Walk into a store or search for a CBD balm online and the labels start to blur together.
1,000 mg.
2,000 mg.
Full spectrum.
Cooling.
Warming.
Natural.
Extra strength.
The biggest number on the jar can easily look like the obvious choice.
It isn't that simple.
A good CBD balm should be evaluated as a complete topical formula, not just by the total milligrams of CBD printed on the front.
Look at the type of hemp extract, CBD concentration, other active ingredients, intended use, third-party testing and label transparency together.
That gives you a much better way to compare products.
1. Start With What You Want the Balm to Do
Before comparing milligrams, decide what kind of topical experience you actually want.
Someone looking for a gentle balm for regular massage is not necessarily looking for the same formula as someone who prefers a stronger cooling-and-warming muscle rub after hard training.
Ask:
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Where do I plan to apply it?
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How often will I use it?
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Do I want a gentle botanical balm?
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Do I prefer a cooling or warming sensation?
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Does the formula contain other active ingredients?
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Is my skin sensitive to any of those ingredients?
This immediately makes the buying decision more useful than simply searching for the highest CBD number.
2. Check What Type of Hemp Extract It Uses
CBD topicals can use different forms of hemp-derived ingredients.
The three common categories are:
CBD isolate: purified CBD with most other hemp constituents removed.
Broad-spectrum: CBD alongside additional hemp compounds, generally formulated without intentionally retained THC.
Full-spectrum: CBD alongside a broader naturally occurring hemp profile that can include minor cannabinoids, terpenes and trace amounts of THC.
These are legitimate formulation differences.
They should not, however, be turned into automatic claims that one category is clinically superior in every situation.
PHASIS uses full-spectrum hemp extract in both Max Relief and Relief because retaining the broader hemp profile fits our formulation approach.
For the detailed comparison, see Full-Spectrum CBD vs CBD Isolate: What's the Difference?.
That article owns the extract-comparison question, so we will not repeat the full discussion here.
3. Look Beyond the Total CBD Number
A large number on the front of a jar can be useful information, but only when you understand what it represents.
For example:
1,200 mg in 60 mL
and:
1,200 mg in 120 mL
contain the same total amount of CBD but not the same concentration.
That matters when comparing topical products.
However, this article is about choosing the complete balm, not becoming a CBD-label mathematics guide.
The key takeaway is:
Look at CBD relative to the size of the product, not total milligrams in isolation.
PHASIS will cover the calculation separately in:
Does CBD Concentration Matter? How to Read a CBD Topical Label
That page will own terms such as CBD concentration, CBD mg per mL and CBD topical strength.
4. Read the Rest of the Formula
A CBD balm is not just CBD.
This is one of the most important things to understand when comparing topicals.
Depending on the product, the rest of the formula might include ingredients such as:
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Menthol
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Capsaicin
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Lidocaine
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Arnica
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Turmeric
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Peppermint
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Ginger
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Carrier oils
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Waxes
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Botanical extracts
Those ingredients create very different products even when the CBD content looks similar.
For example, menthol is commonly used in topical products for its cooling sensory effect, while capsaicin produces a warming sensation through its interaction with sensory receptors.
Lidocaine is different again. It is an established local anesthetic ingredient used in certain OTC topical drug products under specific conditions and labeling requirements.
The point is not that every CBD balm needs these ingredients.
It is that you need to know what the entire formula is designed to do.
5. Decide Whether You Want a Stronger or Gentler Topical Experience
This is where product selection becomes personal.
Some people prefer a noticeable cooling or warming sensation after training.
Others want a gentler balm they can massage into an area regularly without that stronger sensory experience.
PHASIS designed its two CBD topicals around those different use cases.
Max Relief
Max Relief is the stronger topical formula.
It uses full-spectrum CBD at a stated concentration of 20 mg/mL alongside ingredients including:
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Lidocaine HCl
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Menthol
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Capsaicin
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Arnica
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Turmeric
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Black pepper
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Clary sage
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Vitamin E
The formula is designed for people looking for a more intensive muscle-and-joint topical experience.
Relief
Relief Balm takes the gentler route.
It also uses full-spectrum CBD but combines it with a botanical-focused balm formula including ingredients such as peppermint, arnica, turmeric, ginger, castor oil, lemongrass, clary sage and coconut oil.
It is intended as the softer everyday option.
Neither choice is simply:
“Which one has CBD?”
Both do.
The more useful question is:
“Which complete formula fits how I want to use it?”
6. Third-Party Testing Should Matter
CBD is a category where label transparency deserves attention.
A 2022 analysis of 105 hemp-derived topical products found substantial discrepancies between labeled and measured cannabinoid content. Of the products that listed a total CBD amount, only 24% fell within the study's defined accurate-label range. Read the topical CBD labeling study on PubMed.
