How to Choose the Best CBD Lotion for Yourself
Now that you know how we chose the products on our list, it’s essential to brush up on your CBD knowledge and learn a bit more about CBD topicals.
What Is CBD?
Simply put, it’s the abbreviation of cannabidiol, which is one of the many cannabinoids extracted from the cannabis plant. Either the CBD is isolated from the hundred other cannabinoids or its kept with them.
There are two cannabinoids that are the most potent and popular in the hemp plant: CBD and THC. They’re also the most dominant of all the cannabinoids. The best topical CBD products are those that have all the cannabinoids in them, as each offers its own benefit. However, many people opt for THC-free products because regardless of the low percentage, they may still result in false-positive drug tests.
Whether on its own or with other cannabinoids, CBD has proven in the short time since it became a hit that it offers numerous health benefits. There are many CBD products hitting the market, from the classic CBD oil products to a variety of capsules, gummies, and even CBD for dogs and other pets.
What Is Topical CBD Cream?
Topicals are applied directly to the skin—unlike other CBD products like vapes, which are inhaled; edibles, which are ingested; or tinctures, which you put under your tongue. The critical thing to remember about topicals is that the epidermis is very tough, so any topical product you apply won’t reach other skin layers or your bloodstream. This makes CBD topicals an ideal choice for first-time CBD users. Some transdermal CBD cream options are much more potent than the ones commonly found, though we haven’t included any in our review as we focused primarily on products for first-time CBD users.
Many of these topicals have a variety of additional natural ingredients such as aloe vera, beeswax, coconut oil, essential oils, and more.
Are There Side Effects?
Of all CBD products, topicals are the safest. They’re applied only to the affected area and usually do not affect the rest of your body because they don’t enter your bloodstream. Still, you must choose wisely as some lapses in regulation can result in unscrupulous vendors and companies taking advantage with low-quality products. When selecting the best CBD salve, make sure you only buy from reputable companies.
Although there are no naturally occurring side effects from CBD topicals, it’s essential to consider the other ingredients in the product and how they may affect your skin and any allergies you have.
To avoid rare, potential side-effects, always test a small amount of the product on your skin before further application. Also, never apply the product directly to cuts or wounds, because this can lead to infection or potential side effects.
Does a CBD Oil Rub Contain THC?
Regardless of what type of CBD product you choose, it should have less than the 0.3% legally allowed THC content. That said, there are CBD isolate and broad-spectrum products that are 100% THC-free if you’re concerned about false-positive drug tests. Furthermore, it’s also important to note that since the products are topical, they don’t actually enter your bloodstream.
Full Spectrum vs. Broad Spectrum vs. CBD Isolate
You may be wondering about these three terms in the CBD pain cream reviews above. Here is a quick breakdown:
- Full Spectrum contains all naturally occurring phytochemicals of the hemp plant, including trace amounts of THC.
- Broad Spectrum contains all naturally occurring phytochemicals of the hemp plant except THC.
- CBD Isolate contains the purest form of CBD and nothing else.
Considering that THC can’t get into your bloodstream through topicals, you shouldn’t worry about THC content as long as it’s under the legal limit.
Is the Use of Hemp Cream for Pain Legal?
On a federal level, as of 2018, CBD was taken out of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s list of controlled substances. However, the 2018 Farm Bill doesn’t change laws on the state level, so it’s essential to check if CBD products are legal in your state.
Changes are ongoing, and many states that may have previously turned their back on the 2018 Farm Bill are making adjustments to their laws. If your state still currently prohibits the use of CBD products, it may become legal in the near future.
CBD Pain Relief Cream vs. Other CBD Products
Some particular distinctions make topicals quite different to other CBD products:
- Application: They’re applied only onto the skin.
- Effect: They don’t enter the bloodstream and affect only the area they’re applied to. This means they don’t deliver a relaxing sensation throughout the body, as you may find with other CBD products.
- Dosage: Because they’re applied topically to a specific area, it varies significantly based on the amount of product you use—unlike other products like edibles, which have an exact dosage per serving.
- Concentration: Similar to other products, CBD cream for pain relief and other uses has different strengths in concentration. This isn’t as dependent on tolerance or body weight but rather the level of pain or discomfort you feel in the affected area.
- Pricing: One way that topicals are similar to other products is the price, except for serums, which are more concentrated and thus more expensive.
Choosing the Best CBD Topicals
Selecting the ideal product depends significantly on its use and your experience with CBD in general. This is because many topical products have additional natural ingredients that help further tackle the problem at hand.
Some things you need to pay attention to are as follows:
- Potency – The higher the potency, the better the CBD will penetrate the skin and give better results. If this is your first time using a CBD topical, it’s better to start with a lower potency of less than 200 mg.
- CBD Source – Full spectrum products are the most effective as they contain all cannabinoids, which work best together. Still, there are many isolate and broad-spectrum products that are very effective and popular.
- Quality Control – The best CBD cream will come from a company that’s transparent about where the hemp is grown and offers immediate access to third-party lab test results. Look for US-grown hemp because US agricultural laws heavily regulate it.
- Ingredients – Look for organically grown, GMO-free, all-natural ingredients.
Price – Prices vary greatly with CBD topicals due to different forms, containers, and potencies, but on average, you shouldn’t be paying more than $80 for them. You can find products as low as $15, but it’s usually for small quantities ideal for sampling.
To Sum Up
There is no overall best CBD cream because each product has a different purpose that affects an individual differently. It depends significantly on how much you apply, the potency, and your overall experience with CBD. Experiment, test, and share your findings in the comments below.