CBD has exploded in popularity in recent years. This ubiquitous health and wellness supplement is now available in your favourite coffee shop and high street retailers. As more people turn to this natural extract to help with everything from pain to anxiety, we’re seeing an explosion in the number of companies selling CBD, and in the types of products available.
Not too long ago, CBD was only available in an unpalatable murky green oil form. Investment in product development has led to a surge in the different ways to enjoy CBD. This includes flavoured CBD oil, CBD vape juice, CBD gummies and more recently, CBD patches.
CBD patches offer a discreet and effective way to enjoy a steady stream of CBD that can help users to sidestep many of the unwelcome side effects associated with other CBD consumption methods. We’re sharing our favourite CBD patches and exploring why this method should have your full attention.
Best CBD Patches
| CBD Patches | Highlights | Total CBD | Per Patch | Price | Price per mg |
| CBD Brothers | Best for pain management, slow release, cost effective option | 450mg | 15mg | £24.98 | 5.5p |
| ULU | Best for occasional use | 140mg | 20mg | £7.50 | 5.4p |
| Canabidol | Strongest CBD patch | 500mg | 50mg | £39.99 | 8p |
| Tower Health | Good for everyday use | 72mg | 12mg | £5.95 | 8.3p |
What are CBD patches?
CBD patches are not unlike nicotine patches. They are small stickers that are infused with cannabidiol, or CBD. They stick to your skin and allow the cannabinoid compounds to be absorbed into the body through the skin.
They are worn over multiple days, which means the absorption of the CBD compounds is slow and steady. This is unlike more immediate delivery methods such as CBD oil. With CBD oil, you place the drops under your tongue where they are absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the tiny blood vessels.
High doses of CBD delivered into the system very quickly can lead to unpleasant side effects in some people. But with CBD patches, the delivery is slow and sustained, resulting in higher uptake and fewer side effects.
Once the CBD patch has been depleted, you simply remove it and throw it away. You can then replace it with a new patch to enjoy a continuous supply of CBD.
Benefits of CBD patches
We know that transdermal patches are one of the most effective ways to deliver drugs into the body. When it comes to CBD patches, research is still in its early stages, but what we know so far is very promising.
You’ll also have the chance to skip some of the less pleasant side effects such as nausea, drowsiness and dry mouth. While side effects related to CBD use are very mild and short-lived, some people would prefer a slow and steady uptake of CBD to avoid them entirely.
Another benefit of CBD patches is that they can be placed directly on the target area. Topical CBD offers some similar benefits, but absorption rates are not as high as with a patch.
For anyone turning to CBD for help with specific complaints like period pain, arthritis pain, joint pain or muscle pain, patches offer a way to target the pain relief at a specific spot.
And finally, CBD patches are also completely free from THC. CBD patches commonly use CBD isolate, which is a pure form of the beneficial cannabinoid cannabidiol.
CBD oils commonly contain a broad spectrum of cannabinoids, which means it also contains trace amounts of THC. If you’re avoiding THC for religious, moral or legal reasons, CBD patches offer an easy way to utilise CBD without the risk of getting any THC in your system.
How to use CBD patches
CBD patches offer one of the simplest ways to add CBD to your daily routine. Every patch contains a predetermined amount of CBD, which means you don’t need to measure using a pipette or spray.
CBD patches are best placed on skin that is free from hair. This could include the inner arm, upper arm, thigh, abdomen or directly on the site of pain. The patch will be in place for a few days, so it should also be somewhere discreet if you don’t want anyone to know you are taking CBD.
To use, simply peel off the protective backing and place it on your skin. Press it down firmly to make sure it’s stuck in place. You then leave it for around 72 hours to work its magic.
The sticky layer that is touching your skin contains the cannabinoids, covered by a protective backing to help increase absorption rates. The CBD passes through the dermis and enters the bloodstream at a steady rate over the lifetime of the patch.
When the patch is depleted, simply remove and discard. You can then place another patch on your skin to continue to enjoy a steady supply of CBD.
The Food Standards Agency recommends that you do not exceed more than 70mg of CBD per day, so keep a close eye on your intake if you’re using this alongside other products.
One of the few risks associated with CBD patches is skin irritation, so keep an eye on the skin around the patch for any signs of redness, itching or inflammation. If you do notice your skin looks a little angry, then CBD patches might not be the right choice for you. Remove the patch, wash the area and discontinue use.
Best CBD Patches UK
When choosing your CBD patches, it’s so important to pick reputable suppliers. There’s no shortage of bad CBD sellers just trying to make a quick profit, so shopping around and choosing trustworthy retailers is essential. That guy selling CBD patches from his backpack in the pub probably wouldn’t meet our criteria.
Best overall and for pain – CBD Brothers 15mg CBD Patches
The best CBD patch for pain is the CBD Brothers 15mg patch. This discreet little wonder contains 15mg of CBD in every patch and 30 patches in every box. The CBD is released gradually over 12-36 hours, so you’ll enjoy a 45-day supply of steady-state CBD with every box. This offers excellent value for money and a highly effective way to manage painful conditions.
Best for occasional use – ULU 20mg CBD Patches
If you want to dip your toe in the CBD pool but aren’t sure if it’s right for you, we’d recommend a
smaller pack size. These ULU 20mg CBD patches contain 7 patches per pack with a cute leaf design.
The low-cost patches offer the perfect entry-level introduction to allow you to dabble without the
commitment.
Strongest CBD patch – Canabidol 50mg CBD Patches
If you’re ready to go the whole hog and want something a little stronger, these CBD for British
Cannabis 50mg CBD patches are an excellent choice. British Cannabis was one of the first companies
to introduce CBD to the UK market, and they have incredibly stringent production standards to help
keep their customers happy and safe.
Best for everyday use – Tower Health 12mg CBD Patches
Those looking for an everyday, low-dose CBD patch would be wise to reach for these Tower Health
12mg CBD Patches. If CBD leaves you feeling woozy but you still want to reap the benefits, a low
dose of 12mg of CBD absorbed over 24 hours is ideal. You can choose between a pack of 6, 12 or 30
according to your CBD appetite.
Conclusion
Whether you’re discovering CBD for the first time, or you want to try new methods of enjoying your
favourite supplement, CBD patches are an excellent choice and those from CBD Brothers are one of
the best out there. Patches make CBD accessible and easy to use. There’s no measuring or spreading
your intake out throughout the day. Simply pop one on your skin and forget about it.
As CBD patches grow in popularity, be prepared for low-quality dupes to crop up. To test the
authenticity of your CBD supplier, always ask to see a certificate of analysis and be wary if they can’t
provide one. Third party testing is the only way to verify the contents of your CBD product and all
good CBD retailers will be happy to provide this information.
