen Duft. Sie können zwischen einer Pumpe oder einem Gefäß wählen, aber beide Optionen bieten 75 mg CBD pro Unze.
Vorteile:
- Reaktionsschneller Kundendienst
- Solide Rückkehrpolitik
- Preisgünstig
Nachteile:
- Geringe Potenz
- Nicht frei Versand
Shop Mission Farms
Sparen Sie 20% mit dem Code: cbdhackerMyaderm Sport Cream
Zutaten: Zutaten Gereinigtes Wasser, Isopropylpalmitat, Capryl- / Capric-Triglycerid, CBD, Propylenglykol, Ceteareth-20, Cetearylalkohol, Glycerylstearat, PEG-100-Stearat, Dimethanol, Hydroxyethylacrylat / Natriumacryloyldimethyltaurat-Copolymer, Squalan, Polysorbat 60, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Menthol, Kampfer, Eukalyptusöl, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethanolamin.
Prüfhinweise: Opake, leicht rosafarbene Lotion mit leichtem Mentholgeruch. Zieht schnell ein und hinterlässt keine Rückstände.
Myaderm ist ein in Colorado ansässiges Unternehmen, das sich auf hochwirksame CBD-Arzneimittel spezialisiert hat. Sie beziehen im Inland angebauten Hanf und ihr CBD wird mit CO2 und Ethanol extrahiert. Für ihre Formulierungen verwendet das Unternehmen CBD-Isolat (also kein THC), das in einer transdermalen Lotion enthalten ist.
Myaderm's Sport Cream ist sowohl saugfähig als auch nicht fettend bisschen ein Kühleffekt. Als wir uns an den Kundenservice wandten, erhielten wir leider unklare Antworten auf unsere Fragen, ob sie Bio-Hanf verwenden. Zu den Labortests von Drittanbietern gehören jedoch Tests auf Schadstoffe wie Pestizide, Schwermetalle und Mikrobiologie.
Vorteile:
- Hohe Wirksamkeit
- ]Absorbent formula
- Free shipping
Disadvantages:
- CBD isolate contains no minor cannabinoids
- Website lacks information
Shop Myaderm
Regular Price: $49.99Onyx+Rose: Bliss Balm
Ingredients: Phytocannabinoid-Rich Hemp Oil, Beeswax, Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT), Lavender Oil and Eucalyptus Oil.
Testing Notes: Solid ivory balm that has a waxy texture and leaves a bit of residue. Lavender scent.
Onxy+Rose is a Kentucky-based CBD business with pretty great products and a really pretty website. They use American-grown hemp for their CO2-extracted CBD. All their products utilize broad spectrum CBD, so you can skip the THC altogether.
Onxy+Rose’s balm is a waxy solid that does leave a bit of residue. The ingredients include both lavender and eucalyptus oil, but it’s the lavender you’ll notice when you apply it (though the scent fades as the balm is absorbed). At 250mg per ounce, this product is in the mid-range for potency.
Advantages:
- Reasonably priced
- 90-day returns for first purchase
- Responsive customer service
Disadvantages:
- One potency option
- Batch number needed to view COAs
Shop Onyx+Rose
Regular Price: $48.60 – $54.00Relive Everyday: Re-flex Pain Relieving Spray
Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Glycerine, Grapefruit Oil, Hemp Extract, Isopropyl Alcohol, Purified Water.
Testing Notes: Translucent liquid that absorbs quickly, leaving no residue. Strong menthol scent.
Relive Everyday is a CBD company based in Pennsylvania. While CBD gummies are their signature products, they also offer tinctures and a topical spray. All Relive Everyday products use CO2-extracted CBD, derived from organic, non-GMO Colorado-grown hemp.
Relive Everyday’s Pain Relieving Spray is one of the lower potency products on our list, but it could be a good option if convenience is important to you. The spray bottle makes application easy and keeps oils off of your hands. It also offers some light cooling action due to the presence of menthol.
