In 2023, almost a quarter of US adults struggled with chronic pain. With the opioid crisis still raging on, more and more Americans are turning to alternatives like CBD and other hemp cannabinoids to handle their pain.
If you’re dealing with joint pain, arthritis pain or neuropathic pain, CBD topicals like balms, creams and lotions could be just the solution you’re looking for.
Choosing a good product is difficult, though, and that’s where we come in. We’ve ranked the best CBD topicals for pain relief based on our expert-backed framework and first-hand testing, and these are the winners.
What makes a CBD topical effective for pain?
Full spectrum is best
While broad-spectrum CBD can be effective if you can’t have THC, the most effective products also include THC to get the most from the “entourage effect.” In other words, CBD is good, and THC is good, but together they are great.
Permeation enhancement is needed
Without a chemical permeation enhancer or some emulsified formula, cannabinoids don’t easily pass through the skin and into your blood. The most effective products include something like this.
The top terpenes for pain
Myrcene, beta-caryophyllene and linalool are three cannabis terpenes that have pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory properties. The best products contain at least one of these.
Other ingredients are a bonus
CBD topicals often include other proven painkillers like camphor, and they generally help boost the effects without harmful interactions.
From a starting point of 279 CBD topical products, we used our expert-backed product quality evaluation framework to narrow the list down to these six balms, creams, and lotions for effective pain relief.
Aspen Green Relief Cooling Cream
- CBD type: Full-spectrum
- Potency: 1,000 mg CBD, 33 mg THC
- CBD:THC ratio: 30:1 CBD:THC ratio
- Terpenes: Eucalyptol, alpha-terpinene, Alpha-pinene, gamma-terpinene
- Price: $89.99 for 2 oz jar ($0.09 per mg CBD)
Aspen Green’s Relief Cooling Cream is probably the best CBD pain cream on the market today.
Aspen Green takes Colorado-grown, certified organic hemp and extracts the cannabinoids using supercritical CO2, producing a cannabinoid and terpene-rich base extract completely free from contaminants.
Even better, all of their hemp is a single strain and flower-derived, leading to one of the highest-quality extracts in the industry.
Aspen Green produces the Relief Cooling Cream in a GMP-certified and FDA-registered facility, working with a physician to settle on the final formulation.
The result is an effective, soothing cream that combines 1,000 mg of CBD and 33 mg of THC with CBC, CBG and terpenes, alongside menthol to boost absorption. In a word, it is exceptional.
Our expert reviewer called this the most effective CBD topical he tried for his knee injury.
He noted that effects were noticeable after just 30 minutes, and reduced the pain to a manageable level as well as relaxing the muscle.
He added, “I applied it both during the day and before bed. At night, I paired it with Aspen Green’s Rest tincture — I actually slept through the night without waking up from knee pain (the night before, without CBD, I woke up several times). Each application lasted around 4 hours before the pain crept back.”
However, he did note some downsides: “it made me a little tired after evening use, and the jar only lasted about a week with generous applications 3x/day. That makes it pricey compared to ibuprofen or just icing. Still, if you’re looking at CBD specifically, this was the standout. The only other topical that came close in terms of effect for me is Papa & Barkley’s THC-rich balm (only available in dispensaries).”
Our independent lab test of Aspen Green’s Relief Cooling Cream showed a very close agreement with the COA provided by the manufacturer.
- CBD: Our report showed 21.4 mg of CBD per g, compared to 21.3 mg/g for the manufacturer’s COA.
- THC: We found 0.54 mg/g of THC, with the manufacturer reporting slightly higher at 0.61 mg/g.
- CBC: The independent report’s value of 0.754 mg/g was a close match for 0.8 mg/g on their COA.
- CBG: Our report showed 0.34 mg/g of CBG, compared to 0.36 mg/g on Aspen Green’s COA.
- USDA certified, US-grown hemp
- Genuine full spectrum CBD cream
- Includes menthol and vitamin E to improve absorption
- Most effective topical based on first-hand testing
- Flower-derived extract
- Accurate COA – independently confirmed
- Rich in terpenes
- A little expensive per mg CBD and with regular application
- Terpenes aren’t tailored to pain relief
- Contains arnica Montana, an unregulated supplement
R&R CBD Pain Cream
- CBD type: Full-spectrum
- Potency: 1,000, 2,500 or 5,000 mg CBD
- CBD:THC ratio: 145:1 CBD:THC ratio
- Terpenes: Guaiol
- Price: $130 for 2.5 oz ($0.026 per mg CBD)
R&R is one of the best companies in the industry right now, bar none.
