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Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
The best CBD products for your needs may vary by product type, CBD type — whether full- or broad-spectrum — and potency. These offerings are available as lotions, creams, gummies, oils, and capsules.
Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.
A better question is, what CBD products are not available?
You can find CBD in products like:
- Oils: Dosages can usually be placed directly under the tongue or dispensed into your preferred food or drink.
- Pills and capsules: The advantage of CBD pills and capsules is that you don’t have to measure your dose and can take them easily on the go.
- Gummies: Like pills and capsules, these are convenient and already measured, but gummies come in fun flavors.
- Lotions, creams, and salves: Topical products are best for applying CBD directly to the localized area you want to treat. For example, you can apply a CBD lotion to sore muscles or areas with arthritis pain.
- Skin care products, including beauty products, acne treatments, and bath bombs: There is some
researchTrusted Source on CBD’s usefulness for skin concerns like acne. Plus, CBD bath bombs are a relaxing way to unwind with the calming benefits.
Research on CBD is ongoing but still in its early stages. So far, we know that it shows promise for the following:
- Pain and inflammation: Research from 2018 on cannabis and pain found that CBD may be effective for managing certain types of pain. A
2021 studyTrusted Source notes that a placebo effect may also be at play. However, this study was small, with only 15 participants. - Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): More research from 2018 notes that CBD may be useful in treating trauma and stress-related disorders.
- Epilepsy: Prescription Epidiolex is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for certain rare forms of epilepsy.
- Anxiety and sleep:
Research from 2019Trusted Source on 72 adults found that after taking CBD capsules daily for 3 months, the majority of study participants experienced improvements in anxiety and sleep. Moreresearch from 2019Trusted Source found that CBD could improve sleep quality, though the studies included in the review did have limitations, such as small sample sizes.
Overall, there’s still a lot we don’t know about CBD. More evidence is needed before we can say for sure that it works, and before we can determine which dosages are safe and effective.
We chose these products based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency. Each product in this article:
- is made by a company that provides proof of third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab
- is made by a company that discloses the source of their hemp
- contains no more than 0.3% THC, according to the certificate of analysis (COA)
- passes testing for pesticides, heavy metals, and molds, according to the COA
We also considered:
- company certifications and manufacturing processes
- product potency
- overall ingredients
- indicators of user trust and brand reputation, such as:
- customer reviews
- whether the company has been subject to an
FDA warning letterTrusted Source - whether the company makes any unsupported health claims
Pricing guide
- $ = under $35
- $$ = $35–$50
- $$$ = over $50
Best CBD lotion
Cornbread Hemp CBD Lotion Skin Formula
- Price: $$
- CBD type: full-spectrum
- CBD potency: 500 milligrams (mg) per 2-ounce (oz.) jar
- COA: available online
- Best for: people who have taken CBD before
This CBD lotion contains organic, botanical ingredients like lemongrass, jojoba oil, beeswax, peppermint oil, and rosemary blended with full-spectrum CBD.
Cornbread Hemp products are made from hemp flower only, which means there aren’t stalks, stems, leaves, and seeds.
This lotion is said to absorb quickly without leaving an oily residue behind.
The company says this lotion contains up to 2 mg of THC, something to keep in mind for those who are new to CBD and THC.
Cornbread Hemp offers a 30-day guarantee. The company also has a rewards program for loyal shoppers and a discount program for military personnel, veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, teachers, students, and others who qualify.
Best CBD oil without THC
R&R Medicinals Organic Broad-Spectrum THC-Free Hemp Extract Tincture
- Price: $$
- CBD type: broad-spectrum
- CBD potency: 1,000 mg per 30-milliliter (mL) bottle
- COA: available online
- Best for: people who want to avoid THC
This broad-spectrum tincture is USDA certified organic with a minty fresh taste.
R+R Medicinals products include THC-free, phytonutrient-rich hemp, which contains natural terpenes, flavonoids, and other antioxidants.
This brand also offers a veteran discount, a referral discount, and a loyalty program for future discounts.
Best CBD cream
Medterra Pain Relief Cream
- Price: $$$
- CBD type: isolate
- CBD potency: 1,000 mg per 1.7-oz. bottle
- COA: available online
- Best for: sore muscles and joint pain
This CBD pain cream is an over-the-counter (OTC) product intended to relieve aching backs, stiff necks, arthritis, and joint pain.
This cream is non-GMO and made in the United States.
It’s worth pointing out that the company’s products contain some organic ingredients, but they don’t use organic hemp.
Medterra offers value bundles and a loyalty program for consistent customers. It also offers assistance programs for U.S. military veterans, active military duty personnel, and those on long-term disability.
Best full-spectrum CBD capsules
Sunsoil CBD Oil Vegan Capsules
- Price: $
- CBD type: full-spectrum
- CBD potency: 20 mg per capsule
- Count: 30 capsules per jar
- COA: available online
- Best for: people who have taken CBD before
A nice choice for vegans (they’re gelatin-free), these full-spectrum capsules are also gluten-free and contain organic hemp and coconut oil.
They’re flavorless, but they’re also on the larger side. So they’re best for those who don’t have trouble swallowing larger pills.
If you sign up for the subscription program, you can save 20% and have your products delivered automatically.
Best CBD oil with THC
Joy Organics Organic CBD Oil, Tropical Sunrise
This organic full-spectrum CBD oil is made with a blend of natural coconut and pineapple flavors.
