We’ve all heard that exfoliation is an essential element of good skin care. Exfoliating regularly is one of the most effective ways to remove dead skin cells, grit and build up. But what about dry skin brushing? Dry skin brushing takes exfoliating to the next level and not only helps your skin glow but offers a range of health and wellbeing benefits.

Here’s why dry body brushing is the ultimate beauty booster: 

Encourage new cell growth. Dry brushing stimulates blood circulation and encourages new cell growth. It also helps the body to eliminate metabolic waste and build up from your lymph nodes by stimulating your lymphatic system – a serious health booster.

A better baseline for your skin. Dry skin brushing removes dead layers of skin and opens the pores to release stored toxins, leaving your skin refreshed and in a better state to soak up replenishing moisturisers and hydrating treatments.

Feel energised. Dry brushing leaves your skin feeling alive – and no wonder, as the brushing motion helps to spread energy through the body’s chakras. It relieves muscle tension, stress and calms the mind. Plus, the gentle brushing feels incredible and leaves you with a warm tingle, not unlike that wonderful feeling we get from a great massage.

Boost your immunity. Dry brushing helps to remove toxins and strengthen the immune system, so it’s a wonderful support during the winter months and cold and flu seasons.

Soothe your way into the day. A morning routine sets you up for the day, helps you to wake up, feel energised and ready to tackle whatever comes your way. Dry body brushing works well in the morning as a soothing and mindful practice, during which you can meditate or just focus your thoughts on taking loving care of you. For extra self-care, add some incense or a drop of lavender to your daily brush.

A whole new glow. After you start dry brushing, you’ll be amazed at how much your skin glows – you’ll see more radiant, smooth and even skin. Many dry brushers also see their cellulite and keratosis pilaris disappear.

In practice: how to dry body brush at home

Find yourself a body brush with pure and natural fibre bristles (we like Pursoma’s Detox Beauty Body Brush, made with ethically harvested jute fibre). Make sure the brush and your body are both dry before your start. It’s important to have some friction and exfoliation on dry skin for it to be effective because if your skin is wet, the exfoliation is weakened.

Brush for five minutes, moving in a circular motion begin at the soles of feet, working up towards the heart, up the back and abdomen and to shoulders. Avoid the breast area. Then work your way from your palms, up the arms and neck and avoid your face. For the best results, follow your brushing with a shower in the morning or a bath at night, and apply hydrating lotion, which will soak up beautifully now that you’ve removed dead skin cells (we like In Fiore Firmante Leg tonic, which targets the effects of circulatory stagnation and tissue laxity and minimises the visible signs of veins and cellulite).

Try dry body brushing each day in the morning before you shower, or before your evening bath (you can also brush after you wash, just make sure you’re dry first), spending a few minutes or 20 depending on how much time you have. We also recommend washing your brush between brushes to remove dead skin cells.

If you’re serious about taking care of your skin, mind and body, it’s worth making dry body brushing a part of your regular beauty routine.