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
Best Overall: The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream Our best overall eye cream punches well above its price point, tackling puffiness, dark circles, and dryness with a blend of plumping peptides and exfoliating albizia julibrissin bark extract.
—
Esme Benjamin, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Wait three to five minutes so the exfoliating formula can foam and work its magic on your pores.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 4 Aug. 2025
My homework: no exfoliating products for a week, wear SPF daily, and don’t introduce anything new unless cleared by a specialist.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 1 Aug. 2025
If an active ingredient already carries a risk of irritation on its own—looking at you, exfoliating acids—using it alongside hydroquinone in your skin-care routine could be asking for trouble.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exfoliate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Esme Benjamin, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Wait three to five minutes so the exfoliating formula can foam and work its magic on your pores.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 4 Aug. 2025
My homework: no exfoliating products for a week, wear SPF daily, and don’t introduce anything new unless cleared by a specialist.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 1 Aug. 2025
If an active ingredient already carries a risk of irritation on its own—looking at you, exfoliating acids—using it alongside hydroquinone in your skin-care routine could be asking for trouble.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 1 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 21 Aug. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share