exfoliates

Definition of exfoliatesnext
present tense third-person singular of exfoliate
as in sheds
to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside a soap that promises to help me exfoliate all that dry, flaky skin I've apparently been carrying around

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of exfoliates Instead of relying purely on hydration, this formula includes salicylic acid, which gently exfoliates and keeps pores clear so that breakouts don’t come back. Hana Hong, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026 Cetaphil Skin Activator Hydrating & Firming Cream The cream is formulated with mandelic acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid or AHA), which gently exfoliates the surface layer of skin to support skin cell turnover, while centella asiatica helps soothe and strengthen the natural skin barrier. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026 Madecassoside and allantoin calm irritation that can contribute to shedding, while salicylic acid gently exfoliates buildup. Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Feb. 2026 The bestselling Peppermint Avocado Scalp Scrub gently exfoliates the scalp while washing away dirt, oil, styling products and buildup. Tory Johnson, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026 This natural-bristle dry brush gently exfoliates skin before soaking, stimulating circulation and encouraging smooth, glowing skin. Jené Luciani Sena , Caitlyn Martyn May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025 Finally, gluconolactone gently exfoliates and removes dead skin cells. Venus Wong, Refinery29, 14 Aug. 2025 Salicylic acid, which exfoliates the skin's surface and helps to remove oil from pores. Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025 The water and steam allow the dirt on my scalp to loosen while the scalp massage gently exfoliates. Essence, 14 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliates
Verb
  • The discovery sheds light on the English language’s wide diffusion, long before what was previously understood, Faulkner said in Rome, where the duo had traveled to view the text in person for the first time.
    Andrea Rosa, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
  • Coleman’s deposition, meanwhile, sheds new light on the investigation and on how cocaine is moved from The Bahamas into the United States, with South Florida — particularly Miami — serving as a key transit point.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Blending sharp humor, irreverent games and unexpected twists, each episode peels back the polished layers of today’s most talked about talent to reveal the human behind the fame… and no topic is off-limits.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 May 2026
  • Each new burst of observation, each refined model, peels back another layer, showing us just how dynamic and surprising the life of a star can be.
    Paul Sutter, Space.com, 3 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exfoliates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exfoliates. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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