as in sheds
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 exfoliates
Cetaphil Skin Activator Hydrating & Firming Cream The cream is formulated with mandelic acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid or AHA), which gently exfoliates the surface layer of skin to support skin cell turnover, while centella asiatica helps soothe and strengthen the natural skin barrier.
—
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Inspired by Korean aqua peel facials, this lightweight serum gently exfoliates while flooding skin with hydration, thanks to a lineup of K-beauty favorites.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
This gentle glycolic serum has salicylic acid (which exfoliates), and raspberry fruit extract (which soothes skin and protects it from free radicals).
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 25 Dec. 2025
This natural-bristle dry brush gently exfoliates skin before soaking, stimulating circulation and encouraging smooth, glowing skin.
—Jené Luciani Sena , Caitlyn Martyn
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Finally, gluconolactone gently exfoliates and removes dead skin cells.
—Venus Wong, Refinery29, 14 Aug. 2025
Salicylic acid, which exfoliates the skin's surface and helps to remove oil from pores.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
The water and steam allow the dirt on my scalp to loosen while the scalp massage gently exfoliates.
—Essence, 14 Jan. 2025
Infused with marine plant extracts, this scrub stick not only exfoliates dead skin cells and removes blackheads but also nourishes and hydrates your skin.
—Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Inspired by Korean aqua peel facials, this lightweight serum gently exfoliates while flooding skin with hydration, thanks to a lineup of K-beauty favorites.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
This gentle glycolic serum has salicylic acid (which exfoliates), and raspberry fruit extract (which soothes skin and protects it from free radicals).
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 25 Dec. 2025
This natural-bristle dry brush gently exfoliates skin before soaking, stimulating circulation and encouraging smooth, glowing skin.
—Jené Luciani Sena , Caitlyn Martyn
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Finally, gluconolactone gently exfoliates and removes dead skin cells.
—Venus Wong, Refinery29, 14 Aug. 2025
Salicylic acid, which exfoliates the skin's surface and helps to remove oil from pores.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
The water and steam allow the dirt on my scalp to loosen while the scalp massage gently exfoliates.
—Essence, 14 Jan. 2025
Infused with marine plant extracts, this scrub stick not only exfoliates dead skin cells and removes blackheads but also nourishes and hydrates your skin.
—Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliates
Verb
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Our new study, published in the journal Communications, Earth and Environment sheds light on how exactly Earth's plate tectonics have helped to shape global climate over the past 540 million years.—
Ben Mather,
Space.com,
7 Feb. 2026
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It’s made of a premium Polartec fleece that is just as warm as normal fleece but sheds five times fewer microfibers.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Low tides offer a look as the ocean peels back to give people a glimpse at the critters and plant life usually underwater.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
31 Dec. 2025
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Though the show peels back a layer or two in every episode, Barrera’s character remains a bit of a cipher.—
Sofía Tafich,
Vogue,
22 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exfoliates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exfoliates. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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