4 Best CBD Creams for Pain Relief: Tested and Reviewed

The Fast Facts

• Topical CBD creams can offer short-term relief from pain, though more research is necessary.
• Our evaluators experienced temporary relief from several CBD pain creams, with the best results when combined with other pain-management strategies.
• We favor Joy Organics for everyday muscle soreness and Aspen Green when extra potency is needed.

A quick look at the best CBD creams for pain

The CBD topicals that tended to help the most in our testing usually include additional ingredients that produce a cooling or soothing effect. It’s difficult to determine which element provides the majority of relief.

Nevertheless, preliminary studies indicate that CBD may reduce inflammation and could benefit neuropathic pain when applied to the skin. Trying a cream that combines CBD with other soothing agents can be worthwhile.

So how do you identify trustworthy CBD creams? We reviewed more than 100 topicals and put over 20 through initial vetting and hands-on testing. Below are our top three choices to complement your pain-relief routine.

CBD creams for pain that worked for our testers

Best overall CBD cream for pain

Joy Organics Premium CBD Sports Cream

• CBD type:broad-spectrum
• CBD potency:1,000 mg per 4-fl oz container
• Third-party tested:yes

Use code “JoyCBD” for 20% off.

Considering how it stacks up for size, cost, and CBD concentration per container — along with strong user ratings — Premium CBD Sports Cream earns our recommendation as the best CBD cream for pain. Its broad-spectrum formulation also makes it a good option for those avoiding THC.

Each bottle contains 1,000 milligrams (mg) of CBD and includes menthol, camphor, and various essential oils, along with hydrating ingredients for skin health.

Our tester Jackie Cruz, a performance athlete managing tendonitis in her leg, used this cream alongside physical therapy and deep-tissue work. She applied a nickel-sized amount three times daily for a week.

“I noticed results within seconds,” she reports. She didn’t find the menthol scent overwhelming and praised the texture as “just right,” appreciating that it moisturized in addition to easing soreness.

That said, some users may need a stronger formulation. Marie Rosales, another tester with nerve-related pain, got better results from our higher-potency picks.

Those stronger options are pricier, so given that several testers felt relief with this cream, it’s sensible to try Joy Organics first before moving to the costlier alternatives.

Joy Organics also stands out for its 90-day satisfaction guarantee and multiple discount offerings. You can save further with subscription discounts and loyalty rewards; the company offers a full refund within 90 days if the product doesn’t meet your expectations.

Tester Kristin Currin recommends using an amount about the size of a nickel; she used a quarter-sized dollop and found it didn’t absorb well.

“It eased my pain, but I ended up spreading it over other sore spots because I used too much. Besides nerve pain in my neck, I have arthritis in knees, thumbs, and wrists — and it helped with arthritis, too!”

Pros & cons

• tester reported feeling effects within seconds
• contains no THC
• moisturizing formula
• 90-day money-back guarantee
• discounts and rewards available

• no CBD isolate option

Product details

• COA :available online
• Returns :full refund within 90 days
• Shipping :free on orders over $47

Women-Founded

Best extra strength

Aspen Green Relief Cooling Cream

• CBD type:full-spectrum
• CBD potency:1,000 mg per 2-oz jar
• Third-party tested:yes

Use code “HEALTHLINE” for 20% off.

Our initial 2022 trial found this Aspen Green cooling cream particularly helpful: editor Christy Snyder, dealing with new sciatica pain, reported immediate relief when heat, ice, and OTC meds weren’t enough. The cream allowed her to continue daily activities during flare-ups.

“The higher CBD concentration has made a noticeable difference in easing my back pain,” she said.

When retested in 2024, another participant with chronic lower back pain felt the cooling sensation within minutes; full relief came in about 10–20 minutes and lasted one to two hours.

In 2025, a tester again reported rapid cooling effects and described the sensation as slightly more intense than some other creams, a feature she appreciated. “This cream definitely works,” she said.

The drawback is the price. It’s costlier than our top pick, and regular daily use might require more frequent purchases, making it something users may reserve for severe flare-ups.

This product contains full-spectrum CBD, which includes trace amounts of THC. That can be beneficial due to the “entourage effect,” the concept that cannabinoids may work better together. If avoiding THC is a priority, choose Joy Organics or Soul’s Rapid Relief, which use broad-spectrum or isolate formulations.

The texture is more paste-like compared with the lotion-like consistency of our other picks, and it’s formulated with arnica extract and organic menthol for cooling comfort.

