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Category: Cbd patches

People regularly ask us where the CBD patches are, and the answer is that we don’t sell them. They look like a plaster: you stick one on and get on with your day. Simple enough, though the rules around them in the UK are less simple.

What are CBD patches?

A CBD patch is an adhesive patch, usually a few centimetres across, containing CBD (cannabidiol, the non-intoxicating compound from hemp). You stick it on a clean, fairly hairless area of skin and leave it in place for a set time, often somewhere between 12 and 72 hours depending on the brand.

You’ll see two kinds described:

  • Topical patches, which are meant to keep CBD in the skin where the patch is.
  • Transdermal patches, which are designed to push CBD through the skin and into the bloodstream, using ingredients called penetration enhancers.

How do CBD patches work?

Your skin is a very good barrier. That’s its job. The outer layer, the stratum corneum, keeps most things out, and CBD is a fairly large, fat-loving molecule that doesn’t pass through skin easily on its own.

Transdermal patches get around this in two ways. First, they hold the CBD against one small area for many hours. Second, they include ingredients that make the skin’s outer layer temporarily more permeable. Some use a reservoir of CBD behind a membrane that controls how quickly it’s released, others mix the CBD into the adhesive itself.

Researchers are interested in transdermal delivery because it skips the digestive system and the liver’s first pass, which is where a lot of swallowed CBD is lost. Several of the papers in our reference list look at the different technologies being developed. But most of this work is still in the lab, and good human studies on the CBD patches sold in shops are scarce.

Why are people interested in CBD patches?

Mostly it’s convenience. You put a patch on in the morning and that’s it, with no drops to count and no gummies to remember. Nobody can see it under a sleeve, and there’s no smell or vapour. Patches are also designed to release CBD slowly over several hours rather than all at once, and you avoid the earthy taste of CBD oil altogether.

What we can’t tell you is that patches treat pain, anxiety, sleep problems or anything else. You’ll find plenty of websites selling “CBD patches for pain” or “for sleep”, but CBD products in the UK aren’t licensed medicines, and those kinds of claims aren’t allowed.

Are CBD patches legal in the UK?

CBD itself is legal in the UK, and CBD products can be sold as long as they’re made from permitted hemp extracts and contain no more than 1mg of THC and other controlled cannabinoids per container.

Patches are trickier than most CBD products, though. CBD oils and gummies are regulated as food, and creams and balms as cosmetics. A transdermal patch designed to get CBD into your bloodstream doesn’t fit neatly into either category. A cosmetic is supposed to act on the skin, not deliver ingredients into the body, and a product that does that and claims a health benefit could be classed as a medicine, which would need a licence from the MHRA. That grey area is one reason so few UK shops sell patches, and why you should be wary of any patch sold with health claims.

Risks and side effects of CBD patches

  • Skin irritation. The adhesive and penetration enhancers can cause redness, itching or a rash, especially if you use the same spot repeatedly.
  • Unclear dosing. The mg on the box is the total in the patch, not how much reaches your bloodstream, and that varies with the product, your skin and where you put it.
  • The usual CBD side effects. If a patch does get CBD into your blood, side effects can include tiredness, dry mouth and stomach upset.
  • Medication interactions. CBD in the bloodstream can interact with some medicines. Speak to your GP or pharmacist first if you take anything regularly.
  • Quality. As with any CBD product, check there’s an independent lab report showing CBD content and THC levels.

How to use a CBD patch

1. Choose the right patch

Check the total CBD, how long it’s meant to be worn, whether it’s full spectrum (contains trace THC) or broad spectrum/isolate (THC removed), and that there’s a lab report.

2. Clean and prepare the area

Pick an area with good blood flow and little hair, such as the inside of your wrist, upper arm, shoulder or lower back. Wash with soap and water and dry thoroughly. Avoid moisturiser on that spot, as it stops the patch sticking.

3. Apply the patch

Peel off the backing without touching the sticky side, press it on and hold it firmly for 20 to 30 seconds so the edges seal.

4. Leave it on for the stated time

Follow the instructions on the pack. Most patches can get wet briefly in the shower, but long soaks and swimming can loosen them.

5. Keep an eye on your skin

If you notice itching, redness or soreness, take the patch off and don’t use that spot again.

6. Remove and dispose of it carefully

Peel slowly, fold the sticky sides together and put it in the bin out of reach of children and pets. Use a different spot for your next patch.

Patches vs creams, oils and gummies

Format How it’s used Regulated as Measuring
Patch Worn on the skin for hours Unclear (see above) Hard to know how much is absorbed
Cream or balm Massaged into skin Cosmetic Use as much or as little as you like
Oil Drops under the tongue Food supplement Adjustable, drop by drop
Gummies Chewed and swallowed Food supplement Fixed amount per gummy

Why we don’t sell CBD patches (for now)

We like to stock products we can lab test, label properly and explain clearly to customers, and that fit cleanly within UK rules. Patches don’t tick those boxes yet, and most of our customers go for creams, gummies and oils anyway. If that changes, or a patch comes along that we’re happy with, we’ll get them in. If you’d like us to stock them, tell us in the shop or send us a message. We do read them.

What we’d suggest instead

  • For something on the skin: our CBD balms and creams, from 1000mg to 5000mg, plus a CBD and CBG cream. Read CBD balm or cream? for help choosing.
  • For a fixed, measured amount: CBD gummies, where every gummy contains the same amount.
  • For flexibility: CBD oils, which let you adjust a drop at a time.

The FSA advises healthy adults to keep to 10mg of CBD a day or less from food products like oils and gummies.

FAQs

Do CBD patches actually work?

Transdermal patches can deliver some CBD through the skin, but how much varies a lot between products, and there’s very little independent research on the patches sold in shops. No CBD patch is licensed to treat anything in the UK.

What’s the difference between full spectrum and broad spectrum patches?

Full spectrum patches contain everything from the hemp extract, including trace THC. Broad spectrum patches have the THC removed. If you’re drug tested, broad spectrum or isolate is the safer choice, although nothing is guaranteed.

How long does a CBD patch last?

Most are designed to be worn for 12 to 72 hours. Check the pack.

Are CBD patches safe?

Most people tolerate them, but skin irritation is common, and you should check with your GP or pharmacist first if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or take any medication.

Can I cut a CBD patch in half?

Only if the manufacturer says so. With some designs, cutting the patch can release the CBD unevenly.

Not medical advice. CBD is sold as a food supplement or cosmetic, not a medicine, and our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References