Over the past few years, medical researchers have discovered numerous benefits of CBD, ranging from cancer pain alleviation to anxiety-relieving effects. That’s why 14% of US adults are using CBD, according to a 2019 Gallup report.
Nowadays, CBD is being consumed to treat dozens of ailments, starting from minor problems like headaches to more significant issues like insomnia and seizures.
While CBD oils remain the most common type of cannabinoid, other forms have also gained popularity. Among them, CBD topicals top the list since they are convenient to use and carry.
So if you’re looking for a quality CBD cream to start your healing journey, keep reading! This guide will discuss the best CBD creams for pain, inflammation, muscle recovery, and localized relaxation.
Does CBD Help with Chronic Pain?
Research has shown several CBD benefits for different sorts of pain. Fortunately, along with easing acute aches, cannabidiol is also effective against chronic pain like neuropathic and cancer pains.


Experts believe that CBD helps against pain by blocking the pain-inducing receptors or altering the cortisol and serotonin levels in the body. As the cannabinoid interacts with the endocannabinoid receptors, it can induce different nervous and immune systems changes.
Moreover, other studies also show CBD’s efficacy in treating arthritis pain.
However, even today, the research is not extensive enough to lay any factual claims. Therefore, patients are advised to use CBD for pain after consulting with their doctors.
What to Look for in a CBD Cream?
When finding a CBD cream for pain, you should only pick the safe, effective, and potent products. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
- Quality Control: Make sure you only buy CBD topicals for pain that a third party has tested, and the results are available on the brand’s website.
- Company Reputation: You can tell a lot about a products’ quality by looking at the company’s reputation. If the brand has received warning letters from the FDA or has ever been accused of making misleading claims, you should avoid them.
- Potency: As there’s no standard CBD dosage, you can choose the strength depending on your requirements.
- Extraction Method: Experts recommend choosing a CBD cream containing hemp-derived via ethanol or CO2 extraction.
8 Best CBD Creams for Pain
Finding the best CBD oil lotions or creams for pain can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t know where to look in the first place. Below, we will talk about some trustworthy CBD brands to treat acute and chronic pain.
1. CBDistillery Warming Cream
CBD Type: Broad Spectrum
CBD Potency: 300mg
Amount: 1.7oz
Price: $$
The CBDistillery Warming Cream is a blessing for people who need post-workout relief from inflammation and soreness. Moreover, you can also use it to ease the tension build-up from the day’s work.
Containing 300mg of broad-spectrum hemp extract, this cream offers 2mg of CBD with each pump. This allows you to control the dosage effectively and also gives you an easy administration method.
Since it has a warming effect on the body, it soothes the skin while letting you target specific areas for pain relief.
Along with CBD, it also contains camphor, which is responsible for the signature warming effect. Most importantly, the cream does not leave a smell on your body because it’s free of fragrances, parabens, and sulfates.
2. Plant People Soothe+ CBD Cream
CBD Type: Full Spectrum
CBD Potency: 515mg
Amount: 2oz. / 59mL
Price: $$
The Plant People CBD cream is one of the best all-purpose salves on this list. Since it is a full spectrum product, it contains cannabinoids (mainly CBD and CBC) that work wonders for all sorts of pain.
This product also has activating botanicals in its ingredients, including California Poppy, Arnica, and Indian Peppermint. These components work alongside the CBD to relieve muscle soreness, improve mobility, heal athletic injuries, and promote blood circulation throughout your body.
On the brand’s website, we found that you can use this CBD cream twice a day. So for instant relief, just take a pea-sized amount and rub it over your affected areas, like knees, neck, and knuckles.
3. Naternal Rescue CBD Muscle Cream
CBD Type: Full Spectrum
CBD Potency: 1000mg
Amount: 3.4oz
Price: $$


