Dry brushing! What’s with all this hype about it? Is it really THAT good? If yes, how do I do it correctly? Can it really get rid of cellulite? More importantly, which is the best dry body brush?
If you’re like me and are interested in the previous questions (and more), stick around and let’s find out!
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Contents
- Dry Brushing 101: The Essential Things
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top 13 Best Dry Body Brushes of 2021
- Zen Me Premium Dry Brushing Body Brush
- Nowellife Dry Brushing Body Brush Set
- Mio Body Brush
- Rengöra Dry Brushing Body Brush
- Aromatherapy Associates Polishing Body Brush
- Fantasea Natural Bristle Body Brush
- C.S.M. Body Brush for Wet or Dry Brushing
- Dry Brushing Body Brush by SpaVerde
- Dry Skin Body Brush by Wholesome Beauty
- Merben Soft Texture Jute Body Brush with Cotton Cord Handle
- Yerba Prima Tampico Skin Brush
- Redecker Fine Bronze Wire/Horsehair Massage Brush
- The Organic Pharmacy Skin Brush
- Final Brushes of Thought
Dry Brushing 101: The Essential Things
What is Dry Brushing (And What It Isn’t)?
First things first – dry brushing is NOT the solution to all of our skin problems. I know you came here to see some evidence of dry brushing vanishing cellulite like a magical wand of wonder, however, you won’t find that here.
I’m sorry. Yes, I’m as devastated as you are. I too was hoping that I could dry brush away my cellulite for the spring/summer season.
However, there’s no scientific proof of dry brushing helping to fight cellulite. It may plump up the skin due to blood flow but it won’t make cellulite vanish as it is there due to fat and collagen bands in women, says Dr. Carolyn Jacobs.
Dry brushing essentially helps:
- Remove dead skin cells from your body (exfoliation),
- And exfoliation also helps unclog pores (which is essential for people with Keratosis Pilaris),
- Better absorb topical skin treatments once the upper layer of skin is removed (as stated by Dr. Lupo),
- Stimulate the lymphatic system (lymphatic drainage),
- Increase blood flow (which helps detoxify better).
All of this from a dry body brush? Yes, more on that later.
The way I see dry brushing – it’s a step to be included as your skincare routine for your whole body.
Most of us have a set facial routine or at least we try to moisturize every day, put a facial mask every now and then, and so on. But why isn’t it the case with the rest of our skin ON OUR WHOLE BODY?
What’s the Difference between Dry Brushing and Exfoliating?
So, if you’re used to exfoliating your skin with a loofah or an exfoliating glove, then let me tell you how it’s different from dry brushing.
With regular exfoliating, we usually understand that it is done once your skin is wet with warm/hot water.
Dry brushing is the complete opposite of regular in-the-shower exfoliation, as it involves exfoliating while your skin is dry.
The reason dry brushing is so popular is that once you exfoliate your skin while it’s dry you can remove a lot more of the dead skin cells.
But when the skin cells are wet with soaked up water then it’s more difficult for the dead skin cells to shed.
How Many Times a Week Should You Dry Brush Your Skin
You can brush daily
BUT when just starting out, perhaps it’s better to gradually increase the dry brushing days.
Start out with 2-3 times per week, giving your skin a chance to get used to the brushing. It’s like doing a patch test on your skin of a new product.
Same goes for the added pressure you’re pushing on the brush when dry brushing – start out with light strokes, gradually adapting your skin to a bit tougher strokes.
Over-brushing is worse than under-brushing!
Where and When to Dry Brush Your Skin
Where?
Stand in the shower or bathtub (without pouring water over yourself, your skin needs to be dry).
Why specifically IN the shower/bathtub? You may not see actual big flakes of dead skin cells coming off, but when you brush off those dead skin cells they fall off on the shower’s floor, making it also easier to just wash it away.
So, do it when you’ve stepped IN the shower, just for your convenience.
When?
Right before you take a shower. If you take a shower in the morning, even better. All that brushing will get your blood flowing, which will really wake you up.
