Despite being one of the latest beauty buzzwords, dry brushing has actually been practiced for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine (known as “garshana”.) More recently supermodels Elle Macpherson and Miranda Kerr swear by dry brushing as one of their beauty skincare secrets, but what are the benefits of dry brushing and should we be adding it to our skincare routine?
WHAT IS DRY BRUSHING?
Dry brushing is when you brush the skin on your body with a dry brush to exfoliate the skin, increase circulation and remove dead skin cells. Just like we would exfoliate our face once or twice a week, dry brushing can do the same for our bodies.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DRY BRUSHING?
“It has many benefits for both the skin and our overall health. I’m a big believer in the importance of lymphatic drainage for the face as a way of removing toxins, increasing circulation, and reducing puffiness, and dry brushing helps to do this for the body. It increases circulation and exfoliates the skin, stimulates the lymphatic system and aids the body’s natural way of getting rid of toxins, and is also believed to help break down fatty deposits under the skin that can result in cellulite,” says celebrity facialist and skincare expert Lisa Harris. All of these benefits can support in enhancing the appearance of skin for a healthy, youthful glow.
CAN DRY BRUSHING REDUCE CELLULITE, MAKE SKIN FIRMER OR MORE TONED?
“Whilst dry brushing can work wonders for your circulation and overall health, sadly it won’t improve muscle tone or target loose skin,” says Harris.
Cellulite is effectively a layer of fat, and is difficult to eliminate, however, dry brushing can temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite thanks to the plumping of the skin through increased circulation. Ayurveda experts believe that dry brushing can help to break up fat deposits and prevent new ones from forming potentially reducing future cellulite by improving circulation of lymph nodes where cellulite is prone to forming, although right now, there isn’t much scientific evidence to back these claims up.
HOW DO YOU DRY BRUSH?
“It’s best to do dry brushing with a natural brush with stiff bristles. A long handle makes it easier to maneuver too and the best time to do it is before a shower or bath when the skin is dry – hence the name! Advice varies on this but it’s most commonly thought that you should always brush towards the heart. So, start at the hands and feet and brush towards the chest or torso. Dry brushing a few times a week is the optimum amount, but even if you just do it once a week you’ll notice the difference with your skin.”
Be gentle with your skin – it’s not about scrubbing, just brushing lightly – the brush will do the hard work and your whole body should take just five minutes to brush. Switch to a softer, smaller brush for your face.
Using nourishing body oils during dry brushing to help to soften and smooth the skin, or even to release soothing aromas to create a relaxing self-care ritual. Afterward, your skin may be sensitive or dry, so it’s important to lather on your hydrating and protective skincare products to lock in all-important moisture and protect your skin’s barrier for healthy, smooth, dewy-looking skin. It will also make your skin silky smooth!
CAN EVERYONE USE DRY BRUSHING IN THEIR SKINCARE ROUTINE?
“Only brush dry healthy skin, so if you’ve got a graze or patch of infected skin or any type don’t brush over that as that can spread the infection. It’s best not to do too many strokes in one area otherwise you’ll make the skin sore, and try to brush in a clockwise direction on the stomach area. Afterwards it’s best to rinse off in the shower or bath,” says Harris.
Dry or sensitive skin types should also consider choosing a brush that isn’t too rough on their skin so as to avoid sore or broken skin, and those with skin irritation like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea should take extra care and speak to their GP or dermatologist before trying it. Brushing over broken or irritated skin could cause it to bleed.
CAN YOU DRY BRUSH YOUR FACE?
“Whilst you can dry brush your face, I would always advise a gentler set of lymphatic drainage-type movements that you can do with your own hands. These involve gently pushing the skin on either side of your nose from the corners of your eyes down to the nasolabial folds.” These are the folds between your nose and mouth. “This is gentler on the skin and helps to drain away any excess fluid and decrease puffiness and eye bags, as well as improving blood flow to the face,” says Harris.
By unclogging pores, it makes it easier for your skin to drain toxins and stops bacteria from getting trapped, which, left untreated, often leads to breakouts and acne.
WHAT’S INSPIRED THE DRY BRUSHING REVIVAL?
Harris sheds some light. “Since the pandemic we’ve all been looking for affordable, easy forms of self-care that we can carry out at home. Not only is it believed that it can boost the immune system, but the increased blood flow is also thought to aid lymphatic drainage, and it can also help to relieve stress, and boost energy.”
In a hectic world driven by big pharma, we’re taking inspiration from ancient civilizations that use simple, natural healing like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and focus on prevention rather than cure.
WORTH A TRY!
If you can brush off the cellulite-reducing claims, dermatologists agree that dry brushing can support skin health with regular exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, improve circulation thanks to lymphatic drainage, and if you make the most of it, it can also support your mental health as a self-care ritual to practice mindfully. Considering there’s no lengthy or expensive investment, this is a beauty trend that’s worth a try for smooth, radiant, healthy-looking skin!
