Best CBD Salves: Top Brands in 2021
At some point in their lives everyone deals with sore muscles, achy joints, and dry, chapped skin. However, finding relief can sometimes be a challenge. Harsh ingredients irritate the skin, and watery formulas have no effect.
People are looking for a solution. They want a product that works with the body’s natural defenses to reduce pain and inflammation while also nursing the skin. Products made with CBD targets problem areas by penetrating the skin’s layers for healing and relief.
But, finding the best CBD salve isn’t always easy because not all CBD salves are created equal. Several companies manufacture CBD products that contain very little CBD, or the CBD is low-quality and combined with harmful ingredients.
This article looks at the different CBD salves on the market, and determines what makes one CBD topical salve better than others. The objective of this article is to educate readers on how to choose a high-quality salve, explain what is in a salve, and determine if a salve is the right choice for their type of pain. Additionally, this piece will explain the benefits and side effects of CBD topicals.
Keep reading to discover our top picks for the best CBD salves and learn how we chose them.
What Are CBD Salves and Topicals?
Many people are already familiar with CBD that can be taken orally: such as tinctures, gummies, or vape cartridges. CBD topicals are products that contain CBD for application to the skin. Topicals come in many forms, such as creams, lotions, balms, and salves.
Creams and lotions combine oil and water, along with an emulsifier. Creams have a higher ratio of oil to water, whereas the ratio is vice versa for lotions. Manufacturers formulate lotions and creams to absorb quickly into the skin.
In contrast, salves and balms typically contain CBD, herbal remedies, and some type of wax–such as beeswax. Salves usually have a softer consistency than balms.
When Looking for a High-Quality CBD Salve?
Here are things to consider when choosing high-quality CBD salve for you:
The type of CBD
Previously, we discussed the difference between full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate. Many people prefer full spectrum CBD because they are getting all the beneficial chemical compounds found in the hemp plant, including minute traces of THC. For people who want their products to contain only the CBD from the hemp plant and no other cannabinoids, CBD isolate is their preference.
The amount of CBD
CBD topicals come in varying strengths. The more CBD a product contains, the more potency it has. For first-time CBD users, it’s always best to start with the lowest strength and increase dosage until reaching the desired effect. Since many companies offer money-back guarantees, it’s easy finding the CBD strength that’s right for you.
Desired outcome
The primary purpose of using a CBD salve is to provide relief from pain. However, other benefits depend on the other added ingredients. Some people prefer a heating or cooling sensation, or alternate between both. Yet, others enjoy a calming scent that will help them to calm their minds and relieve stress. Many users of CBD topicals like to have their skin feel nourished and moisturized.
Price
CBD Salves tend to be more expensive than other topicals that are mass-produced and found in large box stores. The best CBD companies use high-quality hemp and organic ingredients to make their salves. They also do a considerable amount of research and testing to produce a CBD salve that’s safe and effective. If a store is advertising the “cheapest CBD products in town,” the product likely contains little CBD and inferior ingredients.
Our Criteria for Choosing The Best CBD Salves In 2021
In recent years, several CBD companies have come onto the market. Knowing what to look for can seem like a daunting task. It may seem easy to choose the first item during a web search or to stop by a nearby corner advertising CBD products. However, to make sure you’re purchasing a high-quality CBD salve, you will want to consider the following:
Where Does the Company Get its Hemp?
The 2018 Farm Bill made the cultivation of industrial hemp legal in the United States. It states that farmers can apply for a license to grow hemp and that the hemp can’t have THC levels above 0.3%. The Department of Agriculture regulates the industrial hemp industry, so all hemp produced in the US must meet USDA standards.
Several companies import their hemp from China, Canada, and the EU.[1] Many foreign countries do not have the same regulations and oversight as hemp grown in the United States. The hemp in their products might contain heavy metals, pesticides, or toxins.
How Does the Company Extract the CBD From the Hemp?
There are several methods for extracting CBD oil from the hemp plant and some of those ways are less expensive than others. These methods usually involve using a solvent, such as ethanol or isopropanol. The problem with these extraction methods is that they destroy the hemp plant, and the solvents tend to bind to some of the plant’s components. What is left is a product that may be lacking in potency and purity.[2]
Alternatively, CO2 extraction is more expensive. It uses pressurized carbon dioxide to isolate and extract the beneficial cannabinoids from the hemp, without damaging the plant. The result is a high-yield, high-quality CBD oil that is pure and potent.
