How to dry brush

Have you tried exfoliating away your cares?

We all want supple, smooth skin and oftentimes we believe the best path to achieving it is through slathering on moisturiser. There’s no doubt that hydrating body cream is a vital part of the process but without exfoliating first, it would be like painting a wall without priming it. You’re only moisturising the top layer of dry, dead skin cells, wasting your time, energy, and moisturiser, and ending up with lacklustre results. And while the exfoliating glove is an old stand-by, people are increasingly turning to a more thoughtful and intentional way of exfoliating their bodies – dry brushing.

A traditional aspect of Ayurvedic medicine is known as garshana (pronounced gar-shun-uh), dry brushing is a simple and calming technique to exfoliate your skin, energise your lymphatic system, and improve circulation. Often performed with raw silk or linen gloves, some now prefer to use a natural bristle body brush.
Using sweeping strokes along your limbs towards your heart, this massage stimulates detoxification and removal of dead skin cells. Some have suggested that dry brushing even helps reduce cellulite; however, no conclusive studies have proven this to be the cash and most scientists agree it’s unlikely to have this effect. What it does do is help turn your skin from dull to radiant and glowing. So how can you add this soothing, sweeping massage to your routine?

It’s best to dry brush before you shower in the morning, so you can wash away dead skin cells, and reap the energising benefits throughout the day. Always keep the direction of your strokes towards your heart. Depending on the sensitivity of your skin, you can spend anywhere from five to fifteen minutes on this.

Start at your feet and brush up towards your heart, using either small strokes upwards or circular motion on more compact areas like your ankles, knees.
Move to your arms, starting from your hands and moving up towards your shoulders.
Massage your stomach and joints in circular movements.
Once complete, shower to rinse off any impurities.

It’s important to note that this is a therapeutic exfoliation – be gentle with your skin, taking care not to press too hard or break the skin. Find a brush with natural, fine bristles that aren’t too stuff and ease into your routine. May dermatologists recommend dry brushing only once a week, at least to begin with, in order to avoid aggravating your skin. Once you’ve tested it out, you can try incorporating dry brushing into your routine more frequently.
Part of adding dry brushing to your beauty routine is remembering that this is your time to evoke mental calm. Don’t rush through the strokes and hustle into the shower; an exfoliating massage should waken not only your body but also your mind. Incorporate deep breathing exercises and feel refreshed as you start your day. Moisturise afterwards and enjoy the benefits of improved circulation and soft, smooth skin.