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Anyone who has experienced pain for any prolonged period knows it can be debilitating.
Any woman who's experienced pain has likely been dismissed or had her symptoms disregarded.
Over the past few decades, researchers have found that women’s pain is often taken less seriously than men’s and, as a result, it frequently goes untreated or undertreated.
According to a review in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, an expansive body of literature has shown that women are not only more at risk for pain but they feel it more intensely than men do.
In addition to being more sensitive to pain, women experience more painful chronic conditions.
2 out of 10 people in the world experience chronic pain. Of all those who experience chronic pain, 7 out of 10 are women.
Conditions like arthritis (rheumatoid especially), fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, and women-specific conditions like menstrual pain and endometriosis affect women more than men.
The Best CBD Cream For Pain Quick Links
- Best Overall: Papa & Barkley CBD Releaf Balm
- Also Great: R&R CBD Cream
- Best Anti-Inflammatory CBD Cream: CBDfx CBG + CBD Cream for Muscle & Joint
- Best Value: FAB CBD Cream
- Best Organic CBD Cream: Cornbread Hemp CBD Lotion + Menthol
- Best CBD Cream for Arthritis: JustCBD Ultra Relief CBD Gel
- Best Scented CBD Cream: Penguin CBD Cream
Pain, when it is ongoing and uncontrolled, has a detrimental, deteriorative effect on virtually every aspect of your life.
It produces anxiety and emotional distress, undermines well-being, interferes with functional capacity, and hinders the ability to fulfill family, relationships, social, and work.
Now more than ever, an increased number of people are turning to natural alternatives to help them treat and manage their pain from headaches to sore toes and everything in-between.
This rise in natural approaches to pain relief is mostly due to prescription medications may be addictive, can be dangerous, and have adverse effects.
The search for natural pain relief is one reason why CBD, a non-psychoactive herbal remedy, is quickly gaining popularity.
If you’ve been wanting to try CBD for your chronic or acute pain, then our article about the best CBD cream for pain will help you get started on the right track.
Our list of the best CBD creams for pain only contains products that use CBD that’s extracted from USA-grown hemp.
We also included CBD creams that are organic, non-GMO, and are free of any harmful compounds such as pesticides and solvents.
And have been independently tested by third-party labs for quality, potency, and safety purposes.
We also considered indicators of user trust and brand reputation, customer reviews, effectiveness, and whether the company has been subject to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter.
After rigorous testing, here's what we came up with:
Best CBD Creams For Pain
You ready to dive into our top product recommendations for the best CBD creams for pain. Would you like to learn more about using CBD creams, lotions, and balms and help selecting the right product for you?
Word of Caution: Do not apply any of the CBD creams listed below to open wounds. Avoid contact with eyes. If contact occurs, rinse well with water. If irritation develops, discontinue use and consult your physician. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
1. Best Overall: Papa & Barkley CBD Releaf Balm
Papa & Barkley CBD Releaf Balm is on the top of the CBD topical list because the brand has a great reputation for high-quality, clean products that their customers rated the effectiveness of their product at 8.6 out of 10.
Compared to other topicals I’ve purchased, this is one of the most effective CBD topicals I've ever tried.
This Papa & Barkley Releaf Balm works in about 10 to 15 minutes for me. I immediately begin feeling less tightness and reduced pain in my back due to disc herniations and feel my muscles relaxing around the herniations.
The instant warmth followed by a cooling sensation comes from the Essential Oil Blend, Natural Terpenes, and Phytocannabinoids which has a very mild fragrance that dissipates quickly, so there isn’t a lingering medicinal scent.
Features
Cost: $29.99 to $79.99
Fast-Absorbing Formula: Papa & Barkley CBD Full Spectrum balm features a formula that works quickly by absorbing into the skin soon after the balm is applied. In fact, half of all CBD topical respondents reported efficacy within 5-10 minutes.
Papa & Barkley CBD Releaf Balm is clean and chemical-free with no isolates, distillates, or solvents.
Using only high-quality Cannabis sativa (hemp) from U.S. farms blended with beeswax, coconut oil, vitamin E, and thoughtfully-sourced essential oils: peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, and lavender.
Discounts Available
Ongoing 20% savings on all subscription orders plus free ground shipping on all subscription orders.
Easily pause or cancel your subscription anytime in your account.
