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
Shop the $5 formula and scroll on to see more cuticle exfoliating options.
—
Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 21 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
Unlike some other exfoliating toner pads, their AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pads are designed for daily use, thanks to their low-dose blend of acids that gently smooth and brighten without overwhelming skin.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Feb. 2026
Over-exfoliating already dry skin can worsen irritation and increase water loss.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Formula is sticky If many exfoliating facial toners feel too intense, this one is a calmer alternative.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 21 Jan. 2026
The best way to avoid streaking is to prepare your skin before application by exfoliating and moisturizing dry spots.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Beauty editors wax lyrical about Tatcha The Texture Tonic AHA Liquid Exfoliating Treatment with exfoliating glycolic acid and soothing Japanese mugwort, and Beauty of Joseon Refreshing Toner, with glycolic acid and moisturizing glycerin.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 20 Jan. 2026
Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 21 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
Unlike some other exfoliating toner pads, their AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pads are designed for daily use, thanks to their low-dose blend of acids that gently smooth and brighten without overwhelming skin.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Feb. 2026
Over-exfoliating already dry skin can worsen irritation and increase water loss.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Formula is sticky If many exfoliating facial toners feel too intense, this one is a calmer alternative.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 21 Jan. 2026
The best way to avoid streaking is to prepare your skin before application by exfoliating and moisturizing dry spots.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Beauty editors wax lyrical about Tatcha The Texture Tonic AHA Liquid Exfoliating Treatment with exfoliating glycolic acid and soothing Japanese mugwort, and Beauty of Joseon Refreshing Toner, with glycolic acid and moisturizing glycerin.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliating
Verb
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In some cases, correspondence or other documents included in the files indicate more extensive relationships between Epstein and those figures than had previously been disclosed, shedding light on years’ worth of interactions.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
21 Feb. 2026
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Once the snow melted and temperatures warmed, the mudbugs were fully grown and shedding their shells, resulting in soft crawfish that are no good for consumption.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Violations can be written for peeling paint, leaking roof, electrical and plumbing problems, holes in the wall, floor and ceiling, and decayed wood.—
Dave Lieber,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
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While Duluth rentals are required to have paint in good condition and not peeling or chipping before receiving their rental licenses, Kelli Latuska, a city of Duluth spokesperson, said the city does not test paint for lead.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 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 24 Feb. 2026.
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