What are clean ingredients?

There’s no official legal definition of “clean” for supplements, so it’s worth knowing what to look for rather than trusting the word on the front of the pack. In general, clean supplements are:

• Transparent: every ingredient listed, with amounts
• Free from unnecessary extras, such as added sugar, artificial colours and synthetic fragrances
• Made to recognised quality standards, with clear information about where they’re made
• Suitable for sensitive bodies, for example free from common allergens like gluten and lactose

Why clean ingredients matter more after 40

• You’re likely taking more. By midlife, many of us take several supplements a day, and the extras in each one add up.
• Sugar adds up too. Gummies and fizzy drink powders often contain added sugar, which many women are trying to cut back on.
• Sensitivities often appear. Many women find they become more sensitive to certain foods, fragrances or skin products as they get older.
• You deserve to know what you’re putting in and on your body. A clear label is a sign of a brand with nothing to hide.

Ingredients many women prefer to avoid

Not every additive is harmful, and some are needed to make a product work. But these are the extras many women choose to skip:

Added sugar and sweeteners

Common in gummies, chewables and drink powders. If you’re watching your sugar, check the Supplement Facts panel and the “other ingredients” list.

Artificial colours

Bright coatings and gummies often get their colour from synthetic dyes. Regulators are taking a closer look at these: in January 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked the authorisation of the dye Red No. 3 in foods and ingested drugs.

Synthetic fragrances

Fragrance can be a common trigger for people with sensitive skin. It’s worth avoiding in anything you wear on your skin all day.

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives used in many cosmetics and skin products. Many women prefer paraben-free products, especially for things that sit on the skin for hours.

Latex

Latex allergy can cause skin reactions, so if you’re sensitive, look for latex-free adhesive patches and plasters.

Common allergens

US labelling law requires major food allergens, such as milk, wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish and sesame, to be declared. If you have an allergy or intolerance, always check.

How to choose clean supplements: 7 label checks

Before you buy any supplement, pill or patch, take a minute to check:

• Is there a full Supplement Facts panel? The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains that the label should list each active ingredient and the amount per serving.
• What’s in the “other ingredients”? This is where you’ll find fillers, binders, sweeteners, colours and flavourings. Shorter is usually better.
• Do the amounts make sense? For patches especially, be wary of a tiny patch claiming a long list of ingredients in very large amounts.
• Where is it made? A brand that tells you clearly where its products are made is a good sign.
• Is it made to recognised quality standards? In the US, supplement makers must follow the FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) rules for quality, purity and accurate labelling.
• Does the brand avoid big promises? “Cures”, “10 times better” or “instant results” are red flags. Clean brands let their ingredients speak for themselves.

Want to know more about choosing a patch? Read Vitamin Patches: Why Women Over 40 Are Ditching the Pills →

What’s in (and not in) our patches

We built our range around the same checks we’d want for ourselves:

• Vegan friendly
• Free from sugar, gluten, lactose, latex, parabens, synthetic fragrances, artificial colours and GMOs
• No calories and nothing to swallow
• Clear labels, with every ingredient listed
• Made in the USA by small American businesses, in a registered facility
• Backed by our 30-day happiness guarantee

Find the Right Patch for You → 

Caring for sensitive skin

Because a patch sits on your skin, a few simple habits help:

• Apply to clean, dry skin with no lotion or oil underneath.
• Change the spot each time, and wait about 4 days before using the same spot again.
• Try a new patch on a small area first if you have very sensitive skin.
• If a patch irritates your skin, remove it. If irritation continues, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Frequently asked questions

What are clean supplements? Supplements with a transparent label (every ingredient and amount listed), made to recognised quality standards, and free from unnecessary extras such as added sugar, artificial colours and synthetic fragrances.

Are clean supplements worth it? For many women, yes. A short, honest ingredient list means fewer unnecessary extras, and it’s easier to see exactly what you’re taking, especially if you use several supplements or have sensitivities.

How can I tell if a supplement is clean? Read the Supplement Facts panel and the “other ingredients”, check where it’s made and whether it follows cGMP, look for independent testing seals, and be wary of big promises.

Are your patches gluten free and vegan? Yes. Our patches are vegan friendly and free from gluten, lactose, sugar, latex, parabens, synthetic fragrances and artificial colours.

Does “natural” mean safe? Not always. Natural ingredients can still cause side effects or interact with medicines, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting something new.

What if a patch isn’t right for me? You’re covered by our 30-day happiness guarantee: a full refund if you’re not happy.

Choose clean, choose confidently

Your body deserves clean supplements you can trust, with nothing to hide.

Shop Clean, USA-Made Patches →

30-day happiness guarantee · Free US shipping over $50 · Made in the USA

Why Live to Shine?

Live to Shine is a small, family-owned business run by two sisters, and we make every product as if it were for our own family. All our patches are made in the USA to the highest quality standards, and so is every other part of our production: the patches, the boxes and the printing. We may be slightly more expensive than cheaper imports, but you can’t put a price on peace of mind.