The earliest application of hydrolyzed sponge came from Europe, where locals used traditional therapies to treat blisters and papules. They selected freshwater sponges that lived in clean water, applied them and left them in the sun to dry before breaking them down into a powder. This sponge powder was then mixed with water and applied to skin troubled by acne, followed by rinsing with clean water. After 3-5 days of application, the skin would shed and new skin would grow. After being treated with this sponge powder for 3 times, the acne or pimples would be cured. With the development of modern science and technology, especially the improvement and popularization of microscopes in cosmetic companies, researchers discovered under a microscope that the sponge powder consisting of various organic substances and silicon needles had a significant effect on acne treatment. Just from its special physical properties, the micro-needles can be directed to the skin, stimulating the dermis, helping activate skin microcirculation, reducing pore blockage, and helping accelerate the natural exfoliation of the epidermis. Hydrolyzed Sponge is a sponge-shaped silicon needle that evolves naturally within the sponge body under specific growth conditions. The size of the sponge needles ranges from 200um to 280um, and the finer and smaller the needles are, the more the pure physical stimulation on the skin can help prevent infection caused by skin damage. Therefore, it is an ideal natural ingredient that can be used on the skin for a long time to treat acne, pimples, folliculitis, and oily skin, with various skin care functions, such as polishing the skin, balancing oil, eliminating pimples (especially for acne), whitening and spot removal, tightening and minimizing pores, etc.

Hydrolyzed Sponge is a cosmetic ingredient listed in the cosmetic ingredient directory:

INCI name: Hydrolyzed sponge

INCI No.: 06306

HS code: 2938909090 (customs code)

Latin name: Spongil la fragilis Lecidy

Usage level: maximum historical usage level for rinse-off products (not specified);

maximum historical usage level for leave-on products (16%). 

What is Hydrolyzed Sponge?

The active substance is Hydrolyzed Sponge, which is a silicon extract derived from hydrolyzed sponges. Sponges appear soft, like underwater plants such as kelp, so they are often considered as plants, but biologically they are defined as multicellular animals, similar to corals. Due to the special nature of its growth environment, the hydrolyzed sponge gradually evolved a special skeleton, namely the sponge-shaped needles, which are silicon needles. Although they are small, they have strong hardness, can support the sponge body, and resist external invasion. The sponge-shaped needles, composed of hard proteins and heteronuclear hard proteins, are insoluble in any organic solution, so they can be used as ideal natural materials for cosmetics and skin exfoliation curing. Hydrolyzed sponge usually grows on branches and decaying leaves, and is harvested together with floating organisms in the water and some parasitic algae. However, only the sponge-shaped needles are actually used. Other impurities are not beneficial to the skin and may even cause skin allergies and infections. Therefore, we need to remove other impurities and do microbiological processing to obtain Hydrolyzed Sponge with higher purity.

Hydrolyzed Sponge has several functions in cosmetics, including:

1. Transdermal absorption:

Micro-needles penetrate the skin, creating millions of pores to provide a pathway for the effective ingredients in skincare products to be absorbed.

1. Activation upon contact:

It penetrates the stratum corneum to activate subcutaneous microcirculation and promote metabolism.

1. Activation of basal cells:

It stimulates the division of basal cells by reaching the basal layer.

1. Epidermal reconstruction:

It performs non-invasive skin rejuvenation, where old cells are naturally shed.

Hydrolyzed Sponge can be added to all types of skincare products, such as facial cleansers, toners, lotions, serums, eye creams, moisturizers, masks, etc., to enhance skin absorption, promote subcutaneous microcirculation, and improve metabolism.