There are a lot of cool things out there that make us wonder — do they really work? In our I Tried It series, we set out to use them in the real world and have determined that, in fact, they really do.
On Trial: Populum Cold Therapy Hemp Rub
Tester: Danielle St. Pierre, CBD skincare enthusiast and resident guinea pig
The Brief: As the CBD market continues to grow, one sector that's still trending right now in a big way is topical CBD skincare and cosmetics. As an editor who has personally tested a lot of CBD-infused skincare products, I've gotten fairly good at sniffing out a solid ingredient list and finding the products that actually work. I've also gotten quite good at weeding out bullshit products in the CBD health and wellness space that do not quite live up to their bold claims.
When I first stumbled upon Populum's line of CBD wellness products last year, I was immediately attracted to the brand's transparency in regards to product quality, testing standards, and thoughtfully-sourced ingredients. I was impressed with the quality of their Full-Spectrum Hemp CBD Capsules and tinctures, and I found them to be incredibly helpful in managing my occasional restlessness and anxiety. I've even recommended these capsules to coworkers and friends without hesitation based on my own positive experience using them regularly.
So, when the brand reached back out earlier this spring to announce the launch of their newly reformulated Cold Therapy Hemp Rub, I was eager to test it out and add it into my skincare regimen.
Now completely vegan and paraben-free, this hemp rub works just as well as its predecessor, but with a squeaky-clean ingredient list. This cream is made with powerful and natural plant-based ingredients including soothing aloe leaf extract, calming chamomile extract, anti-inflammatory arnica, cooling menthol, and, of course, hemp oil extract.
Although research is still relatively sparse on the long-term benefits of CBD on human skin, studies have found that CBD has powerful anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties — so it makes a lot of sense that Populum would include this ingredient in their cooling cream.
Intended to be used topically for sore muscles and achey joints, this hemp rub has a silky, gel-like consistency that instantly absorbs into the skin and has a soothing, cooling effect. It also has a super fresh, minty smell that adds an additional sensory-soothing layer to the whole application process.
I've used this on my neck and wrists after a day of slouching over my laptop to relieve my soreness, but I actually found this product to be most effective when I used it to help tone down the sting of my sunburned shoulders after a hot afternoon at the park. After applying a few generous dollops and massaging into my neck and shoulders, I felt a pleasantly cooling tingle and my skin felt less inflamed. After 2 days of using this cream, my sunburn had virtually vanished and my skin felt moisturized, hydrated, and refreshed.
While it's important to point out that this product won't prevent a sunburn and should definitely not replace your SPF, it's something to add to your summer skincare arsenal. At $45.00, it's a bit of a splurge, but just a few dollops go a long way, making it a good value. I'll be using a lot more of this stuff this summer.
From massage therapists to consumers suffering from joint issues and muscle soreness, the proof is in the pudding: Take a peek at this product's glowing reviews if you need further convincing.
Populum's philanthropic mission is also well worth mentioning, as the brand participates in an Active Military and Veterans CBD Assistance Program, as well as a Rescued Pets CBD Program initiative. Now that's a brand you can feel really good about supporting.
Closing Argument: If you have achey muscles or sore joints — or maybe you had a little too much fun in the hot afternoon sun — I highly recommend Populum's soothing Cold Therapy Hemp Rub. It's a rare unicorn of a CBD skincare product that actually works.
Read More:
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Playa's New Pure Dry Shampoo Is a Miracle Worker for Second-Day Hair
This Buildable CC Cream Works Wonders for Oily Skin Types
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Danielle is the former food & drink editor for BestProducts.com, where she put her knowledge as a cocktail consultant and connoisseur to use; her work can also be spotted on Thrillist, Food & Wine, and Delish. Prior to joining BestProducts.com in 2016, she was slinging fancy cocktails in Brooklyn, reporting on the best bars and restaurants in the country for Food & Wine magazine, and drinking all the whiskey New York has to offer. Outside of work, you’ll most likely find her catching the end of happy hour at her favorite bars in New York or dreaming up pretty new drink recipes.