Advantages:
- Free shipping
- Responsive customer service
Disadvantages:
- Expensive
- Lower potency
- No post-formulation COA
Shop Relive Everyday
Save 10% with code: hacker10Spruce: CBD Salve
Ingredients: Full spectrum CBD oil, olive oil, shea butter, beeswax, MCT Oil.
Testing Notes: Soft, olive green salve that leaves some oily residue. Light, earthy hemp scent.
Spruce is another newcomer to the CBD scene, but this company wants to make its mark by offering high potency CBD products for those who need them. Spruce uses full spectrum CBD, and our lab testing did show traces of minor cannabinoids in addition to the CBD.
According to Spruce’s website, their salve is 100% natural, organic, and made from simple ingredients (five in total, to be exact). We did find it a bit oilier than other salves we tried, but given some massaging action it does absorb into the skin. This salve isn’t scented, so it carries a light hemp smell.
Advantages:
- High potency
- Solid return policy
- Good price
Disadvantages:
- No post formulation COAs
- No free shipping
Shop Spruce CBD
Regular Price: $89.00 – $169.00Steve’s Goods: Wowzer on a Stick
Ingredients: Avocado Oil, Shea Butter, Beeswax, Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Full Spectrum Hemp Flower Extract, Vitamin E, Cajeput Oil, Camphor Oil, Lavender Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Cornmint Essential Oils.
Testing Notes: Light olive green, salve. More solid than most and leaves a bit of a waxy residue. Minty lavender scent.
Steve’s Goods is a Colorado-based CBD company which has been perfecting its wares since 2016. The company offers a wide range of full spectrum CBD products, sourced from organic, Colorado hemp.
Steve’s Goods’ whimsically named Wowzer on a Stick may or may not have you saying “wowzer” but it definitely checks the boxes of product quality. Containing ingredients like shea butter and beeswax, you know this is going to be good for your skin. The CBD potency isn’t super high, though, so don’t be shy when you’re applying this stuff.
Advantages:
- Reasonable pricing
- Responsive customer service
- Established company
Disadvantages:
- Only one potency
- Only 10-day returns
Shop Steve’s Goods
Regular Price: $34.99Methodology
To find the best CBD topicals, we don’t cut corners. We started with a list of some of the biggest names in the CBD industry, added some up-and-comers that we’ve been hearing some buzz about and started digging.
Our research is pretty comprehensive, covering everything from key quality indicators to customer service and the all important potency testing. Here’s a breakdown of what we look at:
Third Party Lab Testing
If you’re spending a significant wad of cash on CBD topicals, you want to make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for. Accurate dosing is one of the most important steps in creating a good CBD product, and we check to make sure that companies are doing it right.
So we send samples of each product to an independent lab for potency testing. You can view those lab results here.
Product Quality and Value Evaluation
There are many types of CBD topicals out there and in some ways, ranking them can be like comparing apples to oranges. But there are common denominators when it comes to quality.
For this category, we prioritize companies that source domestically grown, organic hemp for their products. And the closer their relationship to the hemp farmers the better.
Our team also conducted blind product testing. Samples of each product were placed in identical containers, and we marked each one on its smell as well as its consistency. Mostly we were looking for things that would make you want to either really avoid the product or which made it especially attractive.
And finally, we looked at the price of the product. There are, of course, lots of factors that determine the price of a product. But this a ranking for CBD topicals, so our value comparison is based on the price per milligram of CBD. You can find that chart below.
User Experience
While it’s becoming easier to find CBD topicals in stores, most CBD shopping is still conducted online. So we evaluated all company websites for usability.
Specifically, we spent a lot of time assessing how easy it was to find helpful information about the company, their processes, and products. We also tested the speed of the site and even went through the purchasing process, checking for glitches.
Customer Service
The CBD industry can be a confusing space to navigate, and good customer service is essential to running a good CBD business.
To evaluate how well a company treats its customers, we pretended to be customers with all manner of questions. We asked questions about products (or company policies) and then rated the responses on the speed of reply, as well as the quality of answers. We also checked out shipping prices and return policies to come up with a final score.
