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

• molt
• shed
• slip
• slough
• sluff

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

Dr Teal's Shea Sugar Body Scrub $23.99, $20.94 Dr Teal's Shea Sugar Body Scrub is formulated with shea butter, sugar, and essential oils to exfoliate and smooth skin. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 17 May 2024

An exfoliating product like retinol, commonly used as an anti-aging product, isn't necessary for those younger then 20 years old when collagen begins to decrease, experts say. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 15 May 2024

Still, other ingredients are not proven to fight the growth of yeast itself but are anti-inflammatory and exfoliating to help reduce irritated patches. —April Benshosan, Verywell Health, 9 May 2024

As for exfoliating chemical treatments, there are superficial, medium-depth, and deep chemical peels that target different layers of the skin. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024

Mims begins by cleansing my face, before going in with the bells and whistles: an exfoliating treatment, extractions, and a sculpting massage—featuring Epi. —Annie Blay, Allure, 11 Apr. 2024

By exfoliating the skin, the lactic acid works to cut surface oil, brighten dullness, even out uneven tone, fade hyperpigmentation, and smooth skin texture. —Danielle Cohen, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2024

With exfoliating cinnamon-brown bark and fragrant white flower clusters, what’s not to love? —Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2024

Kapoor explained lip scrubs exfoliate the skin, specifically the stratum corneum. —Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024

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

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