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Why Skin Brushing Should Be a Part of Your Beauty Routine

Learn the easy—and effective—secret to glowy skin.
By Natasha Marsh

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Note: All content and information in this article are for information purposes only. You should consult a medical professional prior to starting new skincare regimens.

In today’s age, where innovative at-home devices and 10-step skincare routines are all the rage, the idea of one simple tool that yields multiple benefits sounds almost too good to be true. But that’s the key word: almost! Yes, the use of a humble skin brush can have lots of advantages, such as ultra-moisturized skin and a lit-from-within glow. The simple process, which is beneficial for all skin types, involves just a brush and optional body oil or lotion. We spoke to two pros about dry brushing and the proper techniques to incorporate it into your daily regimen. Ahead, everything you need to know for your best skin yet.

What are the Benefits of Skin Brushing?

Skin brushing, or dry brushing, can be done on the face and body as a manual exfoliating process. And lucky for you, it’s incredibly easy. Just take a body brush (look for one with firm, natural bristles) and gently massage your body in an upward motion, starting at the feet and moving all the way to the neck and décolleté. Karina Sulzer, founder and CEO of Skin Gym, recommends skin brushing before the shower as it will allow the sloughed dry skin to wash away. Unfortunately, skin brushing won't reduce cellulite, but it can help improve blood circulation, aid with lymphatic drainage, brighten skin, and helps products penetrate better. With each circular brush stroke, you exfoliate the skin, cleansing it of built-up oil, dirt, and dead skin cells (often the culprit for dull, lackluster skin), while also unclogging pores. The result? Radiant, smooth skin.

Beginner brushers might notice redness or irritation at first, as they first embark on their journey to detoxify the skin. It’s not necessarily cause for alarm—redness can occur as a result of increased circulation in the areas where your body is pushing more blood. Ultimately this helps remove toxins and lymphatic drainage. And lastly, by getting rid of the outer layer of dead skin and debris, topical skincare can penetrate more effectively, allowing your go-to products to be even more effective.

How To Dry Brush Your Body

As the name suggests, before practicing, make sure the skin is completely dry. When skin brushing, apply gentle pressure and brush in a circular massage motion. For beginners, Sulzer encourages applying a thin layer of light body oil, to give the brush enough slip and make the process gentler. When selecting your dry brush, the expert recommends going for a long handle so you can reach your back. Post brushing, cleanse your tool with soap and water in the shower and moisturize with a lotion, body oil, or serum to seal in all your hard work. As an added step, you can spritz with lavender oil to prevent bacteria growth.

Is Dry Brushing Right For You?

Sultzer recommends dry brushing before showering one to three times a week (more frequent could lead to over-exfoliation). And because it’s gentle exfoliation, all skin types (including sensitive skin) can practice the glow-inducing technique. Remember: if your skin ever feels over-sensitive or irritated while brushing, stop and apply a topical lotion or cream to protect and soothe the skin barrier. A brighter, smoother complexion? Sign us up.