Does the Company Do Third-Party Testing?
CBD companies don’t have the same types of regulations under the FDA as drugs, and some brands make misstatements on their products. Legitimate CBD companies have their products tested by a third-party independent lab. These labs test the products for potency, ensure the THC level is below 0.3%, and checks for heavy metals, chemicals, and pesticides. Look for the company’s Certificate of Analysis (COA) on its website.
What Other Ingredients Are in The Salve?
Many brands of CBD salves contain other ingredients to enhance its effects. Look for products that contain organic and natural ingredients, such as botanicals and essential oils, and try to stay away from brands that contain chemicals and synthetic additives
What are Other People’s Opinions?
While it’s a good idea to read the reviews on a company’s website, it’s also essential to search the web for independent reviews. See what other people say about the company, the product, and the customer service.
However, keep in mind that a product that works for someone else may not work for you. You may have to try a couple of different brands before finding the product that is effective for your issues.
Best CBD Salve Brands in 2021: Our Top Picks
We considered all the previous factors, along with others, and compiled our list of the five best CBD salve brands on the market. These products come from reputable CBD companies and have been shown to be effective in treating pain relief. These CBD Salves have received favorable reviews from users of all ages. They’re used by athletes, office workers, outdoor enthusiasts, and knitters. These are our top choices.
Fab CBD offers a full spectrum body salve. It comes in a roll-on, so it is easy to target sore muscles. While many other salves provide cooling or heating, Fab CBD Salve offers both. It contains Menthol Crystals for cooling and Cinnamomum Camphora Oil for heating. It also includes other organic essential oils and terpenes to soothe aching muscles and relax the body and mind.
- Available in 1000mg and 3000mg full spectrum CBD
- Convenient to carry in a backpack or gym bag
- Great for weekend warriors or to relieve everyday aches and pains
- It contains Rosemary, Ginger, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Organic Peppermint, Organic Tea Tree, and Organic Lemon Grass Oils to soothe skin and reduce inflammation
- CBD extracted from hemp organically grown in Colorado
- Roll-on applicator means less mess
Joy Organics CBD salve combines broad-spectrum, premium-grade CBD with organic beeswax and essential oils. It absorbs quickly into the skin to relieve aching muscles, while the scent of lavender and eucalyptus promotes a feeling of relaxation.
- CBD salve comes in strengths of 500mg and 1000mg
- All of Joy Organics hemp is grown in the United States and is USDA Certified Organic
- Joy Organics offers free shipping on all orders
- All the ingredients in Joy Organics CBD Salve are organic
- Joy Organics CBD Salve is high quality but is less expensive than many other competitors
CBDistillery has all-natural ingredients in its CBD Relief Salve. Full-spectrum CBD absorbs quickly into the skin for incredible pain relief. Olive, Coconut, and Jojoba oils combine with Vitamin E to moisturize the skin.
- Customers can choose from three strengths: 500mg, 1000mg, and 2000mg
- CBD extracted from hemp grown organically in Colorado
- The direct use of an essential skin care component like Vitamin E makes this cream a must have
- Hemp is non-GMO and contains no animal by-products
- CBDistillery offers free shipping
What Are CBD Salves Generally Made From?
The main ingredient in CBD Salves is Cannabidiol (CBD) from hemp. CBD is one of over 100 chemical compounds in the cannabis plant. There are three different types of CBD that companies use in their products.
Full Spectrum
Full spectrum CBD is the least processed of all the extraction types. It contains all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the hemp plant. It may also trace amounts of THC, the chemical compound found in cannabis with psychoactive properties. However, that trace amount is below 0.3% and is not enough to give users a feeling of being high. Full spectrum CBD allows for the entourage effect, that is, all parts of the hemp plant working together for maximum benefit.
Broad Spectrum
Broad spectrum CBD is very similar to full spectrum. However, it goes a little further in the extraction process to remove all traces of THC. Users can experience all the other beneficial components of the hemp plant without worrying about having any THC in their system.
CBD isolate
CBD isolate is the most processed of three types of extraction. CBD isolate is as the name suggests. All the other cannabinoids, including THC, along with the terpenes and flavonoids are entirely removed, leaving only the CBD.
Next, the company may combine natural botanicals with the CBD. These are essential oils from plants that people have been using for centuries for their therapeutic properties, such as Lavender, Rosemary, or Eucalyptus. Mixing the botanicals with CBD provides added relief and calming.
