Meet Your New Best Friend: Dry Brushing
I’ve talked before about how oily my skin can get. But here’s the funny thing: The skin on my body is anything but oily! I swear, I could moisturize my legs 3 times a day and still be practically scaly. Gross, I know! But it’s true.
Over the years, I’ve gone through body scrubs and exfoliating mitts like you’d never believe. I never thought to take it outside the shower… But omg it makes so much more sense and such a big difference in your skin, and so much more.
Hear me out…
What exactly is dry brushing?
It’s just that, really! It’s simply brushing your dry skin, in a particular motion. This is nothing new really… in fact, dry brushing is an Ayurvedic practice that can be traced back for over 5,000 years.
My love for this started with wanting to combat dry skin, but there are soooo many more benefits, and was actually originally used to promote a healthy lymphatic system.
Why am I dry brushing?
Okay, so those benefits I’ve been talking about…
Exfoliation
I went over this… super important to me. Get rid of dry skin in the winter, prep for a spray tan, get silky soft legs, avoid ingrowns… so many reasons to exfoliate!
Promote a healthy lymphatic system
This just might be the most important part. The lymphatic system is a major part of the body’s immune system. Basically, it gathers waste from the cells in your body, cycles the good stuff back in, and stores the toxins in your lymph nodes. Gross. Sometimes the lymph nodes don’t drain properly. This could be due to lack of activity, dehydration, inflammation… Ya know.. those things we’re all guilty of. So we need to promote lymphatic drainage to get those toxins out of our system.
Reduces Cellulite
Chances are, if you’ve heard about dry brushing before, you’ve heard about how it can help to reduce cellulite. YASSS!!!!
Aids in Digestion
And I’m sure we can all use a little help there! Keep reading because HOW to dry brush is really important here…
Calms the Nervous System
Anyone else anxiety ridden? RAISE YOUR HAND!
Boosts Energy
Being pregnant and not having caffeine has me needing all the natural energy boosts I can get!
How do I dry brush?
There’s still some debate on where you should start with dry brushing. Some say to start with the bottoms of your feet, and some say it’s Ayurvedic practice to start with your arms. But wherever you start, always brush towards the heart and in long sweeps. Avoid going in a back and forth motion.
On the stomach, brush in a circular, clockwise motion. And along your chest & back, continue to brush towards your heart.
When do I dry brush?
Whether you do this day or night is entirely up to you. Some prefer in the morning because of the natural energy boost. Some prefer at night because it calms the nervous system and may help them sleep better. But one thing that’s consistent? Always dry brush BEFORE you hop in the shower.
How do I choose a dry brush?
It’s best to use a natural bristle brush. The one I have isn’t BUT I love it because it’s more intense and that’s what I need. Some might prefer softer bristles with a more gentle feel. Lauryn Evarts from The Skinny Confidential uses a dish brush for a super intense scrub.
Also, you may need one with a long handle if you have problems reaching your back BUT make sure the head is detachable. I find you get the best exfoliation when you can hold the brush with your hand and have more control.
And for those with sensitive skin…
Dry brushing can be a great alternative to a scrub that’s filled with ingredients that may cause your sensitive skin to flare up! It’s normal to have some redness after dry brushing so be prepared for that. Start with a brush with very soft bristles and go gentle on your skin to see how it reacts. Afterwards, be sure to moisturize with a natural oil or something you already know works well for you.
Do you dry brush?? What kind of results have you seen??
Before you go!
+ DIY Vanilla Latte Body Scrub
+ Liver Detox with Jill Kay
+ Detoxifying Pink Himalayan Salts (Use code: DETOX20 for 20% off!)
+ A Women’s Health Cheat Sheet!