Beauty

3 Reasons to Love (or….Obsess Over) Dry Brushing

dry brushing

There are quite a few morning rituals that I look forward to, every single day. Dry brushing happens to be one of my favorite ones.

I mentioned dry brushing quite a few times in the past, but I never went into too much detail- which is why I decided to write this post. Dry brushing has been a part of my routine for years and I can’t believe I’m just sharing my love for it now.

EXFOLIATION

This is probably one of the most obvious benefits of dry brushing. During summer, I always get asked by one of my friends, how I keep my legs so smooth and ingrown hair free despite shaving so often. I always say the same thing: dry brushing. In winter, my skin always gets extremely dry and if I skip my dry brushing routine for a few days, then I definitely can tell a difference in the way my lotions and oils absorb. They absorb much better when I dry brush before taking a shower. After a quick dry brushing session your skin will feel incredibly soft and smooth.

LYMPHATIC SYSTEM SUPPORT

Dry brushing your skin can also help detoxify your body. Skin is the largest organ in the human body; it helps us stay warm when it’s cold, helps us stay cool when it’s hot and its primary purpose is to protect our inner organs from outer elements. Your skin also plays an important role in detoxification and if it’s invaded with toxins and dead skin cells, it can’t do its job properly. This is where dry brushing comes in handy. It stimulates your lymphatic system, which in turn helps release toxins by allowing them to pass more freely. It removes dead skin cells, stimulates blood flow and helps cell regeneration and blood circulation.

ENERGY BOOST

Another reason why I love dry brushing is because it helps increase energy levels- especially if you do it in the morning. I find that dry brushing helps me feel energized especially during colder months, when it takes me a bit longer to “wake up”. It only takes a few minutes in the morning, and it feels so invigorating, it’s a great way to start the day.

HOW OFTEN DO I DO IT?

I try to do it every morning. In the morning, right before taking a quick shower or a bath is the best time to do it. I’d definitely recommend doing the actual dry brushing IN the shower (without the water running, obviously). You don’t want all that dead skin end up on your bathroom floor. I love dry brushing at night, too especially if I had a long day, so sometimes I end up doing it twice a day.

dry brushing

HOW TO DO IT?

You can dry brush your body right before you hop in the shower, when doing so, always dry brush your skin starting at your feet and always brush towards your heart. Avoid brushing delicate areas like your neck, face or breasts (or your private bits!)- the bristles might be a bit too harsh for those areas. Instead, you can use a gentle sugar scrub or a washcloth to exfoliate those parts. Also, avoid dry brushing over broken or sensitive skin.

Over the years, I’ve read about many dry-brushing techniques in wellness books and blogs, but I think that most of the time people try to make it too complicated. I mean, it’s just brushing your skin? I do both slow, circular motion or slow “straight” strokes (always moving towards the heart) and both techniques work great. It’s important to not use a  lot of pressure here, especially if you’re just starting out. The goal here is to stimulate, not to make your skin look red or irritated, so be gentle and use light strokes.  After the dry brushing and shower, I love using  coconut oil all over (keeping it away from my face as it breaks me out) and my skin always feels extremely smooth and soft. This simple routine feels like such a treat, especially in winter.

WHO SHOLUD TRY IT?

Obviously, we’re not using a TCA on our skin here, it’s just dry brushing so anyone can try it. I started dry brushing when I was a teen, although at that age, your skin is naturally soft and smooth and is doing a good job at shedding those dead skin cells (unless you suffer from extremely dry skin and don’t exfoliate often). With that being said though, it’s still a very nice ritual to add to your routine, even if it’s just for that morning energy boost.

If you’ve never tried dry brushing and decide to start, you’ll notice (or will feel) visible results just after a few days. Your skin will feel SO velvety soft and smooth and your lotions and oils will absorb much better. I know that a lot of people also claim that dry brushing might help fight cellulite….. and since it helps improve circulation, it might help just a bit. In my experience though, one thing that works the best for fighting cellulite, is a healthy diet. Whenever I steer away from usual (and mostly) healthy diet, I can notice it on my skin first.

You can find nice dry brushes in pretty much any health food stores or online, and I definitely recommend going with natural bristles. If you haven’t tried it yet, you have to!

51 Comments

  • Reply
    Danielle Kennedy
    January 22, 2017 at 1:46 pm

    Which brush do you prefer? Also, do you like ones with handles or without?

