exfoliate
verb
ex·fo·li·ate
(ˌ)eks-ˈfō-lē-ˌāt 
exfoliated; exfoliating
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
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
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
If breakouts are a concern, a toner that includes gentle exfoliating acids like glycolic or salicylic acid can keep pores clear and refine skin texture.
—
Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Adult skincare often contains ingredients that may irritate young skin, like fragrances, exfoliating acids, and topical retinol, derms say.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 Aug. 2025
Packed with moisturizing and gently exfoliating ingredients, this face cream is a dream for mature skin.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 26 Aug. 2025
Though a scrub can also remove dead cells, chemically exfoliating with alpha hydroxy acid products can go beyond the surface to provide many more benefits.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exfoliate
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Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Adult skincare often contains ingredients that may irritate young skin, like fragrances, exfoliating acids, and topical retinol, derms say.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 Aug. 2025
Packed with moisturizing and gently exfoliating ingredients, this face cream is a dream for mature skin.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 26 Aug. 2025
Though a scrub can also remove dead cells, chemically exfoliating with alpha hydroxy acid products can go beyond the surface to provide many more benefits.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exfoliate
Cite this Entry
“Exfoliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exfoliate. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
exfoliate
verb
ex·fo·li·ate
-ˈfō-lē-ˌāt
exfoliated; exfoliating
1
: to cast off in scales or laminae
2
: to remove the surface of in scales or laminae
3
: to shed (teeth) by exfoliation
1
: to split into or give off scales, laminae, or body cells
2
: to come off in thin layers or scales : scale off
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