by Alexandra Nicole Nuralam
Here’s What Dry-Brushing Actually Does for Your Skin—and How To Do It
If you’ve been into “alternative” beauty treatments like meditating and acupuncture, then you might like this age-old beauty ritual: dry-brushing. It’s a favourite treatment of several wellness-loving celebrities like Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow and Miranda Kerr.
New to this area of the beauty and wellness community? Don’t fret. Ahead, a guide on the wellness treatment and how to go about it.
What is dry-brushing?
Dry-brushing is basically using a coarse brush to, well, brush your skin. And as the name implies, the brush and your skin should be dry while you do it.
Of course, the treatment isn’t quintessential to attain glowy skin, but it does have its own set of benefits; from brightening your skin to exfoliating to helping with lymphatic drainage. There are even those who swear their cellulite is less noticeable after dry-brushing.
So, how often should you dry-brush?
Since dry brushing can leave your skin feeling a little raw, it’s up to you to decide how often you should be doing it. Generally, once or twice a week is good enough. Also, don’t forget to clean your brush with baby shampoo at least twice a month to get rid of all of the dead skin buildup left on the brush.
If you have really sensitive skin, try dry-brushing once every two to three weeks. Once you build up a tolerance to it, then you can switch it up to one to two times a week.
What should you take note of?
If your skin is extra sensitive or you’re struggling with skin issues like eczema and psoriasis, steer clear of dry-brushing as it can exacerbate your issues and cause further irritation. Also, brushing too hard or too often can lead to irritated skin. One last thing to take note of is if you have an open wound on your skin, avoid this area to avoid introducing bacteria and infection.
How To: Dry-Brush
There’s a method to the madness, and it doesn’t involve randomly scrubbing a brush over your body.
It’s best done before showering and make sure your skin — and the brush! — is completely dry. Start at your ankles and brush upward toward the heart in long, circular motions. For the stomach, work in a clockwise direction.
Harsh exfoliation is never the point; be sure not to press too hard or use a brush that’s too stiff. The skin shouldn’t be scratched or damaged. Once you’re done, you can step into the shower to rinse off all the dead skin cells. Slather on body lotion or oil to seal in all of your hard work. If you’re heading out for the day, remember to use sunscreen.
