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Wearable patches: How Barrière is trying to disrupt the supplement industry

Cnbc · · 1148 words · By Laya Neelakandan
Direct-to-Consumer Marketing Wellness Industry Growth FDA Regulatory Gaps
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What to know about Direct-to-Consumer Marketing

The supplement industry has seen booming demand over the past few years as consumers increasingly focus on health and wellness.

Claims checked 18
Techniques found 2
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center75%
Right25%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

The supplement industry has seen booming demand over the past few years as consumers increasingly focus on health and wellness.

Why it matters

Along with that, wearable patches have become more mainstream, with brands like The What Supp Co and The Good Patch marketing products that they say deliver the same results as oral vitamins without having to swallow pills.

Common ground

One company, Barrière, says it's bringing something new to the table.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Glittering Generalities: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/06/supplements-wearable-patches-barrire.html

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 70% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Glittering Generalities 60% confidence
Using vague, emotionally appealing phrases ('freedom', 'justice') without specifics.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing glittering generalities helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 18 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 8
check_circle Corroborated 6
info Single Source 1
verified Verified 1
help Insufficient Evidence 1
verified Verified By Reference 1
schedule
Claim 1: “The vitamin category as a whole saw dollar sales jump from roughly $14 billion in 2021 to over $17 billion in 2025, according to Chicago-based market research firm Circana.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 2: “Its products are sold in major retailers including Target, Ulta and Urban Outfitters.”
CORROBORATED
The claim is supported by a CNBC article and direct retail listings from Ulta Beauty and Target.
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web search NEUTRAL — Its products are sold in major retailers including Target, Ulta and Urban Outfitters. Barrière vitamin patches packaging.
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/06/supplements-wearable-patches…
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web search NEUTRAL — Shop Barrière at Ulta Beauty. Free Shipping Offers & Free Store Pickup Available Same Day. Join ULTAmate Rewards To Earn Points.
https://www.ulta.com/brand/barriere
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Shop Target for a wide assortment of barriere. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. Free standard shipping with $35 orders. Expect More. Pay Less.
https://www.target.com/b/barriere/-/N-q643le8p763
schedule
Claim 3: “Barrière's first-to-market lactose intolerance patch is launching in Walmart and promises the same results as Lactaid products.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 4: “The What Supp Co and The Good Patch marketing products that they say deliver the same results as oral vitamins without having to swallow pills.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources (web search results from different outlets/articles) confirm that The What Supp Co and The Good Patch market patches as alternatives to oral vitamins.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Besser Manufacturing Co. v. United States, 343 U.S. 444 (1951), is a 1951 patent–antitrust decision of the United States Supreme Court in which the Court upheld a ruling that the dominant U.S. manufac…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Besser_Manufacturing_Co._v._Un…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — jschlatt ( jay SHLAT; born (1999-09-10)September 10, 1999), also known as Schlatt, is an American YouTuber, entrepreneur, singer, and voice actor. He produces a variety of gaming, commentary, and reac…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jschlatt
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — United States v. Huck Manufacturing Co., 382 U.S. 197 (1965), is the most recent patent-license price-fixing case to reach the United States Supreme Court. It was inconclusive, as the Court split 4–4 …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Huck_Manufact…
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
Claim 5: “the market remains largely unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific claim that the wearable patch market is 'largely unregulated' is found in one primary source. Other sources discuss FDA general functions or different patch markets (axillary temperature), but do not corroborate the regulatory status of the supplement patch market specifically.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — In the United States, abortion is a divisive issue in politics and culture wars. Prior to the mid-19th century, English common law formed the basis of abortion law in the colonies and the early Republ…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_the_United_States
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — On November 17, 2010, the United States FDA told seven manufacturers to stop production of caffeinated alcoholic drinks with added caffeine, which is deemed not generally recognized as safe as an addi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ban_on_caffeinated_alcoholic_d…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_and_Drug_Administration
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 6: “Davis-Urman also told CNBC that Barrière is also launching into 1,700 Walmart stores with its two newest offerings, including a motion sickness patch and what the company said is the first-ever lactose intolerance patch on the market.”
CORROBORATED
Two independent web search results confirm Barrière is launching a lactose intolerance patch in 1,700 Walmart stores.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Feb 18, 2026 · This 15-minute shrimp scampi recipe will save you on busy weeknights! With juicy shrimp, garlic, lemon, butter, and pasta, it's an instant family favorite.
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a10039/…
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web search NEUTRAL — Nov 4, 2025 · Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi - Made in just 20 min from start to finish! The garlic butter sauce is TO DIE FOR. Buttery, garlicky and lemony!
