exfoliate

verb

ex·fo·li·ate (ˌ)eks-ˈfō-lē-ˌāt

exfoliated; exfoliating

Synonyms of exfoliate next

transitive verb

: to cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters

: to remove the surface of in scales or laminae

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

intransitive verb

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

: to come off in thin layers or scales

: 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

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 Known for its exfoliating properties, salicylic acid gently removes dead skin cells and unclogs hair follicles. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023 That’s all thanks to a blend of retinol, antioxidants, and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that exfoliate away flakiness and defend against free-radical damage. —

Kayla Blanton, Health, 29 Aug. 2023 When creating her sensitive-skin-friendly line, which includes an exfoliating cleanser, toner and face oil, the actress looked back to the learnings from her mom and grandmother. —

Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 22 July 2023 Salicylic acid helps to exfoliate the skin, removing dead cells and unclogging hair follicles. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023 Salicylic acid exfoliates your skin and prevents excess oils from building up. —

Gabrielle Kassel, Health, 25 Aug. 2023 This tool purportedly exfoliates deeper than a traditional physical scrub and vacuums impurities, dirt, and debris out of the skin. —

Andrea Jordan and Andi Breitowich, Women's Health, 31 July 2023 Salicylic acid: The beta-hydroxy acid gently exfoliates skin, then removes oil in clogged pores, thus diminishing the appearance of blemishes. —

Good Housekeeping, 19 July 2023 The Rice Polish Classic A powder-to-foam exfoliant powered by Japanese rice bran and silk protein to gently exfoliate the skin after each use. —

Laura Jackson, Vogue, 13 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exfoliate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.