Cream

A cream is a semisolid topical emulsion that blends oil and water with an emulsifier, giving a smooth texture that spreads easily and absorbs into the skin.

Creams sit between lotions, which contain more water and feel lighter, and ointments or balms, which are mostly oil or wax. The water phase lets a cream feel cool and non-greasy, while the oil phase carries fat-soluble ingredients and softens the skin. Because water is present, creams need preservatives to limit microbial growth. Typical ingredients include glycerin, fatty alcohols, plant oils, and fragrance or essential oils.

A CBD cream contains a hemp extract dispersed in the oil phase of the emulsion. The label should list total cannabinoid milligrams per container, the extract type, a full ingredient list, and a batch number matching a certificate of analysis. Creams are regulated as cosmetics unless drug claims are made, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned companies that market topical cannabinoids with disease claims. Research on topical cannabinoids in people remains limited and largely preliminary.