WHAT ARE THESE “NEEDLE-SURROUNDED SPHERES” SEEN UNDER TEM?

Tiny oil droplets wrapped in a moisture-rich shell. When scientists looked at this cleanser with a powerful Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), they found microscopic spherical particles each encased in fine, needle-like strands. In simple terms, imagine tiny droplets of oil that are surrounded by a fuzzy coating of hydrating ingredients. These needles are not harsh fragments – they’re the moisture-binding polymers and humectants (water-attracting molecules) in the formula, forming a kind of protective mesh or membrane around each oil droplet​. This unique structure is very different from what you’d see in a conventional cleanser. Instead of smooth, soap-based bubbles or uniform lipid circles, you get little “micro-capsules” of oil and water-loving components that look spiky under the microscope.

INGREDIENTS BEHIND THE MICROSTRUCTURE

Several key ingredients work together to create these distinctive structures:

• Oil Core (The Spherical Center): Natural oils and emollients in the cleanser form the heart of each microscopic sphere. Ingredients like olive fruit oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, ethylhexyl palmitate, and even kiwi seed oil provide this oily center. These oils are skin-friendly and help dissolve impurities (like makeup and excess sebum) by “like attracts like” action. Think of the core as a cleansing oil droplet on a microscopic scale.

• Humectant Polymer Shell (The Needle-Like Coating): Surrounding each oil droplet is a layer of ingredients that love water and hold things together. This cleanser is formulated without harsh surfactants – instead, it uses humectants and polymers to encapsulate the oils​. Ingredients such as glycerin and Polyglycerin-3 (which are heavy-duty hydrators) and gel-like thickeners (like Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer and natural xanthan gum) create a hydrating mesh around the oil. Under the microscope, this mesh appears as delicate needle- or thread-like structures radiating from the droplet. They form a quasi “membrane” that holds the oil in place​. Because these are solid-like polymers and sugars (for example, the formula includes xylitol and other sugar-derived humectants), they give a firmer, spiky outline rather than a soft bubble.

• Supportive Ingredients in the Shell: Along with the polymers, there are other actives nestled in that outer layer. For instance, niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and panthenol (B5) are present and known to support the skin barrier and add even more moisture. Centella asiatica extract, green tea catechins, and ellagic acid (antioxidants) are also included in the formula​– these would reside in the water-based shell, ready to soothe and protect your skin as the cleanser works. Even cyclodextrin, a ring-shaped molecule, is in the mix; it can trap oily substances and likely helps reinforce the structure by holding oils or actives in its cavity. All of these ingredients contribute to the stable “shell” that looks like needles or spikes under TEM. In short, the outer layer is essentially made of skin-loving hydrators and natural polymers, instead of the harsh detergents found in typical cleansers.

WHY DO THESE PARTICLES FORM SPIKY SPHERES INSTEAD OF NORMAL EMULSIONS OR LIPOSOMES?

It comes down to the unique surfactant-free formulation: traditional cleansers rely on surfactants (soap-like molecules) to mix oil and water, producing smooth droplets (emulsions) or micelles. Those droplets are usually larger and have a fluid interface. In this product, no conventional surfactants are used to create foam or emulsify​. Instead, oils are dispersed with the help of humectant polymers – essentially forming a gel-encapsulated emulsion. This difference in approach leads to a different micro-scale appearance:

• Traditional Emulsion Droplets vs. This “Quasi-Semi-Emulsion”: In a classic lotion or cleanser emulsion, oil droplets might be 40–150 µm in size (much larger) and are stabilized by a smooth layer of surfactant molecules​. Under a microscope, those look like round bubbles. Here, because the cleanser uses a “quasi-semi-emulsion” structure with humectant polymers, the droplets are much smaller – roughly 0.1–5 µm in radius (that’s about 1–10 µm across, or up to 10 times smaller than a facial pore)​. The absence of a typical surfactant film means the hydrophilic (water-loving) components cluster and partially solidify around the oils, giving a spiky or fuzzy spherical appearance instead of a perfectly smooth ball. It’s a bit like the difference between a perfectly round bubble and a dandelion puff – one has a clean surface, the other has fine filaments sticking out. Those filaments here are the humectant gel network.

• Not Liposomes, But Similar in Concept: Liposomes are another kind of spherical structure used in skincare – they’re basically tiny bubbles with a lipid (fat) bilayer, often used to deliver active ingredients. While liposomes have a uniform double-layer shell (usually phospholipids) that looks smooth, the cleanser’s particles have a polymer-humectant shell, which is why they look “needle-covered.” There’s no phospholipid bilayer here; instead, ingredients like glycerin polymers and sugars create a semi-crystalline mesh. This gives stability and also a controlled release of actives, but visually it appears different under TEM. So, the needle-surrounded spheres are a result of humectant molecules assembling into a solid-like wrapper around oil, rather than a fluid surfactant or lipid layer. It’s a novel structure chosen to make the cleanser extra gentle and effective.

