What You Need To Know About Vitamin Patches

What’s the latest?

Vitamin patches are the newest arrival on the supplement scene, offering a convenient way to keep your health on track. A vitamin patch may seem out there, but if you already use magnesium salts in your bath and a vitamin D spray during the winter, chances are you’re already au fait with taking supplements in alternative ways. Known as transdermal application – as opposed to say, taking a capsule orally – research shows some vitamins and minerals could be better absorbed via the skin, making them more effective. For example, a study by the Nutrition Journal found vitamin absorption via oral sprays is almost three times higher compared to capsules. Plus, when you take a tablet, it must first travel through your digestive system, where a lot of its potency can be lost due to the stomach’s acidity. In short, a vitamin patch could be the health boost you’re looking for.

So, what’s on offer?

Whether you’re looking to support your energy levels, immune system or skin health, there’s a vitamin patch that can help. TheVitCo is one of the UK’s leading vitamin patch brands, offering different formulas for everything from joint pain to hangovers. CEO and founder Peter Love tells us there are clear advantages to using a patch over taking a capsule. “Up to 90% of the vitamins – or nutrients – are absorbed directly by the skin when using a patch as opposed to 30% when in tablet form,” he says. “Plus, patches offer a steady absorption rate as opposed to a direct hit that can come with a tablet; they are easier to remember than capsules; and there’s no bad taste and no need to swallow, making them handy for those who dislike taking capsules. Generally, they are more convenient for an on-the-go lifestyle and are useful for travelling too.” Leading acupuncturist and wellness expert Ross J Barr, meanwhile, offers patches infused with ancient herbs – his Calm and Healing patches are bestsellers on online health emporium Victoria Health. “Patches enable a controlled, focused release of nutrients in safe quantities, and you can feel the results within a couple of minutes. The Calm patches, for example, contain safflower to soothe and reduce inflammation and white peony and peach to instantly relax mind and body.”

How do you use them?

“Wear them like you would a nicotine patch,” advises Papillon Luck, founder of JetFuel and supplement expert. “Apply your patch on clean, dry skin, before body moisturiser. Certain patches can be applied to the upper chest or the upper, outer arm, while others can be placed on the lower abdomen, hip, shoulders or back. As soon as you apply the patch on your skin, the heat generated by the body activates the formula, which moves the nutrients from the patch to the capillaries beneath the skin,” she explains. Ross also recommends applying your patch directly to the area of concern or to an acupuncture point so you can support the body at a deeper physiological level. He also recommends massaging the patch from time to time to reinvigorate the herbs and nutrients within. If you have multiple concerns, you can wear more than one patch at a time, but just be sure they don’t physically overlap.

How long should you wear them for?

It depends on the brand – different brands recommend different durations, but they can generally be worn for around eight hours, through the day or night. “If you are using a patch for pain relief, this can be particularly effective in the evening,” says Peter. “Just remember to replace your patch every 24 hours. After you’ve removed the patch, some adhesive or residue may remain on the skin, but this will wash away easily with soap and warm water.”