CBD is where it’s at. It has tons of potential health benefits, including workout recovery andpain relief. But sadly, not all CBD products are 10/10.
To help you sift out the too-legit-to-quit from the hype, we vetted the best CBD salves for 2022 with #FitFam in mind.
A quick look at the best CBD salves for athletes
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (akaCBD) is one of the many cannabinoids, or compounds, found in hemp and cannabis plants. Tetrahydrocannabinol (aka THC) is also one of those compounds.
But even though both compounds come from the same place, CBD by definition will never contain more than 0.3 percent THC — and some CBDs have THC removed altogether — so CBD doesn’t make you feelhigh.
Here are the three main types of CBD out there:
Is CBD good for athletes?
Research on CBD is still pretty new and ongoing — especially when it comes toathletes— but here’s what the latest research says:
Exciting! BUT the most important takeaway is that basically, all research on CBD use in athletes recommends further research to confirm these findings. So it might be some time before we know for sure how CBD can help athletes specifically.
Other ingredients
CBD topicals always include ingredients other than CBD — like coconut oil, beeswax, or jojoba oil — to give it a balm/salve/lotion-like consistency.
Some topicals also include extra ingredients — like menthol, capsaicin, or arnica — that give ’em a pain-relieving boost. Many of these ingredients are evidence-backed and can bring athletes that sweet, sweet relief they’re looking for.
Pros and cons of using CBD topicals
Not sure if using CBD topicals is the right move? Here are some pros and cons:
How we chose the best salves
This list is all about safety, quality, and legitimacy. We put every CBD product through a super thorough vetting process that makes sure each product:
We also check out:
Pricing guide
This price guide will help you figure out the best salve for your bodyandbudget.
The best CBD salves, creams, and balms for athletes
Best cooling CBD cream for athletes
CBDfx CBD Cream for Muscle & Joint: Cooling
This powerfulbroad-spectrumformula has a killer cooling effect. We also love that 100 percent of the hemp is organically grown and of high quality. In addition to CBD, it has a few extraanti-inflammatoryingredients to kick it up a notch:
Reviewers are all about the cooling relief for muscle aches. Athletes and people witharthritispraise the quick pain relief and say it works better than IcyHot.
Bonus: It’s solvent-free and totesvegan.
Best full-spectrum CBD salve for athletes
Plant People Soothe+
This soothing all-purpose salve is formulated with full-spectrum CBD, along with some other fab ingredients:
It’s fab for achy muscles, knees, elbows, and hands. It also containscoconut oil, beeswax, andshea butter, so it’s hellahydratingfor your skin. Reviewers love the gentle feel of the balm and say you need only a pea-size amount to feel the results.
Best CBD stick for athletes
Go Green Hemp CBD Relief Stick Broad-Spectrum Unscented (1,000 mg)
This spirited stick has just three ingredients: beeswax,MCT oil(coconut oil), and organic broad-spectrum CBD extract. But the best part? The stick is mess-free and helps you target those tricky problem areas. It’s also hella portable — stick this guy in your purse or bag and apply it quickly on the go without having to wash up afterward.
Keep in mind that there aren’t any supplemental pain relief ingredients in this one — you’re totally relying on CBD’s pain-relieving potential.
Best CBD cream for athletes
Fab CBD Topical CBD Cream
The full-spectrum hemp extract comes from Colorado-grown organic hemp. And if you like citrus, you’re in luck — the blood orange essential oil gives this cream a zesty scent that reviewers go wild for.
It also contains super soothingaloeand chamomile (which is also used totreat pain and inflammation), along with hydrating ingredients like olive oil, cocoa butter, andcoconut oil. And because this is a cream, it’s supposed to rub all the way in without leaving a greasy feel — which reviewers confirm is really impressive for a CBD product.
This cream has a 12-month shelf life and is best kept at room temp. And FYI, because it contains chamomile, anyone with an allergy or sensitivity to plants in theAsteraceae(akaCompositae) family should be careful about using it.
Best CBD lotion for athletes
Calm by Wellness Lavender Lotion
Calm combines broad-spectrum CBD with pain-relieving white willow bark extract, organic coconut oil,aloeleaf juice, andlavenderextract. So (obvi) it smells AMAZING. It also containsglycerin, which is an all-star moisturizer commonly used in lotions — so this one def has a different feel than the typical CBD salve.
But the reason we’re all here: It’s also a legit pain reliever. Just rub a dime-size amount into the painful area and let it do its thing.
Reviewers love the relaxing scent and how well it rubs in. They say it helps with pain and works wonders ondry skin.
Best CBD balm for athletes
Lazarus Naturals Soothing Mint Full Spectrum CBD Balm
This luscious blend of beeswax and mango butter is infused with high quality CBD hemp extract and loaded with all kinds of fun stuff:
The brand says the mix of capsaicin and menthol makes for a unique cooling/warming sensation. Reviewers say it really does help with chronicjoint painand muscle aches too. Just keep in mind that it may take up to 2 hours to get the full effect.
Best high potency CBD cream for athletes
Level Select Sports CBD Cream Level 3
If you want to take things up a notch, this higher potency option from Level Select might do the trick. It contains 1,800 mg of broad-spectrum CBD, which is the highest potency on our list.
It contains arnica, chamomile, and menthol for triple pain-fighting power and a cooling feel. It also has hydrating ingredients likeglycerinandvitamin E.
