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
Red algae helps skin retain moisture, preventing tightness that often follows exfoliating cleansers.
—
Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 1 Jan. 2026
Beneficial qualities There are many makeup remover cloths out there that have soothing, hydrating or exfoliating qualities.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
The executive is looking to bring the Kate Somerville brand back to a strong position by leaning into its clinical roots and exalting its hero ExfoliKate line of cleansers and treatments, priced between $46 for a foaming wash and $85 for an exfoliating treatment.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 30 Dec. 2025
Plus, the dual-sided pads feature a smooth gel side for plumping and a textured side for an exfoliating boost.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2025
Each pad is soaked in a gentle exfoliating essence that leaves skin smooth, balanced, and glowing after every swipe.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
Start with a full-body exfoliating scrub, followed by a tension-melting massage.
—Caitlin Gunther, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2025
Spa box with triple-active body milk, exfoliating body serum, firming butter and an ionic dry brush ($465, available to all recipients).
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
The ProGrowth + Peptide range for those with fine or thin hair includes a gently exfoliating mandelic acid shampoo, thickening conditioner, strengthening serum (in a click-pen applicator, shown) and a serum mist that protects hair from heat damage while also plumping up strands.
—Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 1 Jan. 2026
Beneficial qualities There are many makeup remover cloths out there that have soothing, hydrating or exfoliating qualities.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
The executive is looking to bring the Kate Somerville brand back to a strong position by leaning into its clinical roots and exalting its hero ExfoliKate line of cleansers and treatments, priced between $46 for a foaming wash and $85 for an exfoliating treatment.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 30 Dec. 2025
Plus, the dual-sided pads feature a smooth gel side for plumping and a textured side for an exfoliating boost.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2025
Each pad is soaked in a gentle exfoliating essence that leaves skin smooth, balanced, and glowing after every swipe.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
Start with a full-body exfoliating scrub, followed by a tension-melting massage.
—Caitlin Gunther, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2025
Spa box with triple-active body milk, exfoliating body serum, firming butter and an ionic dry brush ($465, available to all recipients).
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
The ProGrowth + Peptide range for those with fine or thin hair includes a gently exfoliating mandelic acid shampoo, thickening conditioner, strengthening serum (in a click-pen applicator, shown) and a serum mist that protects hair from heat damage while also plumping up strands.
—Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliating
Verb
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When Mars conjuncts the sun in Capricorn, this alignment activates our ambition, drive and desires, while shedding light on long-term strategies (or the lack thereof).—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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The unusual discovery is shedding light on the complex nature of largely unknown funerary practices of African hunter-gatherers — and raises the question of why such effort was made to cremate only one person.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Moore is certainly not the sort of striker who only comes alive when within shooting range, with a high share of his touches being just beyond the halfway line, often when peeling away from his marker to try and find space.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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When peeling poblanos, don’t worry if some skin clings; as long as most is removed, the peppers will be tender.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
3 Jan. 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 13 Jan. 2026.
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