CLEAN + CONSCIOUS AWARDS 2026 PROUDLY PARTNERED WITH
Lotus Silk Exfoliator & Cleansing Cloth – Acala Stem
FINALIST
Best Handmade / Artisan Product 2026
$49.99
A double-sided, compact exfoliator and cleansing cloth made from lotus silk, the most sustainable textile. Gentle with no micro-tearing, it features antibacterial properties, stays clean and helps reduce laundry and carbon footprint.
Clean Ingredients / Materials
Made from excellent, non-toxic materials. Lotus silk and organic cotton.
Ethical Practices
Acala Stem partners with a social enterprise in Cambodia to build a network of seamstresses who can work from home and keep their children at home in their own provinces. The supply chain is designed to avoid long travel times, create flexible working conditions and support financial independence, with the aim of reducing the risk of orphanages, slavery and trafficking. The brand self-funded clinical testing for breathability and antibacterial properties and makes no false claims regarding lotus silk's antibacterial qualities.
Sustainable Practices
Acala Stem uses lotus silk, described as the most sustainable textile in the world, which is produced without gas, oil, electricity, CO2 emissions, or water and requires no land clearing as lotus stems are harvested from existing lakes. All cleansing cloths are made from off-cuts of scarves, kimonos and kaftans and unsold apparel and homewares are converted into cleansing cloths, maximising material use and reducing waste. Products are chemical, bleach and dye free and 100% plant-based and plastic-free.
Social Impact
Acala Stem supports environmental sustainability by maintaining lotus lake size and health through regular stem harvesting, which previously resulted in waste but now allows farmers to sell all parts of the lotus. The brand empowers single mothers by providing employment opportunities for seamstresses in provincial areas. Acala Stem demonstrates that success and profitability can be achieved without exploitation, leading with empathy, kindness and community focus, as evidenced by its ongoing operations into its sixth year.
Product Reviews by Experts
Lotus silk is the surprise here. The exfoliating side sloughs without the micro-tearing you get from a rough mitt, and the polishing side leaves skin buffed and calm. It’s compact, quick to dry and feels far more considered than the usual cloth. A small daily ritual upgrade for anyone weaning off single-use pads. The material choice is the star. Lotus silk is among the most sustainable textiles going, historically so prized it was reserved for royalty, blended here with organic cotton. I like that they went looking for an ethically made cloth, found none, and made one. That’s the right instinct in a category built on cheap labour.
I’m epically impressed with Acala Stem’s model of partnering with seamstresses in Cambodia to provide vulnerable women with well-paid, flexible, work-from-home employment. It enables mothers to earn a living wage while staying with their children, which prevents family separation and drastically reduces the risk of children entering orphanages, trafficking, or labour. We need more of these types of social enterprises please! Lotus silk, used for the Exfoliator & Cleansing Cloth, is the most sustainable textile in the world and Acala Stem is pioneering the new ethical luxury category. All cleansing cloths are off-cuts from their scarves, kimonos and kaftans. I love how they’re taking a stance to eliminate nylon, bamboo and petro-chemical cleansing cloths with the brand’s chemical, bleach and dye free products.
I love that this cleansing cloth gives new life to production offcuts, ensuring valuable natural fibres are used to their fullest potential rather than going to waste. It’s a thoughtful example of circular design, and I appreciate the focus on natural, reusable materials that help reduce waste over time. What impressed me most was that they are clearly trying to create meaningful change rather than simply sell another skincare product. Their commitment to supporting women artisans, reducing reliance on synthetic cleansing cloths, minimising waste through the use of offcuts and investing in product testing demonstrates a thoughtful and credible approach to sustainability.
Lotus Silk Exfoliator & Cleansing Cloth – Acala Stem
$49.99
Lotus silk is the surprise here. The exfoliating side sloughs without the micro-tearing you get from a rough mitt, and the polishing side leaves skin buffed and calm. It’s compact, quick to dry and feels far more considered than the usual cloth. A small daily ritual upgrade for anyone weaning off single-use pads. The material choice is the star. Lotus silk is among the most sustainable textiles going, historically so prized it was reserved for royalty, blended here with organic cotton. I like that they went looking for an ethically made cloth, found none, and made one. That’s the right instinct in a category built on cheap labour. I’m epically impressed with Acala Stem’s model of partnering with seamstresses in Cambodia to provide vulnerable women with well-paid, flexible, work-from-home employment. It enables mothers to earn a living wage while staying with their children, which prevents family separation and drastically reduces the risk of children entering orphanages, trafficking, or labour. We need more of these types of social enterprises please! Lotus silk, used for the Exfoliator & Cleansing Cloth, is the most sustainable textile in the world and Acala Stem is pioneering the new ethical luxury category. All cleansing cloths are off-cuts from their scarves, kimonos and kaftans. I love how they’re taking a stance to eliminate nylon, bamboo and petro-chemical cleansing cloths with the brand’s chemical, bleach and dye free products. I love that this cleansing cloth gives new life to production offcuts, ensuring valuable natural fibres are used to their fullest potential rather than going to waste. It’s a thoughtful example of circular design, and I appreciate the focus on natural, reusable materials that help reduce waste over time. What impressed me most was that they are clearly trying to create meaningful change rather than simply sell another skincare product. Their commitment to supporting women artisans, reducing reliance on synthetic cleansing cloths, minimising waste through the use of offcuts and investing in product testing demonstrates a thoughtful and credible approach to sustainability. A double-sided, compact exfoliator and cleansing cloth made from lotus silk, the most sustainable textile. Gentle with no micro-tearing, it features antibacterial properties, stays clean and helps reduce laundry and carbon footprint.
