Top 10 Best CBD Creams For Pain – Top Picks For Seniors

Updated: Jul 17, 2022

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Our Favorite CBD Cream

Spruce Topical CBD Cream

$39

Which CBD Cream Works Best?

CBD, which stands for Cannabidiol, is an extract of industrial hemp. Although an essential component of medical marijuana, it is directly derived from the Cannabis sativa plant — a cousin of the marijuana plant — and by itself does not cause a “high.”

CBD creams can be very productive in dealing with arthritis, chronic pain, general aches and pains, and common muscle and joint fatigue. The cream base works as a carrier agent, often with additional natural ingredients and essential oils to smoothly apply to affected areas.

A CBD topical differs from using CBD oils orally in that you can pinpoint target areas. CBD topicals might be a solution for temporary relief from chronic joint or muscle pain from arthritis, or general aches and pain from daily activities such as garden work or an exercise class. CBD is known to have possible beneficial and anti-inflammatory properties, and you can find a wide array of topical CBD products on the market. Some topical CBD products include CBD salve, CBD bath bombs, and CBD face creams. In this guide, we will focus on CBD creams that aid in pain relief for seniors.

What Are the Best CBD Creams?

In shopping for a pain relief CBD cream, it’s crucial to take into consideration the potency, CBD source, where it was grown, additional ingredients (stick to natural and organic ingredients as much as possible), and price. When it comes to the CBD source, you’ll often see terms such as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate, which refers to how the oil is extracted. While isolate and broad-spectrum ensure the oils used do not contain THC (which is the chemical attributed to the “high” given in smoking marijuana), full spectrum contains all the cannabinoids, including THC. Research has shown that THC and CBD work better together than not. However, any full-spectrum product will only contain 0.3 percent THC or less. Also, as we have pointed out, using a topical CBD product will not enter the bloodstream or cause a “high.”

The following products have been reviewed specifically for seniors, taking into consideration possible side effects and potential interactions with certain medical conditions.

Best CBD Cream For Pain

Spruce – Topical CBD Cream
Our Rating:
5.0/5

$39

Highlights
  • Made with all-natural plant-derived scents
  • Free shipping within the Continental U.S.
  • Extracted from 100% organic, pesticide-free hemp
  • Independent, third-party lab tested; results available online
  • Excellent customer service and generous return policy
Dosage: 300mg of full-spectrum oil
Size: 2 oz

15% off and free shipping with code AGINGINPLACE

Spruce CBD is a family-run business based in Raleigh, NC, whose oils are sourced from organic hemp grown on two separate family-owned farms in Colorado and Kentucky. Their hemp is 100% pesticide-free and sustainably farmed.

Each 2oz jar contains 300mg of full-spectrum oil and is naturally scented using plant-derived ingredients. Its main base uses mineral oil and includes natural, organic, gluten-free ingredients. While 300mg may not be the strongest potency on the market, users rave about the results the cream had on their arthritis, joint issues, chronic inflamed tissue pain, and even restless leg syndrome.

On the Spruce website, customers are eager to send in video testimonials and leave glowing reviews, plus their customer service team is quick to respond to questions, issues, and work to help best determine customer needs.

Best CBD Cream For Arthritis

CBDistillery – CBDol Topical Salve
Our Rating:
4.5/5

$50

Highlights:
  • Contains aloe, arnica, beeswax, cinnamon, coconut oil, eucalyptus, frankincense, lavender, tea tree, hemp seed oil, wintergreen, and other essential oils
  • Extracted from the mature stalks and stems of the hemp plant
  • Offers a veteran’s discount program
  • Also great for skin conditions and chronic pain
  • U.S. Hemp Authority certified & ISO 9001:2015 certified (International certification)
  • Independent, third-party lab tested; results available online
Dosage: 500mg of full-spectrum oil
Size: 1-ounce tub

While we have been focusing on CBD creams for this guide, CBDistillery’s CBDol Topical Salve caught our attention due to its beneficial results in dealing with the pain caused by arthritis. The only real difference between CBD creams and salves is the amount of water used in production. CBD salves are much thicker, using little to no water at all.

Colorado-based CBDistillery is one of the most popular CBD manufacturers in the market, with an extensive line of products and new ones released all the time. They even have a veteran’s discount program available for Veterans, Active Military Members, Fire Fighters, Police Officers, and EMTs.

