exfoliates

verb

present tense third-person singular of exfoliate
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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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 exfoliates More than 100,000 of them just bought these Medicube toner pads, a K-beauty staple that gently exfoliates the skin, refines pores, and smooths skin texture for a more even complexion. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026 Reliable salicylic acid gently exfoliates dead skin cells and tightens the look of pores while time-tested, calming K-beauty favorites, such as cica, mugwort, and artemisia powder—which can kill off acne-causing bacteria—help leave skin looking softer and smoother. — Sarah Felbin, Allure, 20 May 2026 Instead of relying purely on hydration, this formula includes salicylic acid, which gently exfoliates and keeps pores clear so that breakouts don’t come back. — Hana Hong, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026 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, 5 Mar. 2026 The bestselling Peppermint Avocado Scalp Scrub gently exfoliates the scalp while washing away dirt, oil, styling products and buildup. — Tory Johnson, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliates
  1. sheds
  2. peels
Verb
  • Authorities in Nepal have warned of further flooding after heavy rainfall, as China sheds more light on the scale of the disaster in its Tibet region.
    — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The research sheds new light on the developing Super El Niño gathering strength in the tropical Pacific, which is forecast to become the strongest such event since at least 1950 — and potentially long before that.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sheds
Verb
  • As autumn progresses, the husk peels back, revealing the orange berries.
    — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Nordic noir suggests the presence of violence and hatred beneath the tranquillity and order of the Scandinavian welfare state, just as Southern noir peels back hospitality and charm to reveal repressed family secrets and moral decay.
    — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of peels

Browse Nearby Words

exfoliated
exfoliates
exfoliating
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Cite this Entry

“Exfoliates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exfoliates. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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