For an estimated two thirds of Britons, popping a vitamin pill has become a daily ritual in the pursuit of better sleep, glowing skin and perfect health.
But could an even better way of topping up nutrient levels be through the skin?
In recent years, so-called wellness patches – worn like a plaster on the arm, leg or elsewhere on the body and designed to slowly release ingredients into the bloodstream – have become an increasingly common sight on supermarket shelves.
Infused with vitamins and other nutrients, the patches claim to tackle everything from low energy and weak immunity to anxiety, weight management and period pain.
Celebrity endorsements have helped fuel interest. Meghan Markle has been photographed wearing one on her wrist, while Hollywood star Jennifer Lawrence is reportedly never without them.
Most wellness patches fall into two broad categories: vitamin patches containing nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin C and zinc, and herbal patches infused with ingredients including lavender, eucalyptus, turmeric and glucosamine.
Manufacturers say they use the same technology found in nicotine and hormone replacement therapy patches, arguing that bypassing the digestive system allows ingredients to be absorbed more effectively.
But experts warn the evidence is far from conclusive. So are wellness patches the future of supplements – or simply another expensive fad?
Infused with vitamins and other nutrients, wellness patches claim to tackle everything from low energy and weak immunity to anxiety, weight management and period pain
How do wellness patches work?
Wellness patches are designed to release ingredients steadily through the skin and into the bloodstream over several hours.
Most are made up of several layers – typically a waterproof backing layer that protects the patch, a drug reservoir or matrix, where the active ingredient is stored, and an adhesive layer, which sticks the patch to the skin.
In patches that use a matrix – the most common type – the drug is mixed with a gel or adhesive that allows the active ingredient to slowly diffuse out and into the skin.
In reservoir patches, the drug sits in a liquid or gel reservoir behind a semi-permeable membrane that controls the release rate. Older nicotine patches often used this design.
Professor Penny Ward, an expert in pharmaceuticals at King’s College London, says there is some evidence that certain transdermal technologies can effectively deliver specific vitamins and minerals through the skin.
However, she warns that research into how much of an active ingredient actually reaches the bloodstream, and how that compares with oral supplements, remains limited.
The key issue, experts say, is that the skin is a highly effective barrier.
While it can absorb certain small, fat-soluble molecules, many common supplement ingredients, particularly water-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin C and B vitamins, are not easily absorbed in meaningful amounts this way.
According to consumer watchdog Which? there is currently a lack of robust independent clinical evidence showing that vitamin patches significantly raise nutrient levels in the body or outperform traditional oral supplements.
A handful of small studies exist, but results are mixed, and there is little evidence the patches work long term.
Dr Carrie Ruxton, dietician and co-founder of Salt St Andrews gym, says that while there is widespread risk of nutrient deficiency in the UK, patches are unlikely to solve the problem.
‘While a few studies show that small amounts of iron and Vitamin D can be absorbed from patches, the impact on blood levels is minimal and, for many people, the patches don’t work at all,’ she says.
Why choose a patch over a pill?
Manufacturers argue that patches offer a useful alternative for people who struggle to swallow tablets or who have digestive issues that may affect absorption.
The ‘peel, stick and go’ format is also marketed as a convenient option for those who dislike taking multiple pills.
The wellness patch technology is intended to deliver ingredients gradually through the skin barrier
However, experts say traditional supplements still have far stronger evidence behind them.
Dr Ruxton adds: ‘I would recommend oral supplements rather than patches, unless there is a specific reason why people can’t swallow them, for example in the case of stroke or disabilities.’
The patches also come at a premium. Kind’s Boost Patch costs £12 for a month’s supply, while Boots multivitamin tablets cost £6.60 for six months, meaning 30 days of patches can cost almost as much as a year of pills.
What supplements should you be taking?
Most people should get the nutrients they need from a healthy, balanced diet, although some groups may benefit from supplements.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women, for example, are often advised to take supplements such as folic acid and Vitamin D to support fetal development and maternal health.
‘Key nutrients which we lack are potassium, magnesium, zinc, iodine, Vitamin A and Vitamin D.
‘Up to four in 10 teenagers and adults are clinically deficient in the sunshine vitamin every spring.’
The NHS advises adults and children over four to consider taking a daily 10 microgram Vitamin D supplement during autumn and winter, when sunlight exposure is limited.
Ms Ward adds: ‘In general, people eating a well balanced diet should not need to take vitamin supplements.
‘But individuals with malabsorption, various bowel disorders or those intolerant to dairy foods may require supplements to avoid vitamin deficiency.
‘The patches might be an alternative to oral supplements if needed, but people should seek medical or nutrition advice to check that the dose taken is right for them.’
How are wellness patches regulated?
One of the major concerns surrounding wellness patches is dosage consistency.
Unlike licensed medicines, most wellness patches are not required to demonstrate how much of an active ingredient actually enters the bloodstream or whether it does so at a reliable level.
This makes it difficult to assess their true effectiveness compared with standard supplements.
Experts say this leaves a gap between marketing claims and scientific evidence, particularly as social media-driven wellness trends continue to grow.
Daily Mail previously tested Meghan Markle-linked anti-stress patches and found the effects appeared to be largely placebo-driven, with any feelings of calm proving short-lived.
Some users highly rate the patches, but experts caution that any benefits may simply be down to placebo effects, lifestyle changes or the reassurance of taking proactive steps towards better health.
Overall, experts remain cautious.
While vitamin patches are unlikely to be harmful for most people, there is currently little evidence they are a reliable or better way to deliver nutrients compared with traditional supplements.
