Vitamin Patches: Do They Work?

Vitamin patches: Do they work? 

It’s the type of question most of us would ask before trying a new technology or product — and rightly so. Our health and wellness are valuable, and any change in your routine deserves due diligence.

In short, vitamin patches do work. They are safe and effective when it comes to delivering the nutrients your body needs — but there’s so much more to it than that. When you start digging a little deeper into the vitamin and supplement industry, it’s clear that not only do patches work; they’re a better, healthier alternative to many other methods of delivery. 

So, what should you know about vitamin patches? Do they work, and why you should take them? 

Let’s start at the beginning. 

The History of Vitamins 

The discovery of vitamins wasn’t marked by jaw-dropping breakthroughs or miraculous ah-ha moments — it was a slow and steady process that started in the early nineteenth century and proceeded through the mid-twentieth century. 

While many scientists, chemists, physicians, and epidemiologists contributed to the collective research of vitamins, a Polish biochemist named Casimir Funk became known as The Father of Vitamin Therapy thanks to his studies and experimental research on what he called “deficiency disorders.” Funk ultimately coined the term vitamins (vita meaning life and amine referring to the nitrogenous substances required for life), a name that was officially accepted in 1912 by the scientific community.

In the years that followed, the vitamin business has been nothing short of booming. Online vitamin and supplement sales are projected to reach $20.7 billion in the United States alone, and the market has grown 15.2% per year on average between 2016 and 2021. With that growth came countless options for taking your vitamins: Pills, tablets, gummies, liquids, vitamin-fortified foods, and even IVs are all popular methods of delivery. 

There is, however, one that stands out: vitamin patches.

What are vitamin patches? Do they work?

Vitamin patches, or transdermal patches, are adhesive patches that stick to the skin and contain vitamins and/or medication. They work by releasing those ingredients, which are then absorbed directly through the skin. 

There are many benefits to using patches, including that they are: 

• Easy to apply 
• Safe for those who have trouble swallowing pills
• More comfortable for those with gastrointestinal issues 
• Free from added sugars, fillers, and other unnecessary ingredients

The first transdermal patch to hit the market was the scopolamine patch in the early 1970s for the treatment of motion sickness. Since then, transdermal patches have been used as a delivery method for several other things, including, of course, vitamins! 

Why Patches are Better Than Pills

Now, let’s get to the serious stuff. There might be a lot of options when it comes to taking your vitamins, but not all options are created equal. Many vitamins in pill, tablet, or gummy form contain MORE than just vitamins — and that’s not always a good thing. 

When it comes to unnecessary ingredients, traditional vitamins are notorious for containing harmful additives that can impede the absorption of the actual vitamins, affect your wellbeing, and even cause health problems. Here are a few things to look out for:

Fillers: Contrary to popular belief, vitamin formulations aren’t always as healthy as they appear to be. Keep an eye out for fillers like hydrogenated oils and magnesium stearate, just to name a few. 

Hydrogenated oils, as the name suggests, are oils used to increase the shelf life of your vitamins. They contain trans fats that could affect your cholesterol levels and blood sugar regulation. Magnesium stearate is a “flow agent” that’s added to capsules to prevent them from sticking to one another, and it could potentially inhibit your body’s ability to absorb the actual vitamins in those pills. 

Sugars: If you’re avoiding added sugars in your diet, you might want to take a second look at those vitamin pills. Gummies are the big culprit here and could contain anywhere from three to eight grams of sugar. It might not sound like a lot, but when the recommended daily sugar intake is no more than 24 grams of sugar for women and no more than 36 grams for men, those gummy vitamins can quickly add up.

Artificial Colors: Colors are often added to enhance the “desirability” or preserve the appearance of freshness in your vitamins and supplements. But even though they might look good, they aren’t necessarily good for you. 

Certain artificial colors, such as Red #40, have been linked to hyperactivity in children. Others have been linked to certain types of cancer. Titanium dioxide, which is used for similar reasons as artificial colors, is classified internationally as a carcinogen but still somehow considered safe for consumption by the FDA. 

So, vitamin patches: Do they work? The better question might be: Are they safer than regular vitamins? And that’s a resounding “yes” from us. If you’re ready to choose #PatchOverPills, here are some helpful things to keep in mind.

How to Use OnMi Patches

Incorporating OnMi vitamin patches into your daily routine is fast, easy, and fun for all ages. Here’s how to have the best experience with our patches:

Step 1: Remove the adhesive backing and apply it to a clean, dry area of skin. Take care to avoid hair!

Step 2: Sit back, relax, and let your body absorb the vitamins in your patch.

Step 3: Wear your patch for up to 12 hours. Remove and discard once you’re done with it.

New to Patches? Stick with These Options from OnMi!

Vitamin Support Patch: Get your daily dose of vitamins in patch form. 

Relax Relief Patch: De-stress from a long day at work (or at home).

Sleep Support Patch: Get a good night’s sleep that doesn’t involve counting sheep.

Hangover Relief Patch: Recover from the hurt of last night’s happy hour.

Hemp Patch: The ultimate way to unwind and take it easy.

Vitamin patches: Do they work? Find out for yourself! Sign up for our newsletter and get 15% off your first purchase.