HOW DO THESE STRUCTURES AFFECT CLEANSING AND SKIN INTERACTION?

The unique microscopic structure isn’t just for show – it directly impacts how the cleanser works on your skin, offering deep cleansing with a gentle touch:

• Deep Pore Purging: Because these particles are so small – on the order of a micron or few – they can travel into the nooks and crannies of your skin (pores and fine lines) that bigger cleanser particles or foam bubbles can’t reach. In fact, each particle is about 5–10 times smaller than an average pore, allowing the formula to penetrate into pores for a thorough cleanse​. Once inside the pore, the oil core of the particle can bond with and dissolve oily debris like sebum, sunscreen, and makeup residue. It’s like having tiny oil droplets seek out the gunk deep in your pores. Then, the humectant shell helps to draw this debris out toward the surface as you massage the cleanser. This results in a deeper purifying action – pores are left cleaner, helping to reduce blackheads and congestion over time. Users often find that despite its gentle feel, this cleanser can cleanse as effectively as a double-cleanse, precisely because of this deep-reaching action.

• Gentle, Non-Stripping Cleansing: The absence of harsh surfactants means the cleanser doesn’t produce a big lather – and that’s a good thing for your skin’s barrier. The humectant-coated particles lift impurities without stripping your natural oils. Those needle-like outer structures are actually packed with moisturizing agents that continually hydrate your skin while cleansing. Glycerin, xylitol, and others act like water magnets, so your skin stays plump and comfortable during and after use. Many foaming cleansers can leave skin tight or dry; in contrast, this formula leaves behind a light layer of hydration thanks to its humectant “wrapper.” In practice, after rinsing off, your face won’t have that squeaky-dry sensation – instead it feels soft and refreshed. This is the “moisture-balance” the product name promises. By using water-grabbing polymers to cleanse, the product avoids disrupting your skin’s lipid barrier. The result is a deep cleanse that is balanced – purifying but not harsh, making it suitable even for sensitive skin.

• Enhanced Delivery of Actives: Those microscopic capsules don’t just cleanse; they also carry beneficial ingredients to the skin. The humectant shell releases vitamins and antioxidants (like niacinamide, panthenol, and green tea extract) as you cleanse​. Because the particles can get closer to the skin (even into pores), these actives can interact more intimately with your skin surface. Niacinamide and panthenol support your skin barrier and calm irritation, so your skin feels nourished, not just cleaned. The antioxidants help neutralize free radicals on the skin even during the cleansing step. In essence, the structure allows the cleanser to multitask – cleaning thoroughly while also treating the skin with skincare ingredients. It’s not just washing away dirt; it’s also infusing a bit of care.

• Mild Exfoliation in the Right Places: The formula includes gentle exfoliants (1.5% polyhydroxy acid and natural enzymes from papaya and pineapple) dispersed in those tiny particles​. Thanks to the microstructure, these exfoliators can reach into pores and fine lines along with the particles. They help loosen dead skin cells and dislodge impurities in a very uniform, controlled way. Unlike a scrub that might be too rough in some areas, these microscopic actives evenly exfoliate only where needed (for example, inside a clogged pore or on the skin’s surface), because the particles distribute them gently. This means you get the benefit of exfoliation (smoother, brighter skin over time) without the harsh rubbing or irritation. The result after each wash is skin that not only feels clean, but also gradually becomes softer and more radiant, all while you simply cleanse your face.

BOTTOM LINE – SCIENCE MEETS SKIN

The needle-surrounded spherical structures might sound high-tech, but what it means for you is a truly innovative cleansing experience. By harnessing tiny oil drops wrapped in hydrating goodness, this cleanser can deep-clean your pores like a double-cleansing routine would, yet keep your skin’s moisture balanced and comforted. The structure is the secret: it allows potent natural ingredients to work more effectively, so you get the best of both worlds – a thorough cleanse and a nourishing treat for your skin. It’s a great example of skincare science delivering visible results in a gentle, consumer-friendly way. In summary, those spiky microspheres are the reason this all-in-one cleanser can remove makeup, purify pores, exfoliate, and hydrate in one step​–leaving your skin clean, smooth, and glowing, never parched.

Moisture-Balance All-In-One Face Cleanser