Best CBD Creams, Lotions, Balms, and Salves of 2024

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CBD skin cream may help with pain, inflammation, and other skin conditions. Here, we pick the best CBD lotions, balms, and salves for arthritis, acne, pain, and more.
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A quick look at CBD skin creams
Best for dry and itchy skin: Cornbread Hemp CBD Lotion, Skin Formula  | Skip to review
Cornbread Hemp CBD Lotion, Skin Formula
Skip to review
Best for arthritis pain: CBDfx Muscle and Joint Cooling Balm Stick | Skip to review
CBDfx Muscle and Joint Cooling Balm Stick
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Best for exercise pain: CBDistillery Relief Stick 0% THC | Skip to review
CBDistillery Relief Stick 0% THC
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Best for acne: Joy Organics Premium CBD Cream | Skip to review
Joy Organics Premium CBD Cream
Skip to review

CBDfx Muscle and Joint Cooling Balm Stick

Price: $59.99
Potency: 750 or 3000mg broad-spectrum CBD per stick
Highlights: two potencies available, includes peppermint and wintergreen oils for cooling, made with broad-spectrum CBD
Use code “HEALTHLINE” for 20% off.
SHOP NOW
“I love how this balm stick glides on easily, and starts cooling my skin and muscles immediately – great for stiff joints!”
—Christy Snyder, Healthline Editor
The best CBD skin creams
Cornbread Hemp CBD Lotion, Skin Formula

CBD type: full-spectrum
full-spectrum
CBD potency: 750 mg per 1.7-fl oz bottle
COA: available on product page
Use code “HEALTHLINE” for 30% off.
$49.99 AT CORNBREAD HEMP
*Price may vary.
This skin lotion contains organic full-spectrum CBD and a range of organic moisturizing ingredients, including jojoba oil, argan oil, and vitamin E. The lotion also contains emulsifying wax, which can lock in moisture and may help protect the skin barrier.
full-spectrum CBD
jojoba oil
argan oil
vitamin E
Cornbread Hemp recommends people use four pumps of lotion per day. Four pumps will contain 25 milligrams of CBD and up to 2 mg of THC. The company says that there is enough in each bottle for 30 days of use.
This lotion may help soothe dry and irritated skin, but is unlikely to be suitable for people with very sensitive skin. The ingredients include essential oils, which may increase irritation if a person has a sensitivity to these ingredients.
Read our in-depth review of Cornbread Hemp here.
review of Cornbread Hemp
soothes, moisturizes, and protects skin
full-spectrum CBD includes all other parts of the cannabis plant, which may increase its effectiveness
pump-action bottle may be easier to use if a person has hand pain
contains essential oils, which may cause irritation
some customers find the lotion too thin
soothes, moisturizes, and protects skin
full-spectrum CBD includes all other parts of the cannabis plant, which may increase its effectiveness
pump-action bottle may be easier to use if a person has hand pain
contains essential oils, which may cause irritation
some customers find the lotion too thin
Third-party tested: yes
Returns: returns within 30 days
Shipping: free shipping on orders over $75
Third-party tested: yes
Returns: returns within 30 days
Shipping: free shipping on orders over $75
CBDfx Muscle and Joint Cooling Balm Stick

CBD type: broad-spectrum
CBD Potency: 750 or 3,000 mg per 60-mL stick
COA: available online
Use code “HEALTHLINE” for 20% off.
$59.99 AT CBDFX
*Price may vary.
This broad-spectrum CBD balm contains camphor and menthol to help ease muscle and joint pain. Research has shown that these two ingredients may help with osteoarthritis pain.
broad-spectrum CBD
camphor
menthol
Research
osteoarthritis
Menthol has anti-inflammatory properties, which means that it may help manage rheumatoid arthritis pain. However, do not use CBD as a substitute for medication unless a healthcare professional recommends doing so.
anti-inflammatory properties
rheumatoid arthritis
This balm also contains botanical ingredients, such as lavender essential oil and shea butter, to help soothe and soften the skin.
lavender essential oil
shea butter
One of the benefits of using a balm stick is that it is easy to transport. However, if a person is experiencing pain in a difficult to reach area, such as their back, other formulations may be more beneficial.
Read our in-depth review of CBDfx here.
review of CBDfx
camphor and menthol can help reduce arthritis pain
contains skin softening and protecting ingredients
easily transportable for daily use
contains essential oils which may irritate sensitive skin
a balm may not be appropriate if pain is in difficult to reach areas
camphor and menthol can help reduce arthritis pain
contains skin softening and protecting ingredients
easily transportable for daily use
contains essential oils which may irritate sensitive skin
a balm may not be appropriate if pain is in difficult to reach areas
Third-party tested: yes
Returns: returns within 60 days
Shipping: free shipping for orders over $75
Third-party tested: yes
Returns: returns within 60 days
Shipping: free shipping for orders over $75
CBDistillery Relief Stick 0% THC