They crop up on most of these lists because they get everything right: USDA organic hemp, US-grown, GMP certified and FDA-registered manufacturing facilities, lab tested for safety, potency and terpenes, and always proven to be true full or broad spectrum.
Their CBD Pain Cream ticks all these boxes and more, with CBD, THC, CBC, CBN, CBG, CBL and CBDV in the mix, along with the terpene guaiol to round out the spectrum.
The cream works really well, offering quick relief thanks to the substantial CBD dose – 1,000, 2,000 or 5,000 mg – and the use of vitamin E to boost absorption.
Our tester used R&R’s CBD Pain Cream for a previous injury, noting that it provides “real, noticeable relief across different kinds of pain.”
He explained, “The texture goes on smooth and you don’t need a ton, just a fingertip amount can cover an area. The effects lasted around 3-4 hours for me so I had to apply it in the morning, afternoon, and evening before bed since my pain was constant. It wasn’t a total fix, but it took the edge off in a way that let me move around without being as distracted by pain.”
He pointed out that as with many topicals, it does get expensive if you’re using it regularly over the long-term, but said that it’s one of the best options in terms of pure effectiveness.
- US-grown, USDA organic hemp
- True full spectrum: CBD, THC, CBC, CBN, CBG, CBL and CBDV
- Vitamin E to boost absorption
- Excellent price per mg
- Spreads well to cover affected areas
- More effective than most topicals
- Three great potency options
- Top-quality manufacturing
- Just one terpene, guaiol, not a pain reliever
- Doesn’t offer complete relief, especially for severe pain
- Includes arnica Montana, an unregulated supplement
cbdMD THC-free Pain Relief Cream
- CBD type: Broad-spectrum
- Potency: 750, 1500 or 3,000 mg CBD
- Terpenes: Hexahydrothymol, limonene, pinene, linalool
- Price: $39.99 to $79.99 ($0.02 to $0.05 per mg CBD)
cbdMD’s Broad Spectrum Recover Airless Pump offers the convenience of a lotion with the texture and consistency of a cream.
The cream does a great job of offering the benefits of the entourage effect, with two pain-relieving terpenes – linalool and myrcene – in addition to CBD, CBDV, CBG and CBN.
Combined with peppermint oil to boost absorption and the FDA-approved pain reliever histamine dihydrochloride, it becomes a powerful tool to help you tackle pain.
While we had some occasional issues with the pump mechanism, the cream spreads well and offers relief within 15 minutes. The price is also hard to beat if you get the strongest option, coming out to less than 3 cents per mg of CBD.
Our expert reviewer used the Recover Airless Pump on his knee and shoulder pain, and reported that it “worked quickly” and offered relief that lasted around 3 hours from a single application. He commented:
“I tried it on my knee and shoulders, and both loosened up enough to move without hurting. The pump is convenient, though a bit finicky at times, and you don’t need much to cover an area. Compared to typical arthritis gels or OTC pain creams, this hit harder and felt cleaner. No strong medicine smell or side effects.”
- Three strengths available – 750, 1,500 or 3,000 mg
- Very effective based on first-hand testing
- True broad spectrum cream
- Contains pain-relieving terpenes and histamine dihydrochloride
- Excellent price per mg at higher strengths
- Convenient application
- Needs to be applied multiple times a day
- Pump can be finicky
- The price gets high for the lowest strength
Neurogan CBD Balm
- CBD type: Full-spectrum
- Potency: 4,000 mg CBD
- CBD:THC ratio: 64:1 CBD to THC
- Price: $65 / 2 oz jar ($0.016 per mg CBD)
Neurogan is one of the oldest and most respected companies in the industry, and their CBD Balm is the perfect example of why.
Starting with sun-grown, US hemp and utilizing CO2 extraction to preserve beneficial compounds, their CBD Balm packs in a massive 4,000 mg of CBD alongside minor cannabinoids CBC, CBG, CBL, CBT and CBN.
