The 5 Best CBD Balms Of 2023 To Soothe Skin & Joints With Targeted Relief

This Full-Spectrum CBD Balm from Cornbread Hemp is one of the only fully organic CBD balms available. Not only does the company use certified organic ingredients in all products—including its Kentucky-grown organic hemp CBD—it actually has a USDA organic certification for all products (which is not an easy feat). The balm combines hemp with organic arnica, peppermint, eucalyptus, shea butter, and coconut oil. It's all packaged in a convenient stick form for a cooling effect that's easy to apply where you want it.

Sustainability & Packaging: Cornbread Hemp uses USDA-certified organic hemp that's sourced from local farmers in Kentucky, where the company is based. All products are packaged in dark glass (i.e., tinctures and gummies) or plastic to maintain integrity of the ingredients.

Transparency: Cornbread Hemp tests all products for potency, pesticides, heavy metals, fungals, mycotoxins, and other microbes via third-party labs. All COAs are available on the site.

The CBDistillery CBD Relief Stick is formulated for relief and recovery. It contains a high percentage of cannabidiol—a total of 1,000 mg of hemp CBD total—plus soothing ingredients, like menthol and arnica, which give it a slight cooling effect. A shea butter and coconut oil base helps nourish and calm the skin, without feeling behind an uncomfortable greasy feeling. And it's available in a convenient stick form, so you can throw it in your gym bag and easily apply it whenever (and wherever) you're feeling sore.

Sustainability & Packaging: Based in Colorado, CBDistillery sources its hemp from farmers all over the U.S. Products are packaged in light-blocking bottles to protect the integrity of the ingredients.

Transparency: CBDistillery sends all products for third-party testing to check for purity and potency. COAs are available on each product page, or you can enter a specific batch number to access the testing.

Charlotte's Web helped pave the way for CBD products. The brand was one of the first to offer high-quality CBD to the public and has expanded into a full line of topicals. This Hemp-Infused Balm Stick has 525 mg of CBD from full-spectrum organic hemp that comes straight from the brand's own farms. The CBD is combined with a handful of functional ingredients, including menthol, peppermint oil, turmeric oil, and ginger oil, which all work together to help alleviate areas of discomfort and support a healthy inflammatory response.

The formulation is gluten-free and vegan and made without the eight major allergens, parabens, or synthetic fragrances. It comes in a roll-on stick form for easy application.

Sustainability & Packaging: Charlotte's Web is based in Colorado and grows its hemp on its own certified organic farms. The company oversees everything from growth to extraction, manufacturing, and packaging.

Transparency: All of Charlotte's Web's products, which follow good manufacturing practices (GMP) with intention and rigor, are third-party tested in independent labs. COAs are available directly on the website.

When it comes to moisturizing and healing power, Manuka honey is quite the sweet surprise. Made from bees that pollinate the tea tree, manuka honey has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help modulate the immune system in your skin.

Made with CBD isolate, New Zealand Manuka honey, and a handful of other botanicals, (including arnica, aloe, and palm fruit oil), this Medterra Manuka Honey Healing Cream is the best hemp CBD balm for promoting skin hydration and inflammatory balance. It comes in two strengths—125 mg and 250 mg—and can be applied as often as needed, according to Medterra.

Sustainability & Packaging: Medterra sources its hemp from Kentucky and uses a whole-plant CO2 extraction process to process the oil. The company works with an in-house medical advisory board as well as Baylor College of Medicine to develop its products to ensure efficacy. All products are packaged in dark or light-blocking packaging.

Transparency: All of Medterra's COAs, including purity testing results, are linked on each product page for easy accessibility and reference.

Lavender and chamomile are often hailed as all-natural nervous system relaxers that may help improve sleep quality. The Lazarus Naturals Relax + Unwind CBD Balm takes full advantage of these plant extracts, combining them with full-spectrum hemp CBD to create a soothing topical that's likely to become a regular part of your self-care routine. In addition to these main ingredients, this balm contains organic jojoba seed oil and organic beeswax to nourish your skin. It's available in two tin sizes and potency levels: 1,000 mg or 3,000 mg.

Sustainability & Packaging: Lazarus Naturals uses organic hemp that's grown in central Oregon and then extracted and packaged in facilities following good manufacturing policies (GMPs). The company oversees the entire production process, including growing, harvesting, and packaging.

Transparency: Every single batch of product is third-party tested in independent labs for purity and potency. A full list of test results for all products is available on the site.