Value Comparison
It can be tricky to figure out how to compare the pricing for various CBD topicals. A tiny amount of balm might come with a high price tag if it contains a high concentration of CBD, so the size of the container shouldn’t be the determining factor of good value.
(Then again, if you need something that you can spread around a large area, that tiny tube of highly potent balm might not be the best value for you.)
Below, you’ll find the price per milligram of CBD for each product as well as the total milligrams of CBD in the product (at the highest potency offered). This should help you gain an idea of relative price points as well as the potency range of different products.
Brand Price CBD Potency price per mg CBD Myaderm $49.95 1200 mg $0.04 Bluebird Botanicals $59.99 1250 mg (total cannabinoids) $0.05 cbdMD $99.99 1500 mg $0.07 Spruce $169.00 2000 mg $0.08 RE Botanicals $39.00 500 mg $0.08 Charlotte's Web $39.99 450 mg (total cannabinoids) $0.09 Endoca $64.00 750 mg $0.09 Hempure $66.99 750 mg $0.09 Joy Organics $99.95 1000 mg $0.10 Fab $64.00 600 mg $0.11 Onyx & Rose $54.00 500 mg $0.11 Mission Farms $69.00 600 mg $0.12 PlusCBD Oil $59.95 500 mg $0.12 Hemplucid $129.95 1000 mg $0.13 Steve's Goods $45.00 300 mg $0.15 4 Corners Cannabis $99.99 500 mg $0.20 Kanibi $49.00 250 mg $0.20 Ambary Gardens $115.00 500 mg $0.23 Relive Everyday $59.99 200 mg $0.30 Populum $45.00 100 mg $0.45 Cannabinoid Potency
A good CBD product should contain close to the amount of CBD tha t is lab eled on the package — and the closer the better. We sent all products to an independent lab to see how accurately each CBD topical was labeled.
Below you’ll find the amount of CBD, THC, and any other cannabinoids that were present in the company’s topical product.
Company % CBD % Δ9-THC Other Cannabinoids RE Botanicals 5.5 0.2 THCA, CBDV, CBG Spruce 4.9 0.2 Δ8-THC, CBDV, CBN, CBG Hempure 2.8 – THCA Endoca 2.6 0.1 Δ8-THC, CBDA, CBDV, CBN, CBC, CBG Myaderm 2.5 -[1 9459101] – PlusCBD Oil 1.5 0 CBDV, CBC, CBG Joy Organics 1.3 – CBDV Fab 1.0 0 CBC 4 Corners Cannabis 0.8 0 CBDA, CBC, CBG Ambary Gardens 0.8 0 CBC, CBG Bluebird Botanicals 0.8 – CBC Onyx+Rose 0.8 – – cbdMD 0.6 – – Charlotte's Web 0.5 – CBC Hemplucid 0.5 0 CBDA, CBC Kanibi 0.5 – – Steve's Goods 0.5 – CBC, CBG Mission Farms 0.3 – – Relive Everyday 0.3 – – Populum 0.1 – – What is CBD?
In short, CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are chemicals produced by cannabis plants, and the two most prolific and well-known are CBD and THC (also known as the one that gets you high).
CBD works by interacting with your endocannabinoid system, which is composed of interrelated receptors and chemicals spread throughout the brain and body. Most animals have an endocannabinoid system (or ECS)and its job is to help maintain homeostasis, or balancewithin our bodies.
So what does CBD do?
The scientific research on CBD is really still in the early stages, but the evidence is beginning to pile up. While most scientists aren’t ready to make conclusive statements, there are plenty of studies that point to CBD’s effectiveness for pain, inflammation, anxiety, seizures, and even neuroprotection (protecting brain cells from damage).
When you use CBD topicals, the CBD that penetrates your skin interacts with ECS receptors lying just below the surface. Unless you’re using a transdermal formula, the CBD won’t actually penetrate into your bloodstream, which is why this is a localized treatment.
Using CBD topicals on your skin won’t help with anxiety or seizures. But if you have pain and inflammation in a specific area that you want to target, a good CBD topical can do wonders.
