Cranberry Seeds

What is it?	The seeds from cranberries.
INCI	Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seeds
Appearance	Small tear-drop shaped bright red seeds.
Usage rate	I wouldn’t go much past 1% if left whole; they’re quite an aggressive exfoliant. If you grind up the seeds in your DIY coffee grinder you could use more (~5%).
Texture	Coarse abrasive/exfoliant.
Scent	None
Solubility	Insoluble
Why do we use it in formulations?	Cranberry seeds add exfoliation and a pretty pop of colour to scrubs and soaps.
Do you need it?	No
Refined or unrefined?	Unrefined
Strengths	Colourful exfoliant and decorative element, a fun thematic tie-in for cranberry/Christmas themed projects.
Weaknesses	Cranberry seeds are a pretty strong exfoliant—the sharp tips could irritate sensitive skin.
Alternatives & Substitutions	I’d choose a different red exfoliant, like red jojoba beads.
How to Work with It	In soap, sprinkle across the top. In whipped scrubs, whip in towards the end. In ground scrubs or masks you could stir them in at the end for stronger exfoliation, or grind them into the mixture for less exfoliation.
Storage & Shelf Life	Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, cranberry seeds should last at least 3 years.
Tips, Tricks, and Quirks	Cranberry seeds will turn black if mixed into raw soap batter, so you’re best off dusting them across the surface of the soap rather than mixing them into the batter.
Recommended starter amount	50g (1.76oz)
Where to Buy it	Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon.