Beauty Talk: Would You Try Dry Brushing?

Posted by Alexandra C. | Thursday July 25, 2013

I once told you about a wonderfully relaxing, albeit naked time I had at a Korean sauna. I was in my birthday suit and there was a massage that occurred. I won't go into all the details. What I want to tell you about today is something that happened during my massage. My masseuse gave me something called a dry brushing.

Getchyo' mind outta the gutter.

Dry brushing is using a rougher, harder bristle body brush on your body before your shower/bath (hence the 'dry'). Supposedly dry brushing helps to reduce cellulite and stimulate circulation. While I can't speak to this, I can say that dry brushing is definitely useful for shedding dead skin cells and exfoliating.

There are a few different dry brushing techniques. The most popular one is to brush your limbs first, brushing from the bottom towards the heart. Some prefer smaller, circular motions while others swear by long sweeping brushes. I think it's safe to say that no matter which way you brush, you'll be sloughing that layer off.

I love doing this before an epsom salt bath for the summer and following with a lightweight moisturizer. While it adds an extra 5-10 minutes to your shower routine, I think it's worth trying out a few times a week for soft, un-lizard like skin. Afterall, you gotta show off those gams!

Interested in dry brushing? Try some of these body tools:

1. Clarisonic Body Brush Extension Handle (C$25.00)
Pro Tip: Have a Clarisonic already? Try this extension handle with your brush head to use on your body, not just your face!

2. Xe-Tan Body Sponge (C$7.00)
Pro Tip: You can also dry brush your face, but use softer, less harsh bristles or even a pad or sponge like this.

3. Eight Body Moisture Natural Sisal Brush (C$22.00)

4. Bioelements Cactus Cloth Products (US$24.00)

5. Urban Spa Volcanic Pumice Stone (C$3.09)

6. Upper Canada Soap Naturals Wooden Back Brush (C$6.99)

7. Sephora Spa Gloves (C$44.00)

8. Bioelements Dry Brush Smoothing Kit (US$65.50)

What do you think of dry brushing? Have you or would you try it?

(via michellephan.com, skinacea.com, kriscarr.com)

More by Alexandra C.
More on Body

Pin It

5 Ways To Repurpose Mascara Wands

16 Scent-sational Summer Products

14 Comments

	on July 31, 2013 LissaG 6,010 said: I think it'd be one of those things I'd do once or twice, then get too lazy for haha
	on July 30, 2013 haron 12,289 said: Sounds interesting. Might give it a try
	on July 28, 2013 Watchmego said: I've been doing this for years. You don't need to scrub hard. Just do what's comfortable for you. I typically follow a dry scrub with a salt or sugar scrub in the shower and then moisturize. If you do this at least once a week for 3-4 weeks, your skin will feel A-mazing (for quicker results do twice per week until you get results you're looking for, then move to a weekly schedule). Word of caution: Dry scrubbing increases circulation which, if done in the evening, could keep you awake. Give it a try. What have you got to lose.
	on July 26, 2013 layalxo 2,573 said: I think I would try this, it sounds slightly painful, but definitely worth a try.
	on July 26, 2013 Stacy said: I've tried this, wasnt the hugest fan of scrubbing dry skin. I found using the Sisal Brush in the shower a little less painful.
	on July 26, 2013 Steffikah 9,295 said: I've heard of the benefits, for sure. But do they hold true? Does it actually work or is it just good for exfoliating? Might try it.
	on July 26, 2013 el-chepo said: Sounds painful...not interested.
	on July 26, 2013 Tori said: I work with Bioelements and we can't thank you enough for including not 1, but 2 of our products in this story! Thank you so much!
	on July 26, 2013 AlexJC 50 said: @lovelydays I would try pumice for your feet and pick up a pair of exfoliating gloves or a brush for your body. Also, while I love and included more high end gloves in this round up, I think you could try a less expensive pair as well.
	on July 26, 2013 86iscn 212 said: I will not try this.