The balm also contains a small amount of delta-9 THC to boost the pain-relieving qualities.
The balm works so well because it combines a substantial dose of CBD with the permeation enhancing qualities of vitamin E, making it one of the few CBD topicals out there that easily absorbs beyond skin-level.
Throw in the excellent price and this balm is hard to beat.
Our tester noted, “The texture is greasy but easy to spread, and I felt it loosen up the area within 15 minutes. The relief lasted around 3 hours. It wasn’t a knockout in terms of pain-killing, but it took the edge off and made the joint feel less locked-up.”
As well as his knee injury, our tester also reported that it was very effective for a neck crank from sleeping wrong. He did combine it with a tincture, but overall the experience was very good.
Our independent lab test of Neurogan’s CBD Balm showed good agreement with the manufacturer COA, with one notable discrepancy.
- Good agreement: CBD, CBDV, CBL and CBN were very close between both tests, with differences in other cannabinoids unlikely to be noticeable in practice.
- A notable difference: THC levels varied a little. The manufacturer COA showed 1.19 mg of THC per g of balm, but ours found 2.52 mg/g of delta-9 and 0.219 mg/g of delta-8.
Aside from the THC discrepancy, the reports matched pretty closely.
- True full spectrum: CBD, THC, CBC, CBG, CBL, CBT and CBN
- Potent: 4,000 mg of CBD
- Includes vitamin E to boost absorption
- Organically-grown, US hemp
- Takes effect quickly
- Excellent price per mg of CBD
- No unregulated supplements
- Small discrepancy in THC in our lab test
- Moderate pain relief, but not the best for serious injuries
- No terpene test
- Not USDA certified
Aspen Green Relief Balm
- CBD type: Full-spectrum
- Potency: 1,000 mg CBD, 33 mg THC
- CBD:THC ratio: 30:1 CBD:THC ratio
- Terpenes: Beta-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene, trans-nerolidol, terpinolene
- Price: $89.99 for 2 oz jar ($0.09 per mg CBD)
Aspen Green’s Relief Balm hits on the same key points as the cream version, except in a thicker, beeswax-based formulation.
The hemp is USDA organic, Colorado-grown and extracted using supercritical CO2, producing a clean, terpene and cannabinoid-rich extract that’s proven to be free from contaminants.
The 1,000 mg CBD dose combined with 33 mg of THC and minor cannabinioids CBC and CBG, works alongside the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving terpene beta-caryophyllene to ease aches and pains effectively.
While it doesn’t have the usual permeation enhancers menthol or vitamin E, it does contain jojoba seed oil, which works to boost absorption of oil-soluble compounds like CBD.
The price might be a little high, but the overall quality is hard to beat.
- US-grown, USDA organic hemp
- True full spectrum: CBD, THC, CBC and CBG
- Includes pain-relieving terpene beta-caryophyllene
- Jojoba seed oil to boost absorption
- Free from synthetic ingredients and unregulated supplements
- 1,000 mg CBD potency
- A little expensive per mg of CBD
- Less cannabinoid variety than other options
Cornbread CBD Lotion + Menthol
- CBD type: Full-spectrum
- Potency: 750 mg CBD, 30 mg THC
- CBD:THC ratio: 28:1 CBD:THC ratio
- Terpenes: Eucalyptol, geraniol and gamma-terpinene
- Price: $49.99 for 1.7 fl oz ($0.067 per mg CBD)
Using only the flowers of USDA-certified organic hemp grown in Kentucky’s Bluegrass Basin, you can tell right away that the CBD Lotion from Cornbread Hemp is a step above the competition.
It combines 750 mg of CBD with 30 mg of THC, as well as CBG, CBC and a little CBDV, as well as a selection of plant terpenes. This makes it a true full spectrum lotion, offering the full benefits of the entourage effect.
The menthol rounds out the mix, boosting absorption to maximize effectiveness despite the low CBD dose.
Cornbread Hemp has risen to the top of the industry because of how much effort they put into each product, controlling the whole process from seed to sale.
Our tester tried Cornbread’s CBD Lotion + Menthol for a couple of different issues.
