Dry brushing is a skincare technique that originated in Asia. As the name suggests, it involves brushing the skin without the use of water, oil, or cream. Its practice has not been thoroughly studied yet, and many question its effectiveness. Let's delve into dry brushing and whether it's necessary to incorporate it into our skincare routine.
Dry Brushing: Should We Adopt It?
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Published on August 22, 2023, updated on August 8, 2024, by Manon, Scientific Editor — 4 min of reading
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What is dry brushing?
Originating from Asia, dry brushing is an ancient beauty ritual. It involves using a body brush to brush the skin dry, without water, oil, or skincare treatment. This ritual is also known under other names such as body brushing or lymphatic brushing.
Thanks to the numerous benefits that dry brushing offers to the body, many people have already begun to adopt it. Performed with a special brush, this ritual has detoxifying, softening, and toning effects. It is carried out using a brush with natural bristles or soft synthetic bristles, with bristles firm enough to lightly exfoliate the skin without irritating it. When done correctly, dry brushing offers numerous benefits to the skin.
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What are the benefits of dry brushing?
Dry brushing should be done in the morning before starting the day. When performed correctly, dry brushing offers various benefits to the skin.
Gentle exfoliation.
Dry brushing offers the same benefits as exfoliation. It helps to remove dead skin cells, unclog the pores of the epidermis, and promote cellular renewal. After a dry brushing session, the skin will feel soft and smooth to the touch. The advantage over exfoliation is that it can be performed daily without the risk of damaging the skin.
Stimulation of blood circulation.
The contact of the brush on the skin activates blood circulation. As a result, it is recommended for reducing cellulite. To achieve satisfactory results, circular movements should be performed on areas where dimples appear (thighs, stomach, buttocks, etc.). Although dry brushing cannot completely eliminate cellulite, it can help reduce its appearance by improving blood circulation and stimulating lymphatic drainage. Indeed, it is for this stimulating effect on the lymphatic system that dry brushing is also referred to as lymphatic brushing.
Detoxifies the body.
This technique stimulates the lymphatic system, which is capable of eliminating toxins from the body, allowing the body to be detoxified.
Facilitates the absorption of active ingredients.
After the removal of dead skin cells, the skin will easily absorb the active ingredients contained in the treatments that will be applied subsequently. For instance, moisturizing treatments can easily impart their hydrating benefits to a brushed skin.
Incorporating dry brushing into a skincare routine
Dry brushing can be easily incorporated into a beauty routine. The brushing should last about 5 to 10 minutes to reap its benefits. It can be done daily, weekly, or as a treatment course.
To perform a proper brushing, it is necessary to adopt certain techniques and choose a suitable brush. The brushing should start at the feet before slowly moving up along the body. One should perform gentle circular motions. After brushing, the body should be rinsed with clear water.
For brushing, it is necessary to have two brushes, one for the body and the other for the face. For dry brushing of the body, one should opt for a wide brush made of natural material. For instance, a brush with a wooden handle and boar bristles is typically used for this type of technique.
For dry brushing the face, opt for a brush with a small head. When it comes to bristles, choose a brush with soft, natural fiber bristles. This way, you can exfoliate the skin without damaging it.