Pros & cons

• higher potency provided quick relief for back pain
• water-based for easy spreading
• USDA certified
• 60-day return policy

• contains THC, not suitable for those avoiding THC
• more expensive than other options

Product details

• COA :available online
• Returns :returns within 60 days
• Shipping :free on orders over $74

Best for muscle and joint pain

Soul CBD Rapid Relief Cream

• CBD type:isolate
• CBD potency:1,500 mg per 3.4-fl oz bottle
• Third-party tested:yes

Use code “HEALTHLINE30” for 30% off.

In our 2023 testing, Christy noticed an almost immediate cooling feeling from Soul CBD’s cream. It helped during flare-ups, although she rated Aspen Green as slightly more effective overall.

When retested in 2025, Marie named this her favorite among the top three.

With 1,500mg of CBD, it was so effective that Marie — a ballroom dancer — reported being able to dance longer because the cream removed much of her muscle and joint discomfort. That increased activity left her sorer the next day, so she adjusted to using it at night or after intense sessions to preserve her body’s natural rest cues.

The cream has a loose, lotion-like texture similar to our top pick from Joy Organics and includes skin-nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, hempseed oil, and shea butter for a non-greasy feel.

It also features cooling agents such as menthol, camphor, and wintergreen oil. As with other potent topicals, do a patch test and avoid applying to sensitive areas.

Pros & cons

• tester reported fast and effective relief
• formulated with athletes in mind
• contains hydrating ingredients like coconut oil, hempseed oil, and shea butter

• strong scent may be off-putting to some
• can irritate sensitive skin

Product details

• COA :available on product page
• Returns :returns within 14 days
• Shipping :free on orders $100+

Best for mild pain

CBDistillery Oooh Distilled 500 mg CBD Balm

• CBD type:full-spectrum
• CBD potency:500 mg per 1-oz jar
• Third-party tested:yes

Use code “healthline” for 20% off sitewide or opt for a subscription to get 20% off the first two orders and 25% off the third.

Marie applied this CBDistillery balm two to three times daily for low-level aches and said it acted quickly, though the relief was relatively short-lived. “It provides an initial numbing feeling and made the pain more manageable,” she noted.

The balm’s formula includes shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe, which can be soothing for skin. However, coconut and sunflower oil are present, so this product isn’t suitable for people with allergies to those ingredients.

Marie didn’t love the texture, finding it too greasy, though she acknowledged it did moisturize the skin.

CBDistillery also uses camphor and tea tree for warming/cooling effects, and lavender oil contributes to the fragrance.

“Among several topical creams (Aspen Green, Joy, Soul, and CBDistillery), CBDistillery ranked third for effectiveness,” Marie said. For mild pains that might otherwise be treated with OTC remedies, this balm could be a reasonable alternative. It contains trace THC under 0.3% and produced tingling or numbing sensations in some areas like fingers and wrists.

Pros & cons

• effective for mild pain per our tester
• includes skin-soothing ingredients
• compact size suitable for travel

• short duration of relief
• greasy texture disliked by tester
• contains potential allergens like coconut and sunflower

Product details

• COA :available on product page
• Price per mg :$0.10

Comparing CBD creams

How we chose the best CBD creams for pain relief

We picked the CBD creams on this list based on standards that emphasize safety, quality, and openness. After initial screening, we tested promising candidates to evaluate how they performed for our team’s everyday aches and chronic pain.

Overall, our team has trialed more than 20 CBD topicals and carefully recorded how each product influenced pain management.

Our Medical Standards and Insights group has evaluated over 11,000 products and services, fact-checking health assertions, scrutinizing ingredients, and researching brand reputations before featuring items.

To assemble this guide, we reviewed all lotions, creams, and balms that met our vetting criteria, then completed hands-on testing to refine the list. Read more about how we test CBD products.

Does CBD cream help with pain?

Although many people use topical CBD for natural pain management, definitive research is limited. Still, a growing body of evidence suggests topical CBD may help with several types of pain, including:

• Arthritis pain: A 2015 animal study indicated topical CBD might ease arthritis-related pain and swelling. A 2022 anonymous survey-based study linked CBD use with perceived reductions in arthritis symptoms. A 2023 mouse study also suggested cannabinoids may lower inflammation, a common arthritis issue.
• Nerve pain: A small 2020 trial looked at topical CBD oils for neuropathic pain; many participants with nerve damage reported reductions in sharp, cold, and itchy pains.
• Jaw pain: A 2019 small study found that applying topical CBD twice daily reduced a specific facial pain affecting the jaw after two weeks.

