Exosomes vs. Retinol: What's Driving the Next Era of Skin Transformation?

As exosomes surge in popularity, Dermalogica breaks down how this emerging technology compares to gold-standard retinol—exploring how each works differently to visibly transform skin health.

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the skin care category enters a new era defined by longevity, regeneration, and skin resilience, the science of how the skin functions is now advancing faster than ever. Rather than focusing solely on correction, today's innovation centers on working with the skin's natural processes to support healthier-looking skin over time. Within this evolution, two topics have captured widespread attention across the industry: exosomes and retinol. While both of these breakout ingredients are grounded in science, each reflects a different approach to how we care for skin, working in very different ways to support skin that looks healthier and more refined.

Exosomes are microscopic messengers that naturally occur within the body, playing a critical role in how cells communicate with one another. Released by cells, they carry a range of signaling molecules such as proteins, peptides, and lipids that help maintain communication between cells. This process can be thought of as tiny biological "messages" that cells send to each other, similar to text messages traveling between friends. Inside each message is information that helps guide how cells respond, such as maintaining balance, supporting repair processes, or adapting to environmental stress. Over time, this constant exchange helps keep the skin's communication network responsive and adaptive.

In skin care, this concept is inspiring a new wave of innovation focused on cellular communication rather than aggressive intervention.
As communication between skin cells can become less efficient with age and cumulative stress, exosome-inspired technologies are being explored for their ability to help support skin that appears more resilient, balanced, and well-functioning over time. Importantly, these approaches are not about changing what the skin is but about supporting how it naturally responds.

Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, has long been considered a gold-standard ingredient in skin care. Backed by decades of research, retinol is known for encouraging visible renewal, helping to smooth the appearance of texture and refine the look of skin over time. Recent advances in formulation science—such as optimized delivery systems and supportive ingredients—have helped modern retinol products become more approachable, improving comfort while maintaining performance for a broader range of skin types.

Though their approaches differ, both exosomes and retinol reflect a broader shift in how the industry thinks about skin health. Retinol focuses on visible renewal at the surface, while exosome-inspired formulas take cues from the skin's natural communication processes. Together, they illustrate a more holistic philosophy—one that emphasizes collaboration with the skin rather than correction alone.

Dermalogica has drawn from both of these fields in product innovations. From next-generation retinol serums like Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum, to pioneering professional-use innovations such as, Exo Booster, the brand continues to explore how new and established technologies can work in harmony.

As interest grows around advanced skin technologies—including exosome-inspired approaches to skin renewal—Dermalogica is preparing to introduce a next-generation serum innovation in early 2026, designed to support visible skin renewal through a multi-pathway approach that reflects the complex ways skin changes with age.

Insights referenced from the International Dermal Institute's professional education resources and global community of licensed skin therapists.

About Dermalogica
Used by skin care professionals around the world, Dermalogica delivers skin treatment expertise with every touch. In 1983, founder Jane Wurwand identified a gap in professional skin care training and created the International Dermal Institute to provide advanced, post-graduate education. Wurwand launched Dermalogica in 1986, bucking the era's industry trends in favor of clean formulas, a minimalist look, and commitment to skin health, not beauty.

Dermalogica today trains 100,000 skin therapists per year in advanced technologies and services. Products are formulated for the treatment room, used daily in the hands of licensed skin therapists and by millions of people for professional results at home. Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, Dermalogica is made in the USA, with products sold in more than 80 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.dermalogica.com.

SOURCE Dermalogica