Over recent years CBD has become one of our wellness staples, with oils, gummies and creams made from the cannabis extract all hailed for helping to tackle myriad issues, from sleep, stress and anxiety to chronic pain.
Taken from the plant parts of hemp, CBD has no psychoactive properties, so it won’t get you high – instead, it’s known for naturally helping you achieve a more relaxed state. But while its ingestible forms are fairly well known, one of the most popular ways of taking CBD now is in patch form.
Worn like a nicotine patch, they’re being hailed as the most discrete and effective way of getting your daily CBD dose, especially for those who may not like the taste of CBD – which has an earthy, hemp-like flavour - or those who can’t take oils and ingestibles for medical reasons (thanks to the fact that they’re absorbed through the skin, patches bypass the liver and digestive system, so shouldn’t mess with other medications). But what sets patches apart from the other CBD products on the market? How do they work? And how do you know which ones you should be investing in? Here we decode everything you need to know before buying CBD patches.
Why should I use a CBD patch?
“First of all, the patch technology is a tried and tested method of delivery, as seen in nicotine or vitamin patches and the science is well proven,” says Kim Smith, co-founder of Kloris. “Plus, we just love how practical they are – they’re perfect travel companions as they don’t leak, melt or break, and they’re very simple to use. It’s impossible to get the ‘dosing’ wrong and they are super discrete, which makes things easy for people.”
Available in a variety of different doses, they’re a particularly efficient way to take CBD as the ingredients are continuously released into the skin and bloodstream over a period of time, usually over 24 or 36 hours. Most are transparent, so won’t draw any unwanted attention, and work best when applied to a relatively hair-free patch of skin, such as the inner wrist, shoulder or lower back. Certain patches are specifically tailored for different needs, too, with some designed to help you get a better night’s sleep or recover quicker after an intense workout.
“However, I would always do your homework when trying something for the first time,” cautions Smith. “As with any popular product, there is often a flood to market of rushed versions.” It’s also worth noting that if you are concerned about a specific health issue or other medications, it’s best to speak with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, including CBD.
What are CBD patches used for?
CBD patches can be used for a wide range of different issues. “CBD’s effects on the human endocannabinoid system may help in a variety of ways, including stress and anxiety relief, relaxation, improving sleep, aiding in the menopause, relieving muscle pain, chronic pain, joint pain and menstrual cramps, treating migraines, offsetting nausea, and improving memory and immune function,” explains Smith. “CBD is quite miraculous in that it can interact with endocannabinoid receptors both in the brain and throughout the body, many of which are found in the skin and joints.”
What dosage should I use?
Patches come in a variety of different doses, from as little as 5mg up to as much as 50mg – lower dosages might be used in patches specifically designed to help you sleep better, while higher dosages are more likely to be used to target specific aches and pains. The FSA recommends up to a maximum of 70mg per day of CBD, as while it’s not addictive and you cannot ‘overdose’ on it, there can be mild side effects if too much is taken. And make sure your patch is 100 per cent THC-free, as THC is illegal in the UK.
As everyone reacts differently to CBD, the key is to find the right dosage that works for you. “We recommend you start low and build up until you find your individual sweet spot,” says Smith. “And it’s completely safe to use more than one patch at a time – when I have menstrual cramps, I’ll put two on my lower back, for example - as well as mix and match them with other vitamin or supplement patches.”
How do you know if CBD patches are safe to use?
The world of CBD can be fairly confusing thanks to the multiple different products, strains and strengths currently on the market – even the CBD producers themselves have been known to liken it to a semi-cowboy market. Smith says the main thing is to do your research before buying any CBD products, including patches. “A product or brand should offer numerous touch points of transparency to show its level of quality,” she says. “These include free sharing of information such as sourcing, independent lab reports for each batch, robust and efficient customer service, and authentic customer testimonials that are easy to find.”
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CBD One Release CBD Patches
This family-run business, founded by brothers Nick and Alex, was started after they saw first-hand just how much CBD helped their brother Deno in his battle with Multiple Sclerosis. After his death, CBD One was set up in his honour as a way of delivering high quality, no-nonsense CBD products to customers in the UK. The CBD patches come in two different strength levels: 15mg patches and double-strength 30mg patches.