If, however, you take a shower before you go to bed, then please be gentle and mindful when brushing your skin so to ensure calming the skin and prepping it for a good night’s sleep.
How to Do Dry Brushing
When I started out with dry brushing, I read a lot of articles and watched a lot of YouTube videos and, as always, there were different ways from different people, and of course, each swears by their way as the best way to dry brush.
Well, since dry brushing helps your lymphatic system to not hold the toxins, move the fatty acids from the digestive system, and overall run everything a bit smoother, then it should be obvious to understand how this system works, really.
A good and easily understandable video on the lymphatic system is this one: (if you have the time, please watch it)
Regarding the actual part of the day when it’s time for you to start brushing those dead skin cells away as well as get the lymphatic system moving, well another great video, which I strongly recommend seeing, is this one (the video has poor sound quality so turn up the volume):
I’ve watched the above video 3 times to really remember the techniques of dry brushing she advises to use.
However, if you’re in a rush or are just not able to watch the video at the moment, here’s a summary of the video:
- Start on the left side of the body, since the left side holds ¾ of the whole body’s toxins.
- If you don’t have time for the whole body, dry brush the 5 most important parts of the lymphatic system – both armpits, the groin, and the abdomen.
- The armpits are not the part you’re really thinking of, here it’s meant as the part where the arm meets the chest. So, just below your collar bones.
- Do both sides of your armpits in circular motions.
- The groin – the point where your leg meets the lower stomach, closer to the bikini line, you can feel your hip bone near it.
- Do both sides of the groin, also in a circular motion.
- Finally, since the abdomen has 60-70 % of the lymphatic tissue you should spend at least a minute of dry brushing your abdomen in circular motions, as well as go the opposite way of what you do for the whole body.
- Start from the right side and go to the left side because that’s how our intestines go. You’re making your digestive system work better as well.
For more specific use of a dry brush all over your body, I highly recommend watching the video from the doctor.
How to Clean a Dry Brush
With all the brushing off dead skin cells, some are bound to stay on the brush over time, so you definitely need to clean your brush at least once a week if you’re a frequent dry brusher.
All you need is an antibacterial solution, water and a bowl that fits the brush (without the handle)
An antibacterial solution can be antibacterial essential oils, my favorites include:
- Tea tree oil
- Peppermint essential oil
- Eucalyptus essential oil
- Grapefruit essential oil
- Lemongrass essential oil
More on other essential oils here.
Step by Step How to Clean Your Dry Brush
- Grab a wide enough bowl to fit the brush in.
- Pour warm water in the bowl.
- Add one of the essential oils you prefer most (I put 10 drops).
- Put the brush in the water – only the bristles, not the wooden part with which you hold the brush because wood and water don’t go well together. The bristles need to be facing downwards.
- Slowly move the brush in the water so to get everything out.
- Keep the brush in for 10 minutes.
- Pour out the water from the bowl, rinse it out.
- Pour new cold water into the bowl to rinse the brush out from the essential oil.
Dry Brushing Pros and Cons
There are lots of amazing benefits that you can get from dry brushing especially if you found the right body brush to do the job (like the ones recommended below), these are:
Pros
- Removes dead skin cells and leaves you with smoother more radiant skin.
- Improves blood circulation.
- Improves digestion.
- Aids in lymphatic drainage or removal of toxins from your body.
- Stimulates the nervous system which helps feel energizes afterward (says acupuncturist Jamie Starkey).
Cons
No matter how good these benefits are, people may also experience the following as a result of using the wrong body brush or doing the wrong dry brushing techniques:
- Redness and tiny scratches from using a stiff brush.
- Skin irritations and infection.
- Hives for people with sensitive skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dry Brushing Not Wet?
In a nutshell, dry brushing does not require water or any sort of lubricant as it is made more effective that way. Water can be absorbed by the skin causing it to plump up and when it does, it makes it a tiny bit harder to exfoliate dead skin cells.
A quick note though, while dry brushing has a lot of benefits in our skin and general health, it is not advisable for everyone.
People with dry, sensitive, aging skin and those with skin diseases such as eczema or psoriasis may be better off with regular wet exfoliation or totally hold off from any exfoliating treatment unless advised by their doctors.
