After all the buzz surrounding it, we were still wondering “what is dry brushing your skin” and if we needed it in our lives. It turns out that one third of your body’s toxins are pushed out through the skin and that dry brushing can help to unclog pores and get those trapped out. We say, let’s get our summer glow on in the most natural way we can this year so we’ve got a how-to guide with some much needed info on everything dry brushing.
Dry Brushing 101
While methodologies vary, dry brushing is a beauty technique that has been used throughout history to promote healthy, glowing skin. Practitioners recommend using a natural bristled brush and “brushing” your limbs and torso in motions that sweep toward your heart, for up to 10 minutes every day. The result is increased blood flow and circulation, exfoliation, and a daily dose of body detoxification.
The primary benefit of dry brushing is improved blood circulation and better lymphatic drainage. Facilitating the removal of metabolic waste and other toxins from the skin in this way helps speed up your skin’s natural restoration process, leaving you feeling refreshed and your skin looking radiant. Surface benefits include less chance of ingrown hairs, pimples, cellulite and stretch marks. This practice is a must to build into your morning beauty routine as dry brushing relaxes your muscles, releases stress, and leaves you feeling invigorated and awake. It’s even been said to improve digestion and kidney function. Hows’ that for a good morning?
What you’ll need
You’ll need:
- a natural bristle body brush with a long handle (to help brush hard to reach areas)
- your favourite body lotion or oil
How-to
Start on dry skin before bathing (you’ll want to wash off impurities afterward). Start off dry brushing on the soles of your feet, gently massaging the skin in a circular motion. Use long sweeping strokes starting from the bottom of your feet upwards. From the ankles, brush in upwards movements towards the heart – lymphatic fluid flows through the body towards the heart, so it’s important to brush in the same direction to work with your body’s natural process.
After you’ve finished with the ankles, move the brush in long sweeping motions up to the calves, thighs, stomach, back and arms. Avoid brushing areas of inflamed skin, sores, or sun-burns. Use light pressure in areas where the skin is thin and harder pressure on tougher places, like the soles of the feet or elbows. When you’re done, shower and wash away the dead skin cells and impurities you’ve lifted. Follow up with your go-to body oil or moisturizer to nourish the skin.
