Dr Ivy London – the exosomes skincare that’s set to transform your skin 

What is the buzz about exosomes? These tiny bubbles full of regenerative molecules have been causing excitement in the world of aesthetic treatments, for their ability to boost skin regeneration and calm inflammation.

Now they’re finding their way into skincare – and top cosmetic physician founder Dr Ivona Igerc, (aka Dr Ivy) has launched her first dedicated exosome skincare line in Europe, Dr Ivy London, designed to give visible benefits for every complexion in just one month.

Dr Ivy created her expertly formulated exosome line to be the perfect bridge between Harley St (where her clinic is located) and home, sustaining and even improving upon clinic treatment results.

You don’t need to be one of her clients to benefit. The Dr Ivy Exosome Treatment Protocol (Regenerative Exosome Cleanser, Serum and Face Cream) is available now, with the hero product being the Dr Ivy Regenerative Exosome Serum, packed with a punchy 17.5 million exosomes per bottle.

Dr Ivy, founder of Dr Ivy London exosomes skincare range

Dr Ivy: the queen of facial contouring

Dr Ivy is something of a best-kept secret in the world of tweakments and injectables, with her admirers (she treats royalty and celebrities from all over the world, including household names such as Judy Murray) invariably declaring her the best injector they’ve ever come across.

Born into a dynasty of medical doctors in Croatia, Dr Ivy (as she’s widely known) studied dental surgery and gained a specialisation in scientific work on BMP proteins (Bone Morphogenetic Protein, a type of growth factor) and stem cells for bone regeneration, before translating those skills into a pioneering international career in facial harmony techniques and a regenerative-medicine approach to beauty.

She’s known for her ‘Face Design’ injectable technique, creating facial harmony in an undetectable way. She works with a bespoke combination of skin boosters, wrinkle relaxing toxin injections such as Botox, soft threads and light ‘whisper fillers’. You can read what happened when we sent nervous tweakment newbie, journalist Rachel Johnson, to see Dr Ivy for her signature Swan Lift tweakment.

Subtlety and a deep respect for natural characteristics are her superpowers when enhancing facial features, as is the integration of health and lifestyle factors: maximising your looks is “a marathon, not a sprint,” she says.

When it came to creating her own skincare line, exosomes – but only those that met her exacting standards – were the natural choice to support her work. We asked her to tell us more about these skin-boosting powerhouses and the results you can expect.

Delivery! Why exosomes are like a ‘GPS’

Exosomes are expert messengers that communicate between all our cells. They are shaped like minuscule ‘bubbles’ and contain fragments of molecules such as growth factors and ceramides. These ‘switch on’ important actions within our cells. Dr Ivy likens them to a GPS for skin cells, because “they navigate the right information to the right cell (just like GPS guides you to a final destination) and tell it what to do: produce collagen, reduce inflammation, and much more.”

What are the benefits of exosomes?

Exosomes are super-skilled at dampening inflammation, which is “essential if we want to slow or reverse ageing,” says Dr Ivy.

Chronic inflammation, she says, damages collagen, disrupts the barrier, and accelerates ageing.

Exosomes calm this inflammation, while stimulating repair, and so “supercharge any treatment or ingredient they are used in conjunction with, enhancing its results.”

It’s one reason why cosmetic doctors, including Dr Ivy, are so keen to apply them after energy-based treatments such as fractional laser treatments and Morpheus 8, (radiofrequency microneedling), which can leave skin temporarily red and inflamed.

These treatments (microneedling is another), says Dr Ivy, “also create temporary microchannels that allow the exosomes to penetrate deeper,” says Dr Ivy. It boosts the skin’s ability to make collagen and elastin, resulting in plumper, tighter skin.

Can exosomes in skincare penetrate deeply enough to work?

“There’s a misconception that exosomes cannot work unless they are pushed past the skin barrier,” says Dr Ivy. Here’s where formulation is key. “My skincare is engineered for absorption and designed to be effective topically, all from the convenience of your home.”

What’s special about Dr Ivy London’s exosomes?

Exosomes in skincare are derived from plants, and Dr Ivy chose centella asiatica as her source. Known as cica or tiger grass, it’s a hugely popular ingredient in barrier-boosting skincare. “It’s one of the most studied botanicals for wound healing and collagen stimulation,” she says.

The herb’s regenerative properties are proven in dermatology, she adds. She sourced them from a highly regarded German biotech company, who produce medical-grade, bioactive molecules.

She then had three other ‘musts’ to ensure her exosome skincare truly performed.

Firstly, the particles had to be small enough to get where needed. “The particles are the tiniest possible size, in order to deeply penetrate the skin without ‘help’[such as from microneedling],” she says.

Secondly, the formula had to have peptides and soothing ingredients that work in synergy and amplify each other’s benefits.

Lastly, there needed to be an exceptionally high concentration of exosomes, as clinical research showed that more is more when it comes to these ingredients. “My serum alone contains 17.5 million exosomes per bottle, which guarantees superior results,” she says.

Using the entire Dr Ivy Exosome Treatment Protocol, £660, which comprises a Regenerative Exosome Cleanser, Serum and Face Cream, means you’re getting a total of no less than 43.5 million exosomes. Dr Ivy formulated the protocol specifically to deliver noticeable improvements in just a month.

Intrigued? Here’s a look at the range and how to use it to bring the clinic right into your home.

Shop Dr Ivy Skincare at drivyskincare.com