Foot discomfort can come from many different sources. Spending hours standing or walking, exercise, uncomfortable shoes and simply getting older can all leave your feet feeling like they’ve had enough for the day.
That’s one reason topical products are popular: they’re easy to apply directly to your feet.
CBD creams have become another option in that category, but choosing one can be confusing. You’ll find everything from relatively low-strength lotions to extremely concentrated CBD creams, along with cooling gels, salves and roll-ons.
At Quiet Monk CBD, we’ve spent years making CBD topicals and talking directly with customers who use them.
Here’s what I think you should actually look at when comparing CBD creams for your feet.
Why Do People Use CBD Cream on Their Feet?
One of the simplest advantages of a topical is that you can apply it exactly where you want it.
With your feet, that might mean rubbing a cream into your:
- Heels
- Soles
- Toes
- Ankles
- Tops of the feet
- Areas that feel tired after standing or walking
Some people also prefer the massage involved in applying a cream.
It’s important, however, to separate personal experiences with CBD from established medical evidence.
CBD creams are not FDA-approved treatments for foot-pain conditions, and we don’t believe companies should promise that a topical CBD product will cure conditions such as plantar fasciitis, arthritis or neuropathy.
What Does the Research Say About Topical CBD?
Research into topical CBD is still developing.
There have been some small human studies investigating topical CBD for specific types of discomfort and joint conditions, with some reporting encouraging findings.
However, these studies have generally involved relatively small groups and specific formulations.
That means we can’t take the results from one topical CBD study and assume every CBD cream sold online will produce the same result.
There’s still a lot we don’t know about CBD applied to the skin.
That’s something worth remembering when you encounter companies promising guaranteed results.
What Should You Look for in a CBD Foot Cream?
I wouldn’t choose a CBD topical based solely on whichever jar has the largest number printed on it.
Here are the things I’d compare.
1. CBD Concentration
Look at both:
Total CBD and container size.
A 5,000mg cream in a four-ounce jar doesn’t have the same concentration as 5,000mg in a one-ounce container.
This is one of the most common sources of confusion when comparing CBD products online.
If you’re unfamiliar with the numbers, our CBD Cream Strength Comparison Guide explains how CBD concentrations compare.
2. Cooling or Non-Cooling?
This makes a significant difference in how a topical feels.
Cooling CBD creams commonly contain ingredients such as menthol.
Menthol activates cold-sensitive receptors in the skin, producing the familiar cooling sensation without actually lowering the temperature of the tissue.
Some customers love that sensation on tired feet.
Others don’t.
That’s why we offer both cooling and non-cooling topical options.
3. Cream, Salve, Gel or Roll-On?
“CBD topical” describes several very different products.
Creams spread easily and work well when you want to massage a larger area.
Salves tend to be thicker and more oil-based.
Gels usually have a lighter texture and can work particularly well with cooling formulations.
Roll-ons are convenient when you don’t want product on your hands.
The best format largely comes down to how and where you intend to use it.
4. Other Ingredients
CBD is only one ingredient.
Look at the complete formulation.
Depending on the product, you may find ingredients such as menthol, botanical extracts, carrier oils and other cannabinoids.
If you have sensitive skin or known allergies, checking the entire ingredient list is especially important.
5. Other Cannabinoids
Some CBD topicals contain only CBD, while others include additional hemp-derived cannabinoids such as CBG.
You’ll also encounter terms such as CBD isolate and broad-spectrum hemp extract.
Don’t assume that having more ingredients automatically makes one product superior.
What’s important is understanding what’s actually in the jar.
6. Third-Party Lab Testing
This is one of the first things I’d check when buying CBD.
A reputable company should make current third-party laboratory results available.
The Certificate of Analysis, or COA, can show the cannabinoid concentrations detected in the tested product and provide information about compounds such as THC.
Quiet Monk CBD publishes our laboratory results so customers can review them before purchasing.
How Strong Should CBD Cream for Your Feet Be?
There’s no scientifically established CBD cream strength that’s appropriate for everyone.
That’s important because you’ll find websites confidently telling consumers they “need” a particular number of milligrams.
The research simply isn’t developed enough to establish a universal topical CBD dose for foot discomfort.
At Quiet Monk, we’ve found that customers have very different preferences.
Some start with a moderate-strength product.
Others come to us specifically because they’ve previously used CBD topicals and want a considerably higher concentration.
That’s why I recommend comparing concentration and formulation rather than assuming everyone should use the strongest cream available.
