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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exfoliating
The attendant immediately got to business aggressively exfoliating my body with an abrasive towel.
—
Anna Haines, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
Then, follow it up with a bland, gentle moisturizer free of exfoliating actives—this will help hydrate the skin, and protect against dryness.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Harsh treatments include strong exfoliating acids or extractions.
—Sarah Bence, Otr/l, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025
Those with oily or acne-prone skin should consider toners with calming, anti-inflammatory, or exfoliating ingredients, such as tea tree oil, centella asiatica, heartleaf extract, and ginseng.
—Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
With a larger molecular structure than other exfoliating acids, PHAs don’t penetrate the skin as deeply, resulting in fewer reactions.
—Victoria Jowett, Refinery29, 1 Apr. 2025
Some are directly manufactured by humans, such as beads in exfoliating scrubs or glitter.
—Marta Zaraska, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2025
Dry Brushing Dry brushing, which is a traditional Ayurvedic medicine (ancient healing system of India) method of exfoliating (removing surface dead skin cells) the skin with a natural bristle brush using specific strokes.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 25 Mar. 2025
By gently exfoliating, the razor removes dead skin cells and unwanted hair that can trap excess oil and dirt.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025
Anna Haines, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
Then, follow it up with a bland, gentle moisturizer free of exfoliating actives—this will help hydrate the skin, and protect against dryness.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Harsh treatments include strong exfoliating acids or extractions.
—Sarah Bence, Otr/l, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025
Those with oily or acne-prone skin should consider toners with calming, anti-inflammatory, or exfoliating ingredients, such as tea tree oil, centella asiatica, heartleaf extract, and ginseng.
—Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
With a larger molecular structure than other exfoliating acids, PHAs don’t penetrate the skin as deeply, resulting in fewer reactions.
—Victoria Jowett, Refinery29, 1 Apr. 2025
Some are directly manufactured by humans, such as beads in exfoliating scrubs or glitter.
—Marta Zaraska, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2025
Dry Brushing Dry brushing, which is a traditional Ayurvedic medicine (ancient healing system of India) method of exfoliating (removing surface dead skin cells) the skin with a natural bristle brush using specific strokes.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 25 Mar. 2025
By gently exfoliating, the razor removes dead skin cells and unwanted hair that can trap excess oil and dirt.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exfoliating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exfoliating. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share