exfoliate
eks-FOH-lee-ayt
/eksˈfəʊ.li.eɪt/
To remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin using chemical acids or physical abrasives.
Implies shedding or peeling away an outer layer, applied both in dermatology and geology.
The story behind the word. The term comes from botany and Latin leaf roots, describing the way trees shed foliage in layers. In the 17th century, geologists adopted it for rocks peeling in leaf-like flakes, and cosmetics eventually adopted it to describe peeling away dead facial cells.
Word relationships
- slough: Slough usually describes a natural biological shedding of dead tissue, whereas exfoliate often refers to an intentional cosmetic action.
- accumulate: Accumulate means gathering or building up layers rather than shedding them.
Commonly confused with
- desquamate: Desquamate is the medical term for spontaneous skin peeling, while exfoliate refers to cosmetic or physical surface removal.
Word family
- exfoliation (noun): The process of removing dead skin cells or shedding layers.
- exfoliant (noun): An agent or product used to exfoliate skin.
Collocations
- exfoliate gently
- exfoliate regularly
- chemical exfoliate
- physical exfoliate
Example sentences
- "Dermatologists advise against over-exfoliating, as stripping the skin layer too frequently damages its natural moisture barrier." Dermatological advice
- "Granite domes tend to exfoliate in large concentric sheets as pressure decreases over deep geological time." Geological phenomenon
Memory hook
EX (out) + FOLI (foliage/leaves): stripping off dead skin like leaves falling off a tree branch. Shedding skin like leaves off trees.
When not to use
Do not confuse with general washing or cleansing, which cleans surface dirt without shedding surface cells.
Fun facts
- In geology, massive granite formations like Yosemite's Half Dome undergo 'exfoliation' when temperature changes cause stone layers to peel off like onion skins.
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