In short: secretome is the full set of substances a cell releases to communicate with the cells around it. It includes growth factors, peptides, cytokines and extracellular vesicles such as exosomes. In skincare, secretome is collected from cells grown in a laboratory and added to a serum, without the cells themselves.
Secretome skincare uses the natural mix of substances that cells release to communicate with each other. Instead of relying on one isolated ingredient, a secretome product brings a range of these signals together in a single formula.
It is a new category for many people, so this guide covers the basics: what secretome is, what is in it, how it compares with other ingredients and how it is used in clinics.
Secretome explained
Your skin works through constant communication between cells. Cells release proteins and other molecules that tell neighbouring cells what is happening around them. The complete set of these released substances is called the secretome.
As we get older, this communication becomes less efficient. That is one reason researchers have become interested in secretome, and particularly in the secretome of stem cells, which are known to be active communicators.
What is in a secretome?
A secretome contains several families of molecules. A 2021 review in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology groups them broadly as:
- Growth factors, signalling proteins that pass messages between cells
- Cytokines, small proteins involved in cell communication
- Peptides, short chains of amino acids
- Extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, which carry molecules between cells
The same review notes that research in this area is still developing, with much of it carried out in the laboratory, and that standard ways of producing and measuring secretome are still being established. That is worth bearing in mind whenever you read about this ingredient.
Other names for secretome
You may see secretome described in other ways, particularly in research papers and on ingredient lists.
- Conditioned medium. The liquid that cells have grown in, which holds their secretome. Scientific reviews often use the two terms side by side.
- Stem cell secretome or MSC secretome. Secretome collected from stem cells. MSC stands for mesenchymal stem (or stromal) cells, the type most often studied.
- Growth factor serum. A broader term. Some growth factor products contain a full secretome and others a smaller selection of ingredients, so it is worth asking what is inside.
Secretome therapy and secretome-based therapy
You will often see the terms secretome therapy and secretome-based therapy in research. Both describe using the substances that cells release, rather than the cells themselves, to support the body’s own repair processes. This is why the approach is sometimes called cell-free.
The same 2021 review in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology describes these substances as growth factors, cytokines and extracellular vesicles, including microvesicles and exosomes. Much of this work is still at the research stage, and medical uses such as wound healing are studied within clinical trials.
Secretome skincare is different. It is a cosmetic product applied to the surface of the skin, most often as aftercare after clinic treatments such as microneedling, and it is not a medical therapy. It is worth being clear about that distinction when you see the terms used side by side online.
How is secretome made for skincare?
Cells are grown in carefully controlled laboratory conditions. As they grow, they release their secretome into the surrounding liquid. That liquid is then collected and processed so the secretome can be used as an ingredient. The cells themselves are not included in the finished product.
Sekretome uses secretome that is ethically sourced and produced by a specialist biotechnology partner. It is then formulated and manufactured in the UK.
Secretome compared with other ingredients
| Ingredient | What it is |
|---|---|
| Secretome | The full range of substances a cell releases |
| Exosomes | One type of extracellular vesicle within the secretome |
| Polynucleotides | DNA fragments, often derived from salmon or trout |
| Hyaluronic acid | A moisture-binding molecule found naturally in skin |
For a closer look at the most common comparison, read secretome vs exosomes.
What does the research say?
Interest in secretome began in regenerative medicine. Researchers found that much of the benefit of stem cell treatments seemed to come from the substances the cells release, rather than from the cells settling into the body. That turned attention to the secretome as a cell-free approach.
In skin, a 2021 review in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology brought together 90 published studies on stem cell secretome, covering areas such as skin ageing, wound repair and hair growth, and described it as a promising field.
Clinical studies are now looking at how secretome fits around in-clinic treatments. In a 2023 randomised split-face study of 30 women, dermatologists in Jakarta treated one side of the face with microneedling and the other with fractional CO2 laser, each followed by a concentrated secretome. Both sides showed significant improvement in wrinkles and photoageing scores by the end of the six-week study, with comparable results between the two methods.
