Do Lactose Relief Patches Help You Eat Dairy? Our Review

These patches have undergone third-party testing and are manufactured at a facility in the U.K. regulated by the MHRA (Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency). Barrière highlights that compared to traditional lactase pills, which yield about 15% absorption, their patches achieve approximately 65% absorption.

Nevertheless, gastroenterologist Dr. Supirya Rao, M.D. finds the concept intriguing but raises concerns about potential limitations of transdermal patches. She notes that oral supplements like Lactaid and LactoJoy are effective because of their timing and delivery method. “They are consumed alongside food and act directly in the gut when lactose is present,” she explains. “I would be interested to see clinical evidence demonstrating that lactase can be absorbed through the skin, remain functional, enter circulation, and then target the intestine where it’s needed.”

The Test

While we may not have a laboratory, Delish boasts a dedicated group of testers eager to experiment in the name of understanding food products. So, lactose-intolerant designer Alison Dominguez compared the performance of the patches against her regular pills.

“I won’t pretend I wasn’t skeptical yet cautiously hopeful when I first heard about the Barrière Dear Dairy Lactose Relief Patches,” she admitted. “The need to take multiple lactose enzyme pills when wanting to enjoy dairy can be tedious, especially working at a food magazine that features so many recipes with cream cheese.” Despite her skepticism, she didn’t want to over-inflate her expectations in case the patches were not as effective.

“I decided to test the patches in the comfort of my home one evening,” Dominguez explained. “Typically, I take 2-3 lactase pills, so I calculated that two patches would suffice for my needs, as each contains 9,000 FCC of lactase enzyme.”

“The instructions recommend applying a patch to the skin before consuming dairy, but I personally applied two to the inner side of my left wrist about 30 minutes prior to enjoying some ice cream,” she continued. “Once I allowed them enough time to seep into my system, I prepared a generous bowl of ice cream (purely for experimental purposes).”

“With mixed feelings of caution and excitement, I indulged in the entire bowl of ice cream while anticipating any adverse reactions. As anyone with lactose intolerance knows, immediate effects can occur if you’re not careful. To my astonishment, I experienced no negative reactions at all (except pure enjoyment) — it was a success!” Following that initial trial, the Delish team encouraged her to continue testing. The following day, she applied two patches once more and dove into a dairy feast. She enjoyed cheesy pasta and finished with more ice cream, all without any complications.

The true test emerged when she aimed to see if the patches could withstand a full day of use. “On a Saturday, I had a friend’s bridal shower, so I applied two patches before heading out,” she elaborated. “This would be my first external test outside of my home.”

“During the event, I ate as if I were not lactose intolerant, all while keeping my pills on hand just in case,” she stated. “We visited multiple venues where I enjoyed dairy here and there. Instead of needing a pill for every taste of crab dip, I could simply eat freely.”

The Verdict

“Lactose intolerance is quite common, and I’m fully supportive of any solutions that simplify dietary management,” notes Rao.

Dominguez shared similar sentiments, despite her initial caution. “I was hesitant to get overly excited, but if these patches worked, they could be life-altering,” she expressed.

And they might just have been. “I’m now a firm believer in these patches and plan to continue using them regularly,” Dominguez concluded. “It was genuinely refreshing to feel like a ‘normal’ person for a change.”