Exosomes Are Quietly Replacing Rosemary in Hair Serums—Here's Why

Elle

23-06-2025

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Rosemary oil had its moment as the buzzy hair growth ingredient for the past year or so, and before that, products infused with castor oil, saw palmetto, and copper peptides popped up on timelines everywhere. However, with the popularity of exosomes in skin care, the best exosome hair serums are increasingly filling the carts of those on a quest to stimulate hair growth, rejuvenate damaged follicles, and boost overall scalp health.
Jess Poynter, trichologist and founder of Scalp Haven Hair Studio in Washington, has been paying close attention to exosomes for the past few years. While she typically recommends in-salon exosome treatments as the best way to see the full benefits of the regenerative ingredient, she has come across some exosome hair serums that she confidently recommends for at-home use. But first, Poynter stresses that it's important for shoppers to understand what exosomes really mean for hair and scalp health.
'Exosomes are microscopic messengers. You can think of them as tiny 'envelopes' released by cells to deliver instructions, repairs, and signals to other cells,' she explains. 'In the world of scalp health, they're part of the body's own communication system. They 'whisper' cues that can calm inflammation, support follicle resistance, and guide healthier hair behavior at the root level.' That said, not all exosome-fueled products are created equal.
The best exosome hair serums seamlessly fit into a daily hair care regimen, and typically start to show results in about three months. Whether you're looking for a plant or platelet-derived formula, a whole hair care system, or are intrigued by the idea of ashwagandha exosomes, browse the picks ahead to find the best high-tech serum for you.
Calecim Professional, a Singapore-based brand that specializes in skin care and hair care driven by stem-cell technology, has Ponyter's stamp of approval. Designed to work over six weeks, its Advanced Hair System is geared toward those with thinning, dry, or brittle hair. Each order comes with a derma stamper, which preps the scalp for maximum absorption; it also comes with six ampoules filled with a serum that contains the brand's signature PTT-6. The patented ingredient is a blend of some 3,000 proteins, which range from growth factors and cytokines to exosomes. In clinical trials, the serum was proven to increase the number of hairs on the scalp, improve the thickness of hair shafts, and boost the number of follicles on the scalp. Key ingredients: PTT-6 Size: 0.17 oz per ampoule, six ampoules are included in each boxOur expert says: 'This has a driver—their stamp tool—that really helps deliver the ingredients. Composed of proteins, hyaluronic acid, and cellular 'mesh' that helps connect everything together, this system can effectively improve regrowth communications.'—Jess Poynte
Powered by plant-derived exosomes, Vegamour's pink-packaged Gro Hair serum is a longtime favorite of ELLE editors. One of our top serums for a fuller mane, the product is best used over the course of three months. The vegan formula is made with turmeric and red leaf clover to tame inflammation, copper-infused mung beans to enlarge hair follicles and stimulate growth, and plant stem cells to boost the hair's resilience. Users are particularly keen on the product's non-greasy feel, which makes styling after applying the serum a breeze. There's also an advanced formulation, Vegamour Gro+ Hair Serum, which is specifically designed to target shedding.
Key ingredients: Plant-based phytoactives, peptides, plant stem cells
Size: 1 oz
A reviewer says: 'I love this product because it is not oily like the other topical products out there. I can actually use this in the morning before work, brush it through my hair, and it does not make my hair look greasy or oily. Nor does it make me break out.'
Designed to reduce hair breakage and flood the scalp with nutrients, Nutrafol's physician-developed formula comes recommended by Elisha Smith, an international master educator for Balmain Hair Couture and the owner of Pipton beauty boutique in North Carolina. 'Scalp-focused exosome therapy is becoming the go-to for trichologists, facialists, and wellness clinics aiming to treat hair thinning, inflammation, and scalp aging from the root,' she says. For at-home treatments, this is her pick. 'Nutrafol Growth Activator ensures and activates stronger, thicker hair using the power of ashwagandha exosomes, which are 150 times smaller than any other composition on the market, and are therefore able to more effectively penetrate the scalp,' she says.
Key ingredients: Ashwagandha exosomes, pea sprouts, Irish moss peptides
Size: 1.7 oz Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars
Our expert says: 'Skinification of the scalp is a thing these days, and I'm here for it. Biotech serums like this one are outperforming traditional hair-growth formulas in both data and design.'—Elisha Smith
