| Name | Walnut shell powder |
| INCI Name | Juglans Regia shell |
Walnut shells, known for their gentle abrasive properties, are a popular ingredient in exfoliating scrubs. They effectively remove dead skin cells and impurities, revealing a smoother, healthier complexion. As a natural alternative to plastic microbeads, which have been banned in many countries due to environmental concerns, walnut shells offer an eco-friendly option for skincare.
What is Walnut shell?A walnut shell is the hard, woody pericarp (the outer layer of a fruit) that encases the edible walnut kernel. These shells are tough and rigid to protect the delicate nut inside from pests and physical damage. When walnuts are harvested and processed for their kernels, these shells become a significant byproduct.
To make them useful for skincare and other applications, these shells undergo a specific process i.e. cleaning, drying, crushing, grinding, milling and sieving. The end product is a finely ground walnut shell powder (sometimes called walnut shell grit).
This is a natural alternative to plastic microbeads, which have been banned in many countries due to environmental concerns, walnut shells offer an eco-friendly option for skincare. For years, many exfoliating scrubs contained tiny plastic beads, known as microbeads. While effective at exfoliating, these tiny plastic particles were a major environmental disaster. Recognizing this severe environmental impact, many countries (including the US, UK, Canada, India, and others) have banned the use of plastic microbeads. Unlike plastic microbeads walnut shells are a natural, biodegradable, and renewable resource.
Walnut shell powder provides mechanical exfoliation. This means it physically rubs away the outer layer of dead skin cells (the stratum corneum) and trapped impurities from the skin's surface. Removing dead skin and debris helps prevent clogged pores, which can lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. By sloughing off rough, dull skin cells, it reveals the fresher, smoother skin underneath. This gives the skin a softer feel. Exfoliation signals the skin to produce new cells more rapidly, contributing to healthier skin regeneration. With fewer dead skin cells blocking the way, subsequent skincare products (like serums and moisturizers) can penetrate more effectively.
What does Walnut shell do to your skin?Walnut shell powder gently exfoliates the skin, effectively removing dead skin cells and impurities to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. It helps to unclog pores, improve skin texture, and is a natural, eco-friendly alternative to plastic microbeads.
Found in WHITE SLATEFound in Exfoliating Face & Body Polisher which gently polishes away dead skin cells and impurities, revealing a smoother, brighter complexion.