CBD type: isolate
isolate
CBD potency: 1,000 mg per 2.5-oz stick
COA: available on product page
Use code “healthline” for 20% off sitewide or choose the subscription option for 20% off the first 2 subscription orders and 25% off the 3rd order.
$60.00 AT CBDISTILLERY
*Price may vary.
After exercise, a person’s muscles may become stiff and painful. This balm may help reduce aches and pains due to its menthol and arnica ingredients, which are both anti-inflammatory and can have pain-relieving properties.
pain-relieving properties
Learn more about the best CBD salves for athletes here.
best CBD salves for athletes
This balm contains CBD isolate, which is the purest form of CBD with 0.0% THC. Other ingredients include moisturizing agents such as shea butter, which may help make skin feel smoother and softer.
CBD isolate
Using a balm for exercise pains may be more convenient, as people can place it in their gym bag and apply it immediately afterwards. Older research suggests applying products containing menthol before, during, and straight after exercise can help relieve pain effectively.
Older research
Read our review of CBDistillery here.
review of CBDistillery
arnica and menthol can help reduce inflammation and pain
easily transportable
no THC, so a good choice for people who regularly undergo drug testing
may not be as effective as full-spectrum products
may be difficult to reach some areas of the body, such as the back
arnica and menthol can help reduce inflammation and pain
easily transportable
no THC, so a good choice for people who regularly undergo drug testing
may not be as effective as full-spectrum products
may be difficult to reach some areas of the body, such as the back
Third-party tested: yes
Returns: full refund within 60 days
Shipping: free shipping on orders over $75
Third-party tested: yes
Returns: full refund within 60 days
Shipping: free shipping on orders over $75
Joy Organics Premium CBD Cream