What we like
- Its whole-plant infusion method is cleaner, better for you, and more effective
- iGen certified to make sure the products do not contain GMO genes and proteins found in common bioengineered crops
- Free of animal testing
- Fair Trade Certified Cacao to ensure safe working conditions, environmental protection, and sustainable livelihoods
- Balm is perfect for all kinds of consumers — experienced or not
- Long-lasting, targeted relief
What we don't like
- Obnoxiously small container the salve is contained in
Customer Experience
They have a great number of positive customer reviews. In fact, 98% percent of Papa & Barkley CBD customers were satisfied with their product.
On top of being a highly effective pain-relief cream, it has a pleasant smell, applies to the skin easily, and sinks in quickly with no greasy residue.
Customers are extremely satisfied with their customer support in their reviews, they say that the support staff is very helpful and incredibly attentive.
2. Also Great: R&R CBD Cream
R&R CBD spent over a year developing its updated 1000mg CBD Cream formula with a team consisting of chemists, a doctor, and customer feedback to ensure one thing - that it WORKS with maximum effect.
I was so happy to see that R&R CBD offers a full-spectrum hemp extract infused cream that’s menthol-free, dye-free, and fragrance-free.
This cream is 100% CBD, and you can tell the moment you apply it: this stuff has a pleasant smell, applies to the skin easily, and sinks in quickly with no greasy residue and it gets to work almost immediately.
Features
Cost: $42.99
Fantastic for helping with arthritis-related pain, pain and inflammation, sore muscles, and aching joints, R&R CBD cream works fast, is all-natural, and applies beautifully.
With consistent use, this is the one product we’ve found that truly gets the job done due to its quality ingredients.
The results aren’t masked by menthol or eucalyptus - it’s the CBD and minor cannabinoids (THC, CBG, CBC, CBDv, CBN, CBL) together with the potent botanicals doing their job!
Dosage: Each quarter-sized amount delivers roughly 33.33mg of CBD and over 4mg of minor cannabinoids. Each 2.5fl oz tube should last over 30 days with daily use.
Discounts Available
R+R also offers some great discounts.
- You can set up auto-ship for a further 15% discount (pause, skip, or cancel at any time)
- Sign up for the latest R&R updates, promotions, and new product releases, and receive a 20% off R&R Meds discount code
- Veterans can receive a generous 25% off their orders
- Refer a friend for a 30% discount
What we like
- Wonderfully effective pain-relief cream and fast-acting
- The experience that R&R CBD cream brought me was far more beneficial than I had initially expected
- Great natural scent; no added menthol, eucalyptus, dyes, or fragrances
- USDA Organic certified
- These guys are the best of the best when it comes to customer service
- R+R offers free shipping to all 50 states
What we don't like
- Nothing bad here
Customer Experience
The R&R CBD reviews posted by customers on verified review sites are overwhelmingly positive. On top of being a highly effective pain-relief cream, it has a pleasant smell, applies to the skin easily, and sinks in quickly with no greasy residue.
And free fast shipping and great customer service are the most common themes in these user reviews.
3. Best Anti-Inflammatory CBD Cream: CBDfx CBG + CBD Cream for Muscle & Joint Pain
CBDfx cream is a Powerful, rapidly absorbing “Heating Formula,” Medically approved CBG+CBD cream containing potent anti-inflammatory botanical extracts like White Willow Bark, Camphor, and Vanillin.
These are all-natural pain relievers proven effective in the treatment of aches and pains in muscles, joints, and other deep tissue.
The salicin inside willow bark works the same way as aspirin, by reducing inflammation and pain. As well as the antioxidant & anti-inflammatory powerhouse, vanillin. Together with camphor which warms and loosens muscles.
And CBG, because due to overwhelming anecdotal evidence and some promising studies on the use of CBG for pain and inflammation, CBG has become a highly sought-after pain cream ingredient.
Features
Cost: $49.99 to $99.99
This CBDfx pain cream comes in your choice of two potencies: 1000mg CBD, or 3000mg CBD.
Water-based topicals, like the CBDfx CBG+CBD Cream for Muscle and Joint: Heating Formula, can more easily travel through the different layers of the skin deep down to muscle or joint soreness.
And reach affected areas more effectively than some other topicals, giving you soothing, long-lasting relief from aches and pain or discomfort.
All of CBDfx products come from the U.S.A. organically-grown, pesticide-free hemp to ensure your CBD has never been exposed to the kinds of harmful pesticides and chemicals commonly found in other products.
What we like
- Organic, vegan & cruelty-free
- The heating Formula is formulated for deep, penetrating pain relief
- Absorbs rapidly into the skin, providing prompt pain-relieving effects
- The formulation provides long-lasting pain relief
- It does not leave a greasy after-effect or an unpleasant smell
- Negative reviews of CBDfx are hard to find
- ND-THC
What we don't like
- Order processing may take up to 72 hours
Customer Experience
There is a good number of reviews and testimonials on their website. Most of their customers seem to be satisfied with the instant great relief of the cream, the pleasant scent, a little goes a long way and the good pricing.
