exfoliant

noun

ex·fo·liant | \ (ˌ)eks-ˈfō-lē-ənt

, -ˈfōl-yənt

Definition of exfoliant

: a mechanical or chemical agent (such as an abrasive skin wash or salicylic acid) that is applied to the skin to remove dead cells from the surface

Examples of exfoliant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s hard to find an exfoliant that’s not even somewhat irritating, but these sponges are honestly gentle. — Chloe Metzger, Marie Claire, "How to Use a Konjac Sponge for Your Best Skin Ever," 22 Oct. 2018 Vitamin C or ascorbic acid Good for: Brightening skin, antioxidant protection, stimulating collagen Vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) is a powerful antioxidant found in serums, exfoliants, and moisturizers. — Talia Abbas, SELF, "How to Pick the Right Skin-Care Acid for Your Concerns," 9 Oct. 2018 Just like non-inflammatory acne, salicylic acid can help those suffering with papules and postules, as well as exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic and lactic acids among others). — Molly Nover-baker, Redbook, "How to Get Rid of Annoying Acne, So You Don't Have to Feel Like a Miserable Teenager," 27 Dec. 2016 Coffee also makes for a great exfoliant—just follow up with soap to kill germs. — Heidi Davis, Popular Mechanics, "10 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With Coffee," 29 Sep. 2014 After plucking or pricking the ingrown hair, treat the area with a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid. — Loni Venti, Teen Vogue, "How To Get Rid of Ingrown Hair: 9 Tips to Heal Your Skin," 5 Oct. 2018 Splash your face with warm water and then gently rub in an exfoliant with your hands (a wash cloth can irritate your skin further). — Amanda Elser, Seventeen, "Tip From Inside the Beauty Closet: Sunburn First-Aid Kit!," 14 June 2013 These chemical exfoliants can smooth fine lines, even pigmentation, and penetrate deeply into pores, dissolving sticky plugs of sebum and dead skin. — Allure, "The Skin-Care Glossary: A Comprehensive Guide to Everything You Need to Know," 17 Aug. 2018 Not long ago, most people's skin care routines consisted of a quick wash, maybe a weekly exfoliant, and some moisturizer. — Leeann Duggan, Glamour, "I Tried an 8-Step $400 Luxury Skin Care Routine…for My Vagina," 25 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exfoliant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.