Another 2020 report noted that some palliative care patients regularly use THC or CBD, and many found topical products helpful for pain control.

Pros and cons of CBD cream

Pros

• Targets specific pain areas: Unlike edibles, topicals can be applied directly to the sore spot for localized relief.
• Acts quickly: Because they bypass digestion, topicals often produce faster effects than gummies or capsules.

Cons

• Often less potent than ingestibles: Topicals may act sooner but generally deliver milder overall effects.
• Hard to dose precisely: Oils and edibles provide measured doses, whereas it’s challenging to quantify how much CBD you apply with a cream.
• May not be effective for all pain types: Topicals typically don’t reach the bloodstream, so they might not help every condition.

CBD creams vs. other topical pain relievers

Safety and side effects

A 2017 review reported that CBD is generally well tolerated.

Most topicals are intended for external use only and shouldn’t be swallowed unless the product specifies it’s safe.

Avoid applying CBD products to open wounds or broken skin; many formulations advise against use on damaged areas or where other cosmetic products have been applied.

Although low-dose topical CBD usually won’t make you feel “high,” some users report side effects like:

• drowsiness
• diarrhea
• changes in appetite or weight

Topical products are unlikely to enter the bloodstream in significant amounts and cause systemic effects.

Absorption (bioavailability) at the application site can depend on:

• skin hydration
• skin condition
• skin thickness
• whether the area has more fat, muscle, or bone

Because research on topical CBD absorption is limited, it’s unclear how safe it is to combine CBD creams with other topical agents.

Sometimes one topical can increase or decrease the absorption of another depending on their formulations and application order, and ingredients could react chemically when mixed. To be cautious, separate applications by a few hours.

A 2023 study of elite athletes using CBD topicals for chronic leg pain found few adverse effects.

Always consult a physician before using CBD, especially because it can interact with certain medications.

Frequently asked questions about CBD creams for pain

What is the best topical CBD cream for pain?

Our reviewers rated Joy Organics Premium CBD Sports Cream as the top topical for pain — it acted quickly, felt soothing, and had a pleasant texture.

Does CBD cream stop pain?

Research is ongoing, but smaller human and animal studies suggest CBD may reduce inflammation and relieve some types of pain, with studies focusing on arthritis, nerve, and facial/jaw pain.

What are side effects of CBD pain cream?

Reported side effects can include:

• drowsiness
• diarrhea
• appetite changes
• weight fluctuations

Always examine product ingredient lists to avoid allergens. Don’t apply CBD to broken skin, and perform a patch test before broader use to check for irritation.

How long does it take for CBD cream to work on pain?

Times vary by person, but topical CBD often begins to take effect within 15 to 30 minutes. If a cream contains menthol or similar additives, you may feel a tingling or cooling sensation within seconds.

How does CBD cream compare to CBD oil for pain relief?

Topical CBD can provide focused relief to a specific area, while oral CBD products produce a more generalized, whole-body effect.

Can CBD cream be used alongside other pain management treatments?

Talk with your doctor before combining CBD with other pain treatments, as CBD can alter how certain medicines are metabolized, including some opioid painkillers.

What type of CBD is most effective for pain?

Our testers used creams, oils, and gummies for pain; all formats provided benefit, but creams are best for targeted relief. Testers tended to see the most relief with full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products.

What are the negatives of CBD cream?

Potential downsides include:

• does not address the underlying cause of pain
• may not deliver strong pain relief
• may contain allergens
• can be greasy in texture
• less convenient to use while away from home

Additionally, research on topical efficacy is still developing.

The takeaway

While conclusive proof that CBD topicals reliably relieve pain is still pending, many people report success using balms, creams, lotions, and salves for various discomforts.

For the best outcome, consider a potent, responsibly sourced full- or broad-spectrum CBD cream from a transparent company that uses high-quality ingredients. If you want targeted relief, look into options like cbd patches for pain as part of your regimen.

Choose brands that are upfront about where they grow hemp and how they process products, and consult a healthcare professional before beginning CBD.

Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act, making certain hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. Products over 0.3% THC remain classified as marijuana. State laws vary, so check regulations when traveling. Note that the FDA has not approved over-the-counter CBD products, and labeling may be inaccurate on some items.

Healthline retains editorial control over this article. The potential uses of products listed are not claims made by manufacturers. This information is general and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Discuss treatment choices with your healthcare provider.