Stick-on vitamin patches are everywhere—but do they actually do anything?

The pop culture syllabus has expanded, and it’s time for a revision. Stanley Cup, the modern chalice, is responsible for hydration. Matcha is replacing the coffee craze (still debating), and Labubus are holding tight. Now, wearable wellness is the next one to slip into the zeitgeist. Selling the dream of wellness on the go, vitamin patches are the latest discovery in the pursuit of self-care (post the cutesy little stars and hearts glorifying your pimple).

THE VOID

Each one of our childhood memories envisions a face trying to swallow vitamins begrudgingly. Thank god for the evolved flavours! Speaking of vitamins, it seems our daily supplements have fallen prey to a much easier phenomenon—transdermal supplement patches, or, as Gen Z prefers, vitamin patches. This patch club offers you to combat the deficits of low vitamins in your body when applied to strategic areas. “These adhesive patches are designed to deliver nutrients like B12, vitamin D, and sometimes herbal adaptogens through the skin using transdermal technology,” says Dr Jaishree Sharad, celebrity cosmetic dermatologist and author, breaking down the definition of these patches.

Slapping on these stick-on patches might be a quick fix, helping you steer clear of the tedious reminder of taking your vitamins, but something tells us it’s not for everyone. “May be useful for individuals with nutrient malabsorption, IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), or nausea,” says nutritionist Dr Lovneet Batra. Upon application, the adhesive layer of the patch contracts with the body heat, followed by facilitating the absorption of lipophilic nutrients from the patch matrix into the skin’s lipid-dense environment, giving us easy access to nutrients. From assisting you to sleep, levelling up the commonly low vitamins (B12 and D), to reducing stress and fatigue, these are a few claims made by these transdermal patches. But despite all the chatter and the aesthetic appeal of these patches, experts express reservations about their effectiveness.

THE FLIP SIDE

By all means, stick those patches on—just with the caveat of seeking expert guidance first. Being an avid user of menstrual or heat patches for months, my journey went from feeling relieved at first to later realising it was likely due to the placebo effect. That said, having had two sides of every coin, the other dictates a different narrative—they may never make it beyond your gut. “Vitamin patches may look like a clever shortcut, but our skin is designed to keep most substances out, not let them in. Except for a few small, fat-soluble molecules, most vitamins simply can’t penetrate deeply enough to have a meaningful effect,” points out Dr Jamuna Pai, cosmetic physician, author and Founder of SkinLab. They may offer convenience, but they are not getting an enthusiastic nod to qualify as alternatives to oral supplements or whole foods yet. “These patches rely on transdermal absorption, which may work only for certain small, lipid-soluble nutrients (Coq10, Melatonin, CBD) and may not work for large or water-soluble molecules (Vitamin C, iron, zinc, calcium, B-complex),” asserts Dr Batra.

This patch party may have made some impact on medical results, but it is yet to convince our skin barrier. “While promising in medicine, their role in skincare lacks strong evidence. PubMed-backed research shows limited absorption for most beauty-related vitamins, especially large or water-soluble ones like collagen or vitamin C. Despite popular claims, benefits like glowing skin or hair growth aren’t clinically proven,” Dr Sharad adds. Likewise, putting your faith in patches to fight fatigue or fix sleep cycles isn’t as credible as you may think.

In my case, my inquisitive self got lured into the talk around sleep patches. While I did have a promising first week, their impact paled in comparison to the simple act of dialling down my screen time. Backing the findings, Dr Sharad adds, “While the concept is promising, especially in medical applications, the evidence for their effectiveness in addressing fatigue, stress, or immunity is still quite limited. Studies do show some minor improvements in serum B12 levels with patch use, which could help boost energy, particularly in deficient individuals. But when it comes to broader concerns like stress reduction or immune support, most of the key ingredients, such as vitamin C, zinc, or herbal compounds, don’t penetrate the skin efficiently due to their size or chemical properties.”

THE FINAL WORD

Thriving on popular demand, vitamin patches have earned their spot fair and square on the wellness radar, and they might check the pretty, portable, and promising boxes, but they’re still a few trials short of taking charge. So, love them, try them, even flaunt them, but trading them for clinically proven or oral treatments is something we are not ready to do yet.

Lead image: Pexels

This article first appeared in the October 2025 print edition of Harper's Bazaar India

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