What Are CBD Topicals and How Do They Work?

CBD topicals are a natural way to care for your skin and support relief right where you need it most. If you're dealing with dry skin, post-workout soreness, or everyday aches and tension, CBD-infused skin care products can be a gentle and beneficial addition to your wellness routine.

Unlike CBD products that you ingest or inhale, CBD topicals are applied directly to your skin. They work by interacting with receptors in the skin's endocannabinoid system (ECS), helping to soothe discomfort and support overall skin health. From calming botanicals to moisturizing ingredients, today’s topicals offer more than surface-level care—they’re crafted for comfort, balance, and everyday use.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes CBD topicals effective, how they work, and how to choose the best options for your wellness needs. 

Understanding CBD Topicals

CBD topicals are products infused with Cannabidiol (CBD) that are applied externally to your skin. They come in many forms—lotions, salves, roll-ons, body oils, and creams—and are often paired with botanical ingredients to enhance their effects.

What makes topicals different from other CBD formats is how your body absorbs them. Gummies, edibles, and tinctures are ingested and pass through your bloodstream before interacting with your ECS to provide systemic relief and support. Most topicals work by penetrating the top layer of your epidermis where they engage your skin’s very own cannabinoid receptors. 

Your skin has a built-in endocannabinoid system with receptors (CB1 and CB2) that help regulate things like inflammation, discomfort, and cell function. CBD interacts with these receptors to support your body’s natural balance. 

Because CBD topicals work at the surface level of your body, they provide localized support where you apply them, while allowing you to simultaneously use other forms of CBD for systemic support.

Topical products are constantly evolving and improving, however, and there are new transdermal formulations (like our Rapid relief Cream) that can access your bloodstream. We like to think of these products as offering the best of both worlds: while most of the CBD remains in the target area where you choose to apply it, some reaches deeper to activate even more ECS receptors—so you benefit from systemic support as well.

The Science Behind Topical CBD Absorption

Externally applied cannabinoids are difficult for the skin to absorb unless they’re combined with an oil. This is because cannabinoids are hydrophobic, making their transport through the water-based layer of the skin challenging. But the carrier oils used for skin care products easily penetrate the first layer of skin (the epidermis) to deliver cannabinoids right to the ECS receptors waiting there. 

CBD is a fat-soluble compound, which means it blends well with carrier oils and other ingredients used in skin care. When you apply a topical CBD product crafted with carrier oils, the CBD works its way into the outer layers of your skin (the stratum corneum) and interacts with the ECS receptors found in skin cells, sweat glands, and hair follicles.

CBD topicals don’t significantly enter the bloodstream since they only penetrate those outer layers of skin. This keeps the effect localized, which is why many people find topicals helpful for focused relief on specific areas like joints, muscles, and inflamed skin. 

Although bioavailability is lower with topicals than with other CBD delivery methods, studies continue to show their promise. A 2022 review found that topical CBD showed potential for relieving pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, especially when combined with permeation enhancers or natural oils to increase absorption. A study in 2023 also highlighted CBD’s anti-inflammatory and skin-calming properties, particularly when used in well-formulated topicals for targeted application.

So while your skin acts as a protective barrier, topical CBD is still very effective when paired with the right formulation. At Treadwell Farms, we use a variety of premium, natural carrier oils to craft our topicals for optimal CBD delivery (and moisturization!), including medium chain triglyceride  oil, sweet almond oil, and shea butter oil. 

Transdermal CBD Absorption

Transdermal CBD products absorb and work differently than standard topicals. They are specifically formulated to permeate both the lipophilic (fat-soluble) and hydrophilic (water-soluble) layers of skin. This balanced approach facilitates deeper penetration to reach the circulatory system and deliver CBD and other cannabinoids to receptors throughout your body for more systemic support as well as localized relief.  

A 2024 review of transdermal CBD delivery strongly suggests that it offers improved bioavailability, stability, and controlled release and is extremely promising for the treatment of chronic inflammatory pain.

