Dry brushing 101- how it benefits your skin and detoxes your body for improved health.
Dry brushing is the new loofah.
If you’re like me, you love to use a loofah in the shower. There’s something about scrubbing away the day with non-toxic, safely scented soap, am I right? Dry brushing is similar to a loofa, but you don’t use it while you’re washing, hence why it's called dry brushing. Aha!
Dry brushing is becoming a more common term as people are learning about the wonderful benefits it provides. Don’t know what dry brushing is? No worries! I am going to lay out what it is, how it benefits the body, and how to do it. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. You’ll quickly see why I highly recommend adding it to your self-care routine!
So, why is it good to dry brush? By applying light, gentle strokes to your skin (avoiding sensitive areas), you are moving out stagnant lymphatic drainage (the fluid that flows from your lymphatic system) stimulating blood flow, and waking up the senses. Dry brushing is therefore another way to detox the body and it takes about 5 minutes to do! I don't know about you, but I'm all about easy-to-implement ways to live a healthier life.
Benefits of Dry Brushing
Increases circulation
Blood flow is stimulated by dry brushing, which leads to increased oxygen delivery to cells and encourages the flushing out of toxins and wastes out of the body, and leads to more glowing skin.
Improves your skin’s appearance
Dry brushing sloughs off dead skin cells, creating smoother and softer skin. Smooth+soften+tone. Think baby bottom soft. Ohhhhh yes.
Detoxifies your body
Gentle, soft strokes improves lymph drainage. Your lymphatic system has many roles, including detoxing the body, so it’s important to move out lymph fluid that has backed up in your body to aid the immune system, remove toxins, and increase energy by stimulating the nervous system.
How to Dry Brush
Apply gentle, light strokes (not rough or aggressive) to your skin, always brushing up towards the heart. I start at my feet, moving to my legs and then my butt. I do a few counter-clockwise strokes on my abdomen to improve digestion. Then I work up my abdomen to my chest and neck. Then I’ll do my back and finish with my hands and my arms.
Shower, rub a dub dub, breathe deeply, and towel off.
Apply body oil to moisturize and re-hydrate your body. I rotate between two oils, depending on my mood.
Brush recommendation– I bought this one and it has worked nicely. Bonus- the brush detaches from the handle. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00016RIIA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Body oil recommendations– I make a simple, quick concoction of unrefined virgin coconut oil with a few drops of essential oils. My favorite oils on my skin are Young Living's lavender and lemongrass (be careful using lemongrass if you’re getting a lot of sun exposure). When I’m not using my homemade oil, I am applying Primally Pure’s body oils to my skin because they are non-toxic, nourishing, and smell sooooo good. My favorite oil is the blue tansy, but I have been wanting to try their lemongrass and body butters, which sound heavenly.
Use my code HGWSAM for 10% your entire first order with Primally Pure.
If you want to learn more about the other clean beauty products I use, check out this blog post.
Dry Brushing Tips
Do it before you shower – it takes about 5 minutes! I stand in my shower to dry brush since I am sloughing off dead skin cells (yuck). Once I finish, I hang my brush up outside of the shower so it doesn’t get wet.
Apply light, gentle strokes to your body.
Alternate hot and cold water after dry brushing to increase circulation throughout the body.
Do it consistently. I went from doing it a few times a week to every day. Start where you can and build on it.
Dry brushing should be an enjoyable experience, so brush with kindness and love. Before you know it, you’ll start reaping the benefits of increased circulation as you support the body’s detoxification process. Bonus – you’ll be sporting smoother, softer, more glowing skin!
Happy brushing!
Sources
O’Connor, C. 2018. 4 Reasons Why You SHould Start Dry Brushing Today. Retrieved from https://blog.primallypure.com/4-benefits-of-dry-brushing/
Starkey, J. 2015. The Truth About Dry Brushing and What It Does for You. Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-truth-about-dry-brushing-and-what-it-does-for-you/