These 3 Incredible Benefits of Dry Brushing Will Make You Reach For a Brush

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Hiya Lovelies:

Quick – what’s the best thing that you can do for your skin on a daily basis? Ok… maybe there isn’t really 1 single answer to that question. There’s lots of skin care options out there, that’s for sure. But I’m super excited to tell you about one of my favourites… dry brushing!

I’m sure it’s no surprise that I love to take care of my skin (I mean, all the homemade face mask options here at mshealthesteem.com are probably a dead give-away, right?) But the benefits of dry brushing go so much much further than simple self care. It packs a serious punch in a few departments, including exfoliation, massage and (my personal favourite) self love and body positivity. How many other skin care regimes can brag that they pack a serious punch in the body love department?

Plus, dry brushing is simple to do (and the brush isn’t overly expensive or hard to find.) It’s basically all win! Your skin does so much for you every single day, so why not love it back with a little dry brushing?

Let’s dive into the skin care and self love benefits of dry brushing (they are so awesome!) And, of course, talk about how you can get started. Check it out:

These 3 Incredible Benefits of Dry Brushing Will Make You Reach For a Brush | Looking for the ultimate addition to your skin care routine? Look no further! A dry brush packs a serious punch, exfoliating your skin and providing a gentle massage. Super bonus - this is a fantastic opportunity for self love and body positivity! Booyah! Click through for the goodness (and a free List of Self Love Affirmations) #skincare #selflove #bodypositivity

Why Should We Do Our Best to Care for Our Skin?

Every warrior needs their sword and shield, and you, gorgeous, are no different. Your skin is your protector, shielding your body from harm and playing an important role in your innate immune system. And looking damn fine while it’s at it, might I add! 

The largest organ, your skin contains approximately 11 miles (seriously, miles) of blood vessels and countless nerve endings. This amazing organ is often in a state of regeneration; you’re shedding 30 000 to 40 000 skin cells per minute right now, amounting to about 9 lbs pounds per year! Gross? Maybe… but also pretty freaking cool! (source)

But unfortunately we aren’t often overly helpful in our skin’s mission to protect us.

I’ve shared this stat before, but it’s so jarring I’m sharing it again. According to the EWG “The average woman uses 12 products containing 168 unique ingredients every day. Men use 6 products daily with 85 unique ingredients, on average… 12.2 million are exposed to ingredients that are known or probable human carcinogens every day through their use of personal care products.”

And if that sounds like a bunch of silly, meaningless stats, it’s really important to remember that some of what we place on our skin can actually passes through and be absorbed into our bloodstream. Think about things like nicotine and birth control patches; those products literally medicate our bodies through our skin.

It’s an important reminder that what we put on our skin and how we treat it is incredibly important. Because some of the products you use may make their way in their too. (source)

Related: Rock Your Skin Care Routine With These 6 Awesome Tips

So, clearly, being mindful of what you put on your skin is huge way to help that gorgeous organ while it works away. But how you treat your skin is general is a big deal and helps a tons! And an easy way to make a big impact is with dry brushing!

This magnificent act of self care and self love can make a big difference. Let’s take a look look at some of the benefits of dry brushing!

The Super Awesome Benefits of Dry Brushing

These 3 Incredible Benefits of Dry Brushing Will Make You Reach For a Brush | Looking for the ultimate addition to your skin care routine? Look no further! A dry brush packs a serious punch, exfoliating your skin and providing a gentle massage. Super bonus - this is a fantastic opportunity for self love and body positivity! Booyah! Click through for the goodness (and a free List of Self Love Affirmations) #skincare #selflove #bodypositivity

(Me and my Dry Brush BFF <3)

1. The Ultimate Way to Exfoliate

Physically, dry brushing is one of the best way to exfoliate. Your dry brush will loosens up all of those dead skin cells, leaving you feeling lovely and soft. And the act of dry brushing feels A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Honestly, it’s indescribable. It’s the one time I like to pretend I have mad massage skills (I don’t!)

But why does exfoliating even matter? 

Gently brushing away your dead skin cells has a few awesome benefits. You’re looking at goodness like:

  • Preventing your pores from clogging
  • Leaving your skin feeling soft and clean
  • Reducing and preventing blackheads and pimples
  • Causing your pores to appear smaller (you can’t actually change their size – pores simply look larger when they’re all clogged up)

But it’s about more than just looks!

Remember how I mentioned that your skin is shedding about 30 000 to 40 000 skin cells per minute? That’s because it’s in a near-constant state of renewal. And exfoliating helps to speed that awesome process up, creating smoother, healthier skin cells.

Super bonus – this helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration too. Boom! Super easy, super awesome! Are you as psyched as I am? (source)

One of the other skin care benefits of dry brushing is that it may reduce the appearance of cellulite. But it’s important to know that it won’t make it go away. Cellulite is completely natural and occurs in about 90% of women. You aren’t at all abnormal if you have it (I do ;))

In my opinion, self love is the best treatment option for cellulite <3. I know loving it is easier said than done. But don’t worry – we’re going to talk about a way to get started in a minute (and I have a whole article on self love and cellulite for you too if you need it).

Related: The Absolute Best Cellulite Treatment

2. It’s a Gentle Massage

These 3 Incredible Benefits of Dry Brushing Will Make You Reach For a Brush | Looking for the ultimate addition to your skin care routine? Look no further! A dry brush packs a serious punch, exfoliating your skin and providing a gentle massage. Super bonus - this is a fantastic opportunity for self love and body positivity! Booyah! Click through for the goodness (and a free List of Self Love Affirmations) #skincare #selflove #bodypositivity

I wasn’t lying when I said that one of the benefits of dry brushing is that it feels awesome! And there’s a reason for that – it acts as a form of gentle self-massage! In fact, some spas even sell dry brushes so you can get your at home massage on. Because a self-massage (whether it be through a dry brush, a foam roller or your own awesome hands) is beneficial too. (source 1, source 2, source 3)

Self-Massage:

  • May improve immune function
  • Lowers physical and emotional pain (including stress reduction)
  • Improves sleep
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Encourages lymphatic drainage
  • Lessens muscle soreness after a workout

If the idea that self-massage can reduce pain sounds kind of bonkers (I certainly thought so), I’ve got some grade A knowledge for ya! Let’s look a little deeper….

According to Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami:

“Pressure receptors under the skin, when stimulated, increase vagal activity… this is another way pain might be alleviated by massage.” (source)

The vagus nerve is an important part of our nervous system. It plays an important role in autonomic functions like our heart rate, breathing and digestion (kind of a big deal!) And when you increase that awesome vagal activity you end up with a calming effect (kind of like what you get when you meditate). Which explains that awesome stress relief.

And if it seems silly that self-massage could continue to possibly have that effect, think about this: What’s one of the first thing you do when you smack your knee or hit that funny bone. If you’re like me you swear like a sailor (sorry dad!) And then you rub the hurt away. Or should I say massage the hurt away!

Tiffany Field calls this the “gate theory” of pain, a theory that your brain is not capable for fully registering pain when you’re also activating touch receptors. And you know what else activates touch receptors? Self-massage baby! Dry brushing included. (source)

Related: 5 Ways Mindfulness Meditation Supports Your Health And How to Get Started

3. Self Love and Body Positivity

These 3 Incredible Benefits of Dry Brushing Will Make You Reach For a Brush | Looking for the ultimate addition to your skin care routine? Look no further! A dry brush packs a serious punch, exfoliating your skin and providing a gentle massage. Super bonus - this is a fantastic opportunity for self love and body positivity! Booyah! Click through for the goodness (and a free List of Self Love Affirmations) #skincare