Why exosome therapy is 2025’s ‘It’ skincare trend

Every year, the world of skincare gives us a star buzzword. You know, one that takes the world by storm, to the point that it makes its way to our everyday lexicon (collagen, I am looking at you). Make a mental note, because exosomes have got us in a chokehold this year. Deemed as the ‘it’ communicators for healthy skin and hair, exosomes are the modern-day version of the once controversial stem-cell treatment. Millennials…rings a bell, doesn’t it? While whispers of its efficacy were making waves last year itself, its sudden push into the spotlight has made it one of the buzziest skincare trends to look out for in 2025. And here’s why!

But first...What Are Exosomes?

“Exosomes are tiny extracellular vesicles—typically 30-150 nanometers—released by cells as a means of intercellular communication,” explains Dr Madhuri Agarwal, MD and founder, Yavana Aesthetics. “They contain proteins, lipids, and genetic material that can influence the behaviour of the recipient’s cells.” Simply put, they are tiny little messengers that communicate with adjacent or distant cells and carry and deliver regenerative biomolecules that help with tissue repair and cell regeneration—a huge reason why they became so popular in the beauty space. “Exosomes in skincare can help with wound healing, better collagen production, reduced inflammation, and faster skin repair.”

Exosome Therapy In Skincare

“Exosome therapy, often referred to as ‘exosome stem cell therapy’, is an innovative approach that utilises the therapeutic potential of exosomes to promote tissue regeneration and regulate the immune system,” explains Dr Jaishree Sharad, cosmetic dermatologist and founder, Skinfinitii Aesthetic Skin and Laser Clinic. “Almost all types of normal cells can produce exosomes. They can naturally be found in several cell sources including human umbilical vein endothelial cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), T cells, B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells (DC), and natural killer (NK) cells.”

The exosomes used in beauty are often either derived from mesenchymal stem cells, plant-based exosomes, or synthetic exosomes—the mission is the same, to identify and repair damaged or defective skin cells. 

The Benefits Of Exosomes In Skincare

“With their ability to help improve skin tone, texture, and appearance, exosomes provide several promising therapeutic and anti-ageing benefits,” says Dr Sharad. By stimulating collagen production, it helps to diminish wrinkles, restore firmness, and smoothen out fine lines. It also boosts hydration by improving the skin's moisture retention, leaving it more supple and radiant. Exosomal proteins and lipids, plump and hydrate the skin, enhancing texture. It also aids in minimising scars by promoting skin repair and brightens the skin tone by fading dark spots. Ingredients like cytokines, nucleic acids, and proteins also protect the skin from environmental stressors, further reducing discoloration. Finally, exosomal skincare accelerates healing by reducing inflammation and supporting faster recovery making it a powerful tool for revitalised, glowing skin.

In-Clinic Vs Topical Care

Not all exosomes are made equal. Even within the beauty space, there are different types of exosomes that are defined by their quality, the type of product, and the concentration. When it comes to in-clinic treatments, exosomes are best paired with microneedling, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or laser therapies that help reach the deeper layers of your skin. “Here’s where regeneration, collagen production, and tissue repair occur and due to the deeper penetration, it typically delivers faster and more noticeable results,” explains Dr Sharad.

According to Dr Agarwal, the stability of the exosomes is essential for the product to be effective. Describing the process even further, she says that an in-clinic procedure would essentially involve creating microchannels in the skin with MNRF, fractional plasma or laser resurfacing, after which exosomes are applied to the treated skin. Due to their small size, they can easily pass through the microchannels and work at a deeper level on specific skin issues. “The sessions are usually carried out once in three to four weeks for skin and once in 15 days for hair.”

When it comes to topical treatments, one of the biggest advantages of it is convenience. As they aren’t as concentrated and don’t penetrate that deep into the layers of the skin, they aren’t as effective as in-clinic treatments. Dr Sharad, however, believes that they can be beneficial in hydrating the skin and providing surface-level rejuvenation. They can improve skin tone, texture, and overall appearance. Topical exosome treatments offer more gradual results that can only be seen with consistent, long-term use.

“Both have their place in a skincare routine and in some cases combining both can offer the best of both worlds for optimal skincare,” adds Dr Sharad. 

Who Is Exosome Therapy Meant For?

Both experts agree that exosome therapy is perfect when conventional skincare products or treatments have not proven to show effective results. The recommended age bracket to begin exosome therapy is for those in their late 20s to 30s, as this is typically the time-frame where collagen production, hyaluronic acid, and other regenerative factors begin to slow down and deplete. This is also when sun damage and the effects of genetic factors and environmental aggressors begin to show on the skin. It’s apt for those looking to address skin concerns like scarring, textured skin, enlarged pores, and fine lines, or to improve overall skin texture. 

Note from the experts: While exosome therapy, both in-clinic and topical, is extremely safe for all skin types, it is recommended to always consult with a dermatologist before opting for any treatments for the correct guidance, dosage, and instructions. Potential side effects could include allergic reactions and risk of infections and irritation. 

Lead image: Pexels

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