The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SHAGREEN
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More clues leading to the result SHAGREEN
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "sharkskin" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case sharkskin = shagreen.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SHAGREEN mean?
SHAGREEN noun- An untanned leather, often dyed green; originally made from horse skin, today mostly made from the skin of a shark or ray.
- A rough or spiny surface of an insect's cuticle.
- To give a texture resembling shagreen leather.