Anyone tapped into the skin-care conversation right now has surely heard about exosomes, the regenerative ingredient that changes the way cells react to aging. When we published our first story about its growing presence in topical serums and creams in March 2025, it was still a burgeoning category; 17 months later, exosome skincare continues to expand.
“Exosomes sit at the intersection of several important shifts in aesthetics: regenerative medicine, cellular signaling, and a more sophisticated understanding of skin as a living organ rather than simply a surface to be treated,” board-certified plastic & reconstructive surgeon and Vogue Beauty Board member Lara Devgan, MD explains. She says to think of them as “microscopic extracellular vesicles” that facilitate communication between cells; instead of just delivering a single ingredient into the skin, exosomes influence the way cells communicate and respond to aging.
Because of its reparative abilities, it plays a major role in the ongoing regenerative skincare movement. However, Dr. Devgan thinks it is premature to consider them a foundational category in the same way we think about retinoids, antioxidants, or peptides.
As someone who has had a few life-changing experiences with exosome microneedling (more about my experience here), I’m really excited to see how the ingredient evolves. That said, while the next generation of exosome products are unveiling, we’re most interested in formulas that can deliver “clinically meaningful results,” as Dr. Devgan puts it; products that feature the ingredient alongside others already trusted for their efficacy—and, best case scenario, also feel like a treat to apply.
With that, we tapped Neada Deters and Sean Garrette to test some of the latest exosome launches. Below, they share their honest thoughts from their trials. Read on to learn what’s worth trying for yourself.
Eighth Day The Overnight Eye Cream Treatment
The Overnight Eye Cream Treatment
- Why We Love It: Eighth Day’s eye cream is packed with a trio of peptides, John’s wort acid, and botanical extracts that work in tandem to boost skin elasticity and brighten dark circles. Peptides, in particular, are the star ingredient, and this one in particular is bioidentical to the protein found in snake venom—which sounds scary, but in reality, it helps to relax fine lines. “Certain peptides also help with dark circles by improving microcirculation and reducing hemoglobin breakdown beneath the surface. The result over time is a more rested, lifted appearance,” Antony Nakhla, MD, double-board-certified dermatologist and founder of Eighth Day, previously told Vogue.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, peptide blend, kojic acid, goji berry extract, bilberry extract, arnica, sodium hyaluronate, biotin, allantoin, tocopherol
Size: 5 fl oz / 15 mL
FROM THE BOARD: Neada Deters, founder of Lesse
This eye cream has a thick, almost balm-like texture, making it deeply nourishing and best suited for dry, mature skin. Although studies show growth factors are too large to enter the epidermis and take effect, the retinal and cosmetic peptides in the formula should reduce puffiness and fine lines with nightly use—making this a great two-in-one treatment for tired or aging eyes.
FROM THE BOARD: Sean Garrette, licensed esthetician
The texture of this eye treatment really intrigued me. It’s a thick balm texture that melts into a smooth cream as you work it into the eye. I have dry skin, particularly dry under-eyes. This treatment helped soothe that dryness without irritation.
Medik8 Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ Serum
Exo-PDRN Primastic+ Serum
- Why We Love It: Medik8 has a two-in-one serum comprised of PDRN and exosomes packed into one potent regenerative skincare formula. “The combination of PDRN and exosome-related technology reflects a broader shift in skincare toward optimizing skin biology and supporting recovery and function, rather than simply targeting visible signs of aging on the surface,” board-certified dermatologist Shannon Humphrey, MD, previously told Vogue. Though it’s worth noting, the PDRN here is vegan-approved and not salmon-sperm-derived. Plus, this pick includes mixed-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid for further hydration and plumping.
Key Ingredients: PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide), exosome-inspired technology, multi-weight hyaluronic acid, peptides, glycerin
Size: 1 oz
This serum was instantly hydrating and soothing on application. The hyaluronic acid, centella, and niacinamide will also help to strengthen the skin barrier with ongoing use. But it’s the bacterial-derived exosomes that demonstrate Medik8’s focus on biotech innovation. Though there is still only early-stage evidence, there is hope for what these exosomes might clinically prove to do for the skin barrier and skin microbiome integrity.
FROM THE BOARD: Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor
I’ve never tried an exosome nor PDRN serum so hydrating—it genuinely feels like a drink of water on the skin. That’s likely because Medik8’s May debut combines vegan PDRN and (up to 151 billion concentrated) exosomes with sodium hyaluronate—the salt form of hyaluronic acid known to penetrate deeper into the skin. While this is a formula to try for its plumping benefits, I reach for it most as my hydrating step. The gel texture is incredible.
LYMA Power Youth Serum
Power Youth Serum
- Why We Love It: You may already be familiar with Lyma and their beloved at-home devices with laser wands. While those gadgets will cost you several grand, the brand’s latest skin-care launch, the Power Youth Serum, is powered by blend of multi-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid for deeper hydration, exosomes, and peptides for skin rejuvenation, and more—all of which create a cocktail that improves skin elasticity and skin barrier function. Plus, as a sustainable perk, the copper packaging is refillable.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, hydrolyzed yeast protein, hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, tocopherol, lactic acid, peptides
Size: 50ml
With hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, this serum is hydrating and will help to balance skin tone over time. The formula has a slightly sticky feel, since it’s designed as a conductive serum for the LYMA laser, but it is also surprisingly lightweight and absorbs well when massaged into skin, leaving no heavy residue behind.
Gorgeous, thick, gel texture that melts into the skin effortlessly. This serum floods the skin with hydration and has an immediate plumping effect. I love the mix of peptides and hyaluronic acid. This gives the skin immediate hydration that’s visible on the skin, and the peptides helps to plump, soothe, and calm the complexion.
Naturopathica Gotu Kola + Fruit Exosome Gel Moisturizer
Gotu Kola + Fruit Exosome Gel Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Naturopathica’s gel moisturizer is packed with fruit-derived extracts—including exosomes. Here, exosomes are derived from a trio of fruits (papaya, apples, and tangerines) that work together to support skin elasticity. Meanwhile, the other star of the formula, gotu kola, is just another name for tiger grass (a.k.a. a soothing skin-care superstar). Meanwhile, snow mushroom extract (a.k.a. tremella) supports hydration retention.
Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, glycerin, sodium PCA, centella leaf extract, beta-glucan, PCA, tocopherol, gotu kola, fruit exosome blend, tremella
Size: 1.69 oz
This moisturizer is like a drink of water for the skin! Gotu kola is great for soothing and repairing the skin, and when paired with fruit exosomes, these antioxidant properties make this moisturizer even more soothing and hydrating. This would be great for someone with oily, dehydrated, and/or sensitive skin. I also love the inclusion of snow mushroom for its incredible hydration properties.
It’s not typical to try a gel moisturizer that goes beyond daily hydration. Thanks to its fruit exosome blend (derived from apples, tangerines, and papayas), this aids skin’s bounce and elasticity. A lightweight, cooling, skin refresh, this also draws upon the soothing benefits of snow mushroom and gotu kola (otherwise known as tiger grass, cica, or centella asiatica) to alle
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to exosome skincare, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, exosome type, texture, packaging, finish, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you. Read more about our testing methodology here.
- Neada Deters is the founder of LESSE, the organic skin-care brand known for its minimalist, inclusive approach to skin health and daily ritual.
- Sean Garrette is a licensed esthetician, skin-care educator, and founder of Sean Garrette Skin, celebrated for making expert skin knowledge feel accessible.
Source: www.vogue.com