According to Andrea Hui Austin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in San Francisco, 'Plated Skin Science Hair Serum is the only hair regrowth product to contain platelet-derived exosomes, which are sourced from the body's natural repair system, and are specifically optimized for skin renewal.' Unlike plant-based exosomes. platelet-derived exosomes are naturally compatible with human skin. She adds that this type of exosome has also been clinically proven to improve the health of the hair follicle and promote hair proliferation.
Key ingredients: Platelet-derived exosomes, antioxidants, natural extractsSize: 1 oz Plated Skin Science rating: 4.5/5 stars Our expert says: 'This product helps reduce inflammation and stress on the scalp skin and hair follicle, and delivers powerful nutrients that create an ideal environment for hair growth, reduce visible breakage, and enhance moisture retention, hydrating the scalp and leading to fuller, thicker-looking hair.'—Andrea Hui Austin, MD
Yes, this is technically a face serum, but according to Poynter, the exosome-fueled salve is also beneficial for hair growth. 'This is composed of ingredients that help to strengthen and feed the delicate hair follicles around the face,' she says. Those ingredients include vitamins E and A, seaweed and kelp, hydrolyzed proteins, and growth factors.
Key ingredients: Exosomes, hyaluronic acid, sea kelp, noni fruit, sea lettuce, brown algae, Irish sea moss
Size: 1 oz
Our expert says: 'This also contains Vitamin D3, which is great for cellular energy production.'—Jess Poynter
Designed to support hair growth and density, Musely's prescription-strength hair serum has stem-cell-derived exosomes to reduce inflammation in the scalp and latanoprost to prolong the hair follicles' growth phase. Its other key ingredients include caffeine, which boosts circulation in the scalp, and melatonin to protect the hair follicles from damage caused by stress or environmental factors. The serum should be used nightly, as it's recommended to keep the hair dry for four hours following application, and each bottle contains a three-month supply. To get the prescription, you'll need to have a short online visit with a Musely medical provider; afterwards, the product can be shipped to your door.
Key ingredients: Exosomes, latanoprost, caffeine, cetirizine, melatonin
Size: 1 oz
Musely rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Musely reviewer says: 'This serum truly transformed my hair care routine. Its anti-inflammatory benefits soothed my sensitive scalp, and within six months, I saw noticeable new hair growth.'
According to Hui Austin, an exosome hair serum—which is essentially a serum powered by the regenerative ingredient—helps stimulate healthy hair growth by facilitating the communication between the body's cells. The best exosome hair serums can also stimulate the hair follicle to transition into its active proliferation cycle, known as the anagen phase, for improved hair growth.
Hui Austin says that in addition to stimulating hair growth, the best exosome hair serums can reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation in the scalp while repairing damaged hair follicles.
In general, Hui Austin recommends an exosome hair serum to anyone who wants a visibly fuller head of hair. However, there are certain hair types and scalp conditions primed to receive extra benefits from the scientifically advanced serums. 'Exosome hair serums can create the biggest difference for anybody who is suffering from visible hair thinning,' Hui Austin says. 'Conditions such as male- or female-pattern balding also respond very well to exosome-based hair serums.' She adds that other hair-loss conditions, such as autoimmune alopecia areata, hypothyroidism, and stress-induced hair loss, usually require additional medical care. 'Adding an exosome-based hair serum can only be helpful in these conditions to improve hair regrowth as much as possible,' she notes.
According to Daniel Gould, MD, PhD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult with their doctors before using an exosome hair serum. 'This is primarily because there are no studies in those types of patients,' he notes. He also recommends that anyone with new-onset hair loss, anyone who is losing hair for medical reasons, or anyone who is on a new medication, should consult with a medical professional before trying an exosome hair serum.
Andrea Hui Austin, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in San Francisco.
Daniel Gould, MD, PhD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills.
Elisha Smith, an international master educator for Balmain Hair Couture and the owner of Pipton boutique in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Jess Poynter is a trichologist and the founder of Scalp Haven Hair Studio in the greater Seattle area.
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE contributor Jenny Berg spoke to experts about exosome hair serums. Using expert insights, she searched the internet for the top-rated serums on the market.
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