Engineered Exosomes for Skin Antiaging: A New Frontier in Regenerative Medicine

Skin aging is an intricate and multidimensional biological process driven by both endogenous and exogenous factors. It manifests as impaired skin structure and function, morphological alterations, and an elevated risk of associated disorders. Current skin antiaging therapies have made considerable advancements. However, notable challenges persist regarding safety, long-term efficacy, and delivery efficiency. These challenges have prompted the field of regenerative medicine to pursue more effective therapeutic strategies. Engineered exosomes (Exos) are nanoscale vesicles optimized through bioengineered strategies. They exhibit excellent biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and a strong capability to deliver diverse bioactive molecules. Stem cell-derived exosomes (SC-Exos) represent ideal sources for engineered Exos. However, natural Exos are limited by low yield, insufficient drug-loading capacity, and poor targeting efficiency. To address these limitations, engineered strategies have been developed to enhance yield, enrich functional components, and achieve targeted delivery. Furthermore, this review investigates the combined use of engineered Exos with delivery systems such as microneedles and gels to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Ongoing technological advancements have enabled engineered Exos to emerge as a safe, efficient, precise, and promising frontier in precision skin antiaging. They are poised to drive revolutionary breakthroughs in regenerative medicine.