Receptra Naturals Targeted Topical Review

Available in both a tub and a roll-on relief stick (this year, we used the stick), Receptra Naturals’ Targeted topical delivers a soothing, cannabinoid-rich formulation deep into the tissues for fast, long-lasting, localized benefits. After applying the 640mg Targeted Topical Stick to sore elbows, wrists, knees, and other joints, we found this alternative version of their prized topical formulation to be just as effective as the original. It goes on easily, penetrates the skin in seconds, and leaves a pleasant, subtle scent behind.

Receptra Naturals Targeted Topical Review

As mentioned, we tested the 640mg, 2 oz version of Receptra’s Targeted Topical Stick.

Though the product takes a slightly different form, we’re still going to follow our standard topical review format, breaking down the CBD concentration, product packaging, ingredients, scent and texture, value, and effectiveness. 

(Want to learn more about Receptra Naturals and their products? Check out our full brand review of Receptra Naturals!)

Concentration

This Targeted Topical Stick from Receptra comes in a larger quantity (2 oz) than the version that comes in a tub (1.25 oz), but the concentration stays the same at 320mg of CBD per ounce, yielding 640 total milligrams in this case. 

The COA for our particular product reported a total 629.4mg of CBD, 25.5mg of CBG, 27.8mg of CBC, and 49.3mg of delta-9 THC. 

Considering that topicals rarely go over 10 milligrams (mg) of CBD per gram (g) of product (this one has 11.1mg/g), it’s fair to say the Targeted Topical Stick from Receptra is stronger than most. 

Receptra’s Targeted Topical still packs plenty of potency as one of the more strongly concentrated topicals available.

Value

The 640+ mg, 2 oz version of the Targeted Topical Stick retails for $54.99, which clocks in at $0.09/mg and $27.50/oz.

Typically, topicals for relief fall in a range of $0.10/mg – $0.25/mg. Some products can get as high as 50 cents per mg and even more.

The larger quantity of CBD in the 640mg Targeted Topical Stick (and the 400mg tub) keeps prices low in this category.

To provide context, most topicals will cost between $20 and $35 per ounce, a range that Receptra keeps to the bottom or middle of with their high quantities and concentrations. 

At $71.99, the 800mg tub of the same formulation is actually more expensive per ounce ($28.80) than the Targeted Topical Stick, making the stick the best value. 

Packaging

The Targeted Topical comes in a white, 2 oz tube with a screw-on lid and a label.

Between the box and the product label, customers can access ingredient and safety information, use suggestions, and QR codes for lab reports. 

Best of all, when customers scan the code and land on Receptra’s site, they can consult a comprehensive breakdown of how to interpret each test result before they review the COA. 

Ingredients

Here is the ingredient list for the Receptra Targeted Topical Stick: Coconut oil, mango butter, beeswax, jojoba oil, arnica oil, camphor oil, Receptra hemp extract, organic vitamin E, jasmine, ylang ylang, natural plant extracts (for color). 

It’s great to see all-natural ingredients and no artificial flavors or preservatives, but what’s even better in this case is the use of supportive ingredients like vitamin E, beeswax, ylang ylang, arnica oil, and more. 

Vitamin E helps to combat damage to the skin from the sun or other sources by seeking out and eliminating free radicals.

Arnica oil is known to help heal bruises, reduce swelling, and alleviate soreness.

Beeswax, a common ingredient in skin care products for its moisturizing capability, can also promote relief from discomfort according to research from the “Korean Journal of Internal Medicine.”

Coming from the Cananga odorata, a plant found in the Philippines and Indonesia, ylang-ylang can alleviate aches and discomfort, too.

Scent and Texture

Without menthol to run the show, this topical is a little bit more balanced in terms of smell than most, hinting of camphor and a sweet, floral blend of the essential oils.

Overall, the smell is pleasant and not overpowering.

The texture is both smooth and granular, if that makes sense, but the slight roughness quickly gives way to a uniform smoothness when subjected to body heat.  

Once it’s warm, the topical goes on easily and penetrates into the deeper tissues quickly. 

Effectiveness

We used the Targeted Topical Stick to test its effects on aches and discomfort, post-workout soreness, and skin irritation.

We applied the topical once a day after exercise.

Typically, the effects seemed to last at least three hours, if not closer to five.

Aches & Discomfort

Collectively, our team members experience occasional aches in most of the major joints, e.g., knees, hips, elbows, etc.

Throughout the testing period, we applied this topical to several different areas, and the majority of the time, it would start working within roughly 10 to 15 minutes.

Though this product doesn’t create as drastic of a heating and cooling effect as some mentholated over-the-counter topicals, it does produce a mild tingle, and in under 20 minutes, a significant sense of relief. 

One member of our team is consistently affected by hip discomfort, and after a single application before his workout, this topical enabled him to exercise with fewer limitations.

Post-Workout Soreness

We used this Targeted Topical Stick after running and/or lifting weights.

We found it’s better to wait an hour or two after exercise, since muscle soreness can take a few hours to start setting in (variable by person and circumstance, of course); that allowed us to get the most out of the product. 

When we applied the topical 1-2 hours after midday exercise sessions, it relieved evening soreness by about 50% until it was bedtime. 

Irritation

We tested the topical on dry, sensitive skin, and felt relief almost immediately.

Applying just a small amount to the area immediately soothed the itching and discomfort.

It also helped on slightly more serious scrapes or scars, keeping the surrounding skin from drying up, as it tends to do. 

Conclusion

We were pleased, but not surprised to see this slightly less common take on CBD topicals hit high standards in all areas, much like the version we reviewed in 2020. 

As with most of their products, Receptra demonstrated their superior extract and general formulation knowledge, competitive prices, and beginner-friendly messaging with this CBD topical stick.

The fact that this particular hemp extract is both thoroughly vetted by a lab and derived from the most cannabinoid-rich part of the plant makes us that much more confident that it deserves a spot high on the list of the industry’s most impressive topicals. 

It’s affordable, made by a well-reputed and conscientious company, and it actually works—we continue to recommend Receptra’s Targeted Topicals, whichever form they take. 

About Receptra Naturals: Hemp Quality

It may be less cost-effective on the front end to derive your hemp extract from the hemp flower itself (versus the stalks and leaves of the plant, like most other brands), but Receptra benefits in the end because of the resulting bump in quality.

The hemp flower is more dense in cannabinoids, which is why Receptra has made the commitment to hand-shucking their organically grown hemp plants—so they can consistently maintain this level of cannabinoid density and, by extension, overall extract quality. 

In other words, they do it the slower and more expensive way, but the payoff is an extract that yields bountiful, naturally balanced quantities of several cannabinoids, CBD included.

After sourcing their hemp material, Receptra uses ethanol to extract the oil.

Ethanol extraction is a safe method that preserves the cannabinoid and terpene profile of the flower, producing potent and pure products.

Receptra also tests all their products for cannabinoid density and various kinds of contaminants via a third-party lab, who provides them with certificates of analysis (COAs) proving the concentration and safety of their products.

(Want to learn more about Receptra and what they have to offer? Then check out our comprehensive Receptra Naturals brand review!)

Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only. We are not medical experts and nothing should be construed as medical advice. Be sure to speak with your physician before taking CBD or any other treatment.