First introduced around 18 months ago, the patches have quickly gone on to become one of the brand’s most popular offerings, with customers swearing by them for joint issues, sport recovery and improved sleep. They’re the only one of the products to contain CBD isolate rather than full spectrum CBD, so you can rest assured that you’re getting nothing other than pure CBD in each patch. They recommend using one of the brand’s oils alongside their patches for the full ‘Entourage Effect’, where you get cannabinoids and compounds working together.
30 patches at 15mg.
Buy now £29.99, CBD One
KLORIS Menopause Support Patches
Menopause comes with a bevy of nasty side effects, from night sweats to hot flushes, brain fog and muscle aches - which is why women need all the help they can get to ease their symptoms.
KLORIS’ Menopause Support Patches are discrete patches that can be worn daily that offer a slow release of botanical active ingredients including Gotu Kola (combats stress and anxiety), Damiana (enhances sexual health), Black Cohosh (reduces hot flushes), and Valerian (improves sleep), among others.
Each pack offers 30 days of patches for £30, and you can get a subscription so they arrive right at your door just when you need them.
Buy now £30.00, KLORIS
Kloris 24-Hour Release CBD Patches
This London-based brand has won multiple awards for its CBD products and they’re known for being trailblazers in the luxury CBD world thanks to their excellent formulations and beautifully designed packaging. The label’s popular CBD patches have gone on to be bestsellers since launching and come in two varieties: the 24-hour Release Patches, which have been designed to target aches and pains, and the Sleep Support Patches, aimed at helping you drift off into a gentle slumber.
Both of their patches have been blended with different ingredients to help achieve optimal results, with the 24-hour Patches combining turmeric and resveratrol, known to aid inflammation and joint health, and the Sleep Patches using calming compounds of valerian, passionflower and hops to help you get a better night’s kip.
Both of the patches are relatively low dosage – there’s 16mg of CBD in the 24-hour Patches, and 5mg in the Sleep Patches – so we’d recommend using two patches at a time if you’re looking for something stronger. Sustainable credentials are at the heart of this brand, meaning the patches and all of the packaging are fully biodegradable.
14 patches
Buy now £48.00, Kloris
CBD by British Cannabis CBD Patches
These CBD patches are some of the strongest currently on the market, with each one containing 50mg of CBD, so are a good option for seasoned CBD users who know their sweet spot is fairly high. Made by the award-winning CBD by British Cannabis, these patches have more of a medical vibe than some of the other brands on this list – each of the products has been specifically developed for pharmacies, the handy CBD guide was created in partnership with TV’s Dr Christian Jessen and even the white, gauzy patches themselves look more like a medical dressing than a CBD patch.
Each patch is packed full of 50mg of pure cannabis-extracted CBD – taken from their own cannabis farms in Portugal – as well as 17 natural plant terpenes and essential oils, blended to promote a sense of relaxation and wellbeing. Dermatologist-approved and hypoallergenic, this is the one to go for if you’re looking for a more potent CBD patch.
10 patches.
Buy now £39.99, FeelUnique
Tower Health CBD Patches
These little patches might not be transparent like some of the others on the market – instead, they look more like a traditional pink plaster – but they’re still a discrete, waterproof and hypoallergenic way to get your daily dose of CBD. As well as containing 12mg of high strength CBD oil and hemp oil, they’re also blended with a range of natural ingredients specifically chosen for their pain-relieving properties.
One of the more unusual ingredients you’ll find in the patches is pomegranate, which recent studies have shown can reduce symptoms of arthritis by decreasing joint tenderness and swelling – something CBD is also known to be particularly good for. Alongside that there’s anti-inflammatory turmeric and antioxidant-rich green tea, which can help reduce blood fat levels and improve brain health. All in all, it’s a mighty cocktail to find in one small patch.
30 patches.
