#exfoliation

This crochet buffing glove is a simple exfoliating mitt designed for everyday use. Easy to make and comfortable in the hand, it’s a useful handmade item for refreshing your skincare routine 🫧🧶

remember when face scrubs had tiny plastic beads in them? that's actually illegal now in a bunch of countries (US, UK, Canada, EU members…)

so what replaces them?

the options:

🌰 crushed fruit kernels — cheap, but the edges are irregular and can create micro-tears in skin. also the particle size is all over the place

🍍 enzyme exfoliants (papain, bromelain) — gentle, but finicky to formulate and doesn't work for every skin type

🧽 sponge spicules — the new kid. microscopic needle-shaped structures from freshwater sponges that create tiny channels in skin to boost absorption. physical exfoliation + delivery system in one ingredient

the last one is why formulators are actually excited

most exfoliants do one thing. sponge spicules do two: they exfoliate AND they make the rest of your serum work better

if you're formulating with this:

look for spicule breakage rate <10% (lower = better quality) check for FDA/ISO certifications if you're selling globally 99% grade = high-end daily care; 70% grade = professional/medical spa use

Sunshine Extract's breakdown of the two grades is actually a really clear reference even if you source elsewhere