How Do Transdermal Patches Work?

Transdermal (through the skin) delivery is a modern wellness solution that allows active ingredients to be absorbed through the skin and into the body's circulation, bypassing the digestive process.

Unlike traditional supplements that must travel through the stomach and digestive tract, transdermal patches deliver ingredients directly through the skin over time.

Transdermal delivery technology has been used for decades in products such as nicotine, hormone, motion sickness, and pain relief patches. Patchify® applies the same delivery concept to everyday wellness products.

Understanding the 500 Dalton Rule

Molecules with a molecular weight below approximately 500 Daltons (Da) are generally considered the most likely to pass through intact skin.

This is known as the 500 Dalton Rule, one of the most widely recognised concepts in skin-delivery research.

Many of the active ingredients used in Patchify® formulations fall within this traditionally accepted molecular weight range.

Built on Published Scientific Research

Patchify® patches are designed using established principles of transdermal delivery science. Our goal is simple: to deliver active ingredients through the skin in a convenient, steady and easy-to-use way.

Our approach to transdermal delivery is informed by decades of published research, including the studies below, which have helped shape modern understanding of transdermal absorption.

500 Dalton Rule

Bos & Meinardi (2000) established the widely accepted principle that molecules below approximately 500 Daltons are generally the most likely to penetrate intact human skin.

Skin Penetration Studies

Schepky et al. (2019) evaluated the penetration of dozens of cosmetic ingredients through human skin, helping researchers better understand factors affecting topical absorption.

Skin Barrier Science

Picard et al. (2019) examined the physical and chemical characteristics of the skin surface and how these properties influence ingredient delivery and permeability.

Topical Delivery Research

Chaput (2023) compared cosmetic and pharmaceutical topical formulations to better understand transcutaneous delivery pathways and performance.

Future of Transdermal Delivery

Nishizawa et al. (2024) demonstrated experimental techniques capable of delivering molecules significantly larger than the traditional 500 Dalton threshold, highlighting future possibilities for skin-based delivery systems.

Sources:

Bos JD, Meinardi MMHM. The 500 Dalton Rule for the Skin Penetration of Chemical Compounds and Drugs. Experimental Dermatology. 2000.

Schepky A, et al. Measurement of the Penetration of 56 Cosmetic Relevant Chemicals Into and Through Human Skin Using a Standardized Protocol. Journal of Applied Toxicology. 2019.

Picard C, et al. Skin Surface Physico-Chemistry: Characteristics, Methods of Measurement, Influencing Factors and Future Developments. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science. 2019.

Chaput M. Pénétration Transcutanée des Actifs Appliqués par Voie Topique : Comparaison des Formes Cosmétiques et Pharmaceutiques. Doctoral Thesis. 2023.

Nishizawa M, et al. Breaking the 500-Dalton Rule of Transdermal Drug Delivery by Locally Stretching Skin with Porous Micropost Array. The Electrochemical Society. 2024.

Molecular weight is only one factor affecting skin permeation. The presence of an ingredient in a transdermal patch does not guarantee absorption, and absorption rates may vary depending on formulation, ingredient properties, individual skin characteristics, and wear conditions. Patchify® products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.