Buyer’s Guide: Best 5 CBD Balms in the UK
If you’ve browsed a healthcare store recently, you’ll have noticed three letters cropping up more and more: CBD.
And for good reason - CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates functions such as mood, sleep, inflammation, and pain levels. Since its 2018 legalisation in the UK, everyone from professional athletes to busy office workers has been using it to soothe conditions from insomnia to arthritis.
Found in the cannabis plant, CBD is often ingested via consumable products that come in a variety of forms: think oils, tinctures and CBD gummies. However, topical CBD ointments are gaining attention for their unique ability to provide targeted pain relief.
When used topically, CBD behaves differently compared to when ingested: it directly targets the CB2 receptors that lie close to the skin. These receptors are a key part of the body’s endocannabinoid system. The result? A fast, more localised effect.
Topical treatments are showing promising abilities to soothe ailments such as stiff and sore muscles, menstrual discomfort and arthritic joints. Further still, many contain beneficial ingredients that soothe and hydrate skin, and provide relaxing aromatherapeutic effects. Sold yet?
So, what should you weigh up when choosing a CBD balm?
Concentration of CBD
Different products will have different levels of CBD per ml of ointment, and the range can vary wildly. It pays to examine each label closely to ensure you’re getting value for money.
Independent lab reporting
The best CBD brands will have reports, provided by a third-party lab, available on their website. This ensures you can verify that the product you’re using contains the potency and purity of CBD indicated on the label.
Accompanying ingredients
Our skin is our largest organ, so as with any cosmetic product, it pays to examine the ingredient list closely before sweeping the product on - particularly if you’re prone to flare-ups. Some products contain artificial fragrances or colours that can spark dryness or irritation, while others are stacked with hard-to-pronounce chemicals that contribute to the body’s toxic load.
So, which is the best CBD balm on the UK market? Weighing up the factors above, we’ve done the research so you can cut straight to the chase.
1 CBII CBD Balm, £29, 50ml
Infused with natural fragrances of lavender and eucalyptus, CBII’s CBD Balm smells distinctly luxurious. Yet it’s not all about superficials: the rich formula comes packed with 300mg of CBD per pot; a potency that makes for a noticeably soothing impact as the product works into the skin.
Texturally, the balm strikes a pleasant balance. With the Colorado-sourced CBD oil blended into a formula of shea butter, beeswax, and hemp seed oil, it maintains a solid form in-pot, keeping application tidy. However, its on-skin performance is top-notch: once in hand, it melts to a glidable texture, allowing a little to go a long way and making for a comfortable massage experience.
Importantly, the texture feels distinctly un-oily, leaving the skin with a soft, soothed feel that doesn’t verge on greasy.
Alongside the carriers and aromatics, a wide cast of complementary ingredients lend their own beneficial properties: while menthol gives a cooling effect - great on tense muscles - ginger relieves redness and pain, and vitamins A and E fight free radicals and contribute to overall skin health.
Yet the balm’s functionality doesn’t overshadow its pleasantries. The lavender-eucalyptus fragrance is noticeably aromatherapeutic without being overwhelming, while its frosted amber glass jar makes this product an attractive addition to the bedside table or bathroom shelf.
Weighing up functionality, potency, user experience, ingredients, and value for money, CBII’s CBD Balm is our top pick for shoppers in the UK. You can find the product’s lab reports on the CBII’s website.
2 CBDFX High Strength Muscle & Joint Balm Stick - £26.05, 60ml
Delivered in a convenient roll-on format, CBDFX’s balm is easy to apply, and delivers a strong 750mg of CBD per stick. Its slim, durable plastic case makes it the perfect addition to your work backpack or gym bag, with the ointment easily applied for instant relief at your desk or in the changing room.
Like CBII’s balm, this option comes with the added benefit of menthol, for a cooling effect that lasts well after initial application. Wintergreen and black pepper oil have further anti-inflammatory properties, while camphor oil has a warming feel. The combination of these ingredients provides an alternating cool-warm effect known to provide relief for aches and pains.
It pays to note that the product has a slightly tacky texture, with a smell that’s more reminiscent of a vapour rub than a day spa. However, in terms of potency and convenience, it makes for an excellent buy. Further still, its plant-based ingredient list makes it a good choice for those who are vegan.
3 Kloris Luxury High Strength CBD Balm - £35, 30ml
Delivering 400mg of European-sourced CBD per 30ml jar, this organic, plant-based balm carries refreshing woody and cut-grass notes.
An indulgent combination of shea, coconut, mango and cacao butter works with sweet almond oil and candelilla wax to create a buttery texture, which rubs into the skin easily and leaves no greasy residue.
Like CBII’s offering, the use of these ingredients has a nourishing effect, warding off dryness and scaliness and giving the skin a soft, dewy glow.
For peace of mind, each batch is independently tested for potency and purity, certified by an accredited lab so you can buy with confidence.
4 Hempura Revitalise CBD Cream, from £23.99, 50ml
With a CBD product line ranging from white chocolate to vape juice, Hempura has a reputation for sustainability and responsible sourcing. Its CBD cream lives up to those same high standards.
Unlike many of the other products on this list, Hempura’s topical CBD offering is a light lotion, not a balm - yet it still provides effective pain relief, alongside moisturising skin properties.
This creamy formulation does mean it absorbs almost instantly, which can mean you need to use slightly more of it for longer massages. However, the effect on the skin is hydrating, warding off dryness while dulling nagging aches.
The product is available in two strengths - 250mg and 500mg. For trust and transparency, each batch bears a unique code and corresponding lab report.
5 Edens Gate CBD Balm for Muscle & Joint Relief , £54.99, 60ml
Packed with menthol, ginger and arnica - alongside 500mg of CBD - Edens Gate’s balm packs a powerful punch.
The UK-made formula delivers strong relief, with devotees praising its fast-acting ingredients and smooth, silky texture.
The addition of manuka honey gives a slightly sweet scent, while the inclusion of menthol (as with CBII and CBDFX’s products) administers a therapeutic cool-warm effect. Coconut oil creates a moisture-trapping barrier on the skin, giving skin a soft, hydrated effect as well as a non-greasy aftertouch.
It does pay to note that at £54.99, this option is one of the more expensive balms on the list.
CBD Balm: FAQ
Will CBD make me high?
Unlike its cousin THC - also found in the cannabis plant - CBD has no psychoactive effects, so it won’t get you high.How much CBD balm can I use?
One of the benefits of topical CBD compared to ingestible products is that you can use it as often as needed. A huge benefit if you have nagging pains that disturb you frequently throughout the day.
How long will the effects take to kick in?
This can vary depending on the product’s concentration of CBD - the higher the concentration, the quicker the impact. However, all products on this list should provide relief within 10-30 minutes.