Dry brushing: the quick and easy way to smooth skin and more

Since you’re reading this blog, you probably have an interest in a glowing complexion. But how often do you spare a thought for the rest of your skin? Dry brushing is a holistic wellness practice that’s ever gaining popularity and involves – you guessed it – brushing your body with dry, firm bristles*.

If you’re new to dry brushing, you may wonder why anyone would willingly put cactus bristles of all things anywhere near their skin. However, growing numbers of people swear by this health and beauty practice and its rejuvenating effects. Even if you’re mornings are already packed, you can easily fit dry brushing into your wellness routine. It only takes a couple of minutes – and after the initial investment of buying a good quality brush (look for them in health food stores and online), it costs you nothing, is super simple to do and has benefits that go beyond a brighter and smoother skin.

Give it a go and you might find yourself in the ranks of dry brushing addicts…

* Though synthetic brushes are available, natural ones with bristles made of cactus and other natural fibres are recommended.

1. Benefits of dry brushing

Happier skin

The desire for smooth, glowing skin is probably what draws most people into trying dry brushing. Much like exfoliating scrubs, the firm bristles of the brush are very effective in sweeping away dead cells from the surface of the skin and will stimulate cell renewal too. Skin pores are cleared by the brush as well, allowing your skin to absorb nutrients from your chosen moisturiser more effectively.

And while research on this front is lacking, that doesn’t stop dry brush converts to hail in their droves about the cellulite-diminishing effects – said to soften and even break down fat deposits where toxins have accumulated beneath the skin. Not only that, dry brushing can help prevent ingrown hairs as well as smoothing rough bumps caused by the common skin condition keratosis pilaris.

An all-natural detox boost

It’s no wonder dry brushing is a popular spa technique – it can be a powerful detoxification aid, supporting the body in its natural waste elimination processes.

The skin is one of our most hard-working elimination organs – we can thank it for removing approximately a third of all metabolic waste products. By clearing the pores of the accumulated toxins, oils and dead cells, dry brushing helps skin get on with its job more efficiently.

Thanks to the stimulating effects on blood circulation and lymph flow, dry brushing can speed up the toxin removal process internally too. And since the lymphatic system is responsible for the filtering and removal of pathogens as well as cellular waste products from our tissues, regular dry brushing may have the added benefit of helping us fight infections.

Energising

Need a little extra help waking up in the morning? Next time you’re about to reach for your morning espresso, grab a dry brush instead. A lot of people who’re hooked on dry brushing, swear by its invigorating effects on both body and mind. The increased flow of oxygenated blood to the skin and organs will certainly not put you back to sleep! Follow your dry skin brushing session with a cold shower to really supercharge your day. May sound positively spartan, but if it gets us going on a dreary morning…

2. How to dry brush

Dry brushing is probably the simplest spa treatment you can perform at home. The key thing to remember is to always brush towards the heart, which is the direction the lymph flows. Start gently, and as your skin gets used to the brushing, you can start using firmer strokes until you find your own personal sweet spot. Many people dry brush daily, but experiment to find the right frequency for you, especially if your skin is on the sensitive side. Your skin will look slightly pink afterwards but should not go red or feel sore. Never brush over irritated, sunburnt or inflamed skin.

Follow these steps:

1. Using firm, sweeping strokes, brush the soles of your feet, then work up the legs, going over the ankles, calves and thighs.
2. Brush your hands, and then the arms up to the armpits.
3. Brush the rest of the body: abdomen, chest and back (a long-handled brush might be helpful here). Use less pressure when brushing over the softer skin of the chest area.
4. Once you’ve finished brushing, wash off the dead skin cells and impurities in the shower.
5. To finish up, apply a moisturiser like our Awakening Beauty Body Lotion. Your skin will be perfectly prepped to absorb and benefit from the nourishing biodynamic and organic oils!

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