How To: The Secrets Of Dry Body Brushing

Dry body brushing sounds like a miracle treatment. It’s supposed to give you softer and smoother skin, improve your circulation, unblock pores, boost lymphatic drainage and reduce the appearance of cellulite. I decided to test it out and see if all the claims were true!

Celebrities are obsessed with dry body brushing. And Miranda Kerr wrote on her Kora Organics blog, “Dry body brushing is an integral part of my daily regime. It's a great way to get the circulation going, remove dead skin cells, aid lymphatic drainage, detoxify your system and keep your skin smooth all over. I start with my feet and legs and work my way up in quick gentle strokes... it needn't be too time consuming and just takes a few minutes before jumping into the shower.”

Another celeb who swears by skin brushing is Elle Macpherson. She says, “My three beauty secrets are: exfoliation, exfoliation, exfoliation. Increasing circulation, ridding the body of dead skin cells, nourishing, renewing. My Rotating Dry Brush uses natural bristles from the Agave plant native to Mexico so it’s firm but gentle on the skin and I use it top to toe every day without fail, moisturise and then drink 3-litres of water to hydrate from the inside.”

And model Molly Sims told Health, “I dry brush, which is great for your circulation. Oh my God, it's amazing.”

Dry Brushing Tools

• A dry skin brush, which can be picked up from The Body Shop (pictured above), Priceline or anywhere that sells great beauty and skincare products. I used one made by Manicare which had rubber nodules on the back - I only used the brush side.
• A moisturiser to hydrate your body after you’re done. Try Palmer’s Rapid Moisture Spray Lotion which is super quick to apply, Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream which can be used all over your body or Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse for an indulgent oil fix.

How To Dry Body Brush

As the name says, dry body brushing is done when your skin is dry. Before a shower is ideal!

Starting at your feet, brush upwards in long, soft, smooth strokes. Move up your legs, and onto your stomach. Brush your arms, chest and back as well. Some people also brush their faces but this is optional. When you are brushing you need to keep the idea of “brushing towards the heart” in mind.

Once you’re done hop into the shower to rinse off. For best results you should moisturise your whole body after you towel off.

The Dry Body Brushing Verdict

I tried out dry body brushing for two weeks. Each evening I would have a quick dry body brushing session in my bathroom before I jumped in the shower. I only spent about two minutes or less on it each time, so it’s not an overwhelming task!

• My skin is feeling softer than ever. I actually keep asking my friends to touch my arms so they can experience how soft it is.
• My legs are smooth and shiny! When I applied fake tan it absorbed like a dream and developed into a beautifully even colour.
• I saw a slight reduction in cellulite. I still firmly believe that exercises like squats and leg weight machines are the key to reducing cellulite, however dry body brushing in conjunction with proper exercise could really help to firm up your thighs and bum.
• In terms of boosting circulation and many of the other supposed benefits, I didn’t notice a huge difference. However for the improvement in my skin condition alone I will continue with dry body brushing! From a visual perspective my legs are looking amazing.

Pro Tips

• Get a brush with a long handle, otherwise it can be very difficult to reach your back.
• If you’re wearing fake tan dry brushing will start to exfoliate your colour off. If you want to keep your tan then avoid brushing until you’re ready to get rid of it. 

Have you tried dry body brushing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Pictured in the header image top to bottom: David Jones Wooden Body Brush, Bioelixa Pure Cactus Bristle Brush, Manicare Dry Body Brush, Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush.