CosExo™ Exosome-Milk(Exo-C01)

What Are Milk-Derived Exosomes?

Milk-derived exosomes are natural nanoparticles, typically ranging from 30 to 100 nm in size, that are secreted by mammalian mammary gland cells into milk. These microvesicles serve as crucial mediators of intercellular communication, carrying a complex cargo of biological molecules that can influence the function of recipient cells. They have the following core features:

• Composition: Rich in bioactive molecules including proteins (e.g., CD9, CD81, FLOT-1), lipids, mRNA, and microRNA.
• Function: Mediate intercellular communication and modulate biological processes such as immune responses, tissue repair, and metabolic functions.
• Stability: Maintain structural and functional integrity under challenging conditions like lyophilization and repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
• Biocompatibility: Exhibit low immunogenicity and are suitable for cellular uptake and potential transdermal delivery due to their natural origin.

Why Choose Milk Exosomes?

Milk has long been recognized as a natural source of nourishment for the skin. Today, advances in exosome research offer a new perspective on milk’s skincare potential.

• Natural and Sustainable Origin: Milk-derived exosomes are naturally abundant, ethically sourced, and align with consumer demand for clean, safe skincare ingredients.
• High Biocompatibility and Low Immunogenicity: Their natural composition minimizes the risk of immune reactions, making them suitable for sensitive skin and broad cosmetic applications.
• Superior Skin Penetration and Targeted Delivery: With nano-sized vesicles and lipid bilayers, milk-derived exosomes efficiently cross the skin barrier to deliver bioactive molecules directly to skin cells.
• Rich Bioactive Cargo: They carry proteins, lipids, mRNA, and microRNA that promote cellular repair, regulate metabolism, and support skin rejuvenation at the cellular level.
• Industrial Scalability and Cost-Effectiveness: Milk provides a readily available, large-scale raw material, offering advantages in production efficiency and scalability for cosmetic manufacturing.

Milk Exosomes Characterization. (A–C) Photographs of milk exosomes before and after lyophilization and laser treatment. (D–E) Particle size distribution by nFCM. (F–G) SYTO-9 fluorescence vs. SSC plots. (H) TEM images comparing native and lyophilized milk exosomes. (Wu X, et al., 2024)

Applications of Milk-derived Exosomes in Skincare

• Milk-Derived Exosomes for Anti-Aging and Skin Rejuvenation

  Milk-derived exosomes demonstrate significant potential in combating signs of aging and supporting skin repair. They can influence collagen metabolism by inhibiting the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) induced by UV exposure, thereby reducing collagen degradation. Concurrently, studies indicate they promote the synthesis of Type I and Type III collagen by dermal fibroblasts, contributing to improved skin elasticity and firmness. Furthermore, Milk-derived exosomes enhance skin hydration and barrier function through upregulation of key markers such as filaggrin (FLG) and hyaluronidase 2 (HAS2) expression in keratinocytes, boosting the skin's natural water retention capacity. They also support the reconstruction of the stratum corneum lipids, vital for a robust skin barrier.

• Milk Exosomes for Skin Brightening and Melanin Regulation

  Milk-derived exosomes show promise in addressing uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation. Milk exosomes can potentially reduce melanin production by decreasing the activity of tyrosinase within melanocytes. Experimental models, such as studies in zebrafish, have indicated a whitening effect comparable to that of Arbutin. Additionally, their capacity to inhibit UV-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation helps mitigate photoaging and associated pigmentation issues.

• Soothing and Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Milk Exosomes

  Due to their cargo of immunomodulatory molecules, milk-derived exosomes can contribute to calming irritated and sensitive skin. They are capable of delivering anti-inflammatory microRNAs, including miR-30a and miR-223, which can inhibit the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and MCP-1, thereby helping to alleviate redness and sensitivity. Beyond soothing, milk exosomes also support the skin's natural recovery processes, promoting fibroblast migration to accelerate epidermal repair and potentially minimizing scar formation.

• Milk Exosomes as Natural Nanocarriers for Active Ingredient Delivery

  Beyond their intrinsic biological activities, milk-derived exosomes can function as natural, biocompatible carriers for other cosmetic active ingredients, such as Vitamin C or various peptides. Their protective lipid membrane structure helps shield encapsulated cargo from degradation, potentially enhancing the stability and improving the transdermal absorption efficiency of these co-delivered active compounds, offering a sophisticated method for formulating multi-functional skincare products.

References

1. Han G, Kim H, Kim D E, et al. The potential of bovine colostrum-derived exosomes to repair aged and damaged skin cells. Pharmaceutics. 2022, 14(2): 307. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14020307
2. Wu X, Shen J, Zhong Y, et al. Large-Scale Isolation of Milk Exosomes for Skincare. Pharmaceutics. 2024, 16(7): 930. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16070930
3. Rashidi M, Bijari S, Khazaei A H, et al. The role of milk-derived exosomes in the treatment of diseases. Frontiers in Genetics. 2022, 13: 1009338. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2022.1009338
4. Lu L, Bai W, Wang M, et al. Novel roles of bovine milk‐derived exosomes in skin antiaging. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2024, 23(4): 1374-1385. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16112

Case Study 1: Bovine Colostrum-Derived Exosomes for Skin Regeneration (Han G, 2022)

This study evaluated bovine colostrum-derived exosomes (Col M-exos) for their ability to mitigate UV-induced skin damage and aging in keratinocytes, melanocytes, and fibroblasts. Col M-exos were isolated at significantly higher yields than exosomes from cell cultures. In keratinocytes, Col M-exos reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) following UV-C exposure, demonstrating antioxidant activity. In melanocytes, they suppressed UV-induced melanin production, suggesting potential benefits for hyperpigmentation. In fibroblasts, Col M-exos enhanced cell proliferation, promoted Type I collagen synthesis, suppressed MMP2 expression, and supported fibroblast migration, contributing to improved skin elasticity and repair. The study also confirmed that Col M-exos maintained excellent structural and functional stability after freeze-drying and repeated freeze-thaw cycles, unlike exosomes from cultured cells. With low cytotoxicity and efficient cellular uptake, bovine colostrum-derived exosomes show strong potential as natural actives for repairing aged and UV-damaged skin.