This 1-ounce tub of topical salve may not seem like much, but there is a lot of CBD packed in that ounce with 500mg of full-spectrum CBD extracted from mature stalks and stems of the hemp plant. The process of crushing and grinding these robust herbs works to combine all the natural benefits of CBD straight to affected arthritic areas. This product is another case of a tiny bit of salve packing an extreme amount of pain relief, and consumer reviews claimed effective relief within minutes.

Highlights:
  • Includes aloe, coconut oil, arnica, Shea butter to calm dry, itchy skin
  • Pairs vitamins B5 & E with rich apricot kernel oil to moisturize and nourish the skin
  • Available scented or unscented
  • Gluten and GMO-free, preservative-free, cruelty-free
  • Independent, third-party lab tested; results available online
Dosage: 750mg of pure hemp extract
Size: 2.5-ounce tube

In 2018, a band of brothers in Colorado planted over 675,000 tons of industrial hemp and called themselves Charlotte’s Web. The company is U.S. Hemp Authority Certified, and recently received a 98 percent score on its cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations enforced by the FDA) audit. Their reputation is based on quality and consistency in their products, ranking this the purest CBD cream.

In this particular cream, the company put together a botanical blend that includes vitamins B5 and E, aloe, coconut oil, arnica, and Shea butter. They also offer a scented and unscented option. The scented cream has a light potpourri scent with a hint of menthol, which also serves as a natural analgesic.

The Charlotte’s Web Hemp Infused CBD Cream is a thick cream, and a little goes a long way. Whereas with some creams you may dollop out the size of a penny, in this case, a pea-size amount suffices to start. Customers have remarked that one tiny application lasts several hours and is noticeable within 30 minutes, and in some cases, their aches are gone until the next day.

Best CBD Cream For Muscle And Joint Aches

MedTerra – CBD Rapid Cooling Cream
Our Rating:
4.5/5

$34.99

Highlights:
  • Contains certified organic ingredients including menthol and arnica
  • Available online and in brick and mortar stores nationwide
  • Certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority, ensuring they meet stringent quality standards
  • Non-GMO, organic, pesticide-free
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Independent, third-party lab tested; results available online
Dosage: 250mg or 750mg of 99.6% pure CBD isolate
Size: 2-ounce roll-on or 3.4-ounce pump bottle

Medterra CBD cream is sourced from non-GMO hemp grown in Kentucky. The company specifically chose Kentucky for hemp farming due to the long growing season and soil quality. Their hemp is grown and extracted under the strict guidelines of the Kentucky Department of Agricultural Industrial Hemp Pilot Program and is certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority.

Seniors suffering from chronic pain will benefit from the options of 250mg strength or 750mg strength 99.6% percent pure CBD isolate and can choose from a roll-on or a pump bottle. The 2oz roll-on bottle only comes in 250mg strength, but a 3.4oz pump bottle offers both strengths. The cooling cream provides n quick sense of relief thanks to the natural ingredients of menthol and arnica, which work to soothe muscle and joint pain.

The Medterra website boasts hundreds of 5-star product reviews with customers that include professional golfers, surfers, and outdoor enthusiasts. While you may not be taking to the PGA circuit anytime soon, everyday users cited the Medterra CBD Rapid Cooling Cream in relieving muscle and joint pain in their knees, elbows, hips, and lower back.

Best CBD Cream For Inflammation

CBDfx – CBD Cream – 150mg (50 ml)
Our Rating:
4.5/5

$39.99

Highlights:
  • Includes caffeine to stimulate blood flow and help ease inflammation
  • Includes two natural analgesics: menthol and white willow bark
  • Independent, third-party lab tested; results available online
  • GMO-free
  • CO2-based extraction process
Dosage: 150mg of broad-spectrum oil
Size: 50ml

We chose CBDfx Cream because, in addition to the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, they also use two natural analgesics ingredients: menthol and white willow bark. These natural cooling and soothing agents also work with the addition of a small amount of caffeine, which stimulates blood flow and helps ease inflammation.

The 50ml bottle contains 150mg of broad-spectrum oil, sourced from plants grown organically —free of pesticide residues and other harmful chemicals — and contain natural ingredients like beeswax, organic Shea butter, and menthol.

One squirt from the pump will spread easily and soaks in quickly to the affected area. You’ll feel the immediate soothing effect from the menthol and white willow bark, paving the way for the CBD’s inflammation relieving qualities to work its magic within 20 minutes. Customer reviews have been amazed at how the cream has reduced swelling and pain in knees, tense shoulders and achy neck, and even in one user’s case, for long-term chronic pain.

