CBD cream: what to check on the label and lab report before you buy

CBD cream in plain terms

CBD cream is a hemp-derived topical that you apply to the skin, and it is meant for external use only. The label facts that matter most are total milligrams per container, spectrum, THC content, which other cannabinoids are in it, and whether a lab report for your batch is available.

Think of it like any lotion with one extra ingredient. The cream base, the scent and the feel on your skin matter as much as the number on the front. This guide walks through each piece so you can compare creams without guessing.

Top Hemp Brands sells hemp products, including the Sivan Remedies cream featured below, so we have a commercial interest in that product. The guide is written so you can use it to compare any cream.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

What the research does and does not know about topical CBD

Human research on CBD applied to the skin is limited, and many product claims go further than the studies do.

One laboratory study in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology reported that transdermal absorption of CBD was observed for three active products [1]. That tells us CBD can pass into skin from some products. It does not tell us what a given cream will do for you.

Marketing is a separate matter. In a case series of 105 hemp-derived topical products, 28% (29 products) made therapeutic claims and 14% (15 products) made cosmetic claims [2]. The same case series found that 18% of the topical cannabinoid products were overlabeled [3]. Overlabeled means the product held less cannabinoid than the label said.

So what can you do with that? Use a CBD cream as part of a personal self-care routine. Judge it by how it feels, how the scent suits you and whether you like using it. If you have a concern about your body, talk to a doctor rather than relying on a jar.

Does CBD cream show up on a drug test?

No one can promise a result either way, because it depends on the product, the batch and the test. The safest move is to read the lab report for your exact batch and talk to whoever runs your testing.

Spectrum is the first thing to check. Full spectrum products can contain trace THC. Broad spectrum and isolate products are formulated without it. Then look at the THC line on the certificate of analysis for the batch in your hand.

The cream itself is only part of the picture. Research on labeling has found that what is on the jar and what is in the jar can differ [3]. If you are subject to drug testing, check with your employer or program first, and consider avoiding any product that lists THC at all.

How to read a CBD cream label and lab report

A certificate of analysis (COA) is the lab's report on one batch, and you read it by matching it to the jar line by line.

1. Batch number. It should match the number printed on your container. A report for a different batch tells you little.
2. Cannabinoid totals. Compare what the lab found with the label. Potency far from the label is a flag. Studies of topicals have found products that did not match their labels [4][3].
3. THC result. Look for the actual THC number, not just a pass.
4. Contaminants panel. Look for results on items such as pesticides, heavy metals and solvents.
5. Lab name and date. A named lab and a report date show who did the work and when.
6. QR code. Scan it. It should open the report for your batch.

Red flags: no batch number, a report for a different product, potency far from the label, or no lab name.

Milligrams per container versus milligrams per application

Strength is shown per container, so divide it by the number of uses to learn what you actually apply.

Take Sivan Remedies Relief Cream 1000mg. The label lists 1000mg cannabinoids per container and about 10mg per pump. One pump is roughly 10mg. Two pumps is roughly 20mg. The container total only tells you how much is in the jar, not how much you use each time. At about 10mg per pump, 1000mg works out to roughly 100 pumps.

Spectrum and ingredients: full spectrum, broad spectrum, isolate, and the extras

Spectrum describes which hemp compounds are in the cream, and it decides whether THC is likely to be present.

• Full spectrum: contains a range of hemp compounds and can include trace THC.
• Broad spectrum: a range of compounds, formulated without THC.
• Isolate: CBD alone.

Added ingredients mostly change how the cream feels and smells. Menthol and peppermint give a cooling feel. Some blends use warming ingredients. Arnica is a common botanical add-in. Essential oils add scent, and fragrance can bother sensitive skin, so check the ingredient list if you react easily.

Cream, balm, salve, gel, lotion or roll-on: which format suits you

Cream and lotion suit larger areas, while balms, salves and roll-ons suit small, targeted spots.

Cost: how to compare price per milligram and per application

Divide the price by total milligrams for price per milligram, and by the number of applications for price per use.

Formula: price per mg = price / total mg. Price per application = price / number of applications in the container.

Here is a worked example with made-up round numbers, not a real price. Say a 1000mg cream costs $50. That is $0.05 per mg. Swap in the current price from the product page to get your real figures.

More milligrams is not always better value. A cream with higher total mg but a different formula, or a smaller dose per use, can cost more per application. Compare per use, then compare the lab reports and the ingredients.

How to use CBD cream: patch test and application

Patch test first, then use a small amount on clean, dry skin and keep a steady routine for a couple of weeks before judging.

1. Apply a small amount to a small area, such as the inner forearm, and wait to see how your skin responds.
2. Wash and dry the area you plan to use it on.
3. Start with a small amount, such as one pump.
4. Rub it in until it absorbs.
5. Wash your hands afterward.
6. Keep it away from broken skin and eyes.
7. Use it consistently for a couple of weeks, then decide if you like it.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have very sensitive skin.

Who CBD cream suits, and who should skip it

CBD cream suits people who want a simple topical routine, and it is a poor fit if you react to fragrance or face drug testing.

• Active people who like applying something after workouts.
• Anyone who enjoys a cooling scent from menthol or mint oils.
• Older adults who want something easy to apply, such as a pump.
• Sensitive skin: patch test, and look for fewer added oils.

Skip it if you react to essential oils, need a fragrance-free product, or are subject to drug testing and want zero THC risk.

A closer look at Sivan Remedies Relief Cream 1000mg

Sivan Remedies Relief Cream 1000mg is a multi-cannabinoid cream with a cooling, minty feel.

Each container holds 500mg CBD, 200mg CBG, 200mg CBC and 100mg CBN, with about 10mg per pump. The cooling blend uses eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint and spearmint oils, finished with a bergamot and pear scent. It absorbs without leaving residue.

It fits you if you like a cooling feel and a multi-cannabinoid blend. It does not fit if you want an unscented cream, since the essential oils and fragrance are part of the product. Check the batch lab report before you buy or use it.

CBD cream FAQ

About the author: John Crawford, Head of Products at Top Hemp Brands. John has worked in the Hemp industry for 8 years and leads product sourcing for Top Hemp Brands, part of the Utoya family.