On the label of many supplements, you'll find a line like "Exclusive blend — 5,000 mg" followed by a list of ingredients… without the dosage of each. This mechanism has a name: the proprietary blend. And it's one of the least transparent practices in the industry.
What is a proprietary blend?
A proprietary blend groups several ingredients under a single total dosage. You know the overall quantity of the mix, but not the dose of each ingredient in it.
The problem: "fairy dusting"
Hiding the individual dosages allows a practice called "fairy dusting": showcasing a premium ingredient on the label, but including only a trace of it, too little to have any benefit. The bulk of the mix is then made up of cheap ingredients.
The result: you pay for a promise you can't verify. Without the dosages, it's impossible to compare two products, or to know whether you're reaching the genuinely useful amount of an active.
Why some brands do it
- Cut costs by limiting expensive ingredients.
- "Protect a recipe" — the official argument, rarely the real one.
- Avoid comparison with competitors.
Our rule at Vitalis: everything is displayed
We never use a proprietary blend. Every ingredient, every dosage is clearly stated. You know exactly what you're taking, and in what quantity.
An example: our Omega 3 Max shows the detail — 2000 mg of fish oil, including EPA 360 mg and DHA 240 mg per two capsules. No vague "marine blend": numbers.
How to spot a proprietary blend
- A "blend", "complex" or "matrix" line with a single total dosage.
- Ingredients listed with no mg next to them.
- Lots of "marketing" ingredients for a modest overall dosage.
Transparency isn't a selling point: it's the baseline. Discover our clearly dosed range, Performance & Muscle and Health & Wellness.