what are exosomes?
Exosomes are a cutting-edge ingredient in skincare, hailed for their potential to regenerate and rejuvenate the skin on a cellular level. Let’s dive deep into what they are, how they work, and why they’re getting so much attention.
What Are Exosomes?
Exosomes are nano-sized extracellular vesicles (about 30–150 nanometers) that are naturally secreted by cells—especially stem cells. They act as tiny messengers, carrying bioactive molecules like:
Proteins
Lipids
mRNA
MicroRNA
Growth factors
In skincare, exosomes are typically derived from human stem cells (like mesenchymal stem cells), plant cells, or even bovine colostrum.
How Do Exosomes Work in Skincare?
In the body, exosomes deliver healing signals to surrounding cells, promoting repair and regeneration. In skincare, they:
Stimulate collagen and elastin production
Speed up cell turnover
Help heal damaged skin
Reduce inflammation
Deliver growth factors to restore youthful function in aging skin cells
Benefits of Exosomes in Skincare
Anti-aging: Reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging by boosting fibroblast activity and collagen synthesis.
Skin Repair: Helps with post-procedure recovery (like microneedling, lasers, peels) and enhances skin barrier function.
Brightening: Evens out skin tone and reduces hyperpigmentation.
Anti-inflammatory: Calms redness, irritation, and acne-prone skin.
Hydration: Supports improved moisture retention and skin plumpness.
Exosomes vs. Stem Cells
Stem cells can’t penetrate the skin in a topical product due to their size and structure.
Exosomes, being much smaller, are able to absorb into the skin and deliver targeted messages more effectively.
Common Pairings
Exosomes are often combined with:
Microneedling or RF Microneedling: to drive them deeper into the dermis.
Laser Treatments: to reduce downtime and promote faster healing.
Peels: to soothe and rebuild the skin barrier post-exfoliation.
Who Should Use Exosomes?
Ideal for:
Aging skin (35+)
Post-procedure healing
People with acne scars or melasma
Anyone looking to prevent or reverse signs of environmental damage
Are Exosomes Safe?
Exosomes are considered safe when sourced ethically and processed correctly. However:
They’re not FDA-regulated (yet) when used in topical cosmetics.
Some experts urge caution and transparency about sourcing, especially for human-derived exosomes.
How to Spot Exosomes on Ingredient Lists
They may be listed as:
Human adipose-derived stem cell exosomes
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles
Plant exosomes (e.g., from green tea or rice)
Notable Products with Exosomes
ExoCel Bio
BENEV Exosome Regenerative Complex
AnteAGE MDX Exosome Solution
Exo-SCRT by ExoCoBio
These are often used in professional treatments, but some luxury at-home products now feature exosomes, too.
The Future of Exosomes in Skincare
Exosomes represent a huge leap forward in regenerative aesthetics. They’re being studied for:
Hair regrowth
Wound healing
Chronic inflammatory skin conditions
As research grows, we’ll likely see more refined, targeted applications—especially in medical-grade skincare.
At Alpenglow we use plant derived exosomes like ectoine and green tea. Some of our favorite products utilizing this cutting edge technology are: