exfoliate

verb

ex·​fo·​li·​ate (ˌ)eks-ˈfō-lē-ˌāt 

exfoliated; exfoliating

transitive verb

1

: to cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters

2

: to remove the surface of in scales or laminae

3

: to spread or extend by or as if by opening out leaves

intransitive verb

1

: to split into or give off scales, laminae, or body cells

2

: to come off in thin layers or scales

3

: to grow by or as if by producing or unfolding leaves

exfoliation

(ˌ)eks-ˌfō-lē-ˈā-shən 

noun

exfoliative

eks-ˈfō-lē-ˌā-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms of exfoliate

• shed
• peel

Examples of exfoliate in a Sentence

a soap that promises to help me exfoliate all that dry, flaky skin I've apparently been carrying around

Recent Examples on the Web

Stacking a chemical peel, a retinoid, a new brow lamination kit and an exfoliating body wash in the same week is how irritation, breakouts and chemical burns happen. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026

For a routine, many beauty editors suggest exfoliating one to two times a week and following with a richer overnight treatment on the same evening to lock in hydration. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026

Shoppers dealing with keratosis pilaris, rough patches or dullness tend to gravitate toward exfoliating formulas with retinol or acids like lactic and glycolic. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026

More than 100,000 shoppers purchased these exfoliating pads last month, and they're frequently repurchased, too. — Genevieve Cepeda, InStyle, 27 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin exfoliatus, past participle of exfoliare to strip of leaves, from Latin ex- + folium leaf — more at blade

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for exfoliate

• trifoliate

Medical Definition

exfoliate

verb

ex·​fo·​li·​ate -ˈfō-lē-ˌāt 

exfoliated; exfoliating

transitive verb

1

: to cast off in scales or laminae

2

: to remove the surface of in scales or laminae

3

: to shed (teeth) by exfoliation

intransitive verb

1

: to split into or give off scales, laminae, or body cells

2

: to come off in thin layers or scales : scale off