Reviewers are v pleased with the results they’re seeing from using this cream. They say it helps relieve tight muscles and soreness like a charm and works quickly. Most complaints center around the price. :/
How to pick the best CBD salve for you
There are a kajillion different CBD salves, creams, lotions, and balms on the market. This can make shopping a sticky situation. Here are some things to look out for to make sure you pick the best one for you.
A little recap:
Whileresearch suggeststhat leaving all the cannabis compounds together (aka full-spectrum CBD) could strengthen CBD’s therapeutic effects, there isn’t enough research on athletes to say whether one type of CBD is more beneficial than another. It’s really up to you to decide what you’re comfortable trying.
A note on drug testing
Full-spectrum CBD products contain trace amounts of THC, so there’s potential to get a positive drug test result from using them (though the likelihood ispretty small— especially if you’re only using topicals).
If you know you’ll be taking a drug test, you might want to go for broad-spectrum or isolate products, which have no THC. And always, always, always check the brand’s COA to confirm that no THC was detected during testing.
Typeof salve or lotion
Should you go for a salve, balm, cream, orlotion? Is there a difference? Yup!
Which one you choose is really up to your personal preference. If you want something that rubs all the way in, you should probably go for a cream orlotion. If you want something that feels like it’s leaving a protective barrier on your skin, salves and balms are a better choice.
A lot of products have other ingredients that can add to their benefits. Here are a few popular ones we discussed when going through our picks:
If you love that icy feel, look for salves with menthol or other mint oils. But if you hate that feeling, stick to menthol-free products — or even opt for simpler products with fewer ingredients.
Concentration
This is how manymilligramsofCBDa product has. There isn’t currently an evidence-based rule to help you decide how much CBD can relieve pain, so it might take some trial and error until you find your sweet spot.
If you’re new to CBD, we recommend starting low and working your way up if you tolerate it without any issues.
Third-party testing and transparency
CBD is a kinda new thing. To make sure you’re getting a quality cream, stick to brands that have been third-party tested and are willing to post the results on their sites (or send them to you if you reach out via email).
If you’re in the mood to be super thorough, you can also verify that the COA isn’t expired, that the brand also tests for contaminants like pesticides and heavy metals, and that the product’s potency matches (for the most part) what the brand claims.
How to use CBD
When it comes to the gels, lotions, and creams on this list, the application is super simple. Just apply the recommended dose to the spot that ails ya.
You can also try other forms of CBD like:
There’s no specific recommended dosage forCBD. It really comes down to what’s best for you.
A2011 reviewfound that even high doses of oral CBD (we’re talkin’ 1,500 mg) are safe even when taken daily. But still, it’s prob a good plan tostart slowand work your way up.
Pro tip: Some of the salves on our list have a high-ish CBD concentration. Try half of the recommended amount and see how it feels before you slather it on. A little can go a long way!
Safety and side effects
Since salves are topical, it takes quite the journey for CBD to absorb through your skin and make it to your bloodstream. Butside effectsare still possible — here are some to watch out for:
Also, since you’re putting these on your skin, make sure you do apatch testbefore applying a new product all over your body. If you have a negative reaction, send that sh*t right back to where it came from.
Alternatives
Not interested in using CBD? No worries. Here are some other options to consider:
Frequently asked questions
Is CBD cream good for athletes?
CBD is still a baby in the world of science — especially when it comes toathletes. But so far, CBD is showing promise for helping relieve different kinds of pain and reducing inflammation, which can be hugely beneficial for keeping athletes in tip-top shape.
Most CBD creams contain extra ingredients that can also benefit athletes — like menthol, capsaicin, and arnica. These give CBD creams a pain-relieving boost.
What is the most potent CBD salve?
The most potent CBD salve on our list is theLevel Select Sports CBD Cream Level 3. It contains a whopping 1,800 mg of CBD.
Will CBD show up on a drug test?
CBD shouldn’t show up on a drug test. But because full-spectrum CBD products contain trace amounts of THC, there is potential to get a positive drug test result from using them (though the likelihood ispretty small).
If you know you’ll be taking a drug test, you might want to opt for broad-spectrum or isolate products, which have no THC. The only catch is that you should always check the brand’s COA to confirm that no THC was detected during testing.
Is CBD safe?
CBD is generally considered super safe. But still, you have to know what you’re working with. This can be tough since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasapproved only one CBD product. That’s right: ONE (it’s a medication that helps treat two rare forms of epilepsy).
Still, stick to stuff that comes from well-respected brands. And to ensure quality, verify it’s been third-party tested.
What are the side effects of using CBD?
Since salves are topical, there’s a super low risk that CBD will get into your bloodstream. But you still might notice some harmless (but annoying)side effectslike:
Reminder: CBD can’t get you high.
Is CBD legal?
Marijuana-derived CBD products are illegal on the federal level but legal under some state laws.
Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level but still illegal under somestate laws.
Check your state’s laws and those of anywhere you travel. Keep in mind that nonprescription CBD products are not FDA-approved and may be inaccurately labeled.
The bottom line
Now that you know your CBD ABCs, you can pick the best salve for your sporty spice pains and injuries. With these picks, there’s something for everyone. Just remember, CBD isn’t a cure-all. Talk with your doctor if you have a chronic injury.
Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition ofmarijuanain the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to checkstate laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
