While the ‘transdermal’ method has been used for years in HRT treatment and nicotine replacement, the official science research is still undecided on the efficacy of transdermal as a method of delivery for certain vitamins, due to their molecular size (for any molecule to be absorbed through the skin it needs to be below 500 daltons in weight).
Treating everything from period pain to sleep, the slew of patches on the wellness market are appealing to those who want an easy, quick fix – without the hassle of dosage, liquids or nasty after-tastes.
Other benefits include the lack of ‘filler’ or bulking agents in patches that are so often used to fill up capsules. These can be a minefield for those with specific dietary requirements, including vegans and coeliacs, and have no wellness benefits. Patches only infuse the active ingredients, making them a great ‘peace of mind’ option.
Whilst their efficacy is still up for debate amongst scientists, the fact they are delivered straight into the bloodstream via the skin means they bypass the digestive system which can often breakdown any beneficial properties. The main issues up for contention by medics are molecular size and absorption, as well as the dosage that patches can realistically deliver, and if it is high enough to be of any real benefit.
It can’t be argued however, how easy patches are to administer, a quick ‘slap and go’ method, they are a great option for those who prefer to swerve those bottles of vitamins in the cupboard if they find swallowing pills tricky.
Want to give wellness patches a whirl? Here are 9 to try for a range of wellbeing needs.
Main image: Kind Patches
