There’s also very little evidence to suggest that all nutrients can be absorbed properly through the skin in general, meaning that the whole premise of a wellness patch could be built on rocky ground. Our skin is our main protective barrier against germs and dirt, and it also holds everything together – water, nutrients, organs etc. If we had skin that absorbed every molecule that came our way, we’d be in medical trouble.

This idea of transdermal absorption isn’t anything new; there are endless magnesium sprays, lotions and bath formulas out there that claim the mineral can penetrate the skin effectively. A 2017 review in the journal Nutrients, however, concluded that “transdermal magnesium is scientifically unsupported” and that oral magnesium supplementation is superior.

Other substances like vitamins D and B12 are said to be suited for transdermal patches thanks to their low molecular weight. “Conversely, molecules like vitamin C are water-soluble and have difficulty penetrating lipid-rich barriers like skin, so the patches would need to be carefully designed to ensure transdermal delivery and absorption,” Daly says.

Are wellness patches a better alternative to oral supplements or just another trend failing to stick?