Exfoliation

/ˌɛksfoʊlieɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The process of removing or shedding the outer layer of skin, bark, rock, or other material; the natural or intentional stripping away of surface layers.

Etymology

From 'exfoliate' + the suffix '-ation' indicating a process. Combines Latin 'ex-' (out) + 'folium' (leaf) to describe the removal of layers.

Kelly Says

Exfoliation happens everywhere in nature—rocks crack as they weather, trees shed bark, your skin naturally sheds dead cells—but humans weaponized the term to sell scrubs and fancy skincare routines that do what your body already does for free.

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