Everything You Need to Know About Dry Brushing.

This post is from the archives (nearly four years ago!) but remains a favorite. As I think about inexpensive things that we can do to pamper ourselves at home while we wait out this quarantine, dry brushing tops the list!!! Once you buy the brush, if you take care of it you will have it forever, and it’s something good you can do for yourself… every day, if you’d like!

So here we go. What is dry brushing, and why is it so good for you?

What is Dry Brushing?

Dry brushing is the act of exfoliating your skin (while it’s dry) prior to showering using a brush, jute brush, or even a nylon wash cloth (love these IN the shower, too!). I have tried all three and personally prefer using a brush (I use this exact one). It’s a little bit softer than the other options, and fits easily into my hand. Dry brushing boosts circulation + lymphatic flow and has been said to help minimize the appearance of cellulite + aid in skin’s natural detoxification process.

Why is Dry Brushing So Good For You?

A daily dry brush is particularly great for you if you spend a lot of time not moving as much as you would like to (i.e. commuting on the train, sitting at your desk all day, laying on your couch LOL, and so on and so forth). The skin is the body’s largest organ… and it’s primary source of elimination, so taking this extra step can really make a difference: dry brushing will help renew the outer skin layer and promote blood flow to skins’ deeper layer which results in detoxification, smoother skin, and a nice healthy glow.

The best time to dry brush is when the skin is very dry, before a shower or bath. While you obviously can’t take a bath every single day (well, TBH I have been, every night of quarantine!), it’s really beneficial to do it before a bath as a good long bath will further encourage the detoxification process.

The pros recommend spending a solid five minutes brushing. This seemed like SO long at first and has taken me some time to get used to (especially when it came to setting aside five extra minutes before my shower). I don’t always make it a full five minutes but it is a good goal to work toward.

Dry Brushing Tutorial

How to dry brush:

1. Set a timer for five minutes
2. Begin with your feet, and work in a circular, upward brushing motion.
3. Next, move to your calves and thighs.
4. Spend more time on the backs of your upper thighs and buttocks (applying a bit more pressure to these areas, especially if they are cellulite-prone).
5. Next, move on to the lower back, abdomen, chest, and upper chest.
6. Finish with your arms… starting from the hands and moving to your shoulders.

Always work in an upward motion and spend at least thirty seconds on each body part.

You can do it every day. I’ll be honest – I don’t always remember, and sometimes I’m in a hurry… but I typically dry brush 3-4 days a week. When I do it, my skin just feels so good. I like to think that it helps minimize the appearance of cellulite (which is why I’m wayyy more diligent about doing it in the summer) but I will say that it has definitely led to smoother skin (especially on the backs of my arms + legs), and a more even skin tone.

Oh! And this probably goes without saying/is obvious, but wash your brush at least once a week with soap and water. You’re sloughing off quite a bit of skin… it can get pretty gross otherwise. 😉

Also! If you love dry brushing, another great DIY technique to master is facial gua sha. It’s amazing.