as in shedding
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
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Recent Examples of exfoliating
Winter showcases the exfoliating bark, which peels away to reveal strips of gray, orange, and brick red.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
Step one clears away dead skin and gunk with exfoliating acids like lactic, malic, and glycolic; step two adds in soothing, anti-aging ingredients like green tea and adenosine.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Feb. 2026
The line also includes a scalp exfoliating shampoo and scalp serum, which are both mainstays in my monthly hair routine.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
This is the step where active ingredients such as retinoids or exfoliating acids may be introduced carefully.
—Allison Palmer
updated February 25, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
In the bathroom, a standalone shower and a bath, in a separate room to the toilet, as well as genuinely lovely own-brand products including an exfoliating body wash.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
Replace your loofah, scrub brush and other exfoliating tools with one exfoliating shower towel.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
Pair it with the brand’s deeply exfoliating buffing bar to experience the full Soft Services-effect.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Feb. 2026
Over-exfoliating already dry skin can worsen irritation and increase water loss.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
Step one clears away dead skin and gunk with exfoliating acids like lactic, malic, and glycolic; step two adds in soothing, anti-aging ingredients like green tea and adenosine.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Feb. 2026
The line also includes a scalp exfoliating shampoo and scalp serum, which are both mainstays in my monthly hair routine.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026
This is the step where active ingredients such as retinoids or exfoliating acids may be introduced carefully.
—Allison Palmer
updated February 25, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
In the bathroom, a standalone shower and a bath, in a separate room to the toilet, as well as genuinely lovely own-brand products including an exfoliating body wash.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
Replace your loofah, scrub brush and other exfoliating tools with one exfoliating shower towel.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
Pair it with the brand’s deeply exfoliating buffing bar to experience the full Soft Services-effect.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Feb. 2026
Over-exfoliating already dry skin can worsen irritation and increase water loss.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliating
Verb
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Since stress can trigger acne flare-ups and hair shedding, supporting the body’s stress balance may help minimize these effects.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
7 Mar. 2026
-
One recent study review noted that excess hair shedding is a problem a number of GLP-1 patients face, but further study is needed to understand why.—
Julia Sullivan,
Allure,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After peeling, they can be eaten raw, stir-fried, or lightly sautéed.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
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In addition to damage that can occur from gel and acrylic nails, brittleness, thinning, peeling and splitting can also be caused by biting, picking, and harsh chemicals.—
Dominic Cadogan,
Glamour,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So, on Thursday night’s show Kimmel doubled-down once again, sloughing off the latest attack from the leader of the free world on his late night comedy show.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
21 Nov. 2025
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Skincare, after all, begins precisely with one’s choice of cleanser, setting the stage for clean, glowing skin by morning and sloughing away the day’s impurities by night.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exfoliating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exfoliating. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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