Simply CBD offers two topical muscle products: the Eucalyptus and Peppermint CBD muscle balm containing 400mg of CBD and the Rosemary and Mint Muscle Salve containing 200mg of CBD. I’ve just finished trying them both.
The muscle balm comes in a tube that’s similar to a fat Pritt-stick. It looked tidy and clean when it arrived, but it seems that very little time was spent on the design. Also, there are some brief directions and a list of ingredients, but the writing was so small I genuinely had to go and find a magnifying glass. A disclaimer reads, ‘The safety of this product has not been determined’; I’m sure this was legally necessary, but it doesn’t create a great first impression.
The muscle salve comes in a small tin with a simple label on the top. There are some basic directions, but they were even smaller than those on the balm tube. The ingredients aren’t listed on the tin, so I had to visit the website to find out what they were.
The main ingredients in both products are CBD isolate, fractionated coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax. These add texture and give them some powerful moisturising qualities.
Contents
Product Testing
I decided to try the salve first; the directions suggest you apply it regularly and liberally. With topical products, it can be tricky to work out exactly how much CBD you’re applying. I decided to use the whole tin over five days on an area of my back that often aches. There was a little trial and error to start with, but after a while, I chose to apply a generous scoop of one finger three times a day. At the end of the five days, there was only a little left in the tin, so I estimate I applied about 40mg per day.
After the first five days, I swapped and started to use the balm in the same area. I applied a generous amount three times a day. I continued for another five days, but because this product is larger than the last, there was still plenty left.
It’s worth noting that I regularly see a chiropractor for my back, so I know that my problem comes from my posture and there are no underlying issues. If you have concerns about your back, it’s essential to consult a professional before using any topical products.
Simply CBD Balm and Salve in Brief
Both have pleasant menthol fragrances.
They soothed my skin after regular use.
The balm’s twist application feature makes it easy to apply.
The small salve is ideal for carrying in a pocket.
Lab results are only available for the balm and they don’t include a clear cannabinoid profile.
Simply CBD Balm
Specifications
Size:
62.4g
Total CBD:
400mg
Extract type:
Isolate
Extraction method:
CO2 Supercritical
Hemp is grown in:
Holland
Organic:
Organically grown hemp only
Third-party lab tested:
Yes
The full ingredient list for the Simply CBD muscle balm is:
The ingredients used in the Simply CBD muscle salve are:
Fractionated Coconut Oil, White Wax (a mixture of beeswax and carnauba wax), Shea Butter, Oleic Acid, Lanolin, Isostearyl Isosteara, Jojoba Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Rosemary Oil, CBD Isolate, Vitamin E and Menthol
Who is Simply CBD?
Shortly after moving to Bulgaria in 2005, Michelle Jones and her husband Brian began finding new homes for sick and injured dogs. When they returned to the Forest of Dean in the UK, they continued and in 2012 founded the registered charity K9 Rescue.
Simply CBD was formed later when they wanted to provide their dogs with safe hemp products. It began as a way to provide it for their own dogs and for those in the care of other charities. Soon, word about the quality of their oils got around and they began taking orders from the public.
Now, they import a selection of high-grade oils and products from the Netherlands. All their varieties are extracted from organic Dutch hemp strains. By refusing to use extras like elaborate packaging or by staffing large offices, they’ve managed to keep costs down and offer all their products at exceptionally low prices.
Simply CBD is well regarded by its customers and has a rating of ‘excellent’ on both Trustpilot and Reviews.io. There are lots of mentions of the fast delivery and the effective products.
They also offer several other products, including oils, edibles, e-liquids and capsules. I’ve previously tried their 5% Blue oil, but you can choose from twelve different strengths ranging from 2% to 8%, isolate or full-spectrum and they even have one that’s blended with turmeric and black pepper.
Contacting Simply CBD is easy enough and can be done in a number of ways, however, there is no publicly available phone number that I could find:
An example of a lab certificate is available as an image on the product page for the muscle balm, but there are no lab results available for the salve. The certificate for the balm has a lot-number displayed at the top. The beginning of one is visible on the bottom of my balm, but the rest has been rubbed off. This makes it impossible to tell if they relate directly to each other.
The certificate itself bears the Simply CBD logo, which means it’s either a certificate they’ve produced themselves or they’ve replaced the logo of the third-party lab with their own. As a result, I can’t verify that this is a genuine certificate. Also, the information provided doesn’t give the results of any tests just reports on them; for example, instead of showing the amount of CBD detected, it says that it was 101.9% of the claim on the label. This works out at 407.6mg, but this could be made a lot clearer.
When I contacted Simply CBD on the 27th of July 2021, I asked if there was a certificate available for the muscle salve. They said, “Due to the salve not being an edible product we do not require one; however if you look at the product information tab on the website, it should answer any questions you may have.”
They may not require one, but I consider it essential for any CBD product. Third-party lab certificates allow customers to verify the claims made by brands and, if they include screening for contaminants, can give some reassurance of safety. This is particularly necessary if the product bears the line; ‘The safety of this product has not been determined’. Balms from other brands, such as the Love CBD cannabis-infused balm, come with detailed lab certificates.
I scored this a 0 out of 10 because I couldn’t confirm that third-party lab results were available for either product. For the salve, there is no certificate and for the balm, the certificate has nothing to indicate that it was produced by a third-party lab.
