How to Dry Brush for Healthier Skin and a Stronger Immune System

Alright, I’m about to share with you one of my favourite parts of my morning routine. Dry brushing. So simple, but such a vital part to anyone’s health routine. It helps cleanse both the outside and the inside of your body. It’s one of my ten favourite ways to help the body naturally detoxify itself – see the full list in my free download, The Glowing Skin Guide.

What is Dry Brushing?

Dry brushing, aka skin brushing, is a traditional Ayurvedic dry massage.

Your body’s largest detoxification organ is the skin. It actually excretes about one-third of your body’s toxins. The act of dry brushing removes dead skin cells, stimulates the lymphatic system, boosts blood circulation, and helps flush those nasty toxins.

3 Benefits to Dry Brushing

1. Stimulates the Lymphatic System
   The biggest benefit of dry brushing is its effect on the lymphatic system. Running just below the skin, your lymphatic system is a key component of your immune system. Its main job is to transport lymph fluid throughout the body, disposing of any toxins along the way. The only trick to the lymphatic system is it doesn’t have its own internal pump — like your circulatory system has your heart. Therefore, it relies on muscle movement and manual stimulation to travel throughout the body. This is why dry brushing is so beneficial as it stimulates the lymph and encourages your body to naturally detoxify. It’s something I recommend to my acne clients in The Clear Skin Solution, too.
   
2. Removes Dead Skin
   Exfoliating your skin encourages new and healthy-looking skin cells to form. By removing the buildup of dead skin cells, your skin changes from dry and dull to soft and radiant. It also allows for better absorption of your daily moisturizer.
   
3. Unclogs & Minimizes Pores
   Regular exfoliation helps remove the build-up of dead skin cells and excess dirt and oil that clog your pores. By unclogging the pores, you’re effectively reducing the number of breakouts. By unclogging the pores you also give them a chance to shrink back down to a smaller size.

How to Do It & What Do I Need

All you need is 5 minutes and a natural bristle brush. I like using a long handle brush to get hard to reach areas like the back. Make sure to look for a set that comes with a face brush, too (this one’s great).

The ideal time to dry brush is before your shower so that you can rinse off any impurities loosened by the massage. You will then brush towards the body’s main lymphatic drainage points — the breastbone, armpits, and bikini line. Remember, you don’t need to brush too hard. A soft, smooth stroke is what you’re looking for. Dry brushing shouldn’t be painful.

1. Starting at your feet, use long upwards motions to brush towards the main drainage points (see chart). I usually do about 5-10 strokes for each section.
2. Repeat the process for each area of the body.
3. For the breast area, brush away from the nipple.
4. For the face, switch to a facial brush (if you have one) as it’s a more delicate area.
5. Jump in the shower and follow with a natural body butter*.

*I use my Super Easy DIY Body Butter, but substitute the essential oils called for with Cypress and Juniper Berry essential oils instead. These two oils are incredible for lymphatic support and skin health. If you’re not a big DIYer, my favourite body moisturizer is BeautyCounter’s Melting Body Balm or their Luminous Hydration Body Oil.