A Dermatologist Explains How Exosomes Skin Care Can Help With Wrinkles, Dryness and More

It seems like every day, there’s a new skin care term or ingredient making its rounds on social media. From “glass skin” to tretinoin and niacinamide, it’s safe to say there are many effective skin care treatments and products on the market today that can tackle aging concerns, blemishes, dark spots and more. And while not every skin care trend or claim is reliable, there’s a recent one that we, and dermatologists, can get behind: exosomes skin care. The use of exosomes in skin care has become increasingly popular the past year, and can help skin look more youthful, healthy and radiant. Exosomes have many benefits for skin, especially for those with mature skin and women over 50. Keep reading for your 101 guide to exosomes skin care, and how to try them out yourself, according to a top dermatologist.

What is exosomes skin care?

First and foremost, let’s go over what exactly exosomes are. “Exosomes are tiny particles that cells release, acting almost like messengers that carry proteins, lipids and genetic material between cells,” explains Hannah Kopelman, MD, board-certified dermatologist. “They’ve become such a hot topic recently because of their potential in skincare and regenerative treatments.”

Dr. Kopelman continues, “In particular, people are excited about their ability to improve communication between skin cells, which can lead to faster healing and even more youthful-looking skin. The buzz likely comes from both advances in regenerative medicine and the growing consumer demand for non-invasive anti-aging solutions.”

One of the keys to maintaining healthy skin is to encourage skin cell turnover and promote the regeneration of skin cells, which is exactly what exosomes do for skin.

The benefits of exosomes in skin care

Exosomes can do wonders for skin — especially mature skin. As our skin ages, the need for cell turnover and regeneration increases. Exosomes help to do this, and more.

“Exosomes have a lot to offer, especially when it comes to aging skin. They can help with cellular repair, reducing inflammation and boosting collagen production, which is crucial for keeping skin firm and smooth. For mature skin, this means reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improving overall elasticity,” explains Dr. Kopelman.

As mentioned, wound healing is one of the top pros of exosomes. Exosomes target cells that are damaged and repair them. This helps with everything from rosacea to eczema, psoriasis and more.

Further, exosomes have been shown to help with hyperpigmentation to even out skin tone and texture, Dr. Kopelman says. “In terms of specific concerns, exosomes are great for targeting signs of aging, sun damage and skin that needs rejuvenation after treatments like microneedling or lasers.”

Are exosomes safe for skin?

Before adding a new product or treatment into your skincare routine, you may be wondering how safe exosomes are for your skin. As far as exosomes go, it’s overall considered to be a safe ingredient — as long as they are formulated correctly.

“From what we know so far, exosomes are generally safe when they’re sourced and processed correctly. However, since this is a relatively new field in dermatology, I always remind patients that we don’t have long-term data yet on their effects,” says Dr. Kopelman. “Some potential downsides include the variability in how they’re sourced, as not all products are created equal, and the risk of allergic reactions or irritation, especially if someone is sensitive to certain components in the formula. That’s why I always suggest working with a dermatologist who is experienced in these treatments.”

How are exosomes used in skin care?

Now that you know all the great anti-aging benefits of exosomes, it’s time to learn how exactly exosomes are used and applied in skin care and treatments.

One of the most popular uses of exosomes is exosome therapy used alongside procedures/treatments performed in-office to aid in healing inflamed skin. “Exosome therapy is essentially the process of using these cellular messengers to rejuvenate the skin,” says Dr. Kopelman. We can apply exosomes topically or use them alongside treatments like microneedling or lasers to boost the skin’s healing process.”

There are also more and more serums and other skin care products coming out on the market that use exosomes, making it easy to incorporate the ingredient into your skin care routine at home. Dr. Kopelman recommends using exosome skin care especially if you’ve recently undergone treatments like microneedling or laser treatments to help skin heal.

“Depending on the product, some can be used at home as a serum, and I suggest applying them once or twice daily, just like other serums. If you're using exosomes as part of an in-office treatment, your dermatologist will likely include them in a series of sessions to maximize the benefits,” explains Dr. Kopelman. “Consistency is key with exosomes to really see the rejuvenating effects.”

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