Buy now £10.49, Chemist Direct
Disciple CBD Miracle Patches
This wellness brand was started by psychotherapist Charlotte Ferguson and sells a wide range of products alongside its hugely popular CBD offerings, including face oils, cleansers and exfoliating masks. The CBD Miracle Patches are among the bestselling products, along with their Miracle Drops CBD oil, which comes in three different strengths: 250mg, 500mg and 1000mg. Disciple liken using one of its 8mg patches to taking the entry level 250mg oil once a day.
Fully transparent and unfailingly discrete, the patches have been designed to help alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety, with the full spectrum cannabidiol chosen for its anti-inflammatory, calming and soothing properties. Due to the relatively low dosage, these are the perfect option for wellness-loving beginners looking to make their first foray into the world of CBD.
30 patches.
Buy now £30.00, lookfantastic
CBD Brothers
This market-leading company is the oldest provider of cannabis extracts in the country and was the first supplement company in the UK to be given a license to grow full spectrum cannabis, which the brand does on the Ise of Guernsey – so you know the products are as trustworthy as they come. CBD Brothers sells everything from oils and capsules to gummies and balms (there are even hemp dog treats for pets!), and have now added CBD patches to the offering.
Each discrete, transparent patch contains 15mg of CBD and is effective for up to 36 hours, which is longer than many other patches on the market. The brand only uses the highest quality CBD from organically cultivated hemp and recommends using its patches in conjunction with the oils and capsules if you’re after a stronger effect – though one patch should be more than enough to see you through the day if you’re new to CBD.
30 patches.
Buy now £27.00, CBD Brothers
Cannacares CBD Patches
Cannacares was one of the first adopters of CBD patches in the UK, and after seeing how popular they proved the brand recently designed a whole new collection of patches set to launch in November that offers a wider range of dosages – starting from 20mg of CBD all the way up to 50mg – and a newly-improved transparent design (the first patches look more like traditional plasters).
Cannacares uses world-leading broad-spectrum CBD in its patches, the same as you’ll find in the similarly popular oils, capsules and vapes. The patches – which steadily deliver CBD over a 24-hour period – are a great option for those who can’t stomach the taste of CBD, or don’t want to have to ‘top up’ three to four times a day, as is the case with most ingestibles.
10 patches at 20mg.
Buy now £40.00, Cannacares
Brown’s CBD Slow-Release CBD Patches
This UK-based brand’s ethos is built on three specific pillars: transparency, affordable prices and customer care. That means they’re more than happy to supply lab certificates for all of their products, as well as answer any questions you might have via the live chat function on their website. And they pride themselves on delivering high quality products at reasonable prices, which is why they’re the most affordable option on this list.
The transparent, biodegradable patches come in two strengths – 15mg and 30mg – and are made from organically grown hemp, so you can rest assured there are no pesticides or heavy metals in them. Out of the entire range, the brand say the transdermal patches are the most affordable way of taking pure CBD, as they’re absorbed straight into the bloodstream. Capsules and ingestibles, meanwhile, commonly waste up to 90 per cent of orally ingested CBD. It’s a no-brainer.
30 patches at 15mg.
Buy now £20.99, Brown’s CBD
Amma Life CBD Patches
Award-winning wellness brand Amma Life sells a broad range of CBD products, from oils, gummies and water-soluble sprays to delicately floral CBD teas. The CBD patches are available in two different strengths – 15mg and the newly released 30mg – and are designed to slowly release CBD through the skin for up to 12 hours. The label recommends putting them on at night to get your CBD hit while you sleep.
Each patch is made from CBD isolate taken from the cannabis plants Amma Life grows with specialist hemp farmers throughout Europe, and each one is hypoallergenic, waterproof and vegan-friendly. If you’ve got a particular ache or pain, try using the patches in conjunction with the CBD muscle balm, which contains a blend of CBD, camphor oil, peppermint oil and rosemary oil to soothe aching muscles.
30 patches at 15mg.
Buy now £29.99, Amma Life
Verdict
Our top pick for both beginners and those looking for a higher strength option would be family-run CBD One’s CBD patches, which are made with the highest-grade CBD isolate. In terms of wellness offerings, Kloris’s CBD patches tick all the boxes for their targeted approach and effective blend of ingredients.
