exfoliate
verb
ex·fo·li·ate
| \ (ˌ)eks-ˈfō-lē-ˌāt
\
\
exfoliated;
exfoliating
Definition of exfoliate
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
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Other Words from exfoliate
exfoliation
\ (ˌ)eks-ˌfō-lē-ˈā-shən
\
noun
\
noun
exfoliative
\ eks-ˈfō-lē-ˌā-tiv
\
adjective
\
adjective
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
Each one is covered in lemon peel and licorice root extracts as well as lactic and glycolic acids for a gentle, exfoliating peel. — Shannon Barbour, The Cut, "The 10 Best Products From Dermstore’s Secret Sale," 13 Apr. 2018 Water can exfoliate and clean the auric field, which can eliminate wounds, anger, and anxieties. — Lisa Stardust, Teen Vogue, "How to Practice Glamour Magic," 20 Aug. 2019 Beauty and fashion: Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel ($23.80, originally $34; amazon.com) Made with turmeric root, jojoba oil and lavender oil, this exfoliating peel promises to leave your complexion bright and smooth. — Noelle Ike, Hanna Williams And Jacob Krol, CNN Underscored, "Prime Day 2019: These deals are still live," 17 July 2019 When choosing yours, there are a few key ingredients to look for: Salicylic or glycolic acid: These ingredients help exfoliate the skin. — Jenn Sinrich, SELF, "5 Signs You're Dealing with Hormonal Acne—and How to Treat It," 2 July 2019 Ingredients to look out for: Benzoyl peroxide to kill acne-causing bacteria, salicylic acid to help exfoliate and unclog pores, and retinoids to help control cell turnover, which allows clogged cells to shed and prevents them from clogging. — Marci Robin, Good Housekeeping, "10 Tried-and-True Ways to Get Rid of Pimples Fast," 14 June 2019 Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that works by dissolving excess oil and gently exfoliating away dead skin cells. — Jessica Cruel, SELF, "12 Acne Treatments That Really Work, According to Dermatologists," 8 Aug. 2019 The brand’s adored Cranberry Gommage Exfoliant ($48; nordstrom.com) is great for decongesting clogged pores and exfoliating away dead skin. — Braelyn Wood, Health.com, "These All-Natural Toner Pads Are My One-Step Skincare Routine After Every Workout," 19 July 2019 This coconut coffee body scrub works to exfoliate and buff away dry skin while moisturizing with a blend of coffee and essential oils. — Noelle Ike, Hanna Williams And Jacob Krol, CNN Underscored, "Prime Day 2019: These deals are still live," 17 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exfoliate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for exfoliate
exfoliate
verb
ex·fo·li·ate
| \ -ˈfō-lē-ˌāt
\
\
exfoliated;
exfoliating
Medical Definition of exfoliate
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