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
This antiaging overnight mask contains AHAs, retinol and papaya enzymes to exfoliate the skin and smooth texture without irritation.
—
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Nov. 2025
When people get a fish pedicure, the fish essentially nibble away at this dead layer − basically exfoliating like a scrub would.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 22 Nov. 2025
Jin recommends double cleansing to remove every last trace of SPF and makeup every night, regularly exfoliating (gently, to avoid irritation and redness), and constantly incorporating hydration into your routine via multiple formulas.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2025
The suspected camera was aimed at a table in the women's locker room where exfoliating body scrubs are done.
—Allen Devlin, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exfoliate
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Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Nov. 2025
When people get a fish pedicure, the fish essentially nibble away at this dead layer − basically exfoliating like a scrub would.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 22 Nov. 2025
Jin recommends double cleansing to remove every last trace of SPF and makeup every night, regularly exfoliating (gently, to avoid irritation and redness), and constantly incorporating hydration into your routine via multiple formulas.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2025
The suspected camera was aimed at a table in the women's locker room where exfoliating body scrubs are done.
—Allen Devlin, CBS News, 17 Nov. 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 26 Nov. 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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