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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of exfoliating
The main ingredients include gentle exfoliating acids like lactic acid and salicylic acid, plus hydrating panthenol and soothing allantoin to minimize irritation and redness.
—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
8 June 2026
This exfoliating mask is a reset button for my oily skin.
—
Emma Greene,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
The formula relies on a trio of exfoliating acids—beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid), polyhydroxy acid (gluconolactone), and lipohydroxy acid (a gentler salicylic acid derivative)—to gently loosen dead skin, decongest pores, and smooth the scalp.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
27 May 2026
Among the hero ingredients are those Renna also used — propolis, royal jelly and honey — in addition to more modern exfoliating acids, moisturizers and the like.
—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
This is thanks to Manucurist’s nourishing formula, which includes antioxidant-rich beetroot extract, exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and strengthening hexanal to prevent breakage.
—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
The treatments begin with a scalp analysis under a microscope, followed by exfoliating, steaming, cleansing and massage steps designed to improve scalp health and hair shine.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Clean And Degrease Hair Baking soda's exfoliating properties can help remove residues in your hair.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
Infuse coffee grounds into your favorite homemade bar soap for an exfoliating effect.
—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
8 June 2026
This exfoliating mask is a reset button for my oily skin.
—
Emma Greene,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
The formula relies on a trio of exfoliating acids—beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid), polyhydroxy acid (gluconolactone), and lipohydroxy acid (a gentler salicylic acid derivative)—to gently loosen dead skin, decongest pores, and smooth the scalp.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
27 May 2026
Among the hero ingredients are those Renna also used — propolis, royal jelly and honey — in addition to more modern exfoliating acids, moisturizers and the like.
—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
This is thanks to Manucurist’s nourishing formula, which includes antioxidant-rich beetroot extract, exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and strengthening hexanal to prevent breakage.
—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
The treatments begin with a scalp analysis under a microscope, followed by exfoliating, steaming, cleansing and massage steps designed to improve scalp health and hair shine.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Clean And Degrease Hair Baking soda's exfoliating properties can help remove residues in your hair.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
Infuse coffee grounds into your favorite homemade bar soap for an exfoliating effect.
—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliating
Verb
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The largest Roman bathhouse complex ever discovered in the Netherlands has surfaced, shedding new light on the wealth and importance of the ancient Roman city of Ulpia Noviomagus.
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But a new study out of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health is shedding light on how those stories can come to redefine the American narrative decades after they’ve been lost, with a little help from popular media.
Verb
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In the segment, Karl reaches out and touches a strip of paint peeling from the basin, which was floating at the top of the pool, lightly holding it for a few seconds before letting go.
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Visitors have been flocking to the pool over the weekend and some have taken to social media with photos and videos showing the algae and peeling paint.
Verb
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Digging around Amazon led me to a skin-sloughing solution.
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After sloughing off his final semester the first time around at USC, Lee needed at least three B’s and two A’s.
Cite this Entry
“Exfoliating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exfoliating. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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