What Kind Patches claims to do
Kind Patches markets itself as a “GLP-1 patch” that supposedly supports our body’s natural GLP-1 production to reduce appetite and curb cravings.
The company claims their patches work through “transdermal delivery” that bypasses your digestive system, delivering ingredients “straight into your bloodstream” for “enhanced bioavailability.”
According to their marketing, 92.3% of customers report fewer cravings and 82.3% reduce snacking, with effects visible within 4 weeks.
The patches are promoted as a convenient alternative to “pills, powders, gels, drinks, gummies or needles” that deliver “GLP-1-stimulating ingredients through your skin.”
Key claims include appetite suppression, metabolism support, blood sugar regulation, and “healthy weight loss without losing muscle.”
However, these claims require careful examination against what we know about transdermal drug delivery and the ingredients actually contained in the patches.
The science behind transdermal delivery
The skin acts as a highly effective barrier, designed to keep harmful substances out and essential fluids in.
For any compound to work transdermally, it must be small enough to penetrate through multiple skin layers and achieve therapeutic concentrations in the bloodstream.
Successful transdermal medications like nicotine patches or hormone replacement therapy work because these molecules have specific properties: they’re small, fat-soluble, and potent at very low doses.
Weight loss compounds present a fundamental problem: they typically require much larger doses to be effective than can realistically be delivered through the skin.
Research on transdermal drug delivery shows that even with enhancement technologies, only certain types of molecules can achieve meaningful absorption rates.
The compounds claimed to support weight loss, particularly at the doses needed for appetite suppression, simply cannot be delivered effectively through patches.
Multiple medical experts confirm that there is no evidence to suggest weight loss patches can deliver therapeutic amounts of active ingredients.
This is why legitimate weight loss medications are either taken orally (in carefully calculated doses) or injected (for precise delivery) rather than applied as patches.
Ingredient analysis
Here’s what the evidence shows for Kind Patches’ key ingredients:
| Ingredient |
Kind Patches claims |
Evidence quality |
Reality |
| Berberine Extract |
“Supports GLP-1 production, reduces cravings” |
Moderate (for oral use only) |
Effective orally at 500-1500mg daily, but patches don’t disclose dosage and transdermal absorption is questionable |
| Pomegranate Extract |
“Antioxidant benefits, supports metabolism” |
Weak (general antioxidant only) |
Good antioxidant but no proven weight loss effects, you’d get more from eating actual pomegranates |
| Cinnamon Extract |
“Enhances insulin sensitivity, stabilises blood sugar” |
Poor (minimal effect) |
Tiny effect on blood sugar, equivalent to adding cinnamon to your coffee |
| Vitamin B Complex |
“Boosts metabolism, converts food to fuel” |
Good (for deficiencies only) |
Most UK adults get adequate B vitamins from diet, won’t boost metabolism unless deficient |
| L-Glutamine |
“Supports muscle preservation during weight loss” |
Poor (for weight loss claims) |
Helps with muscle recovery, but won’t prevent muscle loss from calorie restriction |
| Chromium |
“Regulates blood sugar, reduces cravings” |
Mixed (inconsistent results) |
Some studies show benefits but the effective dose is 200-400 mcg, patches likely contain much less |
The main issue is dosage transparency. Kind Patches doesn’t disclose how much of each ingredient the patches actually contain.
Even berberine, which has the strongest weight loss evidence, works at doses of 500-1500mg daily when taken orally.
It’s highly unlikely that a small patch could deliver anywhere near these therapeutic amounts through the skin.
Research specifically on transdermal berberine shows it can be absorbed, but requires specialised pharmaceutical formulations far more sophisticated than typical supplement patches.
Why “GLP-1 patches” is misleading
The name “GLP-1 patches” suggests these products contain or deliver GLP-1 hormones, but this is fundamentally incorrect.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite.
Prescription medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy either contain a synthetic GLP-1 that mimics its effects.
Kind Patches contain no GLP-1 whatsoever. Instead, they claim that berberine might “support your body’s natural GLP-1 production.”
Even if berberine could modestly influence GLP-1 levels (which is debatable), this would be entirely different from the direct, powerful effects of prescription GLP-1 medications.
Calling these products ‘GLP-1 patches’ is designed to capitalise on the success and recognition of prescription GLP-1 medications while offering something entirely different.
Prescription GLP-1 medications undergo rigorous clinical trials, require medical supervision, and achieve average weight loss of 15-25% in clinical trials.
Kind Patches have no clinical trials, require no medical oversight, and make no specific weight loss promises beyond customer surveys.
Cost and value assessment
At £12 for a month’s supply (30 patches), Kind Patches initially appear more affordable than prescription alternatives.
However, value depends entirely on effectiveness, and there’s no clinical evidence that Kind Patches produce any weight loss.
For context, let’s examine cost per potential benefit:
Kind Patches calculation: £12 monthly with no proven weight loss = incalculable cost per kg lost (since no weight loss is demonstrated)
Prescription GLP-1 comparison: Mounjaro costs £229-299 monthly but typically produces 15-25% weight loss in clinical trials. For someone weighing 100kg, that’s 15-25kg lost over one year, roughly £110-240 per kg lost over the course of a year.
