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
This refreshing exfoliating toner clears out buildup that can exaggerate uneven texture, thanks to a 4-HA complex (AHA, BHA, PHA, LHA) that sweeps away dead skin cells without tipping into irritation.
—
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026
At the same time, ceramides help reinforce the skin barrier so the exfoliating ingredients don’t leave skin feeling stripped or dry.
—Hana Hong, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026
Lilis’s rinse-off serum is also an in-shower wonder, while Topical’s milky exfoliating serum is a leave-on treatment.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
The Afri-Cure starts with a body wrap made from lemongrass, jumbie and tamarind leaves, as well as a gently exfoliating papaya mask applied to the face, and then a full-body exfoliation using turmeric, honey and local sea salt.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Raw Silk Skincare Washcloths are an all-natural, reusable exfoliating cloth, designed for gently loosening up dead skin cells and makeup.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Winter showcases the exfoliating bark, which peels away to reveal strips of gray, orange, and brick red.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 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
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026
At the same time, ceramides help reinforce the skin barrier so the exfoliating ingredients don’t leave skin feeling stripped or dry.
—Hana Hong, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026
Lilis’s rinse-off serum is also an in-shower wonder, while Topical’s milky exfoliating serum is a leave-on treatment.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
The Afri-Cure starts with a body wrap made from lemongrass, jumbie and tamarind leaves, as well as a gently exfoliating papaya mask applied to the face, and then a full-body exfoliation using turmeric, honey and local sea salt.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Raw Silk Skincare Washcloths are an all-natural, reusable exfoliating cloth, designed for gently loosening up dead skin cells and makeup.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Winter showcases the exfoliating bark, which peels away to reveal strips of gray, orange, and brick red.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliating
Verb
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Among the most oversold stocks was Meta , which faced two unfavorable outcomes in court last week, in addition to shedding staff.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
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Lanzone’s renovation efforts initially focused on shedding Yahoo’s dysfunctional parts.—
Michael Liedtke,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The choice also reflects the peeling back of historical layers.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
29 Mar. 2026
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However, peeling back the curtain, that support drops substantially when looking solely at younger Republicans and conservative-leaning independents — two groups that Trump made gains with in 2024.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With the same concept as an exfoliating serum for your face—tackling hyperpigmentation, sloughing off patchy texture, controlling acne, and improving overall skin tone—exfoliation has gone full body with everything from sprays to buffing bars and serums.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
23 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Exfoliating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exfoliating. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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