The Benefits of Dry Brushing

Reader Contribution by Ashley Houk
article image

The skin is the largest organ in the body and consists of numerous sweat glands, blood vessels and nerve endings. Although it protects us from the elements, our skin also aids in waste removal, digestion and circulation. Over time, skin can change or become damaged due to a variety of factors. Serums, creams and cleansers do a lot to keep skin healthy, glowing and blemish-free, but dry brushing can benefit not only skin health, but overall health as well. 

History of Dry Brushing

Dry skin brushing has been practiced by many cultures for centuries, from ancient Greeks to Native Americans, to remove dead skin. In ancient Ayurvedic medicine, dry brushing (garshana) was completed every morning, prior to bathing, to stimulate blood circulation.

Photo by Fotolia/slantedframe.

Dry Brushing Benefits

Detox your body from the outside-in while keeping skin healthy, radiant and blemish-free with one of the oldest beauty secrets around. Check out some of the perks you may see after adding regular dry brushing into your natural skin care routine.

Super-Soft Skin: Dry brushing exfoliates and eliminates dead skin cells, leaving skin feeling soft and helping the skin renewal process.

Tone and Tighten: The motions of dry brushing help distribute fatty deposits to tone the muscles and tissues below the skin’s surface. These same motions boost circulation creating supple, youthful-looking skin. The circular motions may also reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Lymph Support: Many components of the lymphatic system lie just below the skin’s surface. Daily dry brushing can stimulate these nodes, vessels and glands to aid in the body’s natural detoxification process, which can improve immune function.

Keep Breakouts at Bay: By smoothing rough, dry patches and unclogging pores, toxins can be excreted from pores rather than blocking them and causing pimples. Dry brushing will also distribute your skin’s natural oils evenly to keep oilier areas from breaking out.

Tips for Dry Brushing

1. Choose a natural-bristled brush, and consider one with a long handle to help you get hard-to-reach places, such as the back.

2. Start at the feet and move upward, toward the head, using a circular motion, brushing toward the heart to increase blood and lymph flow.

3. Dry brush prior to bathing, preferably in the morning as this practice has been known to deliver a boost of energy.

4. Avoid areas with wounds, rashes or other sensitivities.

Dry brushing is inexpensive, easy and relaxing. Many professionals in the beauty industry recommend this practice for those with dry skin, cellulite or regular swelling, due to water retention.

  • Published on Oct 31, 2016
Tagged with: Reader Contributions
Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-800-456-6018
Free health and natural beauty tips from Mother Earth News!