CBD type: broad-spectrum
broad-spectrum
CBD potency: 1,000 mg per 4-oz container
COA: available on product page
Use code “healthcbd” for 20% off.
$49.95 AT JOY ORGANICS
*Price may vary.
This CBD isolate cream may help reduce acne scarring, inflammation, and redness. It is fragrance free and does not contain any essential oils, so it may be more suitable for those with sensitive skin.
acne
As well as CBD, this product contains olive oil and aloe vera. Olive oil is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and can help promote wound healing. Aloe vera has many of the same properties, and may help reduce noninflammatory acne.
olive oil
aloe vera
help promote
many of the same
Additionally, unlike many CBD creams, this product does not contain lanolin. Lanolin can clog pores and increase the risk of acne.
Read our in-depth review of Joy Organics here.
in-depth review of Joy Organics
fragrance and essential oil free
does not contain lanolin, which may clog pores
olive oil and aloe vera have wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties
may not be as effective as full-spectrum products
fragrance and essential oil free
does not contain lanolin, which may clog pores
olive oil and aloe vera have wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties
may not be as effective as full-spectrum products
Third-party tested: yes
Returns: full refund within 90 days
Shipping: shipping calculated at checkout
Third-party tested: yes
Returns: full refund within 90 days
Shipping: shipping calculated at checkout
CBD skin cream comparison
Here, we compare the CBD creams in this article on ingredients, strength, and more.
How we chose CBD creams
We selected these creams based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.
As a part of our vetting process, we consider:
the product’s composition, ingredients, and overall quality
any third-party certifications
the company’s reputation and business practices
any lab test results
marketing claims
Benefits of CBD skin cream
Research indicates that CBD skin creams may have benefits for some conditions, including the following:
Acne, psoriasis, and eczema: The American Academy of Dermatology states that CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may help treat acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
American Academy of Dermatology
psoriasis
eczema
Arthritis: A 2022 survey and study found that CBD improved pain, physical function, inflammation, and sleep quality in participants with arthritis.
2022 survey and study
arthritis
Peripheral neuropathy: A small 2020 study found that CBD oil can significantly reduce pain for people with peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve damage that causes discomfort, numbness, and weakening in the feet and hands.
2020 study
neuropathy
Jaw pain: A small 2019 trial found that people who experience temporomandibular disorder (TMD) may notice an improvement in their condition after using CBD products. TMD can cause pain and stiffening in and around a person’s jaw.
2019 trial
temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
Read more about our top picks for CBD for arthritis and CBD for neuropathy.
CBD for arthritis
CBD for neuropathy
How to use CBD skin cream
People can apply CBD skin creams directly to the skin of the area they want to treat.
The creams and lotions may provide relief at both the surface and deeper muscle levels. In some cases, they can also aid relaxation to help a person sleep.
People should be consistent when using CBD creams. Research shows that CBD creams work better if they are applied as part of a regular daily routine rather than applying a larger amount sporadically.
For example, a 2022 review notes that a small study found applying a cream containing cannabis seed extract twice daily for 12 weeks reduced oil production and redness.
2022 review
Similarly, in a 2019 study, 20 participants with psoriasis and eczema were asked to apply a CBD ointment to their affected skin twice daily for 3 months. This not only improved the participants’ quality of life but also improved their skin hydration and elasticity.
2019 study
CBD side effects
The American Academy of Dermatology states that contact dermatitis may be a side effect of skin cream but notes it can occur with any topical lotion, not just CBD skin creams.
American Academy of Dermatology
Some people may have concerns about the use of CBD in medications. However, the American Academy of Dermatology claims that CBD creams contain little to no trace of THC, meaning they will not make a person feel high.
American Academy of Dermatology
What to look for in CBD skin cream
People looking for a CBD skin cream should consider a few factors, including:
Budget: Prices vary within brand, strength, and method of application. A person should consider the price range and how often they may need to purchase the product. Products may not necessarily be better quality or have added benefits because they are more expensive, so research is essential.
Personal goal: People may wish to use a stick or roll-on if they are looking for relief in a targeted area. Alternatively, they may wish to use a lotion or cream if targeting larger areas of the body.
Type of CBD: People who wish to avoid THC should choose a broad-spectrum or CBD isolate product.
CBD isolate
Certification of analysis (COAs): Certificates from third-party labs show that the product contains the ingredients the company advertises and ensures it is free from toxic or harmful compounds.
Amount of CBD: People should ensure the product lists the amount of CBD in each dose to avoid purchasing products that may be too strong or weak for their needs. People can start with a lower dose cream and change to a higher dose if necessary.
Environmental considerations: A person may wish to consider whether other ingredients in a skin cream are organic and where or how the cannabis plant grows. Some CBD extraction processes use harsh chemicals that may harm the environment and leave traces in the end product.
Alternatives
Many companies sell CBD products. It is important people research the options to find the most reputable brand that is suitable for their needs.
Alternatives to CBD skin creams often contain other forms of pain management or skin-soothing ingredients, such as:
arnica
vitamin B6
vitamin B6
ostrich oil
ibuprofen
ibuprofen
honey
honey
chamomile
aloe vera
aloe vera
Frequently asked questions about CBD cream
Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about CBD cream.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, some people with arthritis who have tried CBD have reported reduced pain and anxiety. Their sleep also improved.
Arthritis Foundation
However, not everyone will feel any benefit. It is also important to note that the Arthritis Foundation does not specify which type of CBD people used.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, some people with arthritis who have tried CBD have reported reduced pain and anxiety. Their sleep also improved.
Arthritis Foundation
However, not everyone will feel any benefit. It is also important to note that the Arthritis Foundation does not specify which type of CBD people used.
Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products may be more effective than CBD isolate. The former options contain all other parts of the cannabis plant, which may mean people see more benefits.
Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products may be more effective than CBD isolate. The former options contain all other parts of the cannabis plant, which may mean people see more benefits.
Yes, it is okay to use CBD cream every day. In fact, people may find using CBD cream daily is more effective than using it sporadically.
Yes, it is okay to use CBD cream every day. In fact, people may find using CBD cream daily is more effective than using it sporadically.
Summary
CBD skin cream may be helpful for people with various health conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, arthritis, and inflammation.
Many products also contain other ingredients that can benefit specific skin conditions. It is important to read the ingredient list to ensure the product is suitable.
A person new to CBD products should start by using only a small amount and, if necessary, gradually increase the amount over time.