The Benefits of Dry Body Brushing
2022-07-01
Summer comes along with a set of common beauty routines, like pedicures, body scrubs and self-tanner. But chances are dry brushing falls toward the bottom of your list. Most of us still unaware of the myriad beauty benefits it has to offer, but it can make your skin look glowing and healthy from head-to-toe – ideal for warm weather. Still need convincing? Here are all the benefits of dry brushing and how they work for you. Noella says: “If dry brushing is a beauty ritual you don’t already do all year round, now is the time to get on board. Using a body brush daily stimulates the circulation and lymphatic drainage to aid detoxification.”
Benefit: Busts Bloat
How it works: Bloating is caused by water retention which is also a result of lymphatic stagnation. As well as dry brushing, finish by liberally slathering on ELEMIS Cellutox Active Body Oil. It’s a detoxifying cocktail containing sea fennel, sea buckthorn, lemon, and juniper to help reduce bloating by stimulating circulation and even the digestive system.
Top Tip: Start from the soles of your feet and brush in long sweeping upward motions towards your heart as this goes with the direction of your blood flow. Be slightly gentler on areas that have thinner skin, like your neck and décolletage as this are more prone to sensitivity and redness.
Benefit: Smooths Skin and Reduces Cellulite
How it works: Whilst cellulite is completely natural, and can’t be reversed, certain techniques can help to minimise its appearance. Cellulite is primarily caused by the collection of stagnant toxins that builds up in certain areas predominantly hips thighs, abdomen and buttocks which is when you start to see dimpling in skin. Dry brushing helps to stimulate the lymph which is responsible for ridding your body of waste so that it can naturally flush these toxins out of your body.
Benefit: Prevents Bumps
How it works: Ingrown hairs and keratosis pilaris (the little bumps you might find on your skin, usually the back of the arms) form because a build-up of dead skin cells has formed a block over pores which create a pimple and the hair can’t break through, so it either grows along the skin or does a u-turn, which is when you can get an infection. Dry brushing physically removes these dead skin cells without scratching at skin, to keep pores as clear as possible.
Top Tip: Brush first and shower after to cleanse flaky dead skin cells immediately off the skin and stop them from resettling in pores.
Benefit: Get Your Complexion Glowing
How it works: By removing dead skin cells and boosting circulation, skin looks brighter and more youthful as a result. Even though you only brush you body, the results actually show on your face, too, thanks to the detoxifying effects.
Top Tip: Our ELEMIS Body Detox Skin Brush comes with a white bag – hang it where you can see it so you don’t forget to use it morning and night (simple, but v. effective)!
Benefit: Feel Energised
How it works: By boosting circulation and getting our blood pumping, dry body brushing can help us feel more awake – making it the perfect morning ritual to start your day feeling energised and invigorated.
How to Dry Brush
Follow these steps to unveil smooth, radiant skin from head to toe.
1. Brush towards your heart in an upwards direction. When brushing your stomach, work in a clockwise circular motion – this will help to encourage the flow of digestion.
2. If you’re new to body brushing, the bristles can feel a little rough. As soon as you’ve finished an area, smooth your hand over the skin for an instant calming sensation.
3. Go over each area three times – ideally do this twice a day for 3-5 minutes.
4. Moving in an upwards direction can help reduce water retention, draining away excess fluid for a smoother appearance.
5. Focus on areas where you get ingrown hairs – body brushing will help to tackle and reduce blocked follicles.
Your Body Brushing Essentials
The tool: ELEMIS Body Detox Skin Brush
The perfect partner: ELEMIS Cellutox Active Body Oil.
The finishing touch: Frangipani Monoi Body Cream & Frangipani Monoi Body Oil