New to patches? Start here.

How transdermal patches work.

“Transdermal” simply means “through the skin.” A patch brings a formula and a skin-contact layer together in a small, wearable format. Let’s take a look inside—no science degree needed.

Shop all Take a closer look

Four layers. One small patch.

Four soft-cornered square layers of a patch Four square layers with rounded corners, separated to show their structure: clear backing, release-control layer, clear liner and ingredient reservoir. Numbers connect each layer to its explanation below.
  1. Clear backingThe outer cover helps protect the layers beneath.
  2. Release-control layerDesigned to manage how ingredients leave the patch.
  3. Clear linerThe skin-contact layer helps the patch stay in place.
  4. Ingredient reservoirThe layer that holds the vitamins and botanicals.

From the patch to your skin.

Start with contact, then take a closer look at the route used by medical transdermal patches.

  1. Make contact.

    The patch keeps its formula close to the skin. The adhesive helps it stay in place while you wear it.

  2. Move through the skin.

    In transdermal medicines, suitable ingredients move from the patch through the skin. This gradual movement is called diffusion.

  3. Continue the journey.

    After crossing the skin, medicine can reach tiny blood vessels beneath the surface. The formula, patch design and skin all help shape that journey.

A patch resting on a cross-section of skin A rounded patch sits on the skin. Below it, a thin outer surface covers a layer of closely packed cells. Deeper skin contains small branching blood vessels. A dotted curved line illustrates the route used in medical transdermal delivery.
  1. Patch on the skin
  2. Thin outer surface
  3. Layers beneath
  4. Tiny blood vessels
An illustrated cutaway, not to scale. The dotted route shows the general idea of medical transdermal delivery.

A closer look

Meet the layers beneath your patch.

Your skin has layers, each with a job to do. The thin outer surface protects you. Beneath it are living cells and tiny blood vessels.

Transdermal medicines, such as nicotine patches, are designed to use this route. The cutaway shows how a patch sits on the surface and where the journey continues below.

Find your kind of routine.

Choose your moment.

Busy mornings, full days or winding-down time: start with the part of your routine you’d like to keep simple.

Get to know the formula.

Explore the ingredients and pouch details on each product page. A little know-how makes choosing feel easier.

Peel. Place. Carry on.

Keep your patch close at hand and follow the directions on its pouch for placement and wear time.

Shop all

Good questions. Simple answers.

A few useful things to know before choosing your first patch.

Are topical and transdermal the same?

Topical means applied to the skin, as with a moisturiser. Transdermal describes delivery through the skin, as with a nicotine medicine patch. The words describe different ways a skin-applied product is used.

What is inside a patch?

A patch brings a formula, a skin-contact layer and a protective cover together. Our illustrated guide shows four parts: the backing, release-control layer, clear skin-contact liner and ingredient reservoir. Each of our seven formulas has its own complete ingredient list.

How long should I wear a patch?

Wear your patch for up to 24 hours, following its pouch directions. Gently remove and discard it when you’re finished, and choose a slightly different spot for your next patch. Each patch is single-use. Remove it sooner and stop use if your skin feels irritated.

Where should I start?

Start with the part of your day you want to keep simple: Energy for a daytime ritual, Daytime Calm for a daytime pause, or Sleep and Magnesium for an evening routine. Explore a single pouch first, or choose a duo, trio or Seven Stack to have different formulas on hand for different moments.

How and where do I apply a patch?

Choose a clean, dry, relatively hair-free spot—the inner arm is a good example. Peel one patch from its sheet, place it on your skin and press it firmly into place. Use a slightly different spot for your next patch, and avoid broken, damaged, irritated or sensitive skin.

See more

Keep exploring

Curious? Meet your first patch.

Explore individual formulas and ready-made bundles. Find a little addition to your everyday.

Shop all Explore patch history

Sources & a little more reading

The references behind the timeline, skin science and four-layer illustration.

  1. FDA · Transderm Scōp prescribing information (PDF)

    Initial U.S. approval: 1979; motion-sickness indication.

  2. Vision Meditech · Brochure 2025–26, page 5

    “What is a patch?” — the manufacturer’s four-layer technical illustration.

  3. FDA · NicoDerm approval record

    Original approval: 1991; prescription-to-OTC switch: 1996.

  4. Prausnitz & Langer · Transdermal drug delivery

    Nature Biotechnology, 2008. Patch history and the science of delivery through skin.