Whole foods approach: Investing £12 monthly in extra vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains provides guaranteed nutritional benefits and supports sustainable weight loss.
The real concern isn’t just wasted money, but opportunity cost. People using ineffective patches may delay seeking proven treatments while continuing to lead unhealthy lifestyles.
Time spent hoping patches will work is time not spent developing sustainable eating habits, increasing physical activity, or consulting healthcare providers about effective options.
Many customers report using Kind Patches for months without results, representing not just financial loss but lost time and motivation.
UK regulatory concerns
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) doesn’t regulate supplements like Kind Patches before they reach the market.
The MHRA determines whether products should be classified as medicines based on the claims made and substances present.
Products claiming to prevent or treat disease, or to restore, correct or modify physiological functions, may be considered medicinal products requiring proper licensing.
Claims like “supports GLP-1 production” or “reduces appetite” could potentially fall into this category.
Still, the MHRA makes these determinations on a case-by-case basis when complaints are received or manufacturers seek advice.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled against several weight loss patches making unsubstantiated claims, including rulings against slimming patches in 2020, 2022, and 2023.
ASA guidance states that claims like ‘decrease appetite,’ ‘burn fat,’ and ‘speed up metabolism’ are likely to be medicinal claims that should not be made for unauthorised products.
Kind Patches’ marketing materials include several claims that could violate ASA guidelines:
- “92.3% of participants reported fewer cravings” (unsubstantiated efficacy claim)
- Before/after style testimonials without clinical backing
- Implications that patches work similarly to prescription medications
- Claims about “supporting GLP-1 production” without evidence
The ASA considers testimonials making medical claims as advertising, regardless of whether they’re “genuine” customer experiences.
Furthermore, using “GLP-1” in the product name could be considered misleading since the patches contain no GLP-1 and don’t work through GLP-1 mechanisms.
UK consumers should be aware that supplement companies can make structure-function claims without proving they work, unlike prescription medications, which require extensive clinical trials.
Evidence-based alternatives
For people seeking effective weight management, several proven approaches offer better value than unproven patches:
NHS weight management services: Free programmes available through GP referral, focusing on sustainable lifestyle changes with professional support.
Prescription weight loss medications: GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro have extensive clinical evidence showing 15-25% weight loss. While more expensive, the proven effectiveness often provides better value.
Structured lifestyle programmes: Services like Second Nature combine behavioural psychology with nutrition support, showing average weight loss of 6.4% after 3 months alongside weight-loss injections.
Whole foods approach: Rather than spending money on patches, invest in nutrient-dense foods that naturally support weight management:
- High-protein foods (lean meats, fish, legumes) increase satiety
- Fibre-rich vegetables slow digestion and reduce hunger
- Whole grains provide sustained energy without blood sugar spikes
- Fat from whole foods slow digestion and boost natural GLP-1 release
Professional support: Registered dietitians can provide personalised guidance based on your specific health needs, lifestyle, and preferences.
Evidence-based approaches to weight loss address the fundamental behaviours and patterns that influence weight, rather than promising magic solutions.
Take home message
Kind Patches GLP-1 weight loss patches make scientifically implausible claims about transdermal delivery and contain no actual GLP-1 hormones despite the name.
While some individual ingredients, such as berberine, have modest evidence of weight loss when taken orally at therapeutic doses, there is no evidence that meaningful amounts can be delivered through skin patches.
The fundamental issue is that the skin barrier prevents the absorption of weight loss compounds at levels that could meaningfully affect appetite or metabolism.
At £12 monthly, Kind Patches may seem affordable, but they represent poor value given the complete lack of clinical evidence for the product’s effectiveness. You’re better off spending that money on more whole foods in your weekly shops.
More concerning is the opportunity cost: time spent hoping for patch-based solutions is time not invested in proven approaches to sustainable weight management.
For individuals seeking significant weight loss, evidence-based interventions such as prescription GLP-1 medications, NHS weight management programmes, or comprehensive lifestyle support offer significantly better prospects for success.
The supplement industry profits from people’s desire for convenient solutions, but lasting weight management requires addressing eating behaviours, physical activity patterns, and the psychological factors that influence our relationship with food.
If you’re considering weight loss support, focus on approaches with clinical evidence and professional guidance rather than products making implausible claims about transdermal delivery.
Second Nature's Mounjaro programme
Second Nature provides Mounjaro as part of our Mounjaro weight-loss programme
Why choose Second Nature over other medication providers, assuming you’re eligible?
Because peace of mind matters.
We’ve had the privilege of working with the NHS for over eight years, helping people across the UK take meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.
Our programmes are designed to meet people where they are, whether that means support with weight loss through compassionate one-to-one health coaching, or access to the latest weight-loss medications (like Mounjaro) delivered alongside expert care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and personal trainers.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: real, lasting change comes from building better habits, not relying on quick fixes. We’re here to support that change every step of the way.
With over a decade of experience, thousands of lives changed, and a long-standing record of delivering programmes used by the NHS, we believe we're the UK’s most trusted weight-loss programme.
We hope to offer you something invaluable: peace of mind, and the support you need to take that first step.
