By 
You’ll want to add dry brushing to your daily ritual for a quick and effortless way to get radiant, soft skin. But, incredible skin is only one of the many benefits of dry brushing. Here’s why dry brushing will soon become the favorite part of your beauty routine.
Dry brushing has become the latest trend for those desiring both a beauty and wellness boost. The practice requires you to stand stark naked, brushing your full body using a firm-bristled brush. And apparently, the tradition of shedding your clothes and running a bristly brush over your skin has been in practice for thousands of years.
Dry brushing is a 5,000-year-old Ayurvedic ritual that’s seen a recent resurgence in the beauty world.
So why all the interest?
Dry brushing helps exfoliate, resulting in soft, glowing skin. The stiff bristles help slough off the dead skin cells which otherwise give your skin a dull appearance and rougher texture. After, you’re left with brighter and more radiant skin. The practice also promotes blood flow and improved circulation. Similar to pinching your cheeks to give your face a rosy hue, sweeping a dry brush over your skin creates a youthful, flushed glow. Plus, increased circulation is always a bonus during those cold, Minnesota winter months!
Dry brushing stimulates your nervous system, leaving you feeling invigorated. If you’re feeling sluggish in the mornings, dry brushing can help you wake up and provide that much-needed extra energy boost.
You’ll find dry brushing also allows for better absorption in the skin by removing clogged pores. So that moisturizer you spent a fortune on? The moisturizer, lotion, and other products will readily get absorbed, giving your skin that enviable, velvety smooth feel.
Dry brushing also allows for better absorption in the skin.
However, a couple of purported benefits of dry brushing have been met with skepticism.
One belief is dry brushing helps move your lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system, (in the most simplified terms) is a network that helps rid your body of toxins. The lymphatic system transports lymph, a fluid comprised of white blood cells, which helps fight off infections and other unwanted intruders in your body. While movement and exercise are proven to effectively move the lymphatic system, there’s disagreement if dry brushing has the same significant impact.
Dry brushing’s other claim to fame is that the practice will diminish cellulite. While studies are scarce to confirm dry brushing’s cellulite-reducing power, dry brushing does help to temporarily plump up the skin and increase light reflection, giving the illusion of less cellulite.
To get started with your dry brushing practice, you’ll need to find the right brush. You’ll want a brush with stiff bristles that won’t damage your skin or be too abrasive. Popular dry brushes typically use boar bristles, but you can find natural, plant-based brushes as well.
The only other decision you’ll need to make is if you prefer a brush with a long handle or without. The handle will help you get to those hard-to-reach spots on your back, though others prefer the compact size and control of the handless brush. Your choice!
Once your brush arrives, gently sweep the brush over your body, starting from your feet and working your way up. Brush in long strokes always moving in the direction towards your heart to help promote circulation and blood flow. Next, brush over your hands, continuing with your arms, and again move towards your heart.
You don’t need to apply firm pressure when brushing as it can cause micro-cuts, leading to possible irritation or infection. You want to avoid dry brushing if you have super sensitive skin, skin conditions like eczema, or cuts or sunburn. Dry brushing shouldn’t be a painful experience!
Gently sweep the brush over your body, starting from your feet and working your way up.
Because dry brush bristles are rougher, you’ll also want to skip running the brush over your face where the skin is more sensitive and delicate. If you want to exfoliate the skin on your face, you’ll find plenty of softer brush options that won’t be as harsh as a body brush.
The practice only takes a few minutes, making dry brushing a quick and easy addition to your beauty ritual. Ideally, dry brush right before you hop in the shower so you can easily rinse off the dead skin cells. Then, follow up with a high-quality moisturizer to rehydrate the skin.
Sure, dry brushing isn’t a magic bullet to perfect skin, but adding the practice to your beauty routine can produce desirable beauty and health benefits, giving you that radiant glow and silky, smooth skin.