In our Rapid Relief Cream, we start with a transdermal base cream and enhance it with additional terpenes to help it traverse the multiple layers of the skin. This results in a truly rich and effective CBD skin care product!

Types of CBD Used in Topicals

Not all CBD skin care products are the same. The type of extract used in a topical product can impact both its effectiveness and how your body responds to it. 

We only use full-spectrum CBD in our Treadwell Farms topical products. This means our formulas retain the plant’s profile (including the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in their naturally occurring ratios) to harness the entourage effect, a synergy that maximizes CBD’s therapeutic potential.

While broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate topicals can be found on the market, their refining process can also strip them of valuable other cannabinoids and terpenes found in the live plant—which diminishes entourage effect benefits.

When you’re looking for wellness products, quality and transparency are imperative. Topical products are less regulated than ingestible CBD products, so you should pay close attention to labels and testing, especially if you have sensitive skin. 

Purchasing topicals from companies that use third-party testing to confirm the potency and purity of their CBD products will give you confidence that you’re choosing a product you can truly feel good about putting on your skin. Treadwell Farms publishes all of our lab results on our website for you to review at any time. 

Complete Guide to CBD Topical Product Types

CBD topical products come in several forms, each designed for specific relief and support purposes and use applications. From rich creams to roll-on applicators, salves, and more, there’s a perfect match for every need. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to some of the best CBD topicals for you to consider.

CBD Creams and Lotions

Creams and lotions are a go-to for daily hydration and skin support. They’re lightweight, absorb quickly, and provide soothing moisture for dry or sensitive skin without a heavy or greasy feel. CBD creams and lotions are great for arms, legs, elbows, and hands—especially during dry weather. 

• Relief CBD Hydro Lotion from Treadwell Farms is a best-selling CBD lotion for pain that blends our full-spectrum CBD with peppermint, spearmint, and rosemary for cooling hydration and targeted relief.

• Rapid Relief Cream  provides exceptional CBD cream benefits. This is a unique transdermal formulation that travels deeper than the top layers of skin for longer-lasting relief. It contains a 1:1 CBD and CBG blend and is boosted with menthol, arnica, and anti-inflammatory terpenes like beta-myrcene and beta-caryophyllene.

CBD Salves

Thicker than lotions, CBD salves are made with oils and carnauba wax for deep, concentrated support and won’t leave your skin feeling greasy or oily. If you’re seeking topical CBD for inflammation, sore muscles, joints, and daily tension, salves are perfect before or after a workout, or whenever you're feeling stiff or tense. 

• Cooling Mint CBD Salve offers a refreshing peppermint chill supported by yarrow, calendula, arnica, tulsi (holy basil), and rosemary.

• Warming Blend CBD Salve soothes with warming cayenne and ginger, while yarrow, calendula, arnica, cayenne, tulsi, frankincense, and clove work to relieve everyday aches and stiffness.

CBD Roll-Ons for Targeted Application

Looking for that perfect on-the-go CBD relief that’s easy to carry, mess-free, and designed for precision application? Ideal for temples, wrists, shoulders, or any tight spots needing quick comfort, we’ve got all of the CBD roll-on benefits for you in two outstanding formulas!  If you have difficulty reaching your back or shoulders to apply products, the roll-on applicator makes it easy to do without assistance.

• Restore CBD Hemp Roll-On includes lavender, frankincense, orange, and atlas cedarwood to calm the mind and relax the body before sleep or for daytime stress relief.

• Relief CBD Hemp Roll-On is formulated for tension relief and inflammation support, with cooling spearmint, soothing rosemary, and peppermint to support circulation and relieve swelling.

CBD Body Oils

Lightweight and fast-absorbing, CBD body oil use is suitable for all skin types. Topical CBD body oils penetrate your skin deeply to provide daily hydration, calm irritated skin, and support workout recovery. We also recommend adding them to a relaxing or therapeutic massage for a nourishing, full-body experience or to your bath salts for a relaxing soak. 

