What do we call the process of dead cells shedding off the skin?

The process of dead cells shedding off the skin is referred to as desquamation. This term specifically describes the natural process through which the outer layer of skin, known as the stratum corneum, loses its dead cells. Desquamation is an essential part of the skin's maintenance, allowing for the renewal of skin cells and helping to clear away cells that are no longer functioning.

In contrast, exfoliation often refers to the removal of dead skin cells through physical or chemical means, which can be a part of skincare routines but doesn’t encompass the natural shedding process itself. Keratinization is the process by which skin cells become filled with keratin and die, forming a protective layer, but it does not specifically denote the shedding of those cells. Regeneration refers to the skin's ability to heal and replace cells, but it does not specifically capture the shedding of existing dead cells. The term desquamation encapsulates the natural and biological aspect of dead cell shedding on the skin's surface.