In 2018, the US health and wellness market underwent a mini-revolution.

This revolution came in the form of the legalization of the cultivation and sale of CBD products by the 2018 Farm Bill. Since then, the wellness market has been flooded by an array of Cannabidiol products, most notably in states where medical marijuana remains inaccessible.

Two products, that are becoming increasingly popular are CBD lotions and creams.

What is CBD cream?

As the name implies, it is a type of Cannabidiol-infused topical. These topicals bring relief to both your skin and muscle tissue when you apply them. Interestingly, cannabis extracts have, for hundreds of years, been used in treatments in India and Latin America.

How does CBD cream work?

Before we talk about the application of CBD daily cream, let’s do a quick one on how exactly these creams work. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a compound from the Cannabis sativa plant, otherwise known as marijuana.

Together with fellow ingredient THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), it is one of the most well-known cannabinoids out there. Unlike THC, however, CBD provides a feeling of relaxation and calm without having any psychoactive properties.

Now thanks to research, it has been discovered that the skin contains lots of cannabinoid receptors known as endocannabinoids, which interact with CBD. And since the endocannabinoid system is involved the process of managing pain, inflammation, and stress, CBD cream can be used to treat conditions such as:

• Arthritic pain
• Joint swelling
• Muscle pain
• Neck and back pain
• Nerve pain
• Bacterial infections
• Itchy rashes
• Eczema, and
• Inflammatory skin conditions

The significant difference between CBD cream and other CBD products is that CBD creams offer localized relief. Thus, they can be applied directly to the affected areas on your skin, unlike oils and gummies that need to get to your bloodstream first before they begin to work.

How to apply everyday CBD cream

Applying this daily cream to your skin is very easy. Unlike we have in the case of oils and edibles, CBD cream doesn’t need to be in your bloodstream before it becomes effective. What this means is that you can apply it quite liberally on your skin as opposed to paying careful attention to the dosage ingested. That being said, there are few things to watch out for when applying daily cream with CBD to your skin.

Step 1. Test for allergic reactions

Now, although CBD itself causes no known allergic reactions, other ingredients used in making the creams may trigger one or two unpleasant reactions. Apply a small amount of cream on your skin and observe the results. If you notice no adverse effects, then you can proceed to the next stage of the application.

You may, however, skip this entire testing process by checking the list of ingredients right before purchasing any cream. This way, you spot any ingredients you have allergic reactions to and save both time and money.

Another option is to check with your doctor (one who knows your medical history) and ask for his/her recommendation.

Step 2. Clean your skin

Remember, CBD daily cream doesn’t need to be applied all over your skin before it works. It offers quite effective localized relief. This means that you don’t need a full shower before application. All you need is to locate the desired spot and wash it with water and soap. This removes dirt, sweat, oil build-up, or previously applied creams. When you do this, you ensure there are zero boundaries between the cream and your skin.

Step 3. Rub gently into the desired areas

There’s really no particular method of applying it to your skin. This is because there’s no recommended dosage, as is the case with oils and edibles.

So to apply, take a reasonable quantity of cream on your fingertip and gently rub on the affected area. Wait for an hour and observe the effects. If you see no change at all, you can apply more cream. Manufacturers generally recommend that you wait for 3 – 4 hours to experience the full effects. But some users, however, suggest you should apply the CBD daily cream right before bed. Still, others suggest you cover the affected area with a bandage for maximum effectiveness.

These are, however, not set in stone, and it’s always best to find what works for you. Some key areas to focus on when applying are:

• Knees, elbows and every other joint
• The neck, upper back, and shoulders
• Your face, especially around your temples and nose
• The soles and heels of your feet
• Your spine and lower back

It is, however, not compulsory you rub the cream on all these areas if all aren’t affected.

Step 4. Wash up

After application, remember to rewash your hands with soap and water. This would remove any possibility of you getting cream in your eyes.

In conclusion

CBD creams though effective, are by no means a magic wand to cure all your problems. If your symptoms persist despite repeated usage, you should see your doctor for further diagnosis.

Like we said earlier, it is also advised you see your doctor before using CBD daily cream at all if you intend to take it along with other medications.