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 22, 2017 at 2:54 pm

      I have a few of them this one: http://amzn.to/2jFUTEP is one of the ones I use. It has a removable handle so you can attach when trying to get to hard to reach areas like your back. I actually like using them without the long handles- it’s much easier to work your way up that way.

      • Reply
        Danielle Kennedy
        January 22, 2017 at 4:02 pm

        Thank you so much! I have always heard of the great benefits of body brushing but never have I done it. Can’t wait to try!!

        • Reply
          Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
          January 22, 2017 at 4:07 pm

          You’re very welcome! Remember to use light pressure at first! Let me know how you like it! :)

          • Danielle Kennedy
            January 22, 2017 at 4:51 pm

            I ordered the SpaVerde brush pack. It even had a small brush for the more delicate areas, a Pumice stone for your rougher places (feet, heels), and their was a sponge for your face (or something like that). All of that for a very fair price. I will let you know how it goes. Package will be arriving Tuesday!! ?

          • Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
            January 23, 2017 at 5:32 pm

            That sounds like a great deal! That’s a nice thing about these brushes, they’re usually pretty affordable and last a very long time, too. x

          • Danielle Kennedy
            January 24, 2017 at 11:56 am

            Guess what came!!?? My brush set just arrived!! I will let you know what I think. I will also try and get a photo of the set as well. :)

          • Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
            January 24, 2017 at 4:52 pm

            Oh yay, that was fast! :)

  • Reply
    Tiffany Tales
    January 22, 2017 at 1:46 pm

    I’ve never even heard of it! Sounds like it’s got some pretty impressive effects. Thanks for sharing :) x

    Tiffany Tales | Lifestyle & Beauty

  • Reply
    Abigail Alice
    January 22, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    I’ll have to get myself one of those little brushes they sound like magic!

    Abigail Alice ?

  • Reply
    Hannah
    January 22, 2017 at 5:03 pm

    I bought a dry brush from Sephora, because I wanted to try it out to exfoliate my skin and see if it would help with my cellulite, haha. I haven’t opened the box yet but this post has inspired me to now give it a go, since I really don’t know how to use it! But now I do!

    Hannah
    Floraful

  • Reply
    Marianne Escobar
    January 22, 2017 at 6:28 pm

    i used to do this but over the course of years i got lazy especially in the morning because of work but i’ll definitely go back to doing this :0 looking forward to seeing good results :)

    annewndrs.wordpress.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 24, 2017 at 4:53 pm

      Ahh I know! I get busy sometimes, too but can totally see a difference in the way my lotion absorbs if I stop brushing for a few days.

  • Reply
    Jenn
    January 22, 2017 at 6:37 pm

    I’ve always wanted to try dry brushing. I think I’m now feeling inspired enough to go for it!

    Jenn │ Beauty by Jellybean

  • Reply
    Cindy
    January 22, 2017 at 7:59 pm

    Ok I’m seriously convinced that I need to give this a try! I have terribly dry skin and do get the occasional ingrown hairs – definitely trying to be more confident in my skin and I think any bit helps. I’ll need to give this a try, will definitely report back on whether or not it has changed my skin for the better! I think my skin will prefer it to just the usual exfoliating products I use in the shower :)

    Cindy | http://www.cindyhyue.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 24, 2017 at 4:54 pm

      This definitely feels a bit different because it’s done on dry skin, instead of exfoliating in the shower. Hope you give it a try and love it as much as I do!

  • Reply
    Odessa @ Odessa Darling
    January 22, 2017 at 8:10 pm

    I just got a dry brush for Christmas but haven’t started using it yet… I think this post motivated me to finally start doing it!

    http://odessadarling.co

  • Reply
    Katie @ Over The Moony
    January 22, 2017 at 9:38 pm

    This sounds lovely! I need to start getting into an exfoliation routine, so this might have to be it. I’m so bad at maintaining one, I think mostly because I use a sugar scrub to exfoliate and it hurts my hands so much! Lol

    Katie | http://www.overthemoony.com

  • Reply
    Jaime, GirlLovesGloss.com
    January 22, 2017 at 11:59 pm

    This was just the reminder I needed to start doing this – I bought a brush to do it ages ago and it’s just been sitting my vanity cabinet LOL. I suffer from Keratosis Pilaris which basically means the skin doesn’t shed itself well and leaves little red bumps on the backs of my arms and tops of thighs. Hoping this can help. I’ve heard a lot of people swear by it, but didn’t know it was supposed to be done towards your heart!
    Jaime | http://www.girllovesgloss.com

    • Reply
      Jaime, GirlLovesGloss.com
      January 23, 2017 at 4:38 pm

      Ok so I gave it a go last night and my brush feels pretty scratchy, is this normal?