Although reviews for this product appear to only be on the company’s website — rather than third-party review sites — users say this oil relaxes them and helps them achieve restful sleep.
The updated version of this CBD oil includes some THC, although you’ll have to search the batch numbers to see exactly how much THC is included in the product since the product description doesn’t offer that information right now.
The addition of THC, along with the high dose of CBD per serving, make this a product best for those with experience with CBD and know how it affects them.
Generally, Joy Organics is a transparent CBD brand, listing the entire process for growing and processing hemp on the company’s website.
The hemp is grown in the United States and is certified organic by the USDA.
The company offers discounts for veterans, teachers, first responders, medical personnel, and low income households.
Use code “healthcbd” for 15% off.
Although CBD products are readily available almost everywhere these days, it’s important to keep in mind that these products are not all created equal.
The FDA hasn’t approved any OTC CBD products, so it’s very important to look carefully at what you’re buying and where you’re purchasing from before adding to the cart.
Start by shopping from reputable brands that are transparent about where they grow their hemp and how they make their products. This means combing through company websites, not purchasing through online marketplaces.
Also, stay away from Amazon. Amazon doesn’t allow the sales of CBD products through its site, so any products you find are likely fake.
It’s also a good idea to see if the CBD brand you’re considering has any pending lawsuits or has received FDA warning letters. This can help you determine whether the brand has a solid reputation.
Next, carefully look at the ingredients. Check for anything you may be allergic to. You can also see which products come with beneficial added ingredients.
Finally, it’s important to see the testing your product has undergone. The safest CBD products come with up-to-date, comprehensive COAs from a reputable third-party lab.
The COA will show you how much CBD and THC the product contains. Plus, it’ll also verify whether the product has been tested for contaminants, like mold, pesticides, and heavy metals.
As you can see from our list, CBD products come in many forms. Depending on the form, the dosing and other instructions will vary.
Topicals like balms, creams, and lotions come in varying strengths. These are generally intended to be applied as you would a moisturizer: Massage it gently into the area you’re treating, slowly adding more as needed.
CBD oils and tinctures are relatively easy to use too, although they can be a bit messy to measure, especially if you’re on the go. They can be added to food or drinks. You can also place them under your tongue — many come with a dropper for measuring — and hold them there for up to 1 minute before swallowing.
CBD gummies, pills, and capsules, on the other hand, are easier to dose, store, and use while traveling. You take these as you would any non-CBD gummy or pill.
Finding the right dosage generally depends on factors like your body weight, the concentration of the CBD you’re taking, your experience with CBD, and the condition you’re treating.
If you’re just starting out with CBD, it’s a good idea to begin with the lowest possible dose and see how your body responds. From here, you can up the dosage if you feel it’s necessary.
CBD is generally thought to be safe. However, some people may experience side effects, including:
- fatigue
- diarrhea
- changes in appetite
- changes in weight
It’s best to talk with a doctor before trying CBD, especially if you’re taking any medications. CBD may interact with some medications, including those with a grapefruit warning.
Topical CBD products are unlikely to cause any of the side effects mentioned above, but it’s important to check the ingredients first to make sure you’re not allergic to them.
Performing a patch test is a safe way to make sure you don’t have any allergic reactions before applying the product to larger parts of your skin.
Performing a patch test is simple. Just place a small amount of the topical product on the inside of your wrist. Wait 24 hours to see how your skin reacts. If you notice any signs of irritation, such as redness or itchiness, stop using the product.
Remember to keep topicals away from broken skin.
Where are the best places to buy CBD products?
It’s always best to purchase your CBD product directly from the brand you’re interested in.
This means to avoid purchasing from Amazon. Amazon doesn’t allow the sales of CBD products, so any CBD found there is likely fake.
What is the best CBD product for beginners?
CBD gummies are usually a good starting product for beginners.
You can find them in doses as low as 5 mg per gummy. This makes it easy to start slowly and then increase your dose as you get used to CBD and find your desired results.
Which type of CBD is the best?
This depends on your goals and preferences. If you want to avoid THC, try CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD. If you’re fine with ingesting a small amount of THC, you may want to opt for full-spectrum CBD, which offers additional benefits from the entourage effect.
How much CBD should you take?
Dosage depends on a number of things: body weight, CBD concentration, your experience using CBD, and how you plan to use CBD.
The rule of thumb for beginners is to start with the lowest possible dose, increasing the dosage (if needed) as you see how your body responds.
Is CBD safe for everyone?
Overall, CBD is thought to be safe.
CBD may interact with some medications, though. So, chat with a doctor or healthcare professional before trying it.
It’s also a good idea to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction to any ingredients in the CBD product and to perform a patch test before testing CBD topicals.
Don’t use CBD if you’re pregnant or nursing.
CBD may cause side effects like fatigue, diarrhea, changes in appetite, or changes in weight.
Does CBD show up on a drug test?
Full-spectrum CBD products have up to 0.3% THC, which could be enough to show up on a drug test.
While the THC has been removed from broad-spectrum and isolate products, it’s still possible for them to contain trace amounts.
If you undergo drug testing, you may want to avoid CBD products altogether.
CBD is popular, and growing research around it is promising. It’s important to look carefully into the products you’re buying, though, as they’re not all made the same.
Our roundup of the best products includes companies that have positive brand reputations, transparency, and overall high safety standards, along with happy customers.
Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in 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 check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
Breanna Mona is a writer based in Cleveland, OH. She holds a master’s degree in media and journalism and writes about health, lifestyle, and entertainment.
