Exosomes & Growth Factors: Regenerative Ingredients

 

   Exosomes are nano-sized extracellular vesicles that have regenerative properties when it comes to skin including many "anti-aging" benefits. They may help with loss of firmness, lines/wrinkles, skin texture, reducing inflammation, hyperpigmentation, helps skin heal faster post-procedure, wound healing, and acne even as part of the multitude of benefits. They are considered the delivery system for the other active ingredients to assist with as part of their formulation. They are cell-communicating ingredients which in tells the other cells to "behave" and repair the skin & damaged cells more accordingly, to promote more collagen & elastin production. 

   In essence, their genetic makeup is a mixture of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. They are able to transport growth factors, hyaluronic acid, peptides, antioxidants to penetrate better into the skin. Whether being coupled with in an-office treatment such as in injectables, lasers, or microneedling (which is a popular treatment with it added onto) or a topical skincare product, that being a serum or moisturizer. 

   The exosomes are synthetically derived from platelets & stem cells that again help to rev up fibroblasts & keratinocytes, these are the cells that found within our skin. However, more research is still required in the function of it and their efficacy. As of right now with aesthetic treatments. It's a type of solution or gel that is applied post-procedure to reap benefits and also aiding with inflammation & faster healing time.

   As for Growth Factors, which are similar but hold a bit of a different function. Growth Factors are proteins already found & that are made up within our bodies. They help signal cells to boost collagen & elastin synthesis within when applied topically. They are also derived in different ways. They affect dermal fibroblasts within the skin and the extracellular matrix. In skincare products they come in the form of peptides within formulas. They can found in selective serums & moisturizers in today's market.

   Growth factors can also be extracted from platelet rich plasma, stem cells, snails, and plants. They are also called "cytokines", making them cell-communicating ingredients as well. They are also able help with wound healing, having those regenerative properties. From my research, they are like a "booster" for the skin to assist in repair & promoting new skin cells to renew the skin in tandem with the anti-aging benefits. They can be used a part of your already standard skincare routine. I do feel more research can be done though on their efficacy and in the long-term as well for both ingredients.

P.S. I didn't find much on these ingredients for individuals with sensitive skin, always a good idea to patch test though. Doesn't hurt to do so & test it out first if it is allowed before purchasing or do so afterwards.

Yours truly alway,

Mr. Skin Care Guru