Exosomes: The Breakthrough Delivery System In Skincare

Written by: Charlotte Smith

Updated on: 21st May 2025

A stylised 3D rendering of multiple translucent, spherical cells floating against a golden-orange background. Each cell contains a smaller, golden sphere at its core, suggesting an active ingredient.

“Exosomes” are the latest buzzword in skincare, but what are exosomes and how do they work?

Exosomes are tiny, intelligent carrier bubbles released by cells and are found in humans, plants and animals. Think of them as a high-tech delivery system, packed with proteins, lipids and messenger molecules. Their job? To help cells communicate and stay in sync, delivering exactly what’s needed, exactly where it’s needed.

The natural encapsulation of these biological molecules in an exosome helps to protect them and deliver the contents faster. When applied topically in a skincare regime, this works as a delivery system to help them absorb into our skin. Not all exosomes are equal, and the specific origin of the exosome determines the combination of bioactive molecules it has inside and, therefore, how that specific exosome will function within the skin. Every exosome from a different source will contain a different combination of ingredients, exerting different benefits on the skin.

A scientific diagram of an exosome molecule against an orange gradient background. The diagram shows a circular lipid bilayer, which is labelled as being

Phyto Exosomes: Plant-derived Exosomes

At Medik8, we’ve harnessed plant-based exosomes, known as phyto exosomes, which were chosen specifically due to their hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties.

Plants naturally contain a lot of biological molecules that are beneficial for skin health, and consequently, plant extracts are very common ingredients in skincare. Since plants naturally use exosomes to communicate, small amounts of those exosomes might have been making their way into your skincare already! With emerging research into the benefits of exosomes for the skin, this is an incredible leap in skincare science. This involves extracting and purifying high concentrations of phyto exosomes to unleash their full potential.

Phyto Exosomes in C-Tetra Advanced

As we age, the skin is exposed to more and more external stressors, including ultraviolet radiation and pollution. This causes disrupted cell signalling and can trigger chronic inflammation, resulting in visible signs of premature skin ageing. In our latest vitamin C breakthrough, C-Tetra Advanced, contains expertly chosen phyto exosomes sourced from the leaves of green tea due to their skin barrier-supporting and anti-inflammatory properties. They work to reinforce the skin’s natural defence system and soothe irritation, thereby helping the skin recover from exposure to environmental stressors.

Together, alongside our supercharged 20% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate vitamin C, C-Tetra Advanced contains a high-performance ingredient complex that helps protect against daily skin stressors that accelerate premature ageing while boosting skin radiance and resilience. All with 0% barrier disruption.*

*Proven via independent clinical & consumer studies conducted over 4 weeks on 32 participants.

Charlotte Smith

Charlotte Smith

Charlotte Smith is a Global Copywriter with a passion for crafting science-backed, engaging content. Charlotte has worked with some of the beauty industry's most innovative brands. When she’s not creating copy that connects, she’s uncovering the latest trends to ensure the messaging she creates is clear, expert-driven, & impactful across global markets.