Why you should be body brushing every day..

Dry body brushing is the ultimate treat for your skin. The process of brushing the body can stimulate a multitude of benefits both for your skin and your body. This simple procedure can help prepare the application of your skincare products and help your skin retain a daily natural glow.

Your skin is the largest organ in the human body. It excretes a third of your body’s toxins and dry brushing helps to unclog pores and excrete toxins that become trapped in the skin. Below we talk through the incredible benefits it can have for your skin both inside and out.

The Benefits of Body Brushing:

• Lymphatic Stimulation – The motion of dry brushing the skin can help stimulate the normal lymph flow in the body. This encourages drainage of the lymphatic system which is the bodies way of getting rid of toxins. So in summary it can help your body get rid of waste more efficiently.

• Immune Boosting – Your lymphatic system supports your immune system because the Lymph carries the white blood cells throughout your body. The white blood cells can then help the body to destroy viruses, bacteria, and other potentially harmful toxins.

• Reduction in Cellulite – The increased blood circulation and exfoliation can leave the skins surface feeling and looking smoother, therefore the appearance of cellulite is reduced.

• Reduction of Ingrown Hairs – Sometimes ingrown hairs are caused by too much dead skin debris, which blocks the hair follicle. The hair then starts to grow sideways. So the exfoliation of regular body brushing can prevent the build up of dead skin and therefore less ingrowing hairs should appear.

• Energy Boost – Brushing your body with a firm brush creates a brilliant wake-up call for your skin in the morning, it helps to stimulate a boost in your blood circulation making you feel more energised and ready for the day ahead.

• Reduction of Dry and Flaky Skin – When your skin feels and looks dry, this is often by a build up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. The process of the dry brushing will help to remove these dead skin cells, naturally exfoliating the skin. This results in the skin quickly feeling and appearing smoother and softer.

How to Dry Body Brush at home:

1. Start with dry skin, perhaps before a shower
2. Then starting at your feet, brush the bottoms of each foot and continue up to your legs in a long smooth motion. The ideal routine is to brush each section of the skin 10 times
3. Always brush upwards towards your heart, when you reach the stomach ensure to use a circular clockwise motion which follows the normal digestive system
4. Then for your arms start brushing the palms and then begin brushing upwards in smooth long strokes towards the heart
5. Then finally repeat this process on your back (You may need some assistance depending on the size of your brush)
6. You may find that your skin is a little pink, this is very normal. It should however not be uncomfortable
7. Continue to dry brush your entire body every day. We recommend that you clean your brush with soap and water once a week. Allow the brush to air dry naturally with the bristles facing downwards

If you can do this routine regularly until it is second nature, you’ll soon bid farewell to sluggish circulation and dry skin.

The Best Dry Brush To Use:

Choosing the right brush to suit your skin type might be the hardest part of starting your dry brushing journey. Below we have tested some of our favourite brushes to help you determine what brush is best for you:-

1. Aromatherapy Associates Polishing Body Brush – £25 This dry body brush is made from natural cactus sisal bristles for a scrub that’s soft on the skin. If this is the first time you have attempted body brushing then this may feel a little scratchy, however once you are used to the sensation it becomes very invigorating. The Polishing Body Brush also features a hand strap for easy manoeuvrability.
2. Mio Body Brush – £14.50 This versatile brush is made of natural boar bristles. Hidden amongst these bristles are rubber massage nodules, this adds to the uplifting sensation when brushing by adding different levels of pressure to the skin. The brush itself is made of sustainable bamboo and has a comfy cotton handle.
3. Natural Sea Sponge Japanese Spa Sisal Detox Brush – £6.99 This Japanese body brush features a long easy grip handle. It’s bristles are made from natural sisal fibres which come from the Agave Cactus. They create a stiff, durable, non-static fibre that is used to fill brushes like this. This brush features a medium texture so suitable for any skin type. This brush is can be used both wet or dry, it is commonly used in many spa’s across the world as part of a detox treatment.