Use discount code "FXSAVINGS" for 10% off at checkout.
4. Best Value: FAB CBD Cream
FAB CBD is tackling pain at the source with its pleasant fragrance 600mg CBD cream. This topical is easy to apply on points of pain or discomfort, and it absorbs quickly for a no-mess application.
Also Read: Our Full FAB CBD Review.
This topical cream is made with a full-spectrum hemp extract along with coconut oil and aloe vera to create a moisturizing, soothing consistency that both your skin and aching muscles will love.
With FAB CBD’s topical cream, you no longer have to put up with sore, painful muscles and joints. Instead, you take a dime-sized dollop of their pleasantly-scented cream and rub it deeply onto the point of pain.
Within no time, you’ll start to experience targeted, concentrated relief in even the most deep-seated areas.
Features
Cost: $49
For anyone who needs a seriously powerful CBD topical, at the best price, this is a fantastic choice.
The brand is well known among CBD enthusiasts and industry experts for having top-notch, Colorado-grown hemp, clean ingredients chosen for their beneficial properties, potent, and effective CBD topicals that have become the industry gold standard.
With these all-natural ingredients and naturally occurring terpenes, skin dryness and damage are tackled alongside muscle and joint discomfort, resulting in ultimate relief.
Discounts Available
As a Subscribe & Save Discount Club customer, save 20% off every order and you will also be entered into monthly raffles and give-a-aways for free products and limited edition FABCBD gear! Along with getting early-bird access to new products before anyone else. It pays to save with FAB!
SCHEDULE YOUR ORDERS: Choose how often you'd like to receive your orders between 2 and 10 weeks.
You are able to update, pause, cancel, or swap products within your order anytime you would like! Just log in and make the changes you need or reach out to them for help!
What we like
- I like that it doesn't have menthol or camphor because those can be unpleasant smelling
- It has worked consistently for me and I like the fresh and subtle blood-orange scent
- The CBD Topical Cream is silky, light and non-greasy
- Fast acting, long lasting and no ugly odor
- Incredible Pricing: Costs well below other premium CBD products
- The return policy includes opened packages
What we don't like
- No complaints here
Customer Experience
FAB CBD customers agree that this is the best CBD cream on the market. One user put it like this, until now, I was searching for a CBD cream that wasn't loaded with menthol. No matter how little is used, menthol leaves a nasty smell.
This one not only doesn't have that annoying odor, which according to my wife "smells like her grandmother," but it actually is a pleasing smell. Bottom line the cream never fails to achieve the goal of soothing aches and pains with an aromatic scent.
5. Best Organic CBD Cream: Cornbread Hemp CBD Lotion + Menthol
Experience comforting muscles and joints with Cornbread Hemp CBD Lotion + Menthol that is the first-ever USDA certified organic, Flower-Only CBD oil made from Kentucky-grown hemp infused with a luxury lotion.
Cornbread Hemp CBD creams are made only with the most potent full spectrum pure hemp flower CBD extract, which means their CBD never includes the stems and leaves for a cleaner product that won't leave a greasy mess
This CBD pain cream is also packed with tons of organic botanicals like menthol, lemongrass, jojoba, peppermint, tea tree, rosemary, and eucalyptus. All work together to help relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation, but it's paraben and preservative-free.
It is creamy and pleasant to use, but it is thin so that it goes on smooth, absorbs quickly, and smells great.
Features
Cost: $49.99
Cornbread Hemp products carry the USDA Organic Seal because it guarantees products are free from contamination, such as synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified seeds.
For CBD products to be certified organic, a third-party certifier must audit the entire supply chain of every ingredient used to ensure the high standards of the USDA's National Organic Program.
The brand goes even further to ensure the highest level of safety and transparency for its customers, as every item is protected by seed-to-sale tracking, a tamper-proof seal, and third-party lab reports.
As well as the help of a board-certified oncology pharmacist with 25 years of experience to assist with product development, FDA regulations, and CBD education via their blog.
This deep tissue CBD lotion is a great organic option for an effective plant-based solution for diminishing pain in no time.
Discounts Available
You can Subscribe and Save for a further 25% discount (pause, skip, or cancel at any time).
Active Duty, Veterans, Dependants, Fire Fighters, Police, EMTs, Teachers, Disables, Low-Income, and Unemployed can receive a generous 30% off their orders.
