Best Strains for Cannabis Cream: 5 Picks for DIY Topicals

The best strains for a homemade cannabis cream are CBD-rich, low-THC varieties like Joanne's CBD, Fast Eddy, Y Griega and Fix Auto, with a classic like White Widow for people who want THC in the mix. Nobody saw it coming, but here we are in the 21st century rubbing cannabis into our skin, and for a lot of medical users a good cannabis cream ends up being a skincare staple. Here's what the cream brings to the table and which genetics to start from.

What Are the Benefits of Cannabis Cream?

It's packed with antioxidants

Cannabis cream made with hemp seed oil is a strong free-radical scavenger, rich in phenolic acids and vitamin E, which is good news for your skin on several fronts.

It can calm irritated skin

Cannabis face cream is valued for its anti-inflammatory potential, and many people use it to soothe redness and irritation from things like rosacea and acne. It's also a good pick for sensitive, oily or breakout-prone skin, because hemp seed oil helps regulate sebum (the skin's natural oil).

It's deeply moisturizing

Hemp seed oil, the usual base for these creams, is close to 85% essential fatty acids, which is why it's so popular for hydration. A CBD face cream made with it delivers alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), linoleic acid (omega-6), gamma-linolenic acid and stearidonic acid. It's a super-nourishing ingredient that helps balance oil production and keep the outer layer of your skin in check.

It may help you unwind

CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, the network of receptors your body uses to keep things in balance. At the molecular level, CBD looks a lot like the endocannabinoids your body makes on its own, which is why many users report a calming, relaxing effect, and some say it helps with anxiety and mood. With a topical, though, most of the action stays local to the skin.

Which Cannabis Strains Make the Best Cream?

Joanne's CBD

This Royal Queen Seeds strain delivers an impressive amount of cannabidiol, thanks to strong parents: a cross of Sessions and Juanita la Lagrimosa, a strain bred to relax body and mind without getting you high.

It averages around 15–18% CBD and less than 1% THC. That's why Joanne's CBD is considered one of the best strains to use anytime, anywhere. It keeps your head clear and is great for smoking or vaping, too.

This 50/50 indica/sativa hybrid has a tasty fruity, citrusy, hashy flavor. Its effect is balanced: after a session you'll feel fully functional and able to get on with your day.

It's a perfect candidate for a cannabis cream for pain, especially for patients who medicate during the day, or several times a day, and want lasting relief from symptoms like pain, stress or depression without an overwhelming high.

Fast Eddy

Fast Eddy is another great option for anyone dipping a toe into home-grown medical cannabis. And that's not all: it produces very aromatic flowers, so it'll probably catch the eye of recreational smokers looking for mellow, relaxing herb, too.

This CBD hybrid carries both indica and sativa genetics (40/60) and offers a calming effect to anyone who tries it. Yes, it has a touch of THC, but the effect isn't really intoxicating.

Y Griega

This is an Argentine strain that's well known in medical, cosmetic and skincare circles. Y Griega is used to make topical creams, tinctures and lots of other CBD products. Plenty of people also seek it out because it's great for smoking or vaping and chilling out. On top of that, it has a sweet, citrusy flavor combo that a lot of folks love in their cannabis cream.

Fix Auto

Fix Auto delivers high doses of CBD, 7–15%, with minimal THC of around 0.8%. That gives this strain a CBD:THC ratio of roughly 9:1.

Thanks to its high concentration of the medical cannabinoid, this strain is a great base for a cannabis cream, especially for people looking for help with pain and anxiety.

If you'd rather get the benefits of this strain another way, you can also take a pull from a vaporizer. The effect is subtle and clear-headed, flowing through body and mind and leaving you feeling comfortable. We recommend vaping it because it's so low in THC, meaning it won't get you high, so you can use it throughout the day and stay alert and fully productive.

CBD Fix Auto came onto the scene by crossing Northern Lights Auto with a CBD-rich clone.

White Widow

White Widow is a famous strain that built a huge following, partly because many medical users turn to it for chronic pain.

It's often counted among the best strains for pain because its THC is thought to help dial down inflammation, while its indica side is known for loosening up the muscles, melting away tension and sinking the body into deep calm. That's why it's a popular pick for a cannabis cream for pain.

Beyond physical pain, this strain may also help on the mental side. Its sativa side brings on feelings of euphoria, happiness and motivation, which can help you forget the pain for a while and enjoy the moment. These effects come wrapped in relaxing earthy, woody and floral aromas and flavors. Its moderate CBD levels also round out the strain's physical and psychological potential.