{"id":1072,"date":"2025-05-12T14:51:32","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T14:51:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homestac.com\/?p=1072"},"modified":"2025-05-13T08:34:56","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T08:34:56","slug":"i-tried-the-22-serum-said-to-rival-professional-facials-its-impressive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homestac.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/12\/i-tried-the-22-serum-said-to-rival-professional-facials-its-impressive\/","title":{"rendered":"I Tried The $22 Serum Said To Rival Professional Facials \u2014 & It\u2019s Impressive"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s rare for beauty editors to get so excited about a product<\/a> that it dominates our conversations for weeks, but that\u2019s exactly what happens when something truly special cuts through the many samples we receive. More often than not, the products generating the most buzz aren\u2019t backed by celebrities or sold at eye-watering prices. Case in point: The Inkey List\u2019s Exosome Hydro Glow Complex, $22<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If exosomes ring a bell, you\u2019ve probably heard about them from a dermatologist, esthetician, or facialist. That\u2019s because this special skincare ingredient is typically reserved for luxury facials<\/a> and high-end treatments, often touted as a \u201cmiracle\u201d for plumping, repairing, and rejuvenating the skin. In New York, for example, a facial containing exosomes can cost upwards of $500.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what makes The Inkey List\u2019s new serum seriously special. It contains three million plant-derived exosomes, clinically proven to boost collagen, the protein that gives skin its strength and suppleness, by an impressive 300%. Better still, it\u2019s a snip of the price at $22. But what exactly are exosomes? And why are skincare enthusiasts, experts, and editors so obsessed with them?<\/p>\n

What are exosomes, and what are the skin benefits?<\/h2>\n

Dr. Anjali Mahto<\/a>, a consultant dermatologist and founder of Self London<\/a>, explains that exosomes are naturally produced by our cells and act as messengers, transferring strengthening proteins, moisturizing lipids and genetic material between them: \u201cIn skincare, they are believed to promote skin regeneration, reduce inflammation, and support collagen and elastin production,\u201d says Dr. Mahto \u2014 two key components that help maintain skin\u2019s firmness and elasticity.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Exosomes can be sourced from both humans and animals, but their safety remains uncertain, and none are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration<\/a> (FDA). As a result, most exosome-based skincare products use plant-derived exosomes. In The Inkey List\u2019s clinically tested serum, the exosomes come from centella asiatica (also known as cica), making the formula both vegan and cruelty-free. Long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, cica is a popular skincare ingredient known for calming redness and reducing inflammation.<\/p>\n

As you might expect, plant-derived exosomes offer a range of skincare advantages: \u201cThe potential benefits [of exosomes] include improved skin texture, hydration, and reduced signs of aging,\u201d says Dr. Mahto \u2014 think fewer fine lines and wrinkles. While promising, Dr. Mahto notes that research into the long-term effectiveness of exosomes is still evolving. <\/p>\n

The Inkey List Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex, $22<\/a><\/h2>\n
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Besides exosomes, this serum boasts hydrating hyaluronic acid<\/a> and ectoin, which lock in moisture<\/a> and support the skin barrier. There\u2019s also Q10, an antioxidant that shields skin against environmental aggressors like dulling pollution, not to mention skin-repairing tripeptide-1. It sounds impressive on paper, but how does it hold up IRL? Firstly, I love the silky texture, which absorbs quickly and leaves my skin feeling fresh and matte, not sticky. I\u2019ve been using this serum every evening for a month, after cleansing and before moisturizing, and I\u2019ve received countless compliments on my newfound glow.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not all. Last week, I visited Self London<\/a> for a VISIA skin scan, which assesses the health of your skin in granular detail. The clinician asked if I\u2019d had any recent facials or laser treatments since my skin was impressively plump: \u201cYou\u2019ve got great skin structure,\u201d she told me. Besides using an antioxidant serum<\/a> in the morning and applying a broad-spectrum SPF 50, whether I leave the house or not, I have to assume that this serum is behind my increased collagen and elastin levels. Since using it, I\u2019m also convinced the fine lines under my eyes have softened, as have the two once-prominent frown lines between my eyebrows.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t just take my word for it. Head to Sephora<\/a> and you\u2019ll spot hundreds of reviews, many five-star, highlighting even skin tone and smoother, firmer skin over time.<\/p>\n

How do exosomes in skincare differ from professional exosome treatments or facials?<\/h2>\n

Who needs expensive treatments when it seems topical exosomes are just as good?\u00a0Or are they? Dr. Mahto says that topical exosome products may offer some benefits, such as hydration and mild rejuvenation, but their effectiveness is limited by the skin barrier, the outermost layer of skin, which can hinder penetration. \u201cProfessional exosome treatments, often delivered via microneedling or injectables, allow deeper delivery directly into the skin, potentially producing more visible results,\u201d says Dr. Mahto. \u201cOn the other hand, topical treatments can only go so far.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to The Inkey List, its cica-derived exosomes are so tiny, not to mention compatible with the skin and its natural processes, that they can \u201ceffectively penetrate the surface layers of the skin and act quickly and effectively without microneedling.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Are exosomes unstable as an ingredient? Do they need to be refrigerated or kept at a specific temperature to be effective?<\/h2>\n

But here\u2019s the thing with exosomes: they can be unstable. \u201cThey are delicate biological structures sensitive to heat, light, and oxidation,\u201d explains Dr. Mahto, essentially exposure to air. She continues, \u201cTo maintain their integrity and efficacy, exosome-containing products often require refrigeration or specific storage conditions.\u201d Dr. Mahto adds that some formulations containing exosomes are freeze-dried to improve stability at room temperature, but this varies by manufacturer. \u201cWithout appropriate storage, exosomes may degrade, rendering the product less effective,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, I contacted The Inkey List to confirm the best way to store the serum. The brand told me that it doesn\u2019t need refrigeration, but that it should preferably be stored in a cool, dark place, out of direct sunlight. The airtight packaging helps keep the ingredients effective for longer. Some people have reported issues with the pump, but I find it easy to use, as long as I store the serum upright.<\/p>\n

If exosomes have piqued your interest but the idea of dropping hundreds of dollars on one single treatment makes you squirm, this affordable serum might be your ticket. For even better results, team it with a high-factor, broad-spectrum sunscreen<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK.<\/em><\/p>\n

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It\u2019s rare for beauty editors to get so excited about a product that it dominates our conversations for weeks, but that\u2019s exactly what happens when something truly special cuts through the many samples we receive. More often than not, the products generating the most buzz aren\u2019t backed by celebrities or sold at eye-watering prices. Case…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1074,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[14],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/homestac.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1072"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/homestac.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/homestac.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homestac.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homestac.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1072"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/homestac.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1072\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1078,"href":"https:\/\/homestac.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1072\/revisions\/1078"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homestac.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/homestac.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1072"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homestac.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1072"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homestac.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1072"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}