BEAUTY
The ultimate guide to dry brushing your body (and face)
A holistic wellness ritual that deserves a spot in your skincare and body care routines, dry brushing is one of those feel-good practices that needs little introduction. Just a few minutes a day can help revitalise your skin, stimulate circulation, enhance radiance and leave your body feeling lighter. From its many benefits to mastering the art of dry brushing, here’s everything you need to know – including the tips, techniques and precautions to keep in mind. Ready to brush up on your body care?
Dry brushing for the face
Although a more modern beauty adaptation, facial dry brushing follows the same principles as dry body brushing, but uses brushes with finer, softer bristles that are gentler on the skin. The brushing technique is also much lighter and less vigorous, and is recommended after cleansing. As for the results, alongside exfoliating dead skin cells and encouraging circulation, the practice of dry brushing your face is intended to boost radiance, reduce puffiness and help define facial contours – accentuating features such as the cheekbones while softening the appearance of fine lines.
Dry brushing vs body scrubs: what’s the difference?
Although dry brushing and body scrubs share the same goal – removing dead skin cells to reveal smoother, softer skin – they work in different ways.
Applied to wet skin in the shower, body scrubs use exfoliating grains or active ingredients, for a sensorial experience and immediate results. Dry brushing, on the other hand, which is recommended before showering, relies on the mechanical friction between the brush's bristles and the body’s dry skin. This helps exfoliate the skin while gently stimulating blood and lymphatic circulation – benefits that body scrubs don't provide to the same extent.
These two exfoliation techniques are complementary – it’s not a question of choosing one over the other. You could, for example, make dry brushing part of your regular routine and save your body scrub for moments when you want to indulge a little more – perhaps as part of your Sunday self-care ritual.
Top tips for dry brushing
Using the right technique for your body
Dry body brushing should always be performed with gentle but dynamic upward strokes. Starting from the lower body, work your way up. On dry skin, gently brush from your feet up to your knees, then continue towards your thighs. Follow the same technique from your wrists up to your shoulders. Finally, use gentle circular motions to brush over your chest and upper back.
Dry brushing is ideally performed in the morning, before showering. Its invigorating action helps stimulate circulation and prepare your skin for the day ahead, whereas in the evening, this stimulating effect may be less welcome as your body naturally begins to wind down.
Using the right technique for your face
Facial dry brushing calls for a much gentler touch than body brushing. Using a brush specifically designed for the face, start with clean, dry skin, performing light, upward and outward strokes. Begin at the centre of your forehead, sweeping towards your temples, then move down to your cheeks, brushing from the nose outward towards the ears. Around the jawline, with gentle strokes, work from the chin towards the ears. Take extra care around the delicate eye area, or avoid it altogether if your skin is particularly sensitive.
A facial dry-brushing session should be much shorter than a full-body routine – around one to two minutes is plenty. Avoid applying pressure and repeatedly brushing the same area. Once you've finished, follow with your usual skincare routine, applying a gentle moisturiser to keep your skin comfortable and hydrated.
Facial dry brushing is best done in the morning, before applying your skincare products and makeup. Its gentle, invigorating action can help wake up your complexion, leaving you looking fresh-faced for the day ahead.
As for frequency, start slow, see how your skin responds, and gradually build up to daily brushing if your face tolerates the technique well.
Contraindications and precautions
Like any ritual, dry brushing isn't always suitable. It's best avoided if you have:
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Damaged or irritated skin, open wounds, infected spots or sunburn
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Flare-ups of eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis
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Varicose veins or fragile capillaries, as brushing may be too stimulating
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Recently waxed or shaved, or your skin has been exposed to the sun – allow your skin time to recover before brushing
If in doubt, especially during pregnancy, it’s always best to seek advice from a healthcare professional. You should also avoid dry brushing immediately before or after using a body scrub, as combining the two can over-exfoliate the skin and cause irritation.
FAQ
In theory, yes, as long as your skin tolerates it well. If you notice any redness or tightness, reduce the frequency to two or three times a week, which is generally enough to enjoy the benefits of dry brushing.
The best dry brush for you will depend largely on how sensitive your skin is. If your skin is sensitive or reactive, opt for soft bristles. If it's more resilient, you can choose a firmer brush, such as one made with sisal or agave fibres, for a more invigorating feel.
Dry brushing helps stimulate microcirculation and can temporarily make the skin look smoother. However, there is no robust scientific evidence that it reduces cellulite in the long term. It's best considered a toning and exfoliating ritual rather than an anti-cellulite treatment.
Dry brushing isn't necessarily off-limits during pregnancy, but it's best to check with a healthcare professional before getting started, particularly if you have varicose veins or your skin has become more sensitive while pregnant.
Yes. Always use upward strokes when dry brushing your body, working from your extremities towards your heart to follow the natural direction of blood and lymphatic flow.
No, the two techniques complement one another. Dry brushing can be incorporated into your regular body care routine, while a body scrub can be saved for a more occasional, sensorial moment of self-care. It's not a case of choosing one over the other, but it's best not to use both in the same routine, as this can lead to over-exfoliation and irritation.
Not entirely. Facial dry brushing provides gentle physical exfoliation by helping remove dead skin cells from the skin's surface, but it isn't necessarily a substitute for a dedicated facial exfoliant. The two can serve different purposes. While exfoliation can be a beneficial step in any skincare routine, you don't necessarily need to incorporate both rituals. If you do, space them out to avoid over-exfoliating your skin.
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