Considerations for using exosomes in skincare
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Developing scientific understanding: while exosomes show regenerative potential, much of the current research is still in early stages. More comprehensive clinical studies are needed to fully understand their efficacy in topical skincare applications. (Source: Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023)
- Stability & formulation challenges: exosomes are delicate and sensitive to environmental conditions, which can make maintaining their activity in skincare formulations complex. Ensuring they remain effective when applied to the skin is an area requiring further innovation. (Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022)
- Regulatory considerations: as a relatively new category in skincare, exosome-based products lack clear regulatory guidelines. Understanding their sourcing, consistency, and long-term safety remains an important factor for brands and formulators. (Source: FDA)
- Consumer awareness & education: unlike well-established ingredients like peptides or growth factors, exosomes are not widely recognised by consumers. Google Trends data indicates that consumer searches for "exosomes" are significantly lower than searches for "growth factors" or "peptides," suggesting limited awareness in the market. (Source: Google Trends, February 2025)
- Potential systemic absorption risks: due to their nanometer size, exosomes may penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to unintended systemic effects. While these findings suggest potential implications for their safety in topical applications, further research is needed to explore their long-term effects and mechanisms of action.
- Growth factors as the key component: a portion of the regenerative effects attributed to exosomes stem from the growth factors they carry. Research shows that exosomes derived from dermal papilla cells and other sources owe their effectiveness to their growth factor content, which supports collagen production, immune modulation, and tissue repair.
Oleosome-Fused growth factors: a proven alternative for personal care
At CORE Biogenesis, we take a different approach—leveraging plant-based biotechnology to create biomimetic growth factors (i.e. EGF and FGF-2) fused to a delivery system called Oleosomes. This innovative technology overcomes the challenges associated with exosomes in the personal care industry:
- Clinically validated: Oleosome-EGF and Oleosome-FGF2 have been tested in a independent placebo-controlled clinical study, showing significant improvements in the 4 primary signs of aging (fine lines, firmness, hyperpigmentation, barrier) in 14 days at a 1% usage level.
- Enhanced stability: by fusing growth factors to Oleosomes—natural lipid structures from plant seeds— the technology protects the integrity and stability of the protein by 8-10X compared to the naked protein alone. This significantly improves the longevity and effectiveness of these active materials in formulations.
- Targeted delivery: Oleosomes are ~4 microns in diameter, a size that allows them to collapse upon skin contact, shuttling growth factors into the epidermis and dermis layer, without going any further.
- Proven mechanism of action: growth factors play a well-understood role in skin biology, promoting cell renewal, collagen synthesis, and wound healing—backed by decades of research. (Source: Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2023)
- Regulatory compliance & safety: Core Biogenesis plant biofactory production platform ensures consistency, purity, and regulatory transparency, avoiding any ethical or safety concerns associated with human or animal-derived exosomes.
- Scalable & sustainable: unlike exosomes, which face sourcing and consistency challenges, Oleosome-Growth Factor fusions are produced in a safe, scalable, and sustainable manner using plant biotechnology.
Before and after results using 1% Oleosome-EGF (peauvita™) in a placebo-controlled clinical study
The bottom line
Exosomes represent an exciting area of research, but their use in skincare still requires further exploration in terms of formulation, regulation, and consumer education. Growth factors—a key active component of exosomes—can be delivered in a more stable, biomimetic, and effective way through CORE Biogenesis’ plant biotechnology platform. This approach ensures reliability, safety, and proven results for next-generation skincare innovation.