Made by Naternal CBD, this Rescue muscle cream contains a blend of full-spectrum hemp extract, arnica, camphor, and eucalyptus to relieve muscle pain. Since this CBD oil lotion is non-greasy, it comfortably absorbs into the skin and works in no time.
The company rigorously tests all ingredients and the final products to eliminate all contaminants and unwanted hemp components.
Along with the ingredients mentioned above, organic tapioca starch, glycerin, and aloe leaf juice are also present in this CBD cream for pain.
Naternal CBD recommends applying the Muscle Cream to your skin and rubbing it for maximum absorption.
4. cbdMD Recover
CBD Type: Broad Spectrum
CBD Potency: 300mg-1500mg
Amount: 2oz-4oz
Price: $$
The cbdMD Recover is a high-potency CBD cream for pain, suitable for athletes or individuals who occasionally suffer from joint and muscle pain.
This product couples the pain-relieving effects of CBD with the proven benefits of arnica, Vitamin B6, histamine dihydrochloride, MSM, and menthol that can even heal chronic pain. Additionally, it has a blend of essential oils that keeps dry skins moisturized.
cbdMD suggests washing and drying the affected area before applying this cream. Once you apply it, massage it gently into place. You can use it up to four times a day to ease the symptoms.
5. R+R Medicinals CBD Cream
CBD Type: Full Spectrum
CBD Potency: 1000mg
Amount: 2.5 FL oz
Price: $$
R+R Medicinals claims that their professional team has worked on this CBD cream for over a year.
This product is formulated with several ingredients, including MSM, Arnica, Jojoba, and Calendula Flower, combined with natural full-spectrum hemp. This blend of beneficial components makes this CBD for pain cream a high-performing product.
Besides, if you’re allergic to any fragrance or chemicals, this R+R Medicinals CBD cream is free from artificial fragrances, menthol, or dyes. So you can use it anytime, anywhere!
According to the company, each quarter-sized amount of this cream offers around 33.33mg of CBD, with 4mg of other cannabinoids. The tube lasts about 30 days with daily use.
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6. Penguin CBD Cream
CBD Type: Broad Spectrum
CBD Potency: 250mg
Amount: 4oz
Price: $$
The Penguin CBD for pain salve is a luxurious blend with a silky smooth texture. The best part about this CBD oil lotion is that it effectively absorbs into the skin and instantly offers localized pain relief.
Plus, it contains peppermint and lavender that impart a pleasing scent to the formula. These ingredients give this CBD cream a cooling sensation that takes all our pain away.
Penguin CBD recommends using a pea-sized amount of this cream for muscle relief since a little goes a long way. People love its fragrance the most, so if you’re a sucker for pleasant scents, this could be a great option for you.
7. Cornbread CBD Oil Lotion + Menthol
CBD Type: Full Spectrum
CBD Potency: 500mg
Amount: 2oz
Price: $$
Bring a soothing addition to your skincare routine with this Cornbread CBD oil lotion. Not only does this cream treat your pain, but it also provides support to your lifestyle and activities.
It has an excellent blend of Flower-only hemp extract with organic ingredients, like menthol, eucalyptus, and lemongrass. This gives it the power to heal your chronic pain as well as mild headaches.
What’s more, this CBD oil lotion also gives you a cooling effect with no greasiness.
8. Take Spruce CBD Cream
CBD Type: Full Spectrum
CBD Potency: 300mg
Amount: 2oz
Price: $$


To deliver effective pain relief, the Take Spruce CBD cream contains 300mg of CBD with other ingredients, including mineral oil, fragrance, magnesium stearate, and paraffin.
All products by this company are free of pesticides and third-party tested. More importantly, they do not make you high since the THC levels are below 0.3%.
Besides, this cream contains all-natural plant-derived fragrances for people who want a chemical-free CBD for pain relief.
The Proper Way of Using CBD Topicals
Before using any CBD cream, the first step is to clean and dry your problem areas. Then, take a pea-sized amount of the product on your fingers and apply it to those areas.
Typically, CBD topicals have a low skin permeability. So if you feel no relief even after an hour, you can apply more. Keep in mind to massage the topical gently onto your skin to stimulate the absorption process.
Once you’ve applied the cream, wash your hands thoroughly and ensure that the product rinses off completely.
Sometimes, the effects of CBD oil lotions kick in as late as two hours. So always wait for this time duration before increasing your dose.
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you know all about the benefits of CBD for pain.
We understand that finding the right product gets overwhelming, with hundreds of CBD brands available in the market. That’s why we have done the work for you!
So if it’s your first time purchasing a CBD cream for pain, choose any product from the list and start your healing journey. However, always consult your doctor before using it.