Benefits Of Dry Brushing Your Skin (And How To Do It The Right Way)

In a world obsessed with beauty and self-care, dry brushing fits in perfectly as the ultimate self-care savior. It is a fast and effective way to detoxify and take care of your body. And if you are constantly looking for ways to give your body a full detox without changing what you eat, dry brushing is ideal.

When you dry brush, you not only reduce your cellulite and increase your blood flow but also stimulate your lymphatic system, which is in charge of transporting and collecting all of your waste to the blood. A dirty lymphatic system could lead to very serious illnesses along with chronic diseases and even a weakened immune system.

One of the other health benefits of dry brushing is that it removes layers of dead skin efficiently. So if you are trying to reduce stretch marks, dry brushing is ideal before moisturizing with your favorite Vitamin E oil or shea butter. 

Benefits of Dry Brushing

1. Reduce cellulite.

Almost every girl knows that having cellulite can be a drag, and any way to remove or lessen the look of cellulite is a dream come true. While the research and actual scientific evidence that dry brushing removes cellulite is scarce, many women have individually reported that they noticed that after dry brushing consistently, their cellulite was less or went away. In 2016, Allure writer Lauren Hubbard described how dry brushing helped reduce her cellulite in just a month.

2. Increase blood flow.

It's a no-brainer that rubbing your skin in the same spot for a certain amount of time will get your blood flowing. Increased blood flow will benefit your body's overall health. According to Livestrong, when your blood flow is increased and there is circulation to certain parts of your body, it promotes cell growth and organ function. And the best part is, when you have a good amount of blood circulation, it will show in your skin! And healthy skin is one of the keys to fighting off bacteria and infection.

3. Stimulates lymphatic system.

The biggest benefit that comes up dry brushing is a simulated lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system is a team of organs and tissues that aid in transporting metabolic waste out of your entire body. And according to Dr Mercola, your digestive system is what ultimately determines if you are well or not. Basically, healthy lymphatic system = healthy digestive system + happy and healthy you.

4. Removes dead skin.

Dry brushing helps remove dead skin cells! Similar to any exfoliant you may have used in the past, the top and most prominent layer of your skin will start to diminish, leaving room for the healthier skin that lies underneath it.

5. Reduce stretch marks.

As you brush, you are removing a layer of skin which enables you to get deeper and moisturize further into the skin then you would have been able to without dry brushing. Stretch marks are caused by a lack of blood flow, and since dry brushing increases blood flow, the look and feel of stretch marks can be reduced over time.

Things you will need

At first, the sound of simply brushing the skin may seem like a gimmick, but it really isn't. And if you do it right, you will instantly feel it stimulating your blood. All you need is a single dry brush.

Choosing the right brush

It's all about finding the right brush density for you. Some companies sell dry brushes that may be a little too harsh for your not-so-forgiving skin, where others sell brushes that your skin will love. Dry brushing not only works for the body but the face as well. However, because the skin on our face is more sensitive, you'll need a different brush size and density. 

Unfortunately, if you are buying online, not all websites will tell you the exact density of the brush, so in this case, there is some trial and error you may need to go through.

You can also add an essential oil, especially if your skin is on the dryer side and more prone to scratches. The essential oil you choose to use is up to you and depends on your main reason for dry brushing in the first place, but some options include juniper berry, lemongrass, or grapefruit.

How to dry brush correctly

The key to obtaining all the benefits that dry brushing has to offer is to dry brush correctly.

Start at your feet and then work your way up towards your heart. The goal is to brush in circular motions and brush every part of your body — armpits included! Brush each area until it starts to feel tingly, which should not take longer than a few seconds.

Photo: Goop

If you chose not to use an oil while brushing, then it is best to shower after you dry brush. This is because once in the shower, you are able to wash away all of the remaining dead skin and toxins on your skin. If you do use an oil, it is best to shower first then follow up with the dry brush and oil. You can put the oil directly on the brush or you can apply the oil directly on your skin and then begin to brush.

All it takes less than ten minutes and two to three days a week to give yourself some extra love and attention. Trust me, your skin will thank you!

Lani Akingbade is a writer residing in New Jersey. When she is not pitching and creating articles for YourTango, she is reading stories, catching up on her academics, or painting.