When it comes to pain relief, targeting the problem area is vital. It’s one of the reasons why CBD cream is increasingly being used and sought after.

CBD, or Cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound found in both hemp and marijuana plants. CBD has proven to be a natural source of relief for mental ailments such as anxiety, depression, stress, and poor sleep, and even physical ailments like nausea, chronic pain and inflammation.  While CBD can treat all of these conditions there are various ways to consume CBD in order to achieve optimal effects.

CBD offers natural relief due to how it interacts with the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Responsible for regulating and balancing mental and physical processes in the body, the ECS is a group of receptors in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system that specifically interact with cannabinoids like CBD to maintain homeostasis in the body. In other words, CBD naturally works with the body to provide balance and relief.

What is CBD Cream?

When CBD is ingested, it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, whereas topical CBD such as CBD creams, gels or salves can target specific areas of muscle or joint pain. 

For example, CBD Oil, which is consumed sublingually (under the tongue) absorbs through mucous membranes in the mouth, while ingestibles like CBD gummies or CBD capsules are absorbed through the digestive system and eventually the bloodstream. On the other hand, our skin has many cannabinoid receptors that absorb and utilize CBD directly in the area it’s applied, without entering the bloodstream. 

While both forms of CBD can treat and relieve pain, the key difference between ingestibles and topicals is how your body metabolizes the CBD within your body due to the different consumption methods. Topical CBD applied directly to an area in pain may direct a larger amount of CBD to the desired area, while ingesting CBD is often used more for general pain or pain problems that are below your skin that topical CBD cannot reach. 

CBD creams for skin issues

When CBD is applied topically it penetrates both the dermal and subdermal layers of the skin and is recommended for different forms of dermatitis and rashes. CBD creams also work to soothe skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. Due to its antiinflammatory properties, CBD infused creams and lotions are a powerful solution for acne, inflammation, itchiness, and other skin irritations. 

CBD lotions and gels will usually be water-based, allowing for quick absorption into the skin. CBD creams and CBD salves, on the other hand, will have a heavier mix, typically with an oil base allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin. Be sure to take a full look at the ingredients list before making your decision, as some carrier oils may be classified as comedogenic. 

CBD topicals may also contain other ingredients or bases commonly found in creams and lotions such as vitamin E, coconut oil, MCT oil or shea butter—all nourishing ingredients that help to smooth and moisturize the skin, adding to the medicinal benefits of the CBD cream. resolveCBD Pain Cream, for instance, also includes ingredients that moisturize and soothe your skin such as shea butter and jojoba oil, helping to bring relief to where it’s needed. Our cream is primarily water-based, however it also contains oils to promote the binding and homogeneous blending of CBD within the other ingredients. 

Depending on your needs, pick the CBD topical the same way you would your other creams and lotions. Look for the ingredient mix that targets your skin conditions. It’s also essential to look for the concentration of CBD per container and whether the CBD cream is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum or CBD isolate (99% pure CBD). More on this below.

Most CBD creams and topicals are made for the body, it’s therefore best to read the labels and instructions if you want to apply CBD cream or lotion on the face. 

CBD creams are known to be safe for all skin types, however effectiveness will vary depending on individual health factors. If you suffer from medical skin conditions, it’s best to consult with your physician prior to using CBD topical products, especially if you’re using prescribed skin care medication. 

CBD cream for chronic pain

Arthritis is a common ailment in adults, (more than 54 million Americans suffer from Arthritis today). Although there are over 100 types of arthritis, it is the inflammation of joints or tissues around joints which lead to chronic pain and stiffness. Those who suffer from chronic pain and arthritis are accustomed to creams and lotions to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. CBD cream works well for arthritis and chronic pain as it can be applied directly to the joint or area of pain and then massaged in until absorbed. 

CBD cream can also be used to treat migraines and headaches. When applied and massaged to the neck and shoulders, where stiffness commonly occurs leading to headaches, CBD cream is an effective way to relieve this type of head pain.

Those who take prescription arthritis medication (oral or topical) should consult their physicians before trying CBD cream.

