exfoliation

Meanings

1. 1noununcountabletechnical

   The process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.

   Grammar: Uncountable; used with 'the' or without an article.

   Patterns

   • exfoliation of the skin
   • gentle exfoliation
   • regular exfoliation

   Regular exfoliation can help keep your skin smooth and bright.

   The beautician recommended gentle exfoliation once a week.

   Over-exfoliation can irritate sensitive skin.

2. 2noununcountabletechnical

   In geology, the process by which rocks break off in thin layers or sheets.

   Grammar: Uncountable; used in technical descriptions of rock formation.

   Patterns

   • exfoliation of rock
   • granular exfoliation

   Exfoliation of the granite created the rounded domes in the park.

   Geologists study exfoliation to understand how cliffs erode.

Common combinations

gentle exfoliation

Use a soft brush for gentle exfoliation.

regular exfoliation

Regular exfoliation removes dead cells and leaves skin glowing.

chemical exfoliation

Chemical exfoliation uses acids to dissolve dead skin.

over-exfoliation

Over-exfoliation can make your skin red and sore.

Synonyms and how they differ

scrubbing

Everyday word for rubbing the skin to clean it; exfoliation is the technical term for removing dead cells.

peeling

Can refer to skin coming off naturally or a cosmetic treatment, but not specifically the removal of dead cells.

Word family

exfoliate verb

To remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.

exfoliant noun

A product or substance used to exfoliate the skin.

exfoliator noun

A tool or product for exfoliating.

Commonly confused: exfoliation or exfoliate?

Practice

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