Did you know that dry brushing doesn’t just exfoliate your skin? It’s true. This traditional Ayurvedic practice is a game changer for supporting lymphatic flow and promoting overall wellness. The gentle friction created by dry brushing helps to boost circulation, get lymph fluid moving, and kicks your body into detox mode. Keep reading to find out how to choose a dry brush (spoiler alert: not all dry brushes are created equal) and learn easy steps for your dry brushing ritual.
What is dry brushing?
Dry brushing may have skyrocketed in popularity lately, but this practice isn’t something that just arrived on the wellness scene. It’s an Ayurvedic tradition dating back thousands of years, and it was practiced by ancient Egyptian, Greek and Chinese cultures as well.
In Sanskrit, the practice is known as Garshana, which translates to “friction by rubbing.” As you sweep the brush over your skin, the bristles create gentle friction that removes the top layer of dull, dead skin cells. This not only exfoliates your skin and gives it a natural glow, it also supports your body’s natural lymphatic flow by boosting microcirculation and getting stagnant fluid moving.
When you practice dry brushing regularly, you’ll:
- Notice a feeling of increased energy
- Give your immune system added support
- Help filter out waste and toxins
- Reduce the look of bloating
- Instantly achieve smoother and more radiant skin
- Reduce the appearance of cellulite and rough skin texture
What kind of dry brush is best?
The best brush for dry brushing has firm yet flexible bristles, which will create the optimal amount of friction on your skin. A brush that’s too soft won’t create enough friction, and a brush that’s too firm can be harsh on skin.
“I designed both of our cruelty-free body brushes to give you an ideal amount of friction,” says Gigi. “The Body Brush is our OG brush that’s ideal for everyone—beginners included—and The Copper Body Brush has slightly firmer bristles, with the added detox benefits that copper brings. I use both depending on what my skin and my body needs that day.”
The Body Brush
Made from cruelty-free boar bristles, this brush is gentle enough for beginners and also perfect long-time dry brushers. “It’s the highest quality dry brush I've ever used, you can really feel a difference in the quality of the bristles,” says one reviewer.
The Copper Body Brush
With a center made from pure copper bristles, this brush gives you a slightly deeper exfoliation and detox effect. The friction created by the copper bristles floods your skin with negative ions, which helps counteract the energy-sapping effects of phones, screens and other digital devices—all of which emit positive ions. “The tingling feeling on the skin felt like my fascia was really stimulated at a deeper level, draining stagnant toxins,” says a reviewer.
How do I dry brush?
STEP 1: STIMULATE & AWAKEN
First, we “awaken” the lymphatic system. Use your fingertips to gently massage the lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, thighs and behind the knees (the major “hinges” of your body). This step prepares the lymph nodes to receive and dispose of the fluid we’ll be moving.
Practice diaphragmatic breathing (i.e. deep belly breathing) as you massage and do 5-10 strokes on each area. Make sure to use a light touch. The lymph nodes are located close to the surface, so there’s no need to use intense pressure.
STEP 2: DRY BRUSH
Now that you’ve “awakened” the lymph nodes, you’re ready for your dry brushing ritual. Grab either The Body Brush or The Copper Body Brush. Then simply brush your body in long rhythmic strokes, aiming for 5-10 strokes per area.
ARMS
- Starting at your elbow crease, brush your upper arm in long rhythmic strokes, working upward toward the axillary lymph nodes in the armpit. Brush the inside and outside of the upper arm.
- Move to the lower arm. Dry brush the top of your hand and wrist all the way up to the armpit.
CHEST
- Dry brush from the center of your chest to your underarms, then underneath the chest towards the armpit. Make sure to use extra-gentle pressure here.
WAIST & STOMACH
- Brush from the side of your waist up to your armpit, then from behind the torso toward the front of your body.
- Dry brush the abdominal area in gentle circular motions, working clockwise to help promote digestion.
LEGS
- Start at the front of the thighs, at your kneecap, and brush upwards toward the bikini line/upper thigh area (where the inguinal lymph nodes are located). Move to the back of the thighs and dry brush upward (you can use a stepstool to balance).
- Move to your lower legs and brush from ankle to kneecap. Don’t forget to brush the top of your foot too.
- Repeat on both sides of your body.
STEP 3: HYDRATE
After your dry brushing ritual, hop in the shower to remove dead skin, then hydrate by apply a body cream and layering on body oil. Try Lift & Tone Body Cream with Flow + Glow Body Oil for added circulation boosting effects, or Cacay Whipped Body Butter with Golden Body Oil for deep, restorative hydration.