Figure 1. Milk Exosomes Inhibit UV-Induced Melanogenesis in B16F10 Cells. (A) Images of intracellular melanin extraction after UV and Col M-exo pretreatment. (B) Dose-dependent reduction of melanin content with Col M-exo. (C) Comparison of different exosomes on melanin inhibition. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 vs. control.

Figure 2. Milk Exosomes Enhance Skin Elasticity in Human Dermal Fibroblasts. (A) CCK-8 assay showing increased proliferation of HDFs treated with milk exosomes. (B) Reduced MMP2 expression levels. (C) Immunostaining images showing increased type I collagen expression after Col M-exo treatment.

Case Study 2: Evaluating Milk-Derived Exosomes for Enhanced Skincare Performance (Wu X, 2024)

A research study successfully established a purification method combining acid pretreatment with tangential flow filtration, demonstrating that milk-derived exosomes (MDEs) retain their key structural and functional properties after lyophilization. Skin-related evaluations revealed multiple benefits: MDEs enhanced barrier function, reduced melanin levels for a brightening effect, protected against oxidative stress associated with aging, and exhibited notable anti-inflammatory and soothing activities. The study also confirmed the ability of MDEs to penetrate the skin efficiently while maintaining a favorable safety profile. Further analysis of the exosomal cargo identified specific proteins and microRNAs likely responsible for the observed improvements. These findings provide strong scientific support for the use of scalable, naturally sourced milk-derived exosomes as a multifunctional active ingredient in advanced skincare formulations.

Figure 1. Anti-Aging Effects of Milk Exosomes Through ROS Scavenging. (A) Flow cytometry analysis showing ROS scavenging by mEVs in NIH3T3 cells. (B) Zebrafish images with no treatment, GSH, and mEVs. (C) Quantification of ROS levels in zebrafish, with significant reductions in the mEVs group. ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001 vs. control.

Figure 2. Soothing Effects of Milk Exosomes in RAW264.7 Cells. (A) Cytotoxicity of mEVs assessed by CCK-8 assay. (B) mEVs reduced pro-inflammatory markers (COX-2, IL-6, TNF-α) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. (C) mEVs increased anti-inflammatory markers (Arg-1, Stat-6, IL-10). ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001 vs. control.

References

1. Han G, Kim H, Kim D E, et al. The potential of bovine colostrum-derived exosomes to repair aged and damaged skin cells. Pharmaceutics. 2022, 14(2): 307. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14020307
2. Wu X, Shen J, Zhong Y, et al. Large-Scale Isolation of Milk Exosomes for Skincare. Pharmaceutics. 2024, 16(7): 930. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16070930

• Are milk-derived exosomes safe for use in skincare products?

  Yes. Milk-derived exosomes are naturally sourced from cow’s milk and exhibit high biocompatibility with human skin. They carry a low risk of immunogenicity and cytotoxicity, making them safe for use across a variety of cosmetic formulations. Each batch undergoes strict purification and quality testing to ensure safety for topical applications.

• How do you ensure the purity and quality of exosomes?

  At Creative Biostructure, we ensure high purity through a rigorous process involving cutting-edge ultra-purification technology, aiming for 99% purity. Our process combines triple-layered deep filtration for laboratory-grade purification, a 3000-step gradient filtration system to meticulously remove impurities, and a 1000-fold concentration to obtain a highly enriched exosome solution. This stringent process consistently delivers reliable, high-quality exosomes for a wide range of applications.

• How should CosExo™ Exosome-Milk be added to cosmetic formulations?

  CosExo™ Exosome-Milk is available as lyophilized powder or frozen liquid. The lyophilized form should be reconstituted with deionized water to the desired concentration. Milk-derived exosomes have been successfully used in lotions, masks, serums, and creams. They maintain structural and functional stability after freeze-drying and through multiple freeze-thaw cycles, outperforming cell-derived exosomes. However, compatibility and long-term stability in specific formulations should be verified through individual product testing.

• What is the recommended dosage of milk exosome in a cosmetic formulation?

  The optimal dosage of milk exosomes in cosmetic formulations varies depending on the product type and desired efficacy. Research studies demonstrate beneficial effects using concentrations ranging from approximately 1x10^9 to 1x10^11 particles/mL in various in vitro and in vivo models. For specific guidance on integrating CosExo™ Exosome-Milk into your formulation, we recommend consulting directly with Creative Biostructure's technical experts.

• Can CosExo™ Exosome-Milk be used for DIY cosmetic or food formulations?

  No. Our products are designated solely for research and industrial-scale production. It is not permitted for DIY cosmetic or food preparation. Creative Biostructure disclaims all liability for issues arising from improper usage.

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