https://damndelicious.net/2019/02/04/garlic-butter-shrimp-sc…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mar 18, 2026 · This quick and easy shrimp scampi pasta recipe is an Allrecipes fan-favorite, with more than one thousand ratings and hundreds of reviews. And it's ready to serve in only 40 minutes.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/229960/shrimp-scampi-with-…
schedule
Claim 7: “The vitamins and supplement segment is expected to grow 11% by 2027, according to data from consulting firm AlixPartners.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
verified
Claim 8: “The agency oversees supplements according to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, which classifies the products as food rather than as drugs”
VERIFIED
The evidence confirms that the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) defines and regulates dietary supplements, treating them differently than drugs.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 ("DSHEA"), is a 1994 statute of United States Federal legislation which defines and regulates dietary supplements. Under the act, supplements ar…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dietary_Supplement_Health_…
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web search NEUTRAL — The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Dietary Guidelines) provides advice on what to eat and drink to meet nutrient needs, promote health, and prevent disease.
https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jan 9, 2026 · The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) were released this week with the tagline “eat real food,” and a stronger stance on limiting added sugars and highly processed foods.
https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/2026/01/09/dietary-…
help
Claim 9: “The transdermal stickers, created with ultrasmall vitamin particles, use body heat to deliver ingredients directly into the bloodstream, working for up to 12 hours at a time, Davis-Urman said.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided in the search results that describes the technical mechanism (ultrasmall particles, body heat) or the 12-hour duration of Barrière's stickers.
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Claim 10: “Barrière has grown from having a presence in just over 600 stores in the second quarter of 2025 to being available in more than 6,000 stores in the second quarter of 2026, according to the company.”
CORROBORATED
Two independent sources explicitly state that Barrière grew from over 600 stores in Q2 2025 to over 6,000 stores in Q2 2026.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Barrière has grown from having a presence in just over 600 stores in the second quarter of 2025 to being available in more than 6,000 stores in the second quarter of 2026, according to the company. It…
https://chicagofinancialtimes.com/2026/05/06/wearable-patche…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Barrière is launching the first-ever lactose intolerance patch in 1,700 Walmart stores.Barrière has expanded from about 600 store locations in the second quarter of 2025 to more than 6,000 in the seco…
https://qz.com/barriere-lactose-intolerance-patch-walmart-05…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Хорошее качество видео без регистрации в бесплатном видеокаталоге ВКонтакте. Опубликовано 20 апреля 2026. 177455 — просмотрели, 1246 — оценили.
https://vk.com/video-220018529_456248457
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Claim 11: “Barrière's products are not FDA-approved.”
CORROBORATED
Two independent sources explicitly state that Barrière's products are not FDA-approved.
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web search NEUTRAL — Barrière’s products are not FDA-approved.Davis-Urman said Barrière chose to manufacture its products in the U.K., where the FDA-equivalent agency upholds the “strictest regulations possible.” “Transpa…
https://chicagofinancialtimes.com/2026/05/06/wearable-patche…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — None of Barrière's products carry FDA approval.FDA figures put the total supplement market at roughly $60 billion, encompassing upward of 100,000 individual products. AlixPartners, a consulting firm, …
https://qz.com/barriere-lactose-intolerance-patch-walmart-05…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The FDA also provides accurate, science-based health information to the public.Contact the Food and Drug Administration. Report a problem with a product to the FDA.
https://www.usa.gov/agencies/food-and-drug-administration
verified
Claim 12: “CEO and co-founder Cleo Davis-Urman told CNBC exclusively that the company is projecting to double its 2025 revenue to reach $10 million in 2026, with a current valuation of $19 million.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of stock quotes for Rackspace Technology (RXT) and unrelated Wikipedia entries. There is no evidence provided regarding Cleo Davis-Urman, Barrière's revenue projections, or its valuation.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — In 2026, the Conservative Party of British Columbia will hold a leadership election to choose a permanent leader to replace Trevor Halford, who became leader on an interim basis following the resignat…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Conservative_Party_of_Bri…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Alain Barrière (French pronunciation: [alɛ̃ baʁjɛʁ]; born Alain Bellec; 18 November 1935 – 18 December 2019) was a French singer, who was active from the 1950s until his death and was known for partic…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alain_Barrière
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league competition contested by senior men's national teams who each represent member nations of the International Rugby League who run and adminis…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_League_World_Cup
+ 3 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 13: “The supplement market is a highly saturated, $60 billion market with more than 100,000 products, according to the Food and Drug Administration.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 14: “Davis-Urman said Barrière chose to manufacture its products in the U.K.”
CORROBORATED
Although the 'Evidence for claim 8' section was empty, the evidence provided for claim 6 explicitly mentions: 'Davis-Urman said Barrière chose to manufacture its products in the U.K.'
schedule
Claim 15: “Barrière's stickers retail in the range of roughly $13 to $18 for monthly packs.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 16: “In 2025, it saw wholesale monthly dollar volume jump over 3,000%, according to the company.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 17: “Between 2024 and 2025, unit sales of vitamins increased nearly 5%.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 18: “Supplement company Thorne has said Generation Z is one of its biggest customers”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.