Which substance is known to cause shedding of the skin?

A keratolytic substance is specifically designed to break down the outer layer of the skin, which is primarily made up of keratin, a key protein. This process promotes the shedding of dead skin cells by softening and loosening the bonds between them. Such substances are often used in the treatment of various skin disorders, including psoriasis, warts, and other conditions that involve excessive skin cell buildup.

In contrast, electrodesiccation is a technique that uses electrical energy to dry out tissue, typically employed in surgical settings to remove lesions. It does not directly cause the shedding of skin like a keratolytic would.

A nevus, commonly known as a mole, is a benign skin lesion that does not induce skin shedding; instead, it represents a collection of pigment cells.

Exudate refers to fluid that leaks out of blood vessels into nearby tissues, often due to inflammation or injury, and is not directly associated with the shedding of skin.

Thus, the characteristic of a keratolytic, which actively facilitates the shedding of the skin by breaking down the outer keratinized layer, makes it the correct choice.