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Welcome to Skimm Tested, where we put products to the test and then give 'em a report card. (Check out all of our tried and tested faves here.)
The assignment…
To see if The Good Patch patches are an effective, go-to resource when you’re dealing with common ailments. The wellness patches include options like Think, Hemp Queen, and Nite Nite.
Straight A’s in…
Variety. The Good Patch has so many different patches to try — from ones for your cycle to something that’ll soothe hangover symptoms after a late night out.
Effectiveness. Many patches produced a noticeable difference. One editor noted that Think made her feel much more energetic come the afternoons, allowing her to totally skip the typical 3 pm slump. She also loved how quickly Nite Nite made her feel sleepy. Another editor experiences harsh symptoms leading up to her period (body aches, extreme fatigue), and said that B12 Awake really provided her with a steady boost of energy without jitters. She also noted that Be Calm subtly soothed her and made her feel more steady when she was feeling some physical side effects of anxiety.
Ingredients. Each vegan patch is also gluten-, paraben- , and latex-free, and dermatologically tested. Batches are independently tested for quality.
Discreetness. Patches can be applied to clean, venous skin, so The Good Patch recs the inside of the wrist. Overall, patches are pretty discreet, especially if you’re wearing long sleeves or a watch. Note that patches range in color (some lighter than others), so depending on your skin tone, some may stand out more.
Room for growth…
Packaging. We would prefer that the packaging included some kind of description entailing the expected benefits. Ingredients and directions are listed, but if you’re just picking up the package, you might not necessarily know how they’re supposed to make you feel or what they target.
Effectiveness. While it may seem counterintuitive to have this in both the strengths and weaknesses section, hear us out: Some patches proved to really work, and some didn’t appear to have much of an effect. One editor didn’t react well to Relax; she experienced some skin sensitivity and light burning, and ended up removing the patch after three hours of wear. Another editor didn’t notice much of a difference while wearing Revive. Ultimately? We think effectiveness and reactions will differ from person to person.
Size and stickiness. Some patches could work better in a different shape and size, like Soothe. While testing this, one editor noted that if you’re dealing with aches and pains in certain areas (like your lower back), it would be useful to have a larger patch spanning that section of the body. This patch in particular also left behind a residue that took some scrubbing to entirely remove.
Plays well with…
Those who deal with certain symptoms — like cramps, low energy, or periods of heightened nervousness — and want relief that lasts through the day without taking something orally.
Anyone who has an interest in wellness products that include plant-based ingredients.
Gets extra credit for…
Offering something for everyone. You can sign up for a subscription, build a personalized bundle, or try out a starter set if you’re a first-time buyer. Looking to improve your sleep? Choose the Family Zzz pack. Wanna steer away from hemp altogether? There’s also a set for that.
How we did our homework…
Two Skimm HQ’rs tested a range of patches over the course of a month. They split up the collection of patches so that both editors could test options intended for the same thing. For example, one editor wore Be Calm while the other tried Relax. Both took detailed notes while wearing each patch, paying special attention to how they felt during and after the 12-hour wear time. Both editors also noted any skin sensitivities and residue left behind by the patches. They ranked the patches in order of effectiveness, also taking note of the ones that seemed to have a lesser effect on their physical and emotional state.
Footnotes…
Products have not been FDA-approved
Patches should be stored in a cool, dry place
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