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
Native to southeastern woodlands, oakleaf hydrangeas have vibrant fall color and attractive, exfoliating bark.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
The idea here is to offer three properties in one formula—exfoliating, moisturizing, and lip color—via six modern shades that impart a sheen finish.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026
The exfoliating hand wash has a permanent home with her other beauty and wellness essentials.
—Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
Stick to exfoliating just one to two times per week and choose chemical exfoliants like lactic acid over harsh physical scrubs.
—Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
Like the restaurant, Toja draws on local traditions with a spa menu that includes invigorating pijat massages and exfoliating scrubs with rice, ginger, and candle nut.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
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
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
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
The idea here is to offer three properties in one formula—exfoliating, moisturizing, and lip color—via six modern shades that impart a sheen finish.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026
The exfoliating hand wash has a permanent home with her other beauty and wellness essentials.
—Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
Stick to exfoliating just one to two times per week and choose chemical exfoliants like lactic acid over harsh physical scrubs.
—Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
Like the restaurant, Toja draws on local traditions with a spa menu that includes invigorating pijat massages and exfoliating scrubs with rice, ginger, and candle nut.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliating
Verb
-
Fromowitz said rapid weight loss pushes follicles into the shedding phase.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In late 2025, officials announced archaeologists had uncovered a cache of bullets fired during the Battle of Culloden, shedding new light on its final moments.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The peeling wallpaper in the bedroom of Nataliia and Valerii’s apartment on Lesi Ukrainky Street in Pripyat.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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Starting low and building up gives your skin time to develop tolerance without the irritation, peeling or redness that can come from using retinoids too aggressively.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Gentle exfoliation is key to sloughing off winter buildup and revealing fresh, radiant skin.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Exfoliating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exfoliating. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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