      • Reply
        Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
        January 23, 2017 at 5:31 pm

        Is your brush made out of natural bristles? Make sure it is. My brush has bristles that feel quite comfortable, I’d also recommend you use a very light pressure at first. I have dermographism and my skin gets red, itchy and inflamed when I scratch it, and dry brushing doesn’t give me a reaction. It definitely shouldn’t feel uncomfortable. You can see this video to get the idea what kind of pressure to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ANy_2xWLAo

        • Reply
          Jaime, GirlLovesGloss.com
          January 23, 2017 at 5:49 pm

          Yeah they are natural bristles, but just feel very coarse? It feels like I’m using a dry natural loofa on my skin LOL Off to watch the video…

          • Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
            January 23, 2017 at 6:19 pm

            It might be that you’re just not used to it then. It should feel pretty much just like using a dry loofa lol

  • Reply
    Fingal Ross
    January 23, 2017 at 3:22 am

    Thanks so much for this great post. Have been looking for something that may help my skin look and feel better, but have never tried dry brushing. Going to buy a dry brush tomorrow and give it a go.

  • Reply
    Ambar Syed
    January 23, 2017 at 3:37 am

    I really think I want to start dry brushing, I’ve heard it’s incredible and this post has made me think that I really should take it up! I exfoliate in the shower but it’s always nice to have even softer skin – and an energy boost to go with it! :)
    – Ambar x
    http://www.herlittleloves.co.uk

  • Reply
    Aleksandra // bunniesaremagic
    January 23, 2017 at 7:40 am

    That definitely sounds like something I should try :)

  • Reply
    Emma Bought What
    January 23, 2017 at 12:14 pm

    I’ve never tried this before but it sounds really good so I’ll have to give it a go! x

    http://emmaboughtwhat.blogspot.co.uk

  • Reply
    HALE
    January 23, 2017 at 1:27 pm

    I’ve started hearing a lot more about this recently so it was nice to actually be able to find out the benefits!
    Aleeha xXx
    http://www.halesaaw.com

  • Reply
    Alina
    January 23, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    You’re so good to try and do this every morning, I’ve heard there’s some amazing benefits to it. I was quite good in the summer time and I got into a routine but fallen off that bandwagon lately. Need to get back into it asap x

    Beauty with charm

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 24, 2017 at 4:57 pm

      I don’t blame you, I skip it sometimes too because how busy I am, but it always shows on my skin when I stop.

  • Reply
    The Gossip Darling
    January 23, 2017 at 8:25 pm

    I am going to try!!!! Great post!!!

    Mel | http://www.thegossipdarling.com

  • Reply
    Bellissa Femaleadda
    January 24, 2017 at 12:24 am

    Dry brushing seems great but it can feel dry and irritate the skin.

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 24, 2017 at 4:59 pm

      The whole point of it is that it’s being done on dry skin, so it should feel dry :) It’s supposed to be done right before hopping in the shower and moisturizing. It also doesn’t irritate skin- not if you use natural bristles and light pressure. :)

  • Reply
    Kiss & Make-up
    January 24, 2017 at 5:18 am

    I use a scrub cloth right now. But I’d like to give dry brushing a try soon.

  • Reply
    Eire Pollard
    January 25, 2017 at 10:01 am

    I LOVE dry brushing. It’s funny you say you do it before a shower… for some unknown reason, I’ve always done it right after my shower, before I moisturize and get on my PJs. But I think I’ll try your way, before the shower.

    Also to add (similar to your point about exfoliation) — if you have KP (those annoying bumps on the back of your arms/legs), dry brushing is great for that!

    As usual, another interesting read and fun post. Thanks Paula x

    Eire | Wolf & Stag

  • Reply
    peonies passionfruit
    January 29, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    I’ve always wanted to add dry brushing to my daily routine but somehow manage to forget. Thanks to your post I think I’ll be giving it a try.

    Eme x

    http://www.peoniesandpassionfruit.com

  • Reply
    Ana Poli
    September 6, 2017 at 2:52 pm

    I remember reading this months ago and I came back to say that I finally decided to try it out, and 2 weeks after i’m loving it! I try to do it every evening before shower, and even tho the first days it felt a little bit weird, I love the feeling now! It’s like having a little massage every day. Thanks for sharing!

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      September 7, 2017 at 10:58 pm

      So happy you love it! It’s such a nice way to unwind a bit before the shower, or early in the morning! :)

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