Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Enhanced Oil Recovery using a Combination of Biosurfactants
Published on: June 3, 2022
Secretomes as an emerging class of bioactive ingredients for enhanced cosmeceutical applications
Kei-Xian Tan1, Trixie Chang1, Xiangliang Lin1
1Esco Aster Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore.
Abstract:
Skin ageing is predominantly caused by either intrinsic or extrinsic factors, leading to undesirable skin features. Advancements in both molecular and cellular fields have created possibilities in developing novel stem cell-derived active ingredients for cosmeceutical applications and the beauty industry. Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-derived secretomes or conditioned media hold great promise for advancing skin repair and regeneration due to the presence of varying cytokines. These cytokines signal our cells and trigger biological mechanisms associated with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-ageing, proliferative and immunomodulatory effects. In this review, we discuss the potential of MSC secretomes as novel biomaterials for skincare and rejuvenation by illustrating their mechanism of action related to wound healing, anti-ageing and whitening properties. The advantages and disadvantages of secretomes are compared with both plant-based and animal-derived extracts. In addition, this paper reviews the current safety standards, regulations, market products and research work related to the cosmeceutical applications of secretomes along with strategies to maintain and improve the therapeutic efficacy and production of secretomes. The future outlook of beauty industry is also presented. Lastly, we highlight significant challenges to be addressed for the clinical realization of MSC secretomes-based skin therapies as well as providing perspectives for the future direction of secretomes.
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Exosomes
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Sebaceous Glands
These glands that produce the oils on the skin and hair are holocrine glands. The mature...
Surface Membrane Barriers
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells
Overview of Secretory Vesicles
Various proteins regulate the aggregation of molecules inside the secretory vesicles. Chromogranins...