Best CBD Cream For Back Pain

Veritas Farms – Full Spectrum CBD Sports Cream
Our Rating:
5/5

$29.99

Highlights:
  • Great for concentrated back pain relief
  • Tailored specifically for athletes and active lifestyles
  • Farm-to-home full-spectrum hemp oil
  • Fragrance-free, cruelty-free, natural ingredients
  • Independent, third-party lab tested; results available online
Dosage: 600mg of full-spectrum oil
Size: 2-ounce tube

We chose Veritas Farms Full Spectrum CBD Sports Cream because it was designed for athletes and active lifestyles, so we know it will soothe aching back pain that comes with getting older. The family-run company owns and operates a 140-acre farm and production facilities in Pueblo, Colorado, and is registered with the Colorado Department of Agriculture to grow industrial hemp. Their extraction methods focus on attention to detail, and they oversee all aspects of manufacturing.

The Sports Cream was uniquely formulated by compound pharmacists to achieve and maintain long-lasting relief. The 2oz tube contains 600mg of farm-to-home full-spectrum hemp oil. Once again, a little goes a long way as it is meant to absorb into affected areas quickly and effectively — the strength of CBD oil, combined with the carrier-agent ingredients, aid in achieving pain relief.

Best CBD Cream For Eczema

FAB CBD – Topical CBD Cream
Our Rating:
4.5/5

$49.99

Highlights:
  • Contains aloe vera, cocoa butter, coconut oil, vitamin E, and CO2 extracted hemp oil
  • Is 3x stronger than most of the competition when it comes to potency
  • Independent, third-party lab tested; results available online
  • Full refund within 30 days
  • Features a subtle blood orange scent
Dosage: 600mg of full-spectrum oil
Size: 2-ounce tub

We chose FAB CBD’s Extra Strength Topical Cream for Eczema because, with 600mg of full-spectrum premium hemp extract, it is 3x stronger than many of its competitors. While the company is Florida-based, their products are made with 100% organic Colorado-grown hemp that is non-GMO, lab tested for safety and potency, and is free from pesticides, herbicides, solvents, and chemicals.

The 600mg of full-spectrum oil topical cream comes in a 2-ounce container. While it is for muscle and joint relief, its potency is additionally advantageous when dealing with many skin conditions seniors deal with, such as eczema, shingles, dry skin, and rashes. Because of the high potency, a small dab of the cream will go a long way.

Customers stated success when using the topical cream for skin irritations, citing immediate cooling and soothing results. When used for pain, customer reviews noted a reduction in pain within a few minutes. The Fab CBD Topical Cream features a subtle blood orange fragrance in addition to smooth texture for easy application.

Best CBD Face Cream

Cannuka – CBD Harmonizing Face Cream
Our Rating:
4.5/5

$58.00

Highlights:
  • Contains Manuka honey, beeswax, ale, rosehip oil, witch hazel, and cucumber extract
  • Rich in nutrients
  • Available online as well as at retailers such as Ulta and Neiman Marcus
  • Great for dry and irritated skin
  • Can be used as a calming aftershave for men
Dosage: 100mg isolate oil
Size: 3.2-ounce pump

The Cannuka product line is predominately geared toward skincare rather than CBD medicinal uses, and as such, has developed a proprietary skincare formula of CBD and Manuka honey — both natural products with well-known healing and anti-inflammatory attributes.

While the potency in the CBD Harmonizing Face Cream is too low to render on our therapeutic scale, its formula is known to assist in healthier-looking skin. The combination of the CBD and Manuka Honey, together with witch hazel and cucumber extract, calms and soothes dry, sensitive skin immediately. It’s a thick cream, so just a pea-sized dollop from the pump will work to moisturize and hydrate the face and neck area.

In 2019 the company partnered with one of the most popular beauty retailers in the U.S., Ulta. It became their first-ever CBD skincare brand making it much more wildly available to consumers. Customer reviews have been delighted with the CBD Harmonizing Face Cream to work on dry or even irritated and itchy skin, noting a velvet texture and an enjoyable citrus aroma. In some cases, men have used it as a calming aftershave.

Highlights:
  • Water-resistant
  • UVA/UVB broad-spectrum sun protection
  • Nourishes, balances, and protects the skin
  • Features a tropical fragrance of coconut, mango, and guava
  • Triple lab tested, ensuring natural products free from contaminants and of the highest quality possible
Dosage: 100mg isolate oil
Size: 4-ounce tube

While it may seem outside our potency parameters, we chose the Dixie Botanicals CBD Sunscreen as the best CBD daily cream due to its nourishing, moisturizing qualities and natural protection against the sun, which also combats against daily environmental exposure. The company was one of the first hemp-based CBD brands available on the market and is regarded as one of the most well-recognized brands in the industry. They extract their CBD from the mature stalk of the industrial hemp plant.

