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The best CBD products for your needs may vary by product type, CBD type, 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.
- Best broad-spectrum CBD gummies: CBDfx Mixed Berry CBD Gummies | Skip to review
- Best full-spectrum CBD gummies: Aspen Green Bliss Organic CBD Gummies | Skip to review
- Best CBD isolate oil: Medterra Isolate CBD Oil | Skip to review
- Best broad-spectrum CBD oil: FOCL Premium Broad-Spectrum CBD Drops | Skip to review
- Best full-spectrum CBD oil: Joy Organics Full Spectrum CBD Oil, Tropical | Skip to review
- Best full-spectrum CBD capsules: Sunsoil Full Spectrum CBD Oil Vegan Capsules | Skip to review
- Best CBD lotion: Cornbread Hemp CBD Lotion, Skin Formula | Skip to review
- Best CBD cream: Medterra Pain Relief Cream | Skip to review
- Best CBD isolate gummies: Soul CBD Gummies | Skip to review
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many active compounds found in the Cannabis plant. It’s nonintoxicating — unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — and it boasts many potential benefits.
Consequently, CBD products are quickly dominating retail shelves and are easy to find online. But as you can guess, not all of these products are created equally.
To help you wade through the crowded market, we rounded up the best CBD products across a few major categories. Keep reading to see our picks.
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 a
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter - whether the company makes any unsupported health claims
| Product | Product type | CBD type | Potency |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBDfx Mixed Berry CBD Gummies | gummies | broad-spectrum | 25 or 50 mg per gummy |
| Aspen Green Bliss Organic CBD Gummies | gummies | full-spectrum | 50 mg CBD per gummy, 30 gummies per container |
| Medterra Isolate CBD Oil | oil | isolate | 500, 1,000, 3,000, or 6,000 mg per 30-mL or 60-mL bottle |
| FOCL CBD Drops, Orange Cream Flavor | oil | broad-spectrum | 3,000 mg per 30-mL bottle |
| Joy Organics Organic Full Spectrum CBD Oil, Tropical Sunrise | oil | full-spectrum | 900 mg per 30-mL bottle |
| Sunsoil Full Spectrum CBD Oil Vegan Capsules | capsules | full-spectrum | 20 mg per capsule |
| Cornbread Hemp CBD Lotion, Skin Formula | lotion | full-spectrum | 500 mg per 2-oz jar |
| Medterra Pain Relief Cream | cream | isolate | 1,000 mg per 1.7-oz bottle |
| Soul CBD Gummies | gummies | isolate | 25 mg per gummy |
A better question is, what CBD products are not available?
You can find CBD in products like:
- Oils: Dosages for CBD oils can usually be placed directly under the tongue or dispensed into your preferred food or drink. Some are flavored, while others are flavorless. Keep in mind that some oils without flavoring may have an earthy, bitter taste.
- 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. You also don’t have to worry about them melting and sticking together like gummies may if traveled with.
- Gummies: Like pills and capsules, gummies are convenient and already measured, but gummies come in fun flavors. Not all of these items are vegan-friendly, so check to see if your pick has gelatin before purchasing. Keep in mind that some CBD gummies may also contain added sugars.
- Lotions, creams, and salves: Topical products like lotions, creams, and salves 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. The major difference in these items is consistency, so the best way to narrow down the best item for you is to decide if you’d rather apply a softer item like a lotion or cream or if you prefer a more dense option like a salve or balm.
- Skin care products: Skin care products, including beauty products, acne treatments, and bath bombs, may offer benefits. There is some
research on CBD’s usefulness for skin concerns like acne. Plus, CBD bath bombs are a relaxing way to unwind, with 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. For example,
research from 2022 found that CBD use may improve arthritis symptoms. A2021 study 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 2021 notes that CBD may be useful in treating trauma and stress-related disorders.
- Epilepsy: Prescription Epidiolex is
approved by the FDA for certain rare forms of epilepsy. - Anxiety and sleep:
Research from 2019 involving 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 2019 found that CBD could improve sleep quality, though the studies included in the review did have limitations, such as small sample sizes. A2022 review of 34 studies found that all of the studies reported improvement in insomnia symptoms. One2022 study found that full-spectrum, high-potency CBD helped patients experience and maintain lower anxiety symptoms.
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.
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 has not 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 them 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 does not allow the sale 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, but 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. Afterward, 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.
It’s best to purchase your CBD product directly from the brand you’re interested in.
This means avoiding purchasing from Amazon. Amazon does not allow the sale of CBD products, so any CBD products for sale there may be made of hemp seed which contains no CBD.
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.
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.
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.
Overall, CBD is thought to be safe.
But CBDmay interact with some medications. So it’s important to chat with a doctor or healthcare professional before trying it.
It’s also a good idea to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction to any ingredients in the CBD product and to perform a patch test before testing CBD topicals.
Do not use CBD if you’re pregnant or nursing.
CBD may cause side effects like fatigue, diarrhea, changes in appetite, or changes in weight.
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 legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so 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.
