CBD has gone from a niche product you’d only find in a few health-food stores to something you’ll see almost everywhere — gas stations, grocery stores, and online. If you’ve been curious about CBD creams and topicals — what they are, what’s in them, and how people use them — this guide breaks it down. It’s general information, not medical advice.

DO CBD Pain Creams Work?

Cannabidiol more commonly shortened to CBD is a cannabinoid that is present in the Cannabis Sativa plant. This may sound familiar to most as Cannabis is the plant that marijuana is derived from. Famous for producing a euphoric effect known as “high” marijuana is bred to be high in THC (the psychoactive cannabinoid) and very low in CBD. However, marijuana has a lesser-known relative that is called industrial hemp, but more often referred to as simply just hemp. Hemp is very low in THC and very high in CBD. THC and CBD share some of the same molecular similarities, but that is where they end. CBD does not produce a psychotropic effect in the brain while retaining much of the other beneficial qualities of the cannabis plant.

How People Use CBD Topicals

Nearly every mammal has what’s called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors found throughout the body. CBD is one of many cannabinoids researchers are still studying, and the science is early. People use CBD topicals for all sorts of everyday reasons — as part of a self-care routine or after activity. We don’t make claims about what CBD does for any health condition; if you have a specific concern, talk to your doctor.

What People Look For in a Topical

People reach for CBD creams, salves, and roll-ons for lots of reasons — the cooling or warming feel of menthol, a post-workout massage, or simply as part of a self-care routine. Research on topical CBD is still developing, so we don’t make claims about results. Choose a format and scent you like, and if you have a health concern, check with your doctor.

CBD Roll-On To Help You Sleep

A Cooling & Warming CBD Roll-On

A CBD Cream Made With Raw, Unrefined CBD

A CBD Cream for Your Skincare Routine

Formats & Scents

CBD topicals come in a range of formats and scents — creams, salves, and roll-ons with cooling or warming sensations. Some people prefer a cream, others a roll-on for convenience. Pick what feels good and fits your routine. We make no claims about anxiety or any other condition.

CBD Creams and Topicals For Beauty

Many people simply enjoy CBD topicals as part of a skincare or self-care routine, and there are lots of formats to choose from — lotions, creams, and bath products. We make no claims about treating any skin condition; it’s about what people like to use.

Choosing a CBD Topical

There’s no single ‘best’ answer — it comes down to the format, scent, and feel you prefer, and how you like to use it. Research on CBD is still developing, and we don’t make health claims. If you have questions about our products, reach out anytime; if you have a medical concern, talk to your doctor.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For adults 21+.

Chronic

Chronic is the pen name of the lead writer at Texas Weed Syndicate, with eight years in the hemp industry and countless hours spent researching the plant, its uses, and the history of hemp through the ages. Chronic covers THCA flower, Delta 8, 9 and 10, hemp-derived cannabinoids, product quality and lab testing, and how federal and state hemp laws actually work. We publish under a single pen name to keep our guides consistent and, in a category with plenty of legal gray area, to keep the focus on the information. Everything here is written for adults 21+ and is educational, not medical advice.