WHAT ARE EXOSOMES? EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

With all the exciting innovations and new tech popping up in the skin care sphere, it's no surprise that the latest beauty buzzword has everyone talking. Dubbed as skin enhancing ‘packages’, the latest ingredient has taken the industry by storm. Introducing: Exosomes.

From working to level up your hydration to optimising collagen production, fighting fine lines and wrinkles and improving the overall tone of your skin, the question shouldn’t be what are exosomes good at, but more what aren’t they good at... which is why we guarantee it’s going to be the it ingredient of the year.

Curious to know more about these skin superheroes? We caught up with Mark Curry, CEO and co-founder of The INKEY List, to get the inside scoop on what are exosomes and how they’re changing the skin care space.

In This Article:

• What Are Exosomes
• How Do Exosomes Work?
• What Are Exosomes' Benefits In Skin Care
• What Are Exosome FAQs

WHAT ARE EXOSOMES

So, what are exosomes? “Exosomes are a revolutionary technology in skin care.” Mark tells us . “They’re essentially tiny particles naturally produced by human and plant cells that act as messengers between skin cells, helping the skin to repair and rejuvenate. They carry essential molecules — such as proteins and lipids — that transmit signals to promote tissue repair, collagen production and reduce inflammation. Exosomes can encapsulate active ingredients inside them to help penetrate deeper into the surface of the skin which in turn, improves their effect.” he explains.

HOW DO EXOSOMES WORK?

Now we have answered the question ‘what are exosomes?’ it’s time to understand how they work. Exosomes represent a breakthrough in how skin care ingredients interact with your complexion. “Unlike traditional skin care ingredients that may remain on the skin's surface, at 300x smaller than a skin pore, exosomes carry their active ingredients directly into the skin’s surface for maximum effectiveness. Their unparalleled delivery mechanism, rooted in advanced plant-based biotechnology, ensures deeper penetration, targeted action, and superior efficacy compared to traditional formulations. When an active is encapsulated and concentrated into an exosome, it can be transported directly where it is needed and have a greater, more targeted effect.”

But how do they compare to other ingredients like peptides and stem cells? “Peptides work by signalling our skin to produce more of what it needs — collagen, elastin, and hydration. Stem cells, on the other hand, bring raw potential. They’re like a blank slate with the ability to repair and rebuild. But exosomes? Precision and efficiency are what makes them stand out for skin regeneration. While Peptides give the skin a nudge and stem cells offer untapped potential, exosomes deliver targeted, actionable messages that supercharge rejuvenation.” Sounds impressive. “They’re not just telling your skin to repair itself—they’re coordinating an entire system of renewal, making the process faster, smarter, and more effective.”. So, when we compare exosomes with other ingredients, it’s not about one being better than the other. It’s about understanding where they fit in the bigger picture. “Peptides are the signallers. Stem cells are the potential and exosomes are the masterminds orchestrating the transformation.” Think of it like a skin care symphony— each ingredient playing its part in perfect harmony with the other.

WHAT ARE EXOSOMES’ BENEFITS IN SKIN CARE?

“When used in skin care, exosomes can provide a multitude of benefits. They can promote the production of collagen and elastin, increase skin firmness, help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and hydrate and nourish the skin. Plus, they’re also highly effective for skin damage—whether from sun exposure, pollution, or blemishes—by helping to soothe, clear and reduce the appearance of redness. Exosomes can also help improve hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone, creating an overall more balanced complexion.”

Now, with all those skin benefits, The INKEY List is of course at the forefront of bringing exosome technology to its customers. “We have a huge launch coming in this category later this year – and I can’t say too much (like I usually do) but I can tell you this product is unlike anything you’ve seen from INKEY before. We’re taking a technology that until now was almost exclusively used in premium clinic therapies and we’re giving everyone access to its transformative powers. This truly is a breakthrough product, and I can’t wait for you all to discover more.”

So, keep your eyes peeled because we are definitely excited about this launch.

WHAT ARE EXOSOME FAQs

Are exosomes better than stem cells?

As explained by Mark above, exosomes aren’t better or worse than stem cells. They do a completely different job in terms of skin health. Stem cells work more as a catalyst bringing raw materials directly into your skin, while exosomes work by sending messages to your cells instructing them to behave in a certain way.

What are the disadvantages of exosomes?

As a relatively new ingredient within the skin care space, exosomes still require ongoing research to fully understand their long-term effects. Plus, as they work by enhancing your skin’s natural ability to heal and regenerate, it is not a quick fix solution to your skin care concerns. It will take time to see visible changes to your complexion, which can be a downside to those who want instant results.

Do exosomes get rid of wrinkles?

To be clear, nothing can get rid of wrinkles, however exosomes have been shown to improve and reduce the appearance of them. This is because they work to improve the stimulation and communication of collagen production within your body. Collagen production naturally slows down as you age, which contributes to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Using a product that is infused with exosomes can help with elevating your skin's firmness.

Now you’ve learnt what are exosomes and how they work, it’s time to keep your eyes peeled (looking at you The INKEY List) for products powered by its technology. The future of glowing, radiant skin is looking brighter than ever.