Monday shows up and so do the customers who pushed a little too hard over the weekend. Trail run on Saturday, a full day on their feet Sunday, maybe a long bike ride they hadn't done since last fall. The soreness is real — and the question we get most is some version of: what can I put on it?
Why Topicals Work Differently Than Gummies or Tinctures
When you take CBD orally, it circulates through your system. That's great for general support — sleep, everyday tension, that kind of thing. But a topical goes right to the spot. The CBD absorbs through the skin and interacts with receptors close to the surface, which is why so many people find them useful for specific, localized discomfort.
It's not magic, and it doesn't work like a painkiller. But a good topical can help ease a grumpy shoulder or a cranky lower back in a way that a gummy won't — because it's not trying to reach those spots from the inside out.
The Three We Keep Recommending
We carry a handful of topicals, and each one fills a slightly different need. Here's what we steer people toward most often.
For portability and direct application, the Colorado Fresh Nano Amplified CBD Roll-On ($85) is hard to beat. It uses nano-emulsified CBD — smaller particle size, faster absorption — along with arnica, tea tree, aloe, and camphor in a no-mess roll-on. You can use it right after a workout, throw it in your pack, or keep it in your bag for whenever something starts yelling at you mid-day.
If you want something more traditional that you can really work into an area, the CBDfx Muscle & Joint Creams ($35) are a solid starting point. They come in two formulas — a cooling version and a heating+cooling version that adds CBG. Both use broad-spectrum CBD alongside camphor, peppermint, wintergreen, and clove. The price makes it easy to keep one in the cabinet without thinking too hard about it.
And then there's the one that regularly surprises people: GoodLeaf's Pain Butter ($70). Award-winning, and you'll understand why once you try it. It's a whipped body butter — goes on smooth, absorbs without leaving you greasy — with 2300mg of nano CBD and CBG isolates blended into shea butter and manuka honey. It's genuinely nice for something you're rubbing into your calves after a hike.
A Few Things to Know
Topicals work best when you apply them with a little intention. Warm the skin first if you can — right after a shower is ideal. Apply generously, work it in, and give it time to absorb before you cover it up with clothing.
They're also not a replacement for rest. Colorado summer has a way of stacking activity on top of activity, and sometimes your body just needs a slower day. But when you do reach for some support, a topical is one of the more direct ways to get it where you actually need it.
Stop by and we'll help you figure out which one fits your routine. We're at 677 E. Eisenhower Blvd. in Loveland, open Monday through Saturday 11am–6pm and Sunday 12–5pm.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