Some essential oils are potent and may be irritating to the skin in pure form. Therefore, manufacturers add carrier oils to the CBD. Jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, or coconut oils are typically used as carrier oils, though there are several other choices.
Last, salves contain some type of wax, usually beeswax. The beeswax gives the salve its firmness. The wax’s primary purpose is to provide a skin barrier to allow the CBD and botanicals to absorb into the skin.
How to Apply CBD Salve, Lotion, And Cream?
There are several application methods for applying CBD salves, lotions, and creams. Some CBD topicals come as a roll-on, allowing the user to roll the salve onto the affected body part with no mess. This method is ideal for people traveling or on a hike or bike and need quick relief.
Another method preferred by many is to use a spatula to scoop out a small amount and apply it to the skin in a thin layer. However, most people use their fingers to apply the salve and massage it in.
No matter what the application method is, users should use the following steps in applying a CBD salve, lotion, or cream.
The first step is always to wash your hands to prevent any germs or bacteria from transferring from your hands to the CBD topical.
Next, wash and dry the affected body part. Using an applicator, clean spatula, or your fingers, take a small amount of salve and apply it where needed. Always start with a small amount and add more if it’s needed. Slowly and gently, rub it in so it can permeate the skin.
Wash your hands (and spatula) and wait a few minutes. Pain relief should happen in a short amount of time. Re-apply a few times throughout the day, as needed.
What Are The Benefits Of Applying CBD Salves?
Many people are curious why applying salve containing CBD is more beneficial than other mass-market-produced topicals, especially if they aren’t sure what CBD is and how it works.
To understand how CBD works, a person needs to know about the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Three components form the ECS.
There are receptors on the surface of the cells throughout the body. They monitor the body’s functions and keep alert for any changes in condition. The two types of receptors are the CB1 receptors in the central nervous system and the CB2 receptors in the peripheral nervous system.
When the receptors sense that a condition has changed in the body, they send out a message. At that point, endocannabinoids will come and bind to the receptors and work to bring the affected area back into homeostasis. Once the endocannabinoid’s job is complete, the enzymes break them down.
Researchers believe that the CBD works with the ECS to prevent the enzymes from breaking down the endocannabinoids, allowing them to work longer.
The skin is the body’s largest organ with a large concentration of CB2 receptors. When someone applies CBD topicals to the affected body part, the CBD can go directly to those receptors and provide fast relief.
Do Salve CBD Products Have Side Effects?
There are no known side effects from using products containing CBD. Additionally, there is little to no THC in CBD products, so people using CBD don’t need to worry about any psychoactive effects.
However, everyone has a different skin type. Some types are more sensitive to specific ingredients that might be in the salve, or there may be an allergic reaction. People with allergies should also check the label before using a salve for the first time. Furthermore, those with sensitive skin types should consult their physician before trying a CBD salve.
Last, whenever using a product for the first time, it’s essential to use only a small amount and test it on a small part of the body. If there is irritation or a rash, stop using the product immediately.
Is CBD Salve Right for You And Your Pain?
CBD Salve is ideal for short-term localized pain. It’s perfect for aching muscles from over-exertion or the joint pain associated with arthritis. Salves usually contain various other herbal remedies that have been proven to have therapeutic healing properties.
Many people prefer not to treat pain with pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen and consider all-natural products to be better alternatives.
For anyone suffering from chronic pain or pain throughout the body, it’s always best to consult a physician as it may be a sign of a more severe condition. Furthermore, most instruction labels will state not to use CBD Salves on any open wounds or cuts.
The Bottom Line
People have been hearing a lot about CBD over the last few years. Research is still in the early stages, but scientists are excited about all the potential ways that CBD can benefit humans. CBD companies are working hard to find new ways for people to add CBD to their lives.
While CBD tinctures and edibles are a great way to achieve overall wellness, many people are discovering that CBD salves, lotions, and creams are the ideal solution for treating specific body parts with CBD.
CBD Salves are the perfect solution for providing quick relief from pain and can be re-applied several times throughout the day to stay pain-free. Essential oils enhance the effects of the CBD for added comfort.
There are many options to choose from when shopping for CBD salves. It’s important to note that the FDA doesn’t provide regulation on the safety or effectiveness of CBD products. Therefore, customers need to educate themselves on what to look for before purchasing any CBD Salves.
Last, this article is for informational purposes and instructs consumers on choosing the best, high-quality CBD salve. It’s always important to discuss any changes in medical conditions with a health provider.