How Do You Apply CBD Cream to Your Feet?
Follow the directions provided with the specific product you’re using.
Generally, topical creams are applied directly to the desired area and massaged into the skin.
For feet, that could include the heel, arch, sole or top of the foot depending on where you want to apply it.
A few practical points are worth remembering:
- Start with a modest amount.
- Massage it into the desired area.
- Wash your hands afterward, particularly when using cooling products.
- Avoid eyes and other sensitive areas.
- Don’t apply topical products to broken or irritated skin unless the product specifically says it’s appropriate.
- Stop using a product if you experience an unwanted skin reaction.
What About CBD Cream for Plantar Fasciitis?
This is a question we see frequently.
Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia, the band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot.
CBD creams are sometimes marketed specifically as treatments for plantar fasciitis.
I’d be cautious about that wording.
CBD cream isn’t an FDA-approved treatment for plantar fasciitis, and there isn’t sufficient clinical evidence demonstrating that an over-the-counter CBD cream treats the underlying condition.
If you have persistent heel or foot pain, particularly pain that’s worsening or affecting your ability to walk, determining what’s causing it is more important than simply covering it with a topical.
What About Neuropathy?
Neuropathy is another reason people search for CBD foot products.
Symptoms can include burning, tingling, numbness or unusual sensations in the feet.
There has been limited research into topical CBD and peripheral neuropathy, but the evidence remains preliminary.
Neuropathy can also have many causes, including diabetes and nerve injuries.
Persistent numbness, burning or loss of sensation in the feet deserves medical evaluation rather than relying solely on a topical product.
This is particularly important for people with diabetes because reduced sensation can make foot injuries easier to miss.
Neuropathy is another reason people search for CBD foot products. If that’s what brought you here, you can also read our CBD cream for neuropathy guide.
Cooling CBD Cream for Tired Feet
You don’t need to have a diagnosed medical condition to enjoy a cooling topical.
Sometimes your feet are simply tired.
People who spend hours standing, walking, hiking or working on hard surfaces may enjoy massaging a cooling cream into their feet at the end of the day.
In that situation, the menthol sensation itself is an important part of the experience.
That’s one reason I tell customers to consider the entire formulation rather than focusing exclusively on CBD milligrams.
What We’ve Learned From Our Customers
One thing I’ve learned from running Quiet Monk CBD is that topical preferences are extremely personal.
One customer may love our cooling cream.
Another will immediately tell me:
“I don’t want menthol.”
Some want a cream that spreads easily over the entire foot and ankle.
Others prefer a thicker product that they can apply to one particular area.
And some experienced CBD users specifically seek out our higher-strength products.
That’s why I don’t believe there is one universally “best” CBD foot cream.
There is a better question:
What formulation, concentration and application method best fit what you’re looking for?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put CBD cream on your feet?
CBD topical products intended for normal external skin application can generally be applied to areas such as the feet according to the manufacturer’s directions. Avoid broken or irritated skin unless the product directions specifically indicate otherwise.
What’s the best CBD strength for foot discomfort?
There isn’t an established universal CBD strength for foot discomfort. Compare the total CBD, container size, concentration, formulation and laboratory testing rather than choosing solely based on the largest milligram number.
Is cooling CBD cream better for feet?
It’s a matter of preference. Cooling ingredients such as menthol create a noticeable cooling sensation that many people enjoy on tired feet, while other people prefer non-cooling products.
Does CBD cream treat plantar fasciitis?
CBD creams are not FDA-approved treatments for plantar fasciitis. Be skeptical of products promising to cure or treat the underlying condition.
Can CBD cream treat neuropathy in the feet?
Topical CBD research for peripheral neuropathy remains limited and preliminary. CBD creams should not be presented as proven treatments for neuropathy.
Should CBD products have lab reports?
We strongly recommend looking for third-party laboratory testing. A current COA provides considerably more information than simply trusting the number printed on a product label.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for the best CBD cream for foot pain, don’t judge products solely by the number on the front of the jar.
Look at CBD concentration, container size, product type, cooling ingredients, the complete formulation and third-party testing.
And be skeptical of companies promising that CBD cream will cure plantar fasciitis, neuropathy, arthritis or another medical condition.
We’ve been making CBD topicals at Quiet Monk CBD for years, and our approach is simple: explain what’s in our products, provide laboratory testing, offer different strengths and formulations, and let customers decide what fits their preferences.
Sometimes the most useful CBD information isn’t another miracle claim.
It’s simply knowing exactly what you’re buying.