What Is CBD Cream? Benefits, Types of Topicals and How to Use Them

CBD cream is a topical, meaning a cream, lotion or balm you rub into the skin, made with cannabidiol (CBD ), a cannabinoid from the cannabis plant that doesn't get you high. People mostly use it for sore muscles, joint pain and irritated skin, and it's become one of the big trends in skincare.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in Cannabis sativa, the plant we know as cannabis or hemp. It's one of the plant's many cannabinoids, and it's drawing a lot of interest for its potential benefits. Research suggests this medical cannabis ingredient may help with pain, anxiety and stress, although a lot of that work is still early.

The WHO (World Health Organization) has described CBD as non-addictive, with no signs of abuse or dependence potential, and as generally safe and well tolerated in humans.

A lot of people assumed CBD would get them high like THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. It doesn't.

What are the benefits of cannabis cream?

Plenty of people want to know what cannabis cream is actually good for. Fair warning: it has a long list of potential uses, and once you try it you may not want to stop.

The health benefits of cannabidiol are being studied bit by bit, a lot of it in topical formats like creams, gels and lotions applied to the skin for pain, aches and inflammation. Many users describe it as working a bit like a topical pain reliever.

Here are some of its potential benefits:

• Many patients use it for chronic and acute pain or for conditions like osteoarthritis and arthritis.
• Cannabis cream is a favorite for sore muscles, because it's often used for relaxing massages that work out knots, which helps keep you loose and flexible and can ease discomfort.
• On the beauty side, creams made with hemp seed oil carry a high share of essential fatty acids (omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9), which help keep skin looking healthy and toned, deeply moisturized and protected from the elements. The result can be brighter, more even skin.
• Some people also use it to soothe inflammatory and autoimmune skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. With rosacea in particular, users report it helps calm redness and irritation.
• Thanks to its anti-inflammatory potential, it's often used to relieve pain in different parts of the body.
• It may help balance oil production, giving skin a more matte finish.
• If you're chasing a younger look, cannabis cream is marketed as an anti-aging ally that may help soften wrinkles, although the evidence there is still thin.

How to use cannabis creams

People usually have questions about how to use cannabis cream for pain: how to apply it, for which conditions, how many times a day or week, and so on. That's normal. So here's the first heads up: these creams aren't the same thing as your everyday moisturizer.

They can improve how your skin looks, but they're most often used therapeutically. Also, almost every cream mixes CBD with other ingredients, so it's key to pick the one that best matches what your skin actually needs.

Not all skin is the same: some is drier, some oilier, some is combination, and some absorbs certain ingredients better than others. That's why you want products made for your skin type and formulated for your specific issue. A cream for dermatitis isn't the same as an anti-wrinkle cream, and a formula for oily skin isn't the same as one for dry skin.

Once you've picked the right cream, or tried a few until one clicks, follow the directions on the label. As a general rule for any topical, massage it gently into the area so it absorbs better.

Types of cannabis topicals: lotions, oils and balms

Cannabis topicals generally fall into 3 categories:

• Body lotions, which are a lot like any other cream, just a bit thicker. They're known for boosting hydration and nourishing the skin. Besides CBD, they can include other vitamins and nutrients like essential oils, aloe vera, vitamin C, vitamin B12 and so on.

• Oils, which have a runny texture and usually include other ingredients too (often vitamins).

• Balms, which sit somewhere between lotions and oils. They melt into the skin and absorb easily.

Worth knowing: when you apply CBD to the skin, very little of it, if any, reaches your bloodstream. That means it doesn't reach the brain and has no psychoactive effect, which is why it's a popular choice for people who need to soothe an ache while taking other medications (if that's you, it's still smart to check with your doctor).

Science still has a lot to learn about how cannabis works in the human body, but there's been real progress. Who knows what we'll find out next.