Every day there is a new product promising a quick fix or cure-all to our problems, and the wellness industry is rife with trendy products that talk a big game while talking you out of big money. Can vitamin patch companies live up to their promises, or will they leave you high and dry?
From understanding the science behind these trendy patches to how to use them, we've got all the deets you need to make empowered choices for your wellness journey. Let's dive in and discover if this trend is worth your time and money.
What is a vitamin patch?
No, we’re not talking about pimple patches. Vitamin skin patches are a type of transdermal (aka “through the skin”) patch that you can stick on your skin to absorb vitamins and nutrients into your body.
How do transdermal skin patches work?
Don’t worry, we read the long, science-y studies and articles so you don’t have to—plus, we know a thing or two about vitamins.
Basically, transdermal vitamin patches contain compounds - a drug or medicine - in a reservoir that is on the sticky side of the patch that adheres to your skin. An impermeable backing on the other side ensures you don’t lose any compound and no outside substances can compromise it. Once adhered, the patch targets the circulatory system beneath your skin to deliver that compound into your bloodstream, where it can travel through your body and get it where it needs to go.
Some of the drugs most often used in transdermal patches include:
- nicotine (quitting smoking)
- clonidine (high blood pressure)
- scopolamine (nausea)
- cannabis (pain relief, anxiety, mood stabilization, or just for recreational use)
Compounds have to be teeny tiny on the molecular level and fat-soluble in order to get through your skin, which exists primarily to protect you and keep foreign substances out of your body and bloodstream. Those drugs we listed above such as nicotine and scopolamine are molecularly small and fat-soluble, which allows them to get through your skin to your circulatory system.
Where do I stick this thing?
Most transdermal patches, whether for vitamins or medications, will come with instructions—and yes, you need to read the fine print. Some patches may recommend specific placement, such as the upper chest, outer arm, inner arm, lower abdomen, or even on the hip.
You’ll also want to think about:
- Your own comfort - especially if you don’t want the patch to be visible to others
- Sensitive skin or injuries that will be further irritated by a patch
- If the area will be “worn down” by clothing, rubbed or mixed with sweat, possibly reducing its efficacy or stickiness
- Hair that might hurt on removal (ouch) or was recently shaved, as experts say you should wait three days after shaving before applying a patch to an area
Recommendations also include:
- Never going “double duty” on patches, one is enough
- Removing used patches promptly
- Not submerging the patch - showering is ok, but you don’t want to the patch to be in water for too long since it might loosen or fall off
- Avoiding heating pads on top of patches—heat can hasten the rate the compound in the patch is released and possibly impact effectiveness
If you have concerns about patch application or any side effects, we recommend consulting your doctor and/or dermatologist for their expert advice.
Are vitamin patches FDA approved?
The FDA does not approve cosmetics, so no. While the FDA regulates sales of dietary supplements, the FDA does not approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness or their labeling before they are sold to the public. Vitamin patches are considered dietary supplements, and therefore are not generally reviewed and are not “approved” by the FDA. To ensure you are using a dietary supplement product that promises health benefits, we recommend speaking to your doctor before deciding to use it.
So, do vitamin skin patches actually work or are they just another spendy trend?
We’ll be honest: there is very little evidence to support that vitamin patches work. In our research, we found one study that indicates that it is possible (specifically with Vitamin D3) and another study that said that such patches proved inefficient in preventing micronutrient deficiencies in their patients.
In plain language, sometimes you might ask two separate friends for advice on what to do about that “u up?” text, they give you conflicting answers, and you feel like you need a third (or fourth, or fifth opinion). In the case of vitamin patches, there simply haven’t been enough studies to rely on their findings; we need more information and experts to weigh in before we can truly understand the efficacy of these products.
While we haven’t found compelling evidence that vitamin patches will help, they do however seem unlikely to harm you. Some users might experience a light side effect such as skin irritation from the adhesive used, but experts note that while “too much of some vitamins can be toxic, overdosing via vitamin patches doesn’t seem to be a realistic fear.”
TL;DR
If you feel excited about trying out the latest in wellness innovation, we salute you, trendsetter! But from our research, vitamin patches don’t seem likely to work well to deliver vitamins, and certainly not as effectively as traditional oral supplements like gummies, capsules, or tablets.
You don’t need to be the early bird on every health trend, so feel free to wait for more information on vitamin patches before you commit. Whether you dive into patches or not, if you’re looking to support your lifestyle with vitamins…you know where to find us.