He reported the lotion to be very effective for stiffness in his lower back and hips, “The pain wasn’t gone, but it was cut down enough that I could move more freely and look forward to starting the day.”
It was also effective for a shoulder injury: “I also tested it on my shoulder (I’d been avoiding Advil and Tylenol every day), and the relief kicked in pretty quickly. What I liked most was that it doesn’t have the overpowering smell most menthol creams do, it’s subtle (almost pleasant) so you don’t feel like you’re walking around reeking of medicine.”
But he also noted some downsides: “it’s not a miracle cure. If your pain is severe or deep in the joint, it won’t erase it completely, and you’ll need consistent use. And like any topical, the cost adds up if you’re applying generously every day. But compared to the endless line of drugstore creams I’ve burned through, this was one of the few that actually gave me real relief and made me stick with it.”
- US-grown, USDA organic hemp
- True full spectrum: CBD, THC, CBG, CBC and CBDV
- Rich in terpenes
- Fast, effective pain relief
- Menthol to enhance absorption
- Flower-only extract
- High-quality, allergen-free manufacturing
- Not too high in CBD
- A little expensive per mg CBD and with regular use
- Not the best for deep, severe pain
- Terpenes aren’t tailored for pain relief
PlusCBD Roll On Cooling Topical
- CBD type: CBD isolate
- Potency: 2,000 mg CBD
- Price: $59.99 for 1.3 oz roll-on ($0.03 per mg CBD)
PlusCBD’s Roll On Cooling Topical is the only THC-free option to make this best CBD topicals list, and for good reason.
Alongside a substantial 2,000 mg dose of CBD, the Roll On Cooling Topical contains camphor, a proven pain relieving ingredient that creates a “heating and cooling” relief effect, hence the name.
The CBD and camphor are helped along with the addition of menthol, which helps the cannabinoid pass through the skin barrier.
PlusCBD uses hemp from both Kentucky and the Netherlands, but the quality of the extract is hard to fault: organically-grown, flower-derived, CO2-extracted and made in a GMP-certified facility.
The resulting lotion is easy to apply, non-sticky and about as effective as you can get without adding THC.
Our reviewer found this to be soothing and effective, but noted that it isn’t the best option for more serious injuries:
“The roll-on had a nice cooling effect that felt good right away. For me, though, the relief didn’t reach the deeper pain in my knee — it’s more suited for surface-level aches or soreness after a workout. Easy to apply and mess-free, but not strong enough for a serious injury.”
Our independent lab test of PlusCBD’s Roll On Cooling Topical found a close match with the manufacturer’s COA.
- CBD: Our lab test found 68.5 mg of CBD per g of lotion, compared to 63.4 mg for the manufacturer’s COA. This is within 10%, our threshold for accuracy.
- CBDV: CBDV levels between the two tests only differ at the thousandth of a milligram level. It’s incredibly accurate.
- Lab-confirmed THC-free
- Uses camphor for added pain relief
- Menthol to boost absorption
- Immediately pleasant cooling effect
- Potent: 2,000 mg CBD
- Good price per mg CBD
- Lab report independently confirmed
- No entourage effect
- Doesn’t work well for deep, severe pain
- Not only US-grown
Other Products We Considered
This project started with 279 CBD topicals marketed specifically for pain relief, spread across balms and salves, creams, and lotions, gels, or roll-ons.
The vast majority of these products were discounted in the early stages of the process, with common reasons such as:
- Outdated COA: If the company-provided lab report was over 12 months old, it’s unlikely that the product on the shelves corresponds to the report anymore.
- No safety testing: Just testing for potency is not enough. We only considered products also tested for heavy metals, pesticides, residual solvents, microbial contamination and mycotoxins.
- Not true full/broad spectrum: Genuine full or broad spectrum products contain 4 or more cannabinoids and terpenes. If the product claimed to be full or broad spectrum but we couldn’t confirm this, they were discounted. However, we had to loosen the terpene requirement for balms, because they were very rarely tested for terpenes.
- Other issues: Many products were also discounted for other issues, including unverifiable lab reports, not having a lab report at all or having a report from an unaccredited lab.
