exfoliating

verb

present participle of exfoliate
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

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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 Prescription and over-the-counter skin products, especially retinoids, exfoliating acids, acne treatments, and lightening products. — Malana Vantyler, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 For more instant results, salicylic acid completes the trio by exfoliating away dead surface cells and pore-clogging buildup, helping refine the look of large pores standing between you and that aforementioned glassy glow. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026 For rougher skin, urea can also be paired with exfoliating ingredients such as salicylic acid, lactic acid, and AHAs for additional smoothing power. — Danielle James, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2026 Crepe myrtles are supposed to peel—in fact, gardeners prize the tree for its exfoliating bark. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2026 Its formula is rounded out with the gently exfoliating polyhydroxy acid, niacinamide to even out skin tone, and Laminaria extract for hydration. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026 Bowe advised using a gentle cleanser so skin does not feel squeaky-clean afterward, swapping gritty scrubs for hydrating exfoliating serums and skipping fragrances and essential oils. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026 By exfoliating skin, smoothing texture and softening fine lines, salicylic acid stimulates collagen production and supports the skin’s natural repair processes. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2026 While a dry manicure is often confused with a Russian manicure, The Shade’s approach is rooted in the long-term sustainability of the nail, maintaining the nail bed and exfoliating the skin around the nail rather than aggressively cutting it back. — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliating
  1. shedding
  2. peeling
  3. sloughing
Verb
  • There are some great deals on leave-in conditioner and hair masks, too, like this smoothing formula from L’Oréal Paris, plus strand-thickening formulas that can help add density and control shedding in thinning areas.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
  • What’s happening Oral supplements are increasingly being pitched as a first stop for hair shedding, with brands promising fuller strands in as little as three months.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of shedding
Verb
  • The State Russian Museum revealed that the museum’s specialists repaired areas of peeling, applying primer and paint across the entire surface of the canvas and completed the restoration with a varnish coating.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Minimize direct exposure while your skin is red, peeling, swollen, crusted, or otherwise healing.
    — Malana VanTyler, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of peeling
Verb
  • Out toward the edge, the star would boil unstably, sloughing off outer layers and explosively ejecting mass.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026
  • It’s also packed with a slew of cleansing agents that are known for effectively sloughing away gunk while being gentle enough not to damage the skin barrier.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of sloughing

Browse Nearby Words

exfoliates
exfoliating
exhale
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Cite this Entry

“Exfoliating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exfoliating. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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