Plant-Derived Exosomes in Aesthetic Medicine

The global cosmetic surgery industry is actively seeking alternatives that can overcome the limitations of traditional animal-derived exosomes, which face clinical translation bottlenecks including high costs, immunological risks, and zoonotic disease hazards. Plant-derived exosomes (PLDEs) offer a promising attractive "green" nanotechnology platform owing to their inherent safety, minimal immunogenicity, and suitability for scalable manufacturing. Their core advantage lies in delivering plant-specific bioactive compounds (such as small RNAs and secondary metabolites) that target multiple key signaling pathways, including skin aging, pigmentation, inflammation, and regeneration, through cross-species regulatory mechanisms. This review critically synthesizes PLDE biological basis, isolation methods, and evidence for antiaging, skin brightening, and regenerative efficacy. It delineates how surface functionalization, targeted drug delivery, and biomaterial integration (hydrogels and microneedles) optimize PLDE targeting. Finally, it addresses current challenges in clinical translation and standardization, offering a forward-looking perspective on the development of next-generation PLDE-based therapies for minimally invasive aesthetic applications.