Does Dry Brushing Help Cellulite?
Does lymphatic drainage massage work for cellulite?
Yes and No.
Yes, because a lymphatic massage for cellulite helps it work better by getting rid of all the toxins. So, naturally, your skin appears to have a glow and feel softer to the touch.
However, the no part is that cellulite appears due to the lack of muscle atrophy.
In other words, your muscles are not toned and “pumped”, which makes the fat cells become bigger and if you’re not dry brushing then that layer of skin also has toxic fluids, which makes the elastin fibers stretch out, which then gives the appearance of cellulite.
For reference, see the below picture:
Final conclusion – yes, dry brushing helps with getting rid of the toxic fluids, but to get the unhealthy fat cells smaller (and therefore minimize the appearance of cellulite), you’re going to have to do some exercises.
Does Body Brushing Help You Lose Weight?
This one’s similar to asking if cellulite massage benefits your skin with a reduction of the appearance of cellulite.
Again, Yes and No.
Don’t expect that you only need to try dry brushing and weight loss will follow.
Once again, because you’re brushing your skin which helps your blood flow better as well as get rid of excess oils and buildup in your skin, yes it may appear that you’ve lost some fat.
Can dry brushing alone help you lose weight? No, because you need to lead a healthy lifestyle accompanied by exercises.
Even daily longer walks can be considered as an appropriate movement for better results when combining it with dry brushing.
Does Dry Brushing Tighten Loose Skin?
Yes, this mom/personal trainer is proof for it.
But keep in mind, that dry brushing alone won’t be a miracle that cures all the things you want to be fixed, a planned diet and some exercise still needs to be considered for faster and more noticeable results.
I know the usual question around dry brushing is specifically regarding dry brushing pregnancy stretch marks, but women can also have them without having kids (like myself).
I’ve been using dry brushing for a little while but I’ve already noticed a little change.
Can I Dry Brush My Face?
Yes, you can. That includes also dry brushing face wrinkles and acne scars.
But if your next question is – can dry brushing cause breakouts? – then also yes, if you’ve planned on using your dry brush for the body.
You must buy a facial dry brush, as the bristles are much, much finer and softer. You don’t want unnecessary damage to your face by using a rough body dry brush.
A good source of how to brush your face here.
Also, note that a breakout during your first week of facial dry brushing may be normal due to the fact that your skin is pushing out excess oils and other debris. It should return to normal after the first week.
Start out with dry brushing your face once or twice weekly.
Does Dry Brushing Help Keratosis Pilaris?
YES, OH-PEANUT-BUTTER-AND-JELLY-SANDWICH, YES!
I have Keratosis Pilaris on the back of my arms and on my upper thighs.
The silky smoothness I’m experiencing makes me feel…. well… I might as well be an Egyptian goddess. (and not just me, this woman shares my enthusiasm)
Dry brushing for KP is almost revolutionary.
If you have KP like me I highly recommend trying dry brushing for fighting the so-called strawberry legs, chicken skin, and whatnot.
Top 13 Best Dry Body Brushes of 2021
Now let’s look at some of the best dry brush brands and what they’ve got in store for us.
Zen Me Premium Dry Brushing Body Brush
This Zen Me set will have you glowing head to toe for years. Made with natural, eco-friendly materials, the body brush comes with a detachable, 14-inch Lotus wood handle perfect for reaching your back and feet.
The brush head features a strap that can easily be worn around your hand for more control during dry brushing and boar bristles that offer maximum exfoliation and lymphatic drainage for overall health.
Elle Macpherson swears by it! If this brush kept her looking young in her 50’s, then this gotta be one of the best dry brushes for loose skin in the market.
Includes a pair of shower gloves for daily body exfoliation, a charcoal konjac sponge for the face and a pumice footstone to keep your feet as soft as a baby’s.
Pros
- Made from polished Lotus wood and high quality boar bristles.
- Features a removable handle for multipurpose use.
- 4 in 1 set comes with a body brush, a pair of shower gloves, charcoal konjac sponge and pumice footstone.
