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
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
This is thanks to Manucurist’s nourishing formula, which includes antioxidant-rich beetroot extract, exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and strengthening hexanal to prevent breakage.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Growth factors work slowly to transform your skin, unlike harsher, faster-acting actives like exfoliating acids and retinoids.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 17 Jan. 2026
Unlike exfoliating or brightening serums that focus on changing the surface, these formulas work on prioritizing comfort and recovery over instant glow.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 17 Jan. 2026
This gentle exfoliating cleanser combines fruit enzymes and AHAs to smooth texture and brighten skin without over-drying.
—Colleen Sullivan, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
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
This is thanks to Manucurist’s nourishing formula, which includes antioxidant-rich beetroot extract, exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and strengthening hexanal to prevent breakage.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Growth factors work slowly to transform your skin, unlike harsher, faster-acting actives like exfoliating acids and retinoids.
—Emily Orofino, Vogue, 17 Jan. 2026
Unlike exfoliating or brightening serums that focus on changing the surface, these formulas work on prioritizing comfort and recovery over instant glow.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 17 Jan. 2026
This gentle exfoliating cleanser combines fruit enzymes and AHAs to smooth texture and brighten skin without over-drying.
—Colleen Sullivan, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliating
Verb
-
After months of beautiful, thick tresses thanks to those pregnancy hormones, shedding and changes in hair texture are inevitable as our estrogen levels drop and our body deals with the grueling fourth trimester.—
Claire West,
Parents,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The piano tuner had sent a basket of mums, which were losing petals, shedding everywhere.—
Allegra Goodman,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The scene takes place on the afternoon of October 1, 1978, at the Orpheum Theatre, then a rundown building with broken seats and peeling paint, lacking heat and constantly in danger of demolition.—
Stephen M. Deusner,
Pitchfork,
8 Feb. 2026
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Paint may not adhere well without extensive sanding and priming, which can lead to bubbling and peeling, explains designer Danielle Chiprut.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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 15 Feb. 2026.
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