Ease of Use
Peppermint and Eucalyptus CBD Muscle Balm – The Pritt-stick style tube makes this incredibly easy to apply. If you twist the base, the balm rises and allows you to apply it evenly. This minimises the amount you have to rub it in with your hands. I also didn’t feel I was wasting any by getting it on my hands and not the area I was applying it to. Some rubbing in is still required once applied, but it’s significantly less than when you use it with your fingers.
Inside the lid is an extra plastic cap that protects the balm and keeps the top section in shape. I found this tricky to remove and when I did, some of the balm came off with it. Despite this, I found the muscle balm a straightforward product that was a joy to use.
Mint and Rosemary CBD Muscle Salve – This tiny tin is perfect for carrying with you in a pocket. It’s lightweight and seals firmly so it won’t get smeared around inside your clothing. It can be tricky to get the lid off, but this is pretty standard for this type of tin. I always managed to get it off after a couple of tries.
The texture of the salve makes it easy to get a bit on the end of a finger and then rub it in wherever it’s needed. I prefer the application method of the balm, but if you want a small product to carry with you, then the Simply CBD muscle salve is ideal.
Simply CBD Balm/ Salve Fragrance
Both products have strong, menthol-like fragrances. The peppermint and eucalyptus are more intense and lingers longer on your skin, although after about 20 minutes, it’s barely noticeable.
I prefer the milder mint and rosemary scent of the salve; the rosemary takes the edge of the mint and gives it a pleasant depth. Both have a similar scent to CannaWell’s relaxing body balm.
Both have smooth textures and absorb quickly into your skin without leaving any sticky residue.
Potency/ Effectiveness
Mint and Rosemary CBD Muscle Salve – I usually notice aches and pains in my lower back after I’ve been sitting or if I’ve twisted or moved in an uncomfortable way. When I first started using the salve, rubbing it in was pleasant, but I still experienced the pain as normal. However, after three days of applying it three times daily, the salve or the rubbing meant that the movement felt much easier. Although I did get the odd twinge after that, the pain was less frequent and much milder.
Peppermint and Eucalyptus CBD Muscle Balm – When I switched to the balm, the positive effects continued. The only significant difference was that the wide tube let me cover a wider area at one time.
Both products seemed to keep my back pain to a minimum during the time I was regularly using them and for a few days afterward. As with any topical muscle treatment, it’s hard to tell whether it was the product or the regular rubbing that made the most difference.
Value for Money
A 62.4g tube of Peppermint and Eucalyptus CBD Balm contains 400mg of CBD and costs £20. That works out at 5p per mg of CBD. The 20g tin of Mint and Rosemary Muscle Salve holds 200mg of CBD and costs £10. It also works out at 5p per mg of CBD.
Both are the cheapest balms I’ve tried so far and cost significantly less than the Healthspan CBD Balm (11p per mg CBD), Love CBD’s Cannabis-infused Balm (8p per mg CBD) and Blessed CBD Premium CBD Balm (9p per mg CBD).
I enjoyed using both these products and experienced some useful effects. The low price reflects that they’re made with isolate and makes them ideal if you’re on a budget.
How Do Simply CBD Balms Compare?
Simply CBD’s range of balms includes Mint and Rosemary CBD Muscle Salve (200mg CBD in 20g), Peppermint and Eucalyptus CBD Muscle Balm (400mg CBD in 62.4g) and Lavender and Cocoa Butter CBD Balm (300mg in 20g).
Which one you choose will likely depend on your needs. For large problem areas, the tube of the balm is best; for something you can apply on the go, it’s the salve; if you want something to soothe dry skin with a gentler scent, then it’s got to be the Lavender and Cocoa Butter Balm.
Would I Buy Again?
I found these to be well-made products that were affordably priced and easy to use. However, I would much prefer it if the third-party lab results were published for each batch. Simply CBD may have been advised that they’re not necessary for non-edible products, but from a customer’s perspective, they’re a vital way of reassuring us that we’re getting our money’s worth. Whilst good the Simply CBD balms do not make it into our best CBD balm reviews article, here you can find the balms and creams we are happy to recommend to our readers.
Simply CBD Balm Final Scores
Simply CBD muscle Balm & Salve Review
Overall
With pleasant menthol scents, both Simply CBD's balm and salve are easy to apply and produce soothing results when used regularly. They're made with CBD isolate and you can choose from the Peppermint and Eucalyptus Balm with 400mg CBD in 62.4g and the Mint and Rosemary Salve with 200mg in 20g. Disappointingly, there are only lab results available for the balm and they don't display a straightforward cannabinoid profile but a list of interpretations.
Third-party lab results
0
Ease of use
8
Fragrance
6.5
Potency/ effectiveness
8
Value for money
9
Pros
The Muscle Balm tube makes it simple to apply.
Both have a pleasant menthol-like scent.
When rubbed in three times a day, they both soothed my backache.
The small muscle salve tin is ideal for taking with you.
Cons
The flavoured e-liquids are made with CBD and CBG isolate, so they don't provide any other cannabinoids, terpenes or flavonoids.
The lab results for the Muscle Balm showed the Simply CBD logo and not details from the third-party lab.
There was no certificate available for the Muscle Salve.
