A-listers have long been singing the praises of adding dry body brushing to their beauty routines — and as it turns out, for good reason.
According to the experts, a regular dry scrub across your body might not only be the key to achieving supermodel-esque limbs, but also to boosting the overall health and well-being of your body, too.
“Luminous skin sends a message of health and vitality,” says Katie Neal, body and skincare expert at Mio, “and the secret to vibrant, dewy skin lies in your commitment to caring for it. Body brushing can also improve the immune system and increase energy, which is why it should be a staple in every beauty regime.”
Below, we’ve done the digging on what dry brushing actually does, and exactly how to incorporate it into your body care routine.
It’s A Great Way To Exfoliate Without Using Scrubs
With micro-beads banned for good, body scrubs have turned to other exfoliant ingredients to slough away dead skin. But for those of us with sensitive skin, alternatives like crushed walnut shell or apricot kernels can be pretty skin-ravaging. Er, ouch.
Enter dry body brushing.
“As we grow older, our skin becomes less efficient at shedding layers of dead skin cells,” says Mio’s Katie, “but dry body brushing is fantastic at exfoliating these dead skin cells away.”
That’s not all, though, because regular exfoliation primes your skin to absorb the ingredients from body creams and serums much more effectively, which means you get a lot more bang for your buck in the long-run.
It Can Prevent Painful Ingrown Hairs
Alongside smooth skin, regular body brushing encourages cell turnover so that your limbs will look and feel supple, and whether you wax or shave, a quick brush is fantastic at keeping pesky, ingrown hairs and clogged pores at bay.
Those undergoing laser hair removal might also find that the process helps to loosen zapped hairs from the root, resulting in less shadows and even less spikiness.
It’ll Help You Tone Up Without Breaking A Sweat
Gym dodgers rejoice!
While dry body brushing won’t rid your legs of cellulite, it helps to mobilize and contribute to the even distribution of fat deposits under the skin—and if you stick at it, it’s proven to give your limbs a much smoother, and firmer, look and feel.
It Can Boost Your Immune System
“Bacteria, toxins and waste from our blood filter through the lymph nodes where these substances are destroyed,” explains Natalie Viklund and Marie Hansen, founders of Aevi Wellness, but sometimes, the process can be sluggish.
“Dry body brushing really really stimulates the lymphatic system,” they add, “and by doing this, we are directly assisting in [removing] pathogens. This strengthens our immune system and lessens our susceptibility to illness.”
We’re sold.
It Increases Energy So You Can Skip The Coffee
Morning espresso? Kick it to the kerb.
As blood flow and circulation is stimulated by the zealous brushing action, it lends the body, skin and mind a much needed boost, which is why Natalie and Marie would suggest swapping a bedtime brush for an invigorating A.M. sesh.
“It really increases energy levels,” seconds Kate. “It’s such a great step to add into your skincare routine.”
Exactly How To Use A Dry Body Brush
“Start at your feet (you can even brush the soles) and work your way up your legs to your arms, chest, back and stomach,” says Dr. Jonquille Chantrey, cosmetic surgeon and skin expert. “Always brush towards your heart to work with your circulation and the lymphatic system,” she adds.
“Use upward strokes as you move up your body to your arms, heart and back and brush your stomach and chest using clockwise sweeps,” advises Katie. “Also, make sure you adjust the pressure of the brush to the different parts of your body, so it is comfortable yet stimulating enough to increase circulation.”
And remember: consistency is key. “You should see a rosy flush to the brushed areas,” Katie continues. “Do this for a minimum of three minutes, ideally three times a week.”
The post The Benefits Of Dry Body Brushing, According To An Expert appeared first on ELLE.
