Your Guide To Dry Brushing

Summer is coming.

While I love summer, it is almost terrifying to think that within a few weeks, it will be time to expose my legs to the elements and potentially blind onlookers with my very pale skin.

Winter surely can take a toll on you mentally and physically, but luckily there are ways we can prepare and get summer-ready.

Prepping for summer seems to be a time for experimentation thanks to the multiple beauty crazes that are promoted on Instagram by celebrities and influencers alike.

Aside from detox diets, juice cleanses and the latest yoga practices, dry brushing has become the latest trend in the beauty world. Celebs and supermodels swear by this practice and have claimed that dry brushing helps cure cellulite along with poor digestion.

I don’t know about you, but if there is something that can make my legs look like Gigi Hadid’s, I can guarantee you that I am going to try it out.     

What is Dry Brushing?

Dry brushing is well, brushing your skin in slow, circular motions with a dry brush about three times a week. This should be done before showering and when dry brushing, it is recommended to do by starting at the feet and then gradually moving towards the chest.

Not much to it, right?

Well, the secret lies in the pressure from the bristles that exfoliate and help stimulate circulation and promote lymphatic drainage. While the word “lymphatic drainage” doesn’t sound too appealing, it is something that you should become more acquainted with. Elle recently explored the benefits of dry brushing and they are hard to ignore, which makes incorporating dry brushing into your beauty regimen very tempting.      

Benefits of Dry Brushing

Truly, there is no topical cure that can banish cellulite in one week or easily rid your body of toxins. However, the benefits of dry brushing are intriguing and there are many who swear by the benefits and how they feel as a result of it.  

It Exfoliates

If you want skin softer than a baby’s bottom, well you better start exfoliating. Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells, which allows skin to renew itself with new and healthy cells.

Routine exfoliation leads to visibly brighter and healthier looking skin thanks to unclogging pores and removing dead skin cells. As a result of exfoliation, skin is left feeling younger, the tone and texture is improved and your skin can absorb the ingredients from serums and cream more adequately.

Aside from helping your skin feel better, exfoliating also helps your wallet in the long run thanks to priming your skin to absorb skincare products more effectively.

Another benefit of exfoliating is the fact that it keeps pores unclogged, thus preventing ingrown hairs.

While exfoliation can be achieved with the help of scrubs or other products with chemicals, many individuals with sensitive skin find themselves needing an alternative. This is where dry brushing comes in.

Unlike some skincare products, dry brushing comes with no effects of chemical burns or allergic reactions.

Additionally, it is a lot cheaper, which makes dry brushing a great way to exfoliate.

It Helps Your Immune System

Aside from exfoliating, dry brushing has been linked to stimulating the immune system. Dr. Mercola of mercola.com and Natalie Viklund and Marie Hansen, founders of Aevi Wellness both state how dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic system by helping it release toxins and become more efficient with eliminating cellular waste products.

When immune systems operate well, not only do bodies feel healthier, but it lessens susceptibility to illnesses.

It Reduces Cellulite

In addition to stimulating the immune system, dry brushing increases circulation and in turn makes the skin look more plump. Katie Neal, a body and skincare expert at Mio, explains how dry brushing encourages blood flow, which combats cellulite and reduce the appearance of it.

Also, when circulation is improved, oxygen is delivered to cells and this can prevent the formation of cellulite, varicose veins, and skin discoloration.

How to Dry Brush

Dry brushing isn’t complicated, but there is a preferred method.

As stated previously, dry brushing should be started at your extremities and you should work towards your chest.

First, begin by applying slow, circular motions on the soles of your feet. According to Neal, these strokes should be performed in an upward motion while using clockwise sweeps.

As a result, skin should appear rosy and flushed, but do not dry brush with too much pressure. Lauren Hubbard of Allure found this out the hard way when she dry-brushed for a month to get rid of cellulite and unfortunately dry brushed her skin a little too raw.

Furthermore, dry brushing should be performed three times a week for a minimum of three minutes to see the benefits of dry brushing.  

Our Favorite Dry Brushes on Amazon

For those who are convinced and are ready to try the juice cleanse of the beauty world, we have come up with a list of our favorite dry brushes on Amazon. Brushes can be purchased with or without a handle, all depending on your preferences and needs. Check them out!

Dry Skin Body Brush

Premium Dry Brushing Body Brush

Premium Dry Brushing Body Brush