After scoring, there were a total of 11 products that scored over 80% on our full evaluation: four creams, four lotions and three balms. Of these, there were two products made by Charlotte’s Web and two by R&R. Both products from these brands were excellent, but we discounted one product from each brand to cover more brands in this list.
The choice between these products and the remaining brands – Medterra, Neurogan, Aspen Green, Lazarus Naturals, PlusCBD, cbdMD and Cornbread Hemp – was made based on the best-performing products in their respective categories.
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best CBD Topicals
- Expert interviews: We interviewed experts in pharmacy, pain medicine and cannabinoid medicine to determine the most important product features for topicals. This informed all choices made through the remaining steps.
- Market research and analysis: We identified 279 products from Google searches for “CBD topicals” and “CBD topicals for pain,” with additional terms to remove sites that also publish ranked lists. These products were analyzed according to our product quality evaluation framework. First, we looked for the key factors described above to disqualify lower-quality products. All remaining products were scored in full.
- Independent lab testing: The products scoring above 80% on our framework were then sent to InfiniteCAL for independent lab tests. This allows us to confirm the accuracy of the company’s COA and ensure that it reflects the products on the shelves.
- First-hand testing: Each product was tested over a period of several days by Oracle staff and their friends and family members. This enabled both an “expert” and “ordinary user” to give their feedback on products.
- Consolidation: The results from the lists of salves, creams and lotions were combined to produce this master list of all topicals. We only chose the best of the best for this list.
Our Tester’s Experience with CBD Topicals for Pain Relief
Our tester tried most of the products on a meniscus tear in the right knee, a common sports injury. He rated the pain at 8/10 without topicals or other treatments, and noted problems walking, doing chores and getting to sleep. He also added, “Kind of depressing because I felt limited to being couch-locked.”
This severe injury proved to be a challenge to manage with many CBD topicals. While any test he performed with minor injuries (such as a crank neck from sleeping funny) showed them to be very effective, many topicals weren’t great for the deep, serious knee pain. However, Aspen Green’s Relief Cooling Cream was a stand-out option, and R&R’s CBD Pain Cream and Cornbread’s CBD + Menthol Lotion also worked well.
Overall, he commented that “The pain relief and mood lift from using CBD topicals/tinctures was really helpful!”
He also shared a useful tip: “Using a tincture with >50mg CBD + 2.5mg THC/serving (like Aspen Green Rest or Relief tincture) in addition to the topical makes a huge difference, especially to help with sleep at night and mood lift throughout the day.”
Expert Advice: How to Choose the Best CBD Topical for Pain Relief
We spoke to three cannabis and pain experts to find out more about CBD topicals for pain, whether they work and what consumers should look out for. While the lack of detailed evidence does limit the conclusions the experts were able to draw, this is what we learned.
Do CBD Topicals Work for Pain?
We spoke to Dr. Kevin Boehnke, assistant research professor at the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan, who told us:
The jury is still out. It seems possible that some individuals will receive positive benefit from using CBD topicals. However, there is so much variability in the formulation of these products and also a lack of rigorous research that makes it difficult to tell who might respond positively and when.
He emphasized these differences, explaining that some products absorb better than others, that the cannabinoids and terpenes differ between products, and that many contain additional ingredients like camphor, which likely have effects on their own. However, he did add:
That said, there are some preliminary clinical trials suggesting that CBD topical products may be useful in certain dermatological conditions (which can cause pain) and among people with neuropathic pain, but more research is needed.
While Dr. Boehnke gave a fair assessment of the evidence, positive results in some studies (some placebo-controlled and some not) and the general efficacy of CBD for pain leads many clinicians to recommend it.
Dr. Leigh Vinocur, founder and chief medical officer at Ananda Medical, told us she recommends it to patients:
Yes, I do recommend [CBD topicals], for acute muscle strains, osteoarthritis pain or inflammatory skin conditions without broken skin. Also, sometimes in combination with oral or sublingual CBD preparations.
Is Full Spectrum Better Than Broad Spectrum or Isolate?
While not everybody can have THC, it’s often the case that full-spectrum CBD products are more effective than ones without THC.
