What it is
Exosomes are small membrane-bound vesicles released by cells; this material is obtained from cultured human adipose (fat) tissue stromal cells. In cosmetics they are used as a conditioning ingredient and are marketed for their content of cell-signaling biomolecules. The vesicles are isolated from cell culture media rather than from the cells themselves.
Safety & warnings
This is a relatively new class of biotechnology-derived ingredient, and regulatory acceptance of human-cell-derived materials varies by market. Sourcing and processing controls are important; sensitive users may wish to patch test.
Origin & sourcing
Biotechnological; isolated as extracellular vesicles from cultured human adipose-derived stromal cells.
Questions everyone asks
What are exosomes?
Exosomes are tiny membrane vesicles naturally released by cells; in cosmetics they are isolated from cell cultures and used as conditioning ingredients.
Are these the same as stem cells?
No. The ingredient is the vesicles secreted by the cells, not the living cells themselves.