The 4-ounce tube contains 100mg of all-natural CBD isolate and premium CBD-infused SPF50 sunscreen, which is beneficial since it is absorbed quickly into the epidermis and interacts with the skin’s subcutaneous tissue to promote healthy skin balance.

The lightweight cream works well for daily use, and customers stated it left their skin feeling smooth, moisturized, and soft. They enjoyed the added benefit of knowing they had an extra layer of protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Best 1,000mg CBD Cream

Veritas Farms – Full Spectrum Lotion, 1,000mg
Our Rating:
5/5

$94.99

Highlights:
  • Contains all-natural, full-spectrum hemp extract with organic extra-virgin coconut oil and organic beeswax
  • Choice of unscented, lavender eucalyptus, or cooling menthol
  • Independent, third-party lab tested; results available online
  • Farm-to-home full-spectrum hemp oil
  • Fragrance-free, cruelty-free, natural ingredients
Dosage: 1000mg full-spectrum oil
Size: 2-ounce tub

Veritas Farms is a family-run company that owns and operates a 140-acre farm and production facility in Pueblo, Colorado. It is registered with the Colorado Department of Agriculture to grow industrial hemp. Their extraction methods focus on attention to detail, and they oversee all aspects of manufacturing.

Their full-spectrum cream comes in a 2-ounce tub and contains a whopping 1,000mg of natural whole-plant hemp extract. At this potency, a fingertip dab should suffice for seniors dealing with joint stiffness, pain relief, general muscle ache, chronic skin conditions, and more.

Will CBD Cream Help with Pain Relief?

CBD cream may include anti-inflammatory properties to ease pain, the effects of arthritis, and muscle and joint pain and fatigue. A 2016 study using rats “indicates that topical CBD application has therapeutic potential for relief of arthritis pain-related behaviors and inflammation without evident side effects.”

The potency is the most important thing to consider when selecting a cream. CBD cream doesn’t produce effects as quickly as CBD oil, so it’s vital to look for a product containing at least 200mg of CBD. When dealing with severe pain and inflammation, you can safely consider a product with up to 1,000mg CBD per container.

How Does Topical CBD Cream Work?

The outer layer of our skin (epidermis) is pretty tough since it serves as a barrier against UV rays and harmful chemicals. CBD topical creams are formulated to absorb into the skin, and they usually contain lotions and other ingredients that moisturize and restore the skin. Topicals applied to the epidermis do not enter the bloodstream, and rarely do they interact with medications. Creams tend to be thicker than lotions — and typically include ingredients such as shea butter, aloe vera, coconut oil, and nutrients that are not only beneficial to the body but aid in carrying and applying the cannabidiol to affected areas.

How Much CBD Cream Should I Use?

A small amount used on the affected area will go a long way. Again, this is where potency and the mg of CBD used is an essential factor to consider when making a purchase. To use CBD cream, apply it with your fingers directly to the affected area, and massage into the skin. Make sure the cream absorbs before applying more. If you’re using a topical for pain, you should feel the effects reasonably quickly; depending on the additional ingredients in the cream; you may feel a cooling or warming sensation.

CBD creams are generally acknowledged as safe with very few side effects, but there are instances where they may occur. As with any topical, be sure to read the packaging and only use it externally. You may also need to consult with a doctor before use.

FAQs

Some of the CBD creams we’ve highlighted in this guide have had customer reviews stating they experienced relief within minutes of application, while others noticed relief some 15 to 30 minutes later. CBD creams partnered with natural analgesics like menthol or white willow bark often offer an immediate cooling or warming sensation. The potency is essential when choosing a CBD cream for pain relief, so the higher strength, the stronger and longer-lasting results will be achieved.

Conclusion

Studies and acceptance of CBD have been overwhelming over the last few years, and as a result, using it no longer has the stigma held over from days of old. It’s been proven that CBD creams can be very productive in dealing with arthritis, chronic pain, general aches and pains, and common muscle and joint fatigue, as well as general skincare and helping with chronic skin conditions.

Consider your pain, medical conditions, and affected areas, and talk with your doctor before using a CBD topical. Your doctor will know if there are any contraindications in regard to your condition or any medications you may be taking.

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