• Everyday Essential CBD Body Oil blends coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and Vitamin E with our whole-plant CBD extract for luxurious hydration and balance that leaves your skin feeling soft, supple, and glowing. 

Proven Uses and Benefits of CBD Topicals

Many people turn to CBD topicals for targeted support, and the range of potential benefits continues to grow as research evolves. One of the most common reasons people use topicals is for relief from muscle and joint discomfort brought on by physical activity or the general stressors of daily life. 

Topicals can also offer support for common skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne, thanks to CBD’s naturally calming and antioxidant properties. In fact, a recent study published in Skin Health and Disease found that topical CBD showed promise in reducing symptoms of atopic dermatitis, including redness, itching, and dryness.

Athletes and active individuals often use CBD topicals as part of their post-workout recovery routines to help reduce tension and muscle fatigue. For others, CBD becomes part of their everyday skincare, offering hydration, balance, and support for visible signs of aging. 

Because topicals are applied directly to the skin and don’t significantly enter the bloodstream, they provide localized effects without psychoactive impact. Many people also appreciate that CBD skin care fits naturally into wellness routines and tend to come with fewer side effects than traditional topicals made with synthetic ingredients.

How to Choose and Use CBD Topicals Effectively

Finding the right CBD topical for your specific needs begins with knowing what to look for—and how to use it! Here are our top tips for getting started:

• Check the ingredients: Look for full-spectrum hemp extract, natural botanicals, and nourishing oils.

• Read the label: Pay attention to CBD concentration, batch testing info, and clear instructions.

• Start with a small amount and apply directly to the target area. Massage gently until absorbed. As you would with any skin care product, if you have sensitive skin, start with a small test area to be sure you don’t have a reaction before applying the product more broadly.

• Be consistent: Results often build over time. Some users report benefits in minutes, while others notice changes after several days of regular use.

• Mix and match: Use different formats for different needs—like salves for deep relief and body oil for daily hydration.

• Store your products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

• Choose trusted brands like Treadwell Farms that use third-party testing and Florida-grown hemp for maximum quality and traceability.

If you’re unsure how CBD might fit into your routine, a conversation with your healthcare provider is always a great idea. And you can also reach out to us at Treadwell Farms if you need assistance selecting the right product for your goals.

Start with Treadwell Farms CBD Topicals

From farm to formula, every Treadwell Farms topical is crafted with care. Our products are made with full-spectrum hemp extract and blended with high-quality botanicals to give you comfort, so you can take on each and every day feeling your best. 

Ready to find your favorite? Explore our full CBD skincare and topical collection and see how natural relief can fit into your everyday wellness routine.

About the Author 

Jammie Treadwell has co-owned and operated Treadwell Farms since 2019 handling everything from nursery operations to product development. Treadwell and her parents continue her family's Florida farming legacy by intentionally creating natural, small-batch artisanal hemp products trusted and tested with the community in mind.

Sources

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2. Makhakhe L. (2022). Topical cannabidiol (CBD) in skin pathology - A comprehensive review and prospects for new therapeutic opportunities. South African family practice : official journal of the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care, 64(1), e1–e4. https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v64i1.5493 

3. Lefebvre, È., Tawil, N., & Yahia, L. (2024). Transdermal Delivery of Cannabidiol for the Management of Acute Inflammatory Pain: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature. International journal of molecular sciences, 25(11), 5858. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115858

4. Hall, N., James, B., Bhuiyan, M. A. N., Crane, E., Falgout, C., & Murnane, K. S. (2023). Topical cannabidiol is well tolerated in individuals with a history of elite physical performance and chronic lower extremity pain. Journal of cannabis research, 5(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-023-00179-8

5. Hakim, S., Goel, S., Papastergiou, J. and Goldberg, D.J. (2025), Improvement in Atopic Dermatitis Using a Novel Topical 2% Cannabidiol (CBD) Application. Dermatological Reviews, 6: e70024. https://doi.org/10.1002/der2.70024