Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock holding Naturium's Mult-Active Exosome Serum

(Image credit: Getty Images; @kaitlyn_mclintock)

It’s not uncommon for specific skincare ingredients to become the object of internet obsession. Remember when skincare brands first introduced hyaluronic acid as a hydrating hero? Or when Instagram initially caught on to the do-it-all nature of niacinamide? Don’t get me wrong. These skincare ingredients are highly effective, and often deserve the hype. However, they’re not exactly new or unheard of. In most cases, experts have been studying, using, and recommending them for years before the internet places a big, blinding spotlight on them. That’s why I rarely get caught up in the hype—at least not before I do my due diligence by conducting research, consulting experts, and personally putting it to the test.

With that said, there’s one ingredient that genuinely excites me because 1) I’ve seen its effects on my own skin, and 2) I don’t think we’ve realized its full potential. I’m talking about exosomes—a regenerative ingredient lauded for anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and collagen-producing benefits…not to mention hair-thickening potential. They’re not new to the aesthetic industry (they’ve been used in professional clinics and in-office treatments for some time), but they’re still only found in a few OTC skincare products.