Safety Concerns and Side Effects
So CBD can be helpful with a lot of conditions, but is it safe?
According to the World Health Organization, CBD has a good safety profile. This means that side effects are minimal (like dry mouth, lightheadedness or sleepiness) and no one has been known to overdose on it. Also, unlike THC, it won’t make you high.
It’s still important, though, to keep your doctor in the loop if you’re taking other medications. CBD is safe on its own, but it can interact with other drugs in unpredictable ways. This is certainly less of an issue with topicals, which do not enter the bloodstream and are not metabolized by the liver (but it’s always a good idea to run a new treatment by your doctor anyway).
The trace amounts of THC in full-spectrum CBD products can also be an issue for those who have to take drug tests for work. Even small amounts of THC that enter the bloodstream can be stored up in fatty tissue and detected by a test.
With CBD topicals though, the cannabinoids only penetrate the skin barrier and don’t enter the bloodstream at all, so there’s really no chance of failing a drug test due to a full spectrum CBD topical.
Is CBD Legal?
Hemp-derived CBD is federally legal and is no longer on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s list of controlled substances.
Because all cannabis plants produce some amount of CBD, it’s important to note the difference between CBD extracted from marijuana and CBD extracted from hemp. Though molecularly they are identical, the federal government has only legalized CBD that comes from hemp. By law, hemp cannot include more than 0.3% THC.
Things are a bit more complicated, though, at the state level. CBD is legal in most states, but there are some holdouts that haven’t quite made up their minds about the substance. So it’s a good idea to check into your local laws to find out if having CBD in your glove compartment could prove to be a problem.
For more info, check out our interactive map: Is CBD Legal in Your State?
Why Choose CBD Topicals?
With so many ways to use CBD, why bother with a topical?
To cut to the chase, the main advantage that a CBD topical offers over other methods of delivery is targeted relief. Taking CBD in a capsule or under your tongue provides the benefit of systemic support for a number of conditions. Using a topical gets the CBD to the specific place you need it.
This means that if you have widespread inflammation or pain, using a topical may not be the most beneficial way to take CBD — but if there are localized areas you want to treat, a topical is probably what you’re looking for.
Secondly, CBD topicals work fast. Those endocannabinoid receptors are right under your skin, and as soon as the CBD is absorbed it starts to work. There’s no lengthy digestion or metabolism process to wait through, so it can be surprising just how quickly you’ll feel relief.
On the downside, the speed of delivery means it won’t last as long as CBD that you’ve ingested. That’s something to consider if you suffer from chronic pain. Still, if pain is keeping you awake at night, a topical might be what you need to get yourself to sleep.
Topicals can also be a good choice for people that are on medications that could interact with CBD in the liver. With the exception of transdermal formulas, topicals do not penetrate to the bloodstream (this is why their effects are limited to the area that is treated) so it won’t affect the metabolism of other drugs.
How to Choose CBD Topicals
The kind of topical you choose depends a lot on what you want to use it for. Here are a few considerations:
- Potency: Pay close attention to cannabinoid potency. Some CBD topicals contain a high concentration of CBD — from 500 to more than 1000mg of CBD per ounce. Others contain very little, so keep that in mind when you’re calculating the value of the product and when determining how much to use.
- Type of Product: If you’re looking for super targeted relief, then a high concentration balm might be a good choice. If you’re looking for something to spread over a larger area you might want to try a lotion (or massage oil).
- Additional Ingredients: If you have a muscle injury and want to add heat or cooling to the effects of the CBD, there’s no need to apply two products. There are plenty of topicals that combine the two in one formula.
- Application Location: If you’re looking for something to apply to your face, you’ll probably want to avoid topicals that contain ingredients like capsaicin or menthol — especially if it’s going anywhere near your eyes.
And, as with any CBD product, only buy from companies that are transparent about their company practices and policies. Look for companies that source organic, domestically grown hemp. And they should make third-party lab reports readily available so you can check the potency of your product.