No it is not encapsulated, and it doesn't need to be. The Essential Ceramides and the Vit E are hydrophobic and help the Vit C and Superoxide Dismutase enter the skin, then seal it in afterwards.

Kudos for understanding that Exosomes are all about intercellular communications! No, A.C.E. Technology® is not a communication tool in the same sense as growth factors (exosomes), but you are correct in understanding that because it triggers all these enzymes, it is effectively activating a lot of good messengers and sending signals across the cell.

So, not really communication across cells (unlike exosomes), but A LOT of communication within ALL cells. One of our products (HA serum) is all about cell-to-cell communication, and several of our products contain communication peptides too.

We try to stay away from pregnancy-safe claims and rely on the practitioner. I would always recommend that they consult with their doctor on Sal acid, and of course retinol is a no-no when pregnant. I would also mention that we have not tested on pregnant patients, and that except for Sal Acid and Retinol, our formulas are based exclusively on either GRAS, Cat. B or cosmetic status ingredients.

All our products are tested to provide a shelf-life of 2 years minimum, and we are even working towards proving their stability for 3 years. Once the product is open it is good for 12 months.

Retinol is retinol, it's a single molecule. The only way retinol can be expensive as opposed to cheap is if it's encapsulated or entrapped. Which ours is not. However, it is in a super-stable chassis with minimal water, whereas other retinols are not (they are in traditional emulsions). Retinol hates water so our chassis protects it well. Retinol also hates light, which very few brands pay attention to, but we use a special manufacturing technique under yellow light that helps preserve the integrity of our retinol formulation.