CBD cream for myofascial release

Is it any wonder so many athletes have come out to tout CBD’s benefits? CBD creams can also have a big impact for those who are active as it helps to relieve myofascial or muscle and joint pain. CBD cream can reduce the inflammatory response by working with the body’s ECS to increase endocannabinoids. CBD activates compounds in the body’s ECS and can slow or stop the body from breaking down anandamide, a compound associated with regulating pain, such as myofascial or muscle and joint pain. Increased levels of anandamide in the bloodstream can help reduce the amount of pain a person feels and help improve myofascial release.

Running, lifting weights, or any form of strength training or workout create micro-tears in the muscle which causes that next day soreness. In response to this, the body releases inflammatory mediators to repair the muscle tissue. CBD cream helps to limit the release of these inflammatory signals, combat oxidative damage, enhance blood flow, and reduce muscle spasms, which helps to reduce the soreness or pain you typically feel after a hard workout. Think of CBD creams and oils like your go-to man (or woman) off the bench in how it can help with post-workout recovery. 

There are several creams, gels and salves already available off the shelf to help treat muscle soreness, pain and inflammation. Most of these topical products have analgesic compounds, such as menthol, camphor, and capsaicin, which create heating or cooling sensations. These creams and lotions essentially desensitize the nerves to pain. Where CBD separates itself is with its natural ability to work with your body’s ECS, especially when applied topical to target muscle pain.

resolveCBD Pain Cream

resolveCBD Extra Strength Pain Cream offers an easy and effective way to apply CBD topically. When applied directly to the skin, our CBD cream can be used for a variety of ailments such as pain, inflammation, rashes, dryness, as well other skin irritations.  If you’re looking for skin-deep relief to an ailment in a specific area, our CBD Pain Cream offers a potent and purposeful solution. Each jar contains 500mg of CBD hemp extract within 50 grams (60 ml) of a hand-crafted moisturizing cream with a pleasant menthol aroma. 

When using CBD topically, CBD can be focussed to a specific area on the skin to address a multitude of ailments, such as pain, inflammation, rashes, acne, psoriasis, eczema, and other skin disorders or irritations. Our cream also includes ingredients that moisturize and soothe your skin, bringing relief to where it’s needed. 

We recommend applying resolveCBD Pain Cream to the problem area one-to-three times per day, or as needed. Apply a small amount of cream as needed to the affected area and gently rub into your skin until absorbed. To get the most out of your pain cream, store it in a dry, cool place. 

How much CBD cream should I use?

Hemp topical products vary in CBD milligrams per ounce. The labels should indicate its strength and potency clearly – stay clear of those that don’t.

Most CBD creams and other topicals take a few minutes to start working with the body, and studies have shown their optimal performance or peaks can be felt a couple of hours after application. We have created this dosage chart to find the right dosage for your weight range.

If using our resolveCBD Extra Strength Pain Cream, the amount needed will vary, however, we recommend starting with about as much as would fit on the tip of your finger, this will give you about 30-40 uses per jar.

How to choose a CBD cream

As with any hemp product it’s important to do your research first, especially if trying CBD for the first time. Take a look at the ingredients and the label to determine if the product is full-spectrum (a ‘whole plant’ extract that contains not only CBD, but all of the other cannabinoids, amino acids and essential oils found within the plant.), broad-spectrum (full spectrum of cannabinoids minus THC) or CBD isolate (99% pure CBD). 

Some CBD creams are created specifically for pain or skin conditions and many are multi-purpose. The importance here is to look at the secondary ingredients or the base of the CBD topical to determine which is right for your pain treatment. For instance, some CBD topicals have a cooling effect that work best for muscle or chronic pain.

While CBD is safe for most people, it’s best to consult with our health professional if you’re using prescriptions or other topical medications for ailments such as arthritis or skin conditions like eczema, to ensure CBD won’t interact with your medications.

Finally, read reviews. While more and more studies appear on the benefits of CBD topicals, it’s best to hear it from those who use them. 

Topical CBD is easy to apply and targets pain literally on the spot (or spots) you need it most. Its ability to treat a variety of ailments from dermatitis to chronic pain makes it a versatile and effective tool to treat pain and discomfort caused by these physical conditions. Whether you’re an athlete, or looking for ways to manage chronic pain naturally, CBD cream is definitely an option to consider.