6 Incredible Benefits of Dry Brushing

We brush our hair, we brush our teeth, but most of us would never think to brush our skin! 

Now, we know what you’re thinking - why on earth would we need to brush our skin? The answer may shock (and amaze) you! From complementing your beauty routine to boosting your body’s ability to detox, this simple and mindful activity could be your new secret weapon.

Ready to reap the benefits of dry brushing for yourself? Read on to discover 6 mind-blowing benefits of giving your skin a brush and how to brush for beauty. 

What is Dry Brushing

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The concept of dry brushing is really quite simple. Although there are a few best practices to keep in mind (we’ll touch on these later on), all you really need to benefit from dry brushing is a good body brush, your skin, and a few spare minutes each day to dedicate to your wellbeing. 

Originating from Ayurvedic medicine, dry brushing is best described as a ‘body massage’ using a dry, stiff-bristled brush. By gently stimulating the skin, you not only tackle the surface of the skin, but a number of inner benefits too!

Let’s take a look at what you can expect.

1. Smoother, More Radiant Skin

As you may have guessed, the first and most immediate benefit of dry brushing is the gentle exfoliation it offers your skin. 

By brushing away at those flakey dry patches, you’ll allow your body to shed the dead skin faster than it would on its own. While exfoliating in the shower may have a similar effect, dry brushing is a much gentler (and more enjoyable) way of speeding up the shedding cycle to reveal soft, beautiful skin. 

In addition to a scale-free zone, you may also notice your skin looks more radiant and glowy than before. This is due to the gentle stimulation bringing more blood to the surface of your skin. 

More blood flow then gives you that ‘blushed’ appearance along with healthier, more resilient skin!

2. Stimulate Lymphatic System

Blood flow isn’t the only thing that’s stimulated when you brush! As you encourage more movement within the body, your lymphatic system actually gets a dose of TLC too. 

Your lymphatic system is the system responsible for fighting off infections in your body. When your body is fighting an infection you’ll often notice your lymph nodes swell in response. This is due to an overload of toxins in your system. 

Unfortunately, toxins from daily interactions with the world can actually block the system up and prevent it from doing its job efficiently. 

Brushing daily encourages your lymphatic system to regulate by helping remove those back-up causing toxins. 

3. Natural Detoxification

Of course, the lymphatic system isn’t the only system impacted by toxins in the body. Your digestion, skin, energy, and even hormonal balance can all be impacted by too many toxins in your body. 

Fortunately, your body is a magical being that has the ability to remove these toxins through the skin in the form of sweat. 

Dry brushing works with your body’s natural abilities by stimulating the pores to open up and allow those toxins to come out without extra obstacles! The more efficiently these toxins can escape your body, the better you’ll feel (and look too).

4. Improved Circulation and Energy

As we mentioned earlier, stimulating the skin can increase the amount of blood that flows to the surface. Consequentially, this increased flow actually aids your entire body by improving circulation to your limbs and organs! 

Better circulation can then lead to improved digestion, increased energy, and better bodily functions! Woohoo!

5. Prevent and Minimise the Appearance of Cellulite

If you’re one of the many men and women wondering how to get rid of cellulite, dry brushing may just be the answer you are looking for. 

While there is no scientific evidence to prove that dry brushing reduces cellulite, many users have reported smoother, less dimply skin as a result of their daily brushing ritual. 

This is likely due to the plumped effect you’ll experience due to the increased circulation mentioned above. 

While this may not permanently remove your cellulite, brushing your skin may reduce your chances of developing more of the bumpy, unwanted appearance by strengthening the skin and encouraging healthy cells. 

6. Relaxation and Mindfulness 

Last but certainly not least, dry brushing is an incredibly mindful and relaxing experience. 

Just like going for a massage, giving yourself a little self-love by brushing releases feel-good hormones that can help you rest and relax into being. If you struggle to wind down after a long day, adding dry brushing into your evening routine may help you let go of that racing mind and get a more restful nights sleep!

How to Dry Brush

Okay, okay! We get it, dry brushing rocks - but how do we do it?! 

First things first, you’ll need the right tools. The best brush for the job is a natural fibre brush with relatively stiff bristles. Our favourite is the Eco Max Body Brush! Some users prefer a brush with a handle to reach all of those tricky areas, while others find a palm brush easier to control and maneuver. 

Once you’ve got your brush, begin at your feet and move your way up your body. The key is to always brush towards your heart, in most cases, this means in an upward motion. 

Use long, circular and clockwise motions to work your way up your body, passing over all areas of your skin. Use light pressure on more sensitive areas where your skin is thin and increase the pressure on tougher areas. As you get used to your brushing routine, you may notice you can apply more pressure, however, we suggest you start out light and gentle!

You don’t need to spend much time on each area - a simple 2 or 3 overlapping passes of the skin is plenty to do the job without causing irritation. 

Once you’ve completed your entire body, hop in the shower to rinse away any dead skin cells that have been scuffed off. You can then follow up your shower with a natural body oil to soothe and pamper your skin!

Simple as that!

The Benefits of Dry Brushing

From more radiant skin to a healthy way to detox, it’s no wonder people all over the world are turning to this relaxing activity. With just 5 minutes a day, you can pamper your skin and improve your wellbeing (and hey, it’s pretty fun!).