A 2023 randomised split-face study in Annals of Dermatology looked at the weeks after laser treatment. Of the 30 people enrolled, 27 completed the study. Each had non-ablative fractional laser across the whole face, then stem cell conditioned medium on one side and saline on the other, over three sessions two weeks apart. The treated side showed lower water loss through the skin, a measure of barrier function, and less redness throughout the study.
These studies describe the research field as a whole rather than any one product.
Where secretome fits after treatment
Clinic treatments such as microneedling, laser resurfacing and chemical peels work by creating controlled stress in the skin. For a few days afterwards, skin can feel tight, warm and dry. This is when professional aftercare earns its place.
Sekretome is applied in clinic straight after treatment, and your practitioner will advise how to continue at home. It pairs secretome with long and short chain hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and replenish moisture while skin settles.
How to use secretome skincare
Professional secretome products are usually applied by your practitioner at the end of a treatment, when skin is freshly treated. Your clinic will then explain how and when to continue at home. Keep the rest of your routine simple in the days that follow: a gentle cleanser, hydration and a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Pause strong actives such as retinoids and exfoliating acids until your practitioner says it is fine to restart. Our guide to skincare after microneedling covers this day by day.
What secretome skincare is, and is not
Sekretome is a cosmetic product. It is designed to help skin look and feel its best after treatment, and to support comfort and hydration while skin settles. It is not a medicine, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any medical condition. If you have concerns about your skin, speak to a qualified practitioner.
Is secretome skincare safe?
Any cosmetic sold in the UK must have a safety assessment before it goes on sale. If you are unsure about a product, ask your practitioner where its active ingredients come from and whether it has been assessed for safety.
Always follow the aftercare advice your practitioner gives you. If you have a known skin condition or sensitivity, speak to your practitioner before using any new product.
Frequently asked questions
What does secretome mean?
Secretome is the name for the full set of substances a cell releases to communicate with the cells around it, including growth factors, peptides, cytokines and extracellular vesicles.
What is secretome therapy?
Secretome therapy usually refers to medical research into using secretome to support healing, for example in wounds. That work happens in clinical trials. Secretome skincare is different: it is a cosmetic product, designed to help skin look and feel its best.
Is secretome the same as conditioned medium?
They are closely related. Conditioned medium is the liquid cells have grown in, and the secretome is what the cells have released into it. Research papers often use the two terms interchangeably.
Does secretome skincare contain stem cells?
No. Secretome products contain the substances cells release, not the cells themselves.
Is secretome the same as exosomes?
No. Exosomes are one part of the secretome. Secretome also contains growth factors, peptides and cytokines.
Is secretome skincare safe?
Every cosmetic sold in the UK must have a safety assessment before it goes on sale. It is worth asking your practitioner where a product’s active ingredients come from and whether it has been assessed.
Who is secretome skincare suitable for?
It is typically used by people having clinic treatments such as microneedling, laser or peels. If you have a known skin condition or sensitivity, speak to your practitioner first.
How is secretome skincare applied?
In clinic, your practitioner applies it straight after treatment. They will then explain how and when to continue at home.
Can I use secretome with my other skincare?
Keep your routine simple after treatment and pause strong actives such as retinoids and exfoliating acids until your practitioner says it is fine to restart.
Can I buy Sekretome online?
Sekretome is available only through partner clinics, so your practitioner can advise how it fits your treatment.
Sources
- Ahn HJ, Kim YJ, Myeong S, Huh G, Kim WS. Clinical evaluation of conditioned media of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells for improvement of symptoms of sensitive skin: prospective, single blinded, split-face study. Annals of Dermatology. 2023;35(3):165-172.
- Damayanti RH, Rusdiana T, Wathoni N. Mesenchymal stem cell secretome for dermatology application: a review. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2021;14:1401-1412.
- Vizoso FJ, Eiro N, Cid S, Schneider J, Perez-Fernandez R. Mesenchymal stem cell secretome: toward cell-free therapeutic strategies in regenerative medicine. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2017;18(9):1852.
- Yusharyahya SN, Japranata VV, Sitohang IBS, Legiawati L, Novianto E, Suseno LS, Rachmani K. A comparative study on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells secretome delivery using microneedling and fractional CO2 laser for facial skin rejuvenation. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2023;16:387-395.
Having a treatment? Ask your clinic about Sekretome aftercare.
