It’s the hit new addition to serums in skincare – but what are exosomes? Are they scientifically proven to do anything? Medicube, a big innovator of Korean skincare, has released a line of skin serums that utilize exosome technology – but what does it really mean? And is it worth purchasing over your old, trusty serums? Let’s find out together! 

Simply put, exosomes are little packages that your cells send to each other for various reasons. If one little cell wants to send his buddy something (i.e. a tasty parcel of amino acids), they package it up into a small fatty droplet (to be protected), so it can pass through one cell membrane and safely into another. They have interested scientists greatly for a long time, as it’s a safe mechanism to package up medicine or important biomolecules to then ‘deliver’ to a targeted cell wherever in the body. 

These little exosome bubbles are harvested from Lactobacillus cells (the same probiotics used in a healthy dash of yoghurt), centifuged and separated out. These are then wrapped around the target molecule that Medicube is aiming to deliver to your skin cells (i.e. PDRN in their Pink Exosome Shot or Nano-sized cica in their Cica Ampoule).  

Now, in clinical study – this technique has shown to greatly enhance absorption of target product. In a study on wound healing, they found increased collagen deposition when exosomes were used and generally helped produce calmer, happier skin. It has proven ability to improve anti-aging molecules (i.e. PDRN) and rejuvenated skin in 6 weeks. And they’ve shown to have an excellent safety profile, even in sensitive skin. 

If you know Medicube, you should know they never stop at the start. They’ve incorporated exosomes in their shot treatments on spicules. What is that? They are incredibly tiny needles that they extracted from freshwater sponges that they adhere the exosomes to. This allows it to punch a microscopic hole in between skin cells, to better penetrate and reach deeper layers of skin. Spicule technology is famous from the VT Reedle shot, which is a booster that allows skincare products to better reach deeper layers of skin.

This leads to a tingling sensation on application, as the needles burrow their way into tiny channels. Then, the attached exosomes dissipate and has led to Medicube’s study of an improved absorption of +240% compared to non-exosome technology. 

Their numbers are impressive from all three of their exosome shot range – with the ability to improve drastically from the standard serums. 

Their exosome shots often come in two strengths (like most spicule serums) - with a recommended 2000ppm strength for first-time users to trial out and ensure skin compatibility and a 7500ppm strength for experienced users of micro-needling and exosome technology. It gives skin time to adapt from one strength to the other and ensure maximum results without lingering irritation. 

Medicube’s Zero Pore Exosome Shot is the most famous example of this technology. It packages up niacinamide, panthenol and trumpet flower extract to reduce pore appearance by 20%, shrink pore size and improve skin sebum production and exfoliate up to 80% of dead skin cells with refreshing BHA. It sinks quickly and deeply and users report improved blackheads and noticed an immediate change to skin appearance. 

Medicube’s PDRN Pink Exosome Shot brings together the newfound love of salmon PDRN and the punch of exosome + spicule technology to deliver anti-aging, DNA-regenerating PDRN, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide deeply into skin. It provides an immediate 47% boost to hydration of cells within one use and provides +260% increase to absorption of PDRN compared to non-exosome technology. Users found immediate improvement to skin plumpness and glow and improvement to blemishes and pigmentation. 

Medicube’s third exosome serum is their Cica Exosome Tea Tree Ampoule. With a soothing background of 60% centella asciatica leaf water and 12 types of cica extracts, Medicube encapsulated nano cica in small exosomes to provide 5x stronger action and absorption in skin and sebum balance. With a cocktail of madecassoside, heartleaf and niacinamide – this ampoule deeply penetrates, calms redness and provides a deep hydration to skin cells. 

In conclusion, there is a growing base of research for exosome use in skincare. It is likely we will keep seeing products burst on the market and they are showing great results. Do take care to note that a lot of the serum specific results come from Medicube itself (and there is likely to be bias), but the wider community response has been very positive. 

People are seeing great effect and swearing by these serums use in their routines – with a good background of scientific evidence to support their safety and strong potential for future therapies.