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
These exfoliating acids works alongside glycerin and sorbitol to remove excess oils and refine congested pores to keep breakouts at bay without drying the skin.
—
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
The main ingredient used is galactaric acid, which is known for its delicate exfoliating properties.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
When exfoliating, be gentle with your skin and use upward circles to avoid stretching and pulling at your skin.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 26 Sep. 2025
Double-cleanse with Aprilskin cleansing balm, Eminence daily exfoliating cleanser, Thayer’s toner, Glow Recipe blackberry retinol, and Farmacy honey halo moisturizer.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 26 Sep. 2025
To prevent staining your hands, wash them immediately after applying self-tanner, and treat them like you would the rest of your body with an exfoliating mitt if any color lingers.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 23 Sep. 2025
The Harvest Grapeseed Ritual begins with a dry brush and exfoliating scrub, followed by a rich body butter and a glass of Elusa Cabernet Sauvignon.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 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
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
The main ingredient used is galactaric acid, which is known for its delicate exfoliating properties.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
When exfoliating, be gentle with your skin and use upward circles to avoid stretching and pulling at your skin.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 26 Sep. 2025
Double-cleanse with Aprilskin cleansing balm, Eminence daily exfoliating cleanser, Thayer’s toner, Glow Recipe blackberry retinol, and Farmacy honey halo moisturizer.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 26 Sep. 2025
To prevent staining your hands, wash them immediately after applying self-tanner, and treat them like you would the rest of your body with an exfoliating mitt if any color lingers.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 23 Sep. 2025
The Harvest Grapeseed Ritual begins with a dry brush and exfoliating scrub, followed by a rich body butter and a glass of Elusa Cabernet Sauvignon.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliating
Verb
-
Edwards has great instincts and is a solid run defender, but the Bears still need their defensive line to do their job shedding blocks, too.—
Kevin Fishbain,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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Archaeologists recently unearthed the remnants of a historic royal palace from a Polish river, shedding light on a violent part of the country's history.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Its thin skin is easy to bite through, meaning you there's no need to worry about peeling this apple before tossing it into the mix.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
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Nine Inch Nails are not done peeling it back.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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 18 Oct. 2025.
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