Categories: Best Handmade / Artisan Product 2026
$49.99
Lotus silk is the surprise here. The exfoliating side sloughs without the micro-tearing you get from a rough mitt, and the polishing side leaves skin buffed and calm. It’s compact, quick to dry and feels far more considered than the usual cloth. A small daily ritual upgrade for anyone weaning off single-use pads. The material choice is the star. Lotus silk is among the most sustainable textiles going, historically so prized it was reserved for royalty, blended here with organic cotton. I like that they went looking for an ethically made cloth, found none, and made one. That’s the right instinct in a category built on cheap labour. I’m epically impressed with Acala Stem’s model of partnering with seamstresses in Cambodia to provide vulnerable women with well-paid, flexible, work-from-home employment. It enables mothers to earn a living wage while staying with their children, which prevents family separation and drastically reduces the risk of children entering orphanages, trafficking, or labour. We need more of these types of social enterprises please! Lotus silk, used for the Exfoliator & Cleansing Cloth, is the most sustainable textile in the world and Acala Stem is pioneering the new ethical luxury category. All cleansing cloths are off-cuts from their scarves, kimonos and kaftans. I love how they’re taking a stance to eliminate nylon, bamboo and petro-chemical cleansing cloths with the brand’s chemical, bleach and dye free products. I love that this cleansing cloth gives new life to production offcuts, ensuring valuable natural fibres are used to their fullest potential rather than going to waste. It’s a thoughtful example of circular design, and I appreciate the focus on natural, reusable materials that help reduce waste over time. What impressed me most was that they are clearly trying to create meaningful change rather than simply sell another skincare product. Their commitment to supporting women artisans, reducing reliance on synthetic cleansing cloths, minimising waste through the use of offcuts and investing in product testing demonstrates a thoughtful and credible approach to sustainability. A double-sided, compact exfoliator and cleansing cloth made from lotus silk, the most sustainable textile. Gentle with no micro-tearing, it features antibacterial properties, stays clean and helps reduce laundry and carbon footprint.
Categories: Best Handmade / Artisan Product 2026
Lotus silk is the surprise here. The exfoliating side sloughs without the micro-tearing you get from a rough mitt, and the polishing side leaves skin buffed and calm. It’s compact, quick to dry and feels far more considered than the usual cloth. A small daily ritual upgrade for anyone weaning off single-use pads. The material choice is the star. Lotus silk is among the most sustainable textiles going, historically so prized it was reserved for royalty, blended here with organic cotton. I like that they went looking for an ethically made cloth, found none, and made one. That’s the right instinct in a category built on cheap labour. I’m epically impressed with Acala Stem’s model of partnering with seamstresses in Cambodia to provide vulnerable women with well-paid, flexible, work-from-home employment. It enables mothers to earn a living wage while staying with their children, which prevents family separation and drastically reduces the risk of children entering orphanages, trafficking, or labour. We need more of these types of social enterprises please! Lotus silk, used for the Exfoliator & Cleansing Cloth, is the most sustainable textile in the world and Acala Stem is pioneering the new ethical luxury category. All cleansing cloths are off-cuts from their scarves, kimonos and kaftans. I love how they’re taking a stance to eliminate nylon, bamboo and petro-chemical cleansing cloths with the brand’s chemical, bleach and dye free products. I love that this cleansing cloth gives new life to production offcuts, ensuring valuable natural fibres are used to their fullest potential rather than going to waste. It’s a thoughtful example of circular design, and I appreciate the focus on natural, reusable materials that help reduce waste over time. What impressed me most was that they are clearly trying to create meaningful change rather than simply sell another skincare product. Their commitment to supporting women artisans, reducing reliance on synthetic cleansing cloths, minimising waste through the use of offcuts and investing in product testing demonstrates a thoughtful and credible approach to sustainability. Lotus Silk Exfoliator & Cleansing Cloth – Acala Stem
A double-sided, compact exfoliator and cleansing cloth made from lotus silk, the most sustainable textile. Gentle with no micro-tearing, it features antibacterial properties, stays clean and helps reduce laundry and carbon footprint.
Categories: Best Handmade / Artisan Product 2026
Lotus silk is the surprise here. The exfoliating side sloughs without the micro-tearing you get from a rough mitt, and the polishing side leaves skin buffed and calm. It’s compact, quick to dry and feels far more considered than the usual cloth. A small daily ritual upgrade for anyone weaning off single-use pads. The material choice is the star. Lotus silk is among the most sustainable textiles going, historically so prized it was reserved for royalty, blended here with organic cotton. I like that they went looking for an ethically made cloth, found none, and made one. That’s the right instinct in a category built on cheap labour. I’m epically impressed with Acala Stem’s model of partnering with seamstresses in Cambodia to provide vulnerable women with well-paid, flexible, work-from-home employment. It enables mothers to earn a living wage while staying with their children, which prevents family separation and drastically reduces the risk of children entering orphanages, trafficking, or labour. We need more of these types of social enterprises please! Lotus silk, used for the Exfoliator & Cleansing Cloth, is the most sustainable textile in the world and Acala Stem is pioneering the new ethical luxury category. All cleansing cloths are off-cuts from their scarves, kimonos and kaftans. I love how they’re taking a stance to eliminate nylon, bamboo and petro-chemical cleansing cloths with the brand’s chemical, bleach and dye free products. I love that this cleansing cloth gives new life to production offcuts, ensuring valuable natural fibres are used to their fullest potential rather than going to waste. It’s a thoughtful example of circular design, and I appreciate the focus on natural, reusable materials that help reduce waste over time. What impressed me most was that they are clearly trying to create meaningful change rather than simply sell another skincare product. Their commitment to supporting women artisans, reducing reliance on synthetic cleansing cloths, minimising waste through the use of offcuts and investing in product testing demonstrates a thoughtful and credible approach to sustainability.You Might Also Like