Oils, creams, and relaxing massages can help brighten your skin and smooth your complexion. Dry brushing, however, takes all of that to the next level by improving your skin from the inside out. This centuries-old beauty ritual doesn’t only improve the way you look, but also how you feel. Summertime is a great time to dedicate some tender loving care to your skin with dry brushing, plus you’ll love the results you get! In this article, we’ll look at what drying brushing is, its benefits, and tips for how to incorporate it into your skincare routine.

What is Dry Brushing?

Dry brushing is the process of brushing your skin with a coarse brush while both the skin and brush are dry. Dermatologists and skincare experts alike note that this practice is great for stimulating circulation under the skin. Dry brushing also exfoliates the skin, removing dirt and dead skin cells to reveal radiant skin. Doing this natural beauty ritual before you shower is recommended as you’ll be able to wash and moisturise your skin afterwards. This practice can also leave you feeling warm and tingly, which is why showering afterwards is great for cooling down.

Benefits of Dry Brushing

This natural beauty ritual has a range of benefits for your skin. Dry brushing can help with:

• Improved circulation – There are different approaches to dry brushing, but the biggest rule you’ll find is that you should always brush towards your heart. This is because brushing towards your heart can help activate your circulatory system and get your blood flowing. You can look forward to better circulation and even a small boost of energy after dry brushing.
• Dull skin complexion – Dry brushing helps remove old, dead skin cells and leave room for fresh, new cells to shine. The coarse brush will trap old cells, even out your complexion, and help your skin shine brighter than ever. This natural beauty ritual is a great alternative to scrubs, especially for people with sensitive skin!
• Reducing cellulite – Dedicated anti-cellulite treatments, such as kneading and massaging, can be very painful considering how stubborn cellulite is. Although dry brushing won’t give you exactly the same results, regular brushing can evenly distribute and smooth fat cells under the skin. That means it can reduce the visibility of cellulite with less pain, but over a longer period.
• Preventing ingrown hairs – Since dry brushing is a great way to lightly exfoliate and slough away dead skin cells, it also helps keep your skin cleaner. With less dirt and dead skin clogging your pores, you won’t have to worry about ingrown hairs. These pesky hairs can be painful and unsightly, but with dry brushing, you’ll be seeing less of them.

How to Start Dry Brushing

You might be thinking, “Sounds great, sign me up!” While a positive attitude is half the battle, you should remember that this is a long and sometimes slow process. Dry brushing should be gentle and consistent, which means you may not see results immediately. You should also never be rough or scratch your skin in the hopes of seeing results sooner. If you’re okay with that, here’s how to start dry brushing:

1. Find a coarse brush, preferably made from natural fibres such as bamboo, sisal, or goat hair to use on your skin.
2. Hop in the shower, but don’t shower! Both your skin and the brush should be dry for best results.
3. Begin at the feet and always brush in the direction of your heart. Move from your feet to your legs to your knees and onward.
4. Use clockwise sweeps on your stomach and chest. Remember to adjust your pressure to the different parts of your body as some are more sensitive than others.
5. Quick flicks are better than long brushstrokes as they stimulate your lymph nodes and can promote lymphatic drainage.

After You Brush

Brushing should only take you a couple of minutes, so once you’ve finished it’s time to shower. You can use a mild cleanser to wash your skin and rinse away any remaining skin cells. As you’ve already exfoliated your body, you may want to skip using any additional scrubs. Chances are that you’ll feel a tingling feeling on your skin as you shower, that means it’s working! After you shower, remember to moisturise your skin with a mild cream or gentle oil to hydrate and calm the skin. 

The Takeaway

Boost your circulation, soften your skin, and say bye-bye to dead skin cells with dry brushing. This simple, natural beauty trick will have your sun glowing all summer long. If you’re searching for natural skin care tips, be sure to check out WapoBeauty’s Soapmaking eBook. Those looking for guided learning should visit WapoBeauty’s Complete Facial Skincare Online Course for Beginners. Discover how to make professional, safe, and stable natural beauty products from the comfort of your home. Join the ranks of students who found this class valuable and rewarding! 

ABOUT OUR BLOGGER:

Ashuni Pérez is an American writer based in Valencia, Spain. She has a passion for natural beauty and the environment. Ashuni loves to cycle and drink smoothies in the sun. Follow her on Instagram at @ashuuuuni