Sticker Shock of Skincare Science

A range of transdermal patches are flooding the wellness market. But do they work?

- RIDDHI DOSHI

Move over green juice and collagen coffee—the hottest wellness flex right now doesn’t come in a bottle or a cup. Say hello to skin patches those chic little stickers that claim to boost your sleep, brighten your complexion, and maybe even make you glow like Beyoncé.

Stick one on your arm, thigh, or wherever feels subtly stylish, and voila—vitamins, collagen, calming herbs, even detox blends are supposed to seep straight into your bloodstream while you nap or run errands. Of course, the idea isn’t entirely new—nicotine and motion sickness patches have been around for decades. But here’s the million-rupee question: Do they actually work?

It depends.