- Comes with a free eBook containing health and beauty tips to compliment your dry brushing treatment.
Cons
- The removable handle may slip off when in use.
Nowellife Dry Brushing Body Brush Set
Need specific brushes to do specific jobs? Look no further as Nowellife has it all for you. This set is made of all-natural materials like bamboo, boar bristles, and cotton.
It’s perfect for people with sensitive skin who are looking for a soft dry brush.
The long body brush reaches hard to reach areas with ease without the brush head falling off the handle. The round cellulite brush features a strap to hold the brush in place and round nodes to effectively massage and drain toxins away from your body.
The contoured body brush was ergonomically designed to reach your lower back with ease, it’s also the perfect brush to use all over your body!
Lastly, the volcanic lava pumice stone is the best to remove dead skin off your feet.
Pros
- Made with 100% sustainable bamboo handles and boar bristles.
- Non-slip, woven cotton ropes.
- Comes with a long body brush, a round cellulite brush, a contoured body brush, and a volcanic lava pumice stone.
- No detachable parts that don’t fit or keep falling off.
Cons
- Bristles are not as firm and do shed quite quickly.
Mio Body Brush
This Mio brush is the best brush to improve blood circulation and remove dead skin cells.
It’s a bamboo dry brush made with natural boar bristles that invigorate and reveal a fresher layer of skin and massage nodules to amp up blood circulation and flush out toxins.
Pros
- Made with sustainable bamboo and natural boar bristles.
- Gentle rubber massage nodules.
- Cotton strap to secure the brush in place while dry brushing.
Cons
- Bristles are too stiff and fall out easily (quite common for natural boar bristles).
Rengöra Dry Brushing Body Brush
This Rengöra Dry Brush is made with naturally sourced materials that work perfectly to exfoliate and detoxify your body from toxins through improved blood circulation.
It can provide you that spa-like experience right in the comfort of your own home as their bristles are built to feel gentle yet firm, never harsh and abrasive – maybe the best body brush for exfoliating.
If you’re new to dry brushing, Rengöra also offers a free eBook on how to do this amazing detox treatment as well as some tips on how to enhance its effects.
Pros
- Made with natural Cherry wood and boar bristles.
- The handle is built to last (with proper care).
- Bristles are embedded on plastic not the wood itself for less fallout.
- Comes with a free eBook containing tips and tricks on how to do dry brushing and get optimal results.
- Perfect size for traveling.
Cons
- The handle is too short if you want to reach your back.
Aromatherapy Associates Polishing Body Brush
A body brush that gets better with age. Aromatherapy Associates body brush is made with cactus sisal, which is known as the best, most effective bristles for dry brushing because of its firm, less flexible and thick fibers that improve over time.
It has the power to stimulate and tone your body through enhanced blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.
No wonder this body brush is a favorite amongst therapists and pro dry brushers.
Pros
- Sustainably sourced wooden handle and 100% natural agave cactus bristles.
- Hand strap for more control.
- Medium firmness.
- Shed-proof.
Cons
- Expensive.
- May be too rough for those with sensitive skin.
- Hard to reach the back with this brush.
Fantasea Natural Bristle Body Brush
If you want to give dry brushing a try without spending too much, this Fantasea body brush is right for you. Made with vegetable fibers, its bristles offer the right amount of firmness that suits even those with sensitive skin.
When used dry, it can last a decent amount of time, depending on how often you use it and how you take care of it. Definitely, a great steal!
Pros
- Super affordable.
- Made with all-natural materials.
- Hand strap for more control.
- Shed-proof.
Cons
- Hard to reach the back with this brush.
- Strictly for dry brushing. Easily falls apart when used repeatedly with water.
C.S.M. Body Brush for Wet or Dry Brushing
This CSM brush promises to provide softer, glowing skin, as well as improve blood circulation.
Made with natural materials, this brush can be used wet or dry. The soft massage nodules soothe tired muscles while the natural boar bristles work to exfoliate dead skin cells and remove toxins in your body.
With its compact size, it’s easy to bring this everywhere you go.
