exfoliate
verb
ex·fo·li·ate
(ˌ)eks-ˈfō-lē-ˌāt 
exfoliated; exfoliating
1
: to cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters
2
: to remove the surface of in scales or laminae
3
: to spread or extend by or as if by opening out leaves
1
: to split into or give off scales, laminae, or body cells
2
: to come off in thin layers or scales
3
: to grow by or as if by producing or unfolding leaves
Examples of exfoliate in a Sentence
a soap that promises to help me exfoliate all that dry, flaky skin I've apparently been carrying around
Recent Examples on the Web
As retinol promotes cell turnover and improves skin texture, a combination of glycolic and mandelic acids exfoliates the look of skin for a smoother texture.
—
Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 8 Feb. 2025
This leave-on exfoliator contains 2% salicylic acid, which helps exfoliate away dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and hydrates and soothes irritated skin.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
Using high-tech machines to draw out impurities, exfoliate dead skin, and hydrate, all of her services are customized to the specific skin concern of each model.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 30 Jan. 2025
While our skin naturally exfoliates itself, physical exfoliators jump-start the process by sloughing away dead skin cells.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2025
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Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 8 Feb. 2025
This leave-on exfoliator contains 2% salicylic acid, which helps exfoliate away dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and hydrates and soothes irritated skin.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
Using high-tech machines to draw out impurities, exfoliate dead skin, and hydrate, all of her services are customized to the specific skin concern of each model.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 30 Jan. 2025
While our skin naturally exfoliates itself, physical exfoliators jump-start the process by sloughing away dead skin cells.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for exfoliate
Dictionary Entries Near exfoliate
Cite this Entry
“Exfoliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exfoliate. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
exfoliate
verb
ex·fo·li·ate
-ˈfō-lē-ˌāt
exfoliated; exfoliating
1
: to cast off in scales or laminae
2
: to remove the surface of in scales or laminae
3
: to shed (teeth) by exfoliation
1
: to split into or give off scales, laminae, or body cells
2
: to come off in thin layers or scales : scale off
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