A broader 2024 analysis of 202 commercial CBD products also found frequent potency-label discrepancies and detected contaminants in some samples. Read the 2024 product-quality study on PubMed.
Those findings do not mean every CBD product is inaccurate.
They show why verification matters.
When evaluating a balm, look for:
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Independent laboratory testing
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Cannabinoid potency results
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Batch or lot identification
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Contaminant screening
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Clear ingredient disclosure
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Accessible current documentation
A “third-party tested” badge is more useful when you can actually see what was tested.
7. Be Careful With Products That Promise Too Much
CBD topical marketing can move much faster than the clinical evidence.
Terms such as:
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“cures arthritis”
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“eliminates inflammation”
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“heals injuries”
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“guaranteed pain relief”
should make you cautious.
A systematic review of topical and transdermal CBD trials found that human evidence was still limited, with small numbers of trials and substantial differences in formulations and study quality.
A newer systematic review of CBD and pain research similarly shows why CBD evidence needs to be interpreted by formulation, route of administration and condition rather than converted into blanket promises.
For the complete evidence discussion, see PHASIS's pillar:
CBD for Pain Relief: What Does the Research Say?
That is where the clinical question belongs.
When you are choosing a balm, the more useful approach is to look for a transparent formula and realistic claims rather than the most dramatic promise.
8. Check the Label and Directions Before Applying It
A good topical should tell you how it is intended to be used.
Before applying a balm:
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Read the complete ingredient list
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Follow the product directions
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Check warnings and age restrictions
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Avoid applying to areas the label says to avoid
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Wash your hands when appropriate after use
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Be cautious around the eyes and other sensitive areas
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Stop use if significant irritation occurs
This becomes especially important when a topical contains ingredients beyond CBD, such as menthol, capsaicin or lidocaine.
The FDA's CBD consumer guidance also notes that nonprescription CBD products have not been FDA-approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease and that there are unresolved safety and quality questions around the category.
For persistent, severe or unexplained muscle or joint pain, a topical should not replace appropriate medical evaluation.
9. If You Are Drug Tested, Full-Spectrum Deserves Extra Attention
Full-spectrum hemp products can contain trace amounts of THC.
That does not mean every user will fail a drug test.
It does mean that a responsible brand should not promise that a full-spectrum product is “drug-test safe.”
If testing matters for your job or sport:
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Review the certificate of analysis
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Check the actual cannabinoid profile
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Understand the rules that apply to you
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Do not rely solely on front-label marketing
This is particularly important for competitive athletes.
A Simple CBD Balm Checklist
Before buying, ask:
1. What type of hemp extract is used?
Is it isolate, broad spectrum or full spectrum?
2. How much CBD is actually in the formula?
Look beyond the biggest number on the front.
3. What else is in it?
Understand the complete ingredient list.
4. What kind of topical experience is it designed for?
Gentle everyday balm? Cooling? Warming? Stronger multi-ingredient rub?
5. Has it been independently tested?
Look for current laboratory documentation.
6. Are the claims realistic?
Be cautious with products promising to cure conditions or guarantee outcomes.
7. Does the product fit your actual use case?
The “best” CBD balm is not necessarily the strongest one. It is the one whose formula, transparency and intended use best fit what you are looking for.
The Bottom Line
Choosing a CBD balm should involve more than comparing total CBD milligrams.
Look at:
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Hemp extract type
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CBD concentration
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Complete formula
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Other active ingredients
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Intended use
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Third-party testing
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Label transparency
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Application directions
At PHASIS, that is why Max Relief and Relief are intentionally different products.
Max Relief is built around a stronger multi-ingredient topical experience.
Relief Balm is the gentler everyday option.
Both use full-spectrum CBD.
The difference is in the complete formula and intended experience, not just the number printed on the jar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for when buying a CBD balm?
Start with the hemp extract type, CBD concentration, complete ingredient list, intended use, third-party testing and application directions. Avoid judging a balm solely by its total CBD milligrams.
Is full-spectrum CBD better for a balm?
Full-spectrum hemp retains a broader naturally occurring hemp profile than CBD isolate, but it has not been universally proven to be clinically superior for every use. The complete topical formulation still matters.
How strong should a CBD balm be?
There is no single strength that is appropriate for everyone. Look at CBD concentration relative to product size and consider the rest of the formula rather than assuming the highest total milligram number is automatically best.
What's the difference between a CBD balm and CBD cream?
Balm and cream describe different topical formats and bases. PHASIS will cover that question separately in CBD Balm vs Cream vs Oil: What's the Difference?
Does third-party testing matter for CBD balm?
Yes. Published analyses have found meaningful discrepancies between the cannabinoid content on some CBD product labels and laboratory measurements, which makes transparent testing particularly useful.
Which PHASIS CBD balm should I choose?
Max Relief is the stronger multi-ingredient topical experience, while Relief is the gentler botanical-focused everyday balm. The better fit depends on the type of topical experience you want.