Pros
- Made with natural, real wood and boar bristles.
- Features a canvas strap for more control.
- Soft massage nodules.
- Shed-proof.
- Lightweight, perfect for travel.
Cons
- Hard to reach the back with this brush.
- May be too rough for those with sensitive skin.
Dry Brushing Body Brush by SpaVerde
This organic dry brush kit is really all you need for a beautiful and healthy body, and it’s not even that expensive. Plus, this company is cruelty-free so no boars where harmed in the making of this brush.
Pros
- Organic, cruelty-free.
- Natural boar bristles.
- Contains both body and face dry brushes.
- Comes with a removable handle for the body dry brush.
- The strap for the brushes head can be tightened to fit your hand better.
- Comes with a linen bag to store the brushes in.
- Includes instructions on how to use it best.
Cons
- The head can fall off the handle when doing your back.
Dry Skin Body Brush by Wholesome Beauty
This one is great value for its price. I have a very similar head of a dry brush to this one with the same fabric strap. Very comfortable to brush your body, except the back.
Pros
- Natural and firm bristles.
- Smooth polished wood – no splinters, yay!
- Comes with a travel pouch and a stick-on hook to hang on your bathroom wall.
- Comes with a long handle to reach your back.
Cons
- I don’t have this exact one, but a similar one and the one problem I notice with my detachable handle is that the head easily falls off when I use stronger pressure or quicker strokes.
Merben Soft Texture Jute Body Brush with Cotton Cord Handle
This Jute dry brush doesn’t look like the traditional dry brush, but it is still intended for dry brushing.
It’s soft, which makes this a perfect candidate for people with sensitive skin.
If you’re looking for a Japanese dry body brush, then you’ve found it!
Pros
- Made from natural sisal fiber.
- Perfect for sensitive skin.
- The long handle gives you a better chance of brushing your back.
- The cotton cord makes it easy to hold the handle as opposed to other brushes with rougher material handles.
Cons
- A bit pricier than other brushes, but still worth the one-time purchase.
Yerba Prima Tampico Skin Brush
Looking for a Tampico dry body brush? Voila! This is one of the best Tampico plant-based dry brushes.
What is a Tampico? It is the part of an unbleached stem of the agave plant.
This can be considered as the best brush for dry brushing skin every other day due to the firm bristles.
Pros
- Natural bristles used.
- The head is detachable, which means after some time you can just buy a new head not the whole brush.
- Firm bristles, so don’t apply too much pressure with this one.
Cons
- It doesn’t have a strap for the head, therefore, may be a bit uncomfortable to hold.
Redecker Fine Bronze Wire/Horsehair Massage Brush
Ok, this ionic dry body brush is a bit more expensive than you would have anticipated it to be, but it is worth the investment, it exfoliates like no other brush.
Pros
- Natural horsehair bristles.
- Made in Germany.
- The negative ions formed by friction on the skin make the lymphatic system work even better to get rid of the toxins in our body.
Cons
- Pricey.
The Organic Pharmacy Skin Brush
This organic pharmacy dry brush is a good natural bristle option as one of the best dry body brushes. I have this brush.
The only bad thing I can state about it is that the removable handle doesn’t work too well as the head keeps falling off when I do my back.
I’ve heard the same problem from fellow dry brushers using other model removable handle brushes.
Pros
- Made in the UK
- Natural bristles
- Firm but not too harsh on the skin (I have sensitive skin)
Cons
- Honestly, I wish the head would stay on the handle. I’ve learned to hold the brush sideways and then going upwards on my back, then it stays on.
Final Brushes of Thought
In the ending, I want to remind you to really re-think about the money of the brush. Sure you can buy a cheaper one, but if you read some reviews online and find that most people really suggest this brush, then please don’t look at the price of the brush.
Even if it’s 50$, it’s not a monthly purchase, and if it’s truly one of the best dry body brushes then it most likely won’t be a yearly purchase as well.
Cynthia Stalde
I’m the girl behind Miss Coty. Here I talk about the struggles of womanhood – from hair removal all the way to deep facial wrinkles in your 20s. More about me.