What we like
- From soil to oil, the entire process has been certified organic
- No leaves, stems, or stalks included. That means a higher quality product for you
- Fast acting on muscle aches and joint pain
- FDA Registered
- 20mg THC per container
What we don't like
- Not very thick. A little too much liquid in it for a cream
Customer Experience
Many customers wrote about the effective pain relief the products provided. I have been using regular CBD lotion from Cornbread for about a year. I thought I would try the Menthol lotion and WOW. Fast acting on muscle aches and joint pain. The menthol odor is very subtle but effective. Cornbread is the Best.
Another wrote I was desperate to find a product for chronic pain in my back, knees and hands that actually worked! When I tried Cornbread CBD Menthol Lotion, I knew that I found the product I'd been searching for! Once the lotion was applied, it began working immediately! IT'S GREAT LOTION!!! Although the CBD Lotion was thinner for a lotion than I expected.
6. Best CBD Cream For Arthritis: JustCBD Ultra Relief CBD Gel
With fast-acting, targeted relief from 1000mg of hemp-derived CBD, the days of debilitating arthritis pain should be part of the past. Smell good and feel even better with JustCBD Ultra Relief CBD Gel.
JustCBD's gel goes on very smooth and feels great when applied to the skin. It has a cooling effect and quickly absorbs into the skin for immediate relief.
The cream offers a pleasant peppermint aroma. Just CBD gel can be used on any part of your sore body, and a little goes a long way!
Features
Cost: $39.99
The Ultra Relief CBD Gel contains other high-quality ingredients, including naturally-derived menthol helps create a cooling sensation, while rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) oil has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, and is also known to help improve circulation.
All JustCBD products are 100% natural and made in the USA. They only use the finest quality hemp-derived CBD with zero chemicals, such as fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides.
This gel is a great natural option for intense CBD pain relief.
What we like
- Sources some of the best USA-grown hemp
- Items are non-GMO and vegan-friendly
- Medical advisory team with MDs and pharmaceutical chemist
- Intense CBD pain relief
- Fair prices
What we don't like
- Lab reports show that products haven’t been tested for the presence of herbicides, pesticides, and other harmful substances
Customer Experience
An easy-to-use, smart solution, Just CBD topicals help set the standard for arthritis relief with many customers commenting that they have arthritis pain and the CBD gel gives them significant relief and when applied at night helps them to sleep comfortably.
7. Best Scented CBD Cream: Penguin CBD Cream
Next on our list is Penguin, who has crept into the CBD world as a brand with exceptional value and consistency of high-quality CBD products.
The cream has a silky smooth, and cooling feeling upon contact with your skin. It also has a nice scent accompanying its benefits. It’s surely one of the best options on the market and a top contender for the best scented and bang for your buck.
For their CBD Cream, Penguin keeps it simple on the ingredient list, providing only all-natural ingredients that smell great and are both soothing and stress-free.
Features
Cost: $55
Each 4-ounce tub contains 250mg of broad-spectrum CBD. Its terpene-rich formula is designed to be absorbed quickly and also has a host of soothing skin elements, such as shea and cocoa butter, safflower oil, and aloe vera.
These ingredients help to mitigate dryness, ease discomfort, and relax muscles. Penguin has also added a hefty splash of calming lavender and revitalizing peppermint for the ultimate CBD experience.
Discounts Available
You can Subscribe and Save for a further 20% discount (pause, skip, or cancel at any time).
All military personnel can receive a generous 25% off their orders.
What we like
- A proper broad-spectrum (THC-free) CBD cream, which is packed with terpenes
- USDA-certified, all-natural, pesticide-free hemp
- They have been highly praised by such notable publications as Merry Jane, Maxim, Medical Daily, Forbes, Daily Beast, Reader’s Digest, Observer, and Discover Magazine
- Products are made from Oregon hemp grown with environmentally-friendly farming practices
- First-class customer service
What we don't like
- Would like to see more CBD in the cream
Customer Experience
There is a good number of reviews and testimonials on their website. Most of their customers seem to be satisfied with the instant relief of the cream, love the scent, and the good pricing.
Does CBD Cream Help With Pain?
Although you have a ton of choices. From gummies to pills to oils, CBD products are abundant, and they all have the potential to help alleviate pain.
However, CBD cream is the most preferred CBD product for reducing the pain associated with the different forms of arthritis, muscle soreness, joint pain, etc. CBD cream is very popular because it gives targeted relief and is very easy to use. But does it work?
