Everyone’s talking about exosomes

Exosomes – or exosome therapy – were until recently something you’d only hear about in a dermatologist’s office or aesthetician’s clinic. But thanks to emerging ingredient technology, they’re now coming to topical products you can pick off the shelf on your next beauty haul.

So what are exosomes and why is everybody talking about them? Believe the hype – they’re not just a flash-in-the-pan TikTok trend. They’re tipped to be the next big thing for skin rejuvenation and tackling the signs of ageing.

What are exosomes?

The best way to think of exosomes is as your skin’s very own courier service – carrying and delivering packages of information between cells. They are tiny messengers that communicate from cell to cell, telling them what to do next.

How do exosomes work on the skin?

Exosomes don’t just tell your cells what to do – they give them the tools to do it, thanks to the precious cargo they carry.

These packages include growth factors, proteins (such as peptides) and lipids – prompting cell renewal, collagen production, and other vital processes that keep your skin healthy.

They’ve been described by experts as a software update for your skin. Giving your cells new instructions and improving efficiency so it’s in the best condition it can be.

Benefits of exosomes in skincare

By telling your skin cells what they need, when they need it, exosomes help improve and maintain overall skin health – which means they deliver a myriad of benefits.

Boosts skin regeneration

A bit of a catch-all term, but nonetheless an exciting one. The main reason exosomes are causing a stir is that they help to slow ageing by encouraging tissue regeneration and cell renewal – giving older or damaged skin cells a full service and accelerating recovery. That means healthier-looking skin all round, with a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Reduces inflammation and redness

There’s a reason exosomes are favoured by professionals in skin clinics. The packages they deliver to the skin cells include powerful anti-inflammatory signals, soothing irritation and speeding up post-procedure recovery.

Inflammation is also a key driver of ageing – AKA inflammageing. So while calming redness and sensitivity has an instant impact, it’ll also play a part in keeping premature ageing to a minimum.

Supports collagen and elastin production

That boost to skin regeneration will help stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, vital components of the skin’s structure to keep it looking smooth and plump. Again, it’s all down to the ‘information’ they carry between cells, which include peptides – messengers that tell your cells to make more collagen, for firmer, smoother-looking skin.

Supports the skin barrier

This is where the skin benefits of exosomes go full circle. By boosting cellular renewal, suppressing inflammation and reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL), these helpful communicators keep your skin barrier strong. And that, as we all know, is the key to happier skin. 

Improves texture and radiance

We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: the healthier your skin is, the more radiant it’ll be. It’s your skin’s way of showing you that it’s happy on the inside. So it’s no wonder that supporting your skin cells’ functions will deliver a great glow – but it can also help with skin texture too. Enhancing hydration, prompting collagen production and speeding up repair will all lend a hand to smoothing your skin’s surface. 

Exosomes vs other skincare ingredients 

Exosomes are not a replacement for the actives in your skincare routine – they work in different ways. Instead, we recommend using them alongside your existing products to complement them and tackle skin health from every angle.  

How exosomes compare to common actives: 

• Exosomes work at a deeper level to communicate between cells, supporting skin regeneration and repair – essentially helping your cells to act younger than they are. 

• Retinoids increase cell turnover and renewal – speeding up the process of fresh young cells coming to the surface, resulting in smoother, clearer skin. They also help boost collagen production, meaning fewer fine lines. 

• Peptides are short chains of amino acids, AKA the building blocks of proteins. They work in a similar way to exosomes because of how they communicate with your skin – but while peptides deliver targeted instructions such as to boost collagen production, exosomes bring a whole care package to your cells to help them reboot entirely. 

How to use exosomes in your skincare routine

It’s all down to the formula you use, but generally speaking it’s best to apply exosomes onto freshly cleansed skin – before any other leave-on products. It’s also important to note that some exosome therapies use human-derived ingredients (not permitted for cosmetic use in the UK), so safe sourcing is essential. 

That’s what makes our Age Confidence™ NAD+ & TriPeptide Renewal Serum the ideal first step to incorporate exosomes into your routine. Designed for everyday use morning and night, it’s formulated with Centella Asiatica – AKA Cica – a natural plant extract that is rich in antioxidants, plant growth factors and exosomes to slow the signs of ageing and regenerate the skin. 

We’ve combined it with Sunflower Sprout Extract, which activates NAD+ to energise your skin cells, and a TriPeptide Complex that targets multiple signs of ageing in one. A recipe for skin longevity, in a 100% natural formula. 

Shop our 100% natural exosome serum here