Dr. Vinocur said this is the case when it comes to topicals for pain:
Full spectrum topical products, like oral ones, include other cannabinoids, such as CBD, CBG and ≤0.3% THC, along with terpenes and sometimes flavonoids. They have a synergistic interaction with each other called the ‘entourage effect’ and that may enhance pain relief.
While Dr. Boehnke again stressed that variations in product types and the lack of evidence makes a firm answer impossible, he did note, “I suspect many people are figuring things out on their own through trial and error, and also following their own specific preferences based on product feel and smell.”
How Important Are Permeation Enhancers or Nano-Emulsions in Topicals for Pain?
One important issue with CBD topicals is absorption, with many basic topicals not permeating below the skin level.
Dr. Vinocur explained that:
Maximal absorption is usually found in transdermal technologies such as patches (which penetrate to systemic circulation) they are designed for deeper absorption, while regular topicals don’t penetrate as well and generally act more locally.
However, patches are not the only types of products that can pass through the skin, as she continues, “But nano-emulsions or liposomal formulations are supposed to have improved solubility and increased skin uptake and absorption.”
CBD does not naturally pass through the skin, because it is not very water-soluble. This is why nano-emulsions and liposomal formulations are more effective: by allowing the fat-soluble CBD to mix into something water-soluble, it removes the issue and lets your body absorb more CBD.
This isn’t the only way you can improve absorption, though. Chemical permeation enhancers can be added to topical CBD mixtures to hemp cannabinoids pass through the skin layer.
We asked Dr. Tory Spindle, associate professor at Johns Hopkins University’s Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, about this:
Permeation enhancers play a very integral role in whether CBD is going to be absorbed into the bloodstream via a topical product, as cannabinoids will not naturally pass through barriers in your skin. That said, there are also other factors that impact transdermal drug absorption such as exercise, if someone has an open wound (such as a tattoo), taking a hot shower, amount and time of application, etc.
The most commonly-used permeation enhancers in topical CBD products, based on our research, are vitamin E (tocopherol) and menthol, but other options include eucalyptus oil (or eucalyptol), limonene (the cannabis terpene) and ethanol.
What’s Best: Lotions, Balms or Creams?
With so many different types of topicals available, it’s natural to wonder which is best: creams, lotions/gels or balms/salves?
Dr. Spindle also authored a very informative paper comparing different commercially available CBD topicals. This paper found the best absorption with a lotion containing vitamin E as a permeation enhancer.
However, Dr. Spindle cautioned against drawing firm conclusions about formulations based on this research:
This is a somewhat hard question to answer because we didn’t systematically manipulate formulation while holding other factors constant. That said, I think based on other preclinical and clinical research, the formulation (e.g., lotion versus cream) is less important than permeation enhancers and dose.
So overall, it’s better to focus on other factors when it comes to absorption, and just choose the formulation you like the most.
Which Terpenes Should You Look For?
Terpenes can act as both permeation enhancers and painkilling agents in their own right, so it’s worth thinking about the best options before you make a purchase.
Dr. Vinocur told us that:
Terpenes have their own anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. β-caryophyllene binds to the cannabinoid receptor-2 (CB2) and can reduce inflammation and pain. While linalool and myrcene both also have anti-inflammatory properties, that contribute to pain relieve and even muscle relaxation and calming effects in certain conditions.
This makes beta-caryophyllene the best option for pain relief, with the purely anti-inflammatory options also being a solid choice. For permeation enhancement, Dr. Spindle told us that:
There isn’t much research on this specific to cannabinoid delivery, but menthol and limonene are among the terpenes shown to be particularly effective permeation enhancers for transdermal drug delivery.
Meet Our Experts
Kevin Boehnke, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and a researcher at the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan. His work focuses on the therapeutic use of cannabis and cannabinoids for pain management and improving quality of life in patients with chronic pain.
Leigh Vinocur MD, MS, is a board-certified emergency physician and Chief Medical Officer of Ananda Medical Practice and Consulting. With a master’s degree in medical cannabis science and therapeutics from the University of Maryland, she specializes in educating clinicians and organizations on evidence-based cannabis medicine for pain management and patient care.
Tory Spindle PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research focuses on the behavioral pharmacology of cannabis – examining how factors like dosage, formulation, and route of administration influence its effects on pain, cognition, and impairment – to help shape evidence-based policies and product standards.