Well, research into CBD’s pain-relieving abilities is still in the early stages. However, so far, there’s some evidence that topical CBD products, like creams, lotions and balms may help with a variety of pain reductions, including:
Arthritis-related pain. A 2016 animal study found that applying topical CBD may help with arthritis-related pain and inflammation without evident side effects. So, what we can say is that there is research demonstrating a reduction in inflammatory markers and pain with the use of topical CBD oil in a rat model of arthritis.
Another study published in the journal Pain in 2017 found that preventive treatment with CBD prevents pain and nerve damage in rats with osteoarthritis.
Peripheral Neuropathy. A small 2020 study looked at the effects of topical CBD oil on pain. Many people in the study, all with nerve damage, reported having a reduction in intense pain, sharp pain, cold and itchy sensations.
That said, high-quality, potent topical CBD products without pesticides, heavy metals, and molds are thought to offer temporary relief from pain, and soreness.
How To Shop CBD Cream For Pain
There is good reason to be a cautious CBD shopper. These products are largely unregulated in the U.S.A. market. And Independent testing has shown mislabeling and a lack of quality control.
The biggest issues are the strength of CBD (significantly more or less than the label says), the presence of acknowledged THC, and contamination with pesticides, metals, and solvents. Here's what to look for:
Choose CBD pain creams made from all-natural, U.S.-grown hemp.
Select products made by companies that follow good manufacturing practices (GMP) or FDA Registered Manufacturing Facilities established by the FDA for pharmaceuticals or dietary supplements.
Independent lab testing matters. Buy from companies that test each batch and provide an up-to-date certificate of analysis from a reputable third-party lab.
Check that what’s listed on the COA matches up with the company’s product description and that the lab has performed contaminant testing. Look for heavy metals, molds, and pesticides.
If the company uses a solvent-based extraction method, it’s also a good idea to check for residual solvent testing results.
Just remember, human skin is incredibly absorptive and it'll absorb more than just the CBD in topical creams, gels, and oils.
Always check the ingredients label to make sure you're not applying something you're allergic to or something that, if absorbed, can interact with medications. If you're unsure, be sure and talk to your doctor.
How To Use CBD Cream For Pain
It’s always best to read the instructions on the package before using any CBD cream. However, CBD creams are meant to be applied topically and massaged into the skin wherever you’re experiencing pain. Have arthritis in your hands? Rub the cream over the painful joints.
If a product contains ingredients specific for pain relief, like menthol or arnica, you might feel cooling or warming sensations. Start with a small application in case those sensations bother you.
Patch test the product by applying a little dab to the inside of your wrist and waiting to see if you experience any irritation. Even the most natural products can cause irritation in people with very sensitive skin. Make sure to wash your hands immediately after.
Keep CBD cream away from your nose, mouth, eyes, and broken skin.
Are There Any Potential Side Effects?
CBD creams, like most other CBD products, are generally well tolerated and considered safe and effective to use.
If you have any sores or open wounds, do not apply CBD cream until healed. Many products shouldn’t be used on broken skin.
While small amounts of low-dose CBD products shouldn’t make you feel high, some people occasionally do experience side effects like:
- sleepiness
- dry mouth
- diarrhea
- changes in weight or appetite
However, topicals are unlikely to absorb into your bloodstream and cause these types of effects.
Talk with your doctor before using CBD since it can interact with certain medications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CBD cream work for pain?
A study analysis in the Journal of Pain Research confirms that topical use of certain cannabinoid topicals can reduce pain in animals with inflammation or neuropathic pain.
And some smaller studies and animal research suggests that CBD may help provide pain relief. Studies have specifically looked at CBD for arthritis, osteoarthritis, and peripheral neuropathy.
How long does it take for CBD pain cream to work?
It really depends on the person, but generally, effects may be felt within 15 to 45 minutes.
Is CBD oil or cream better for joint pain?
If you're looking for long-term, all-over relief, products like oils, gummies or capsules may be better. However, if you want to target relief to a specific joint or area that's inflamed and painful, a topical treatment or cream may be your best choice.
Final Thoughts On Best CBD Cream For Pain
While the jury is still out on whether CBD topicals offer up definitive pain relief, many people report having success with creams, lotions, balms, and salves for all kinds of ailments.
For the best results possible, pick the best CBD cream that is potent, high-quality from a reputable company that sources from all-natural, U.S. grown hemp, and organic ingredients.
Choose CBD you can trust with no traces of artificial additives, chemicals, toxins, formaldehydes, phthalates, parabens, and sulfates, implying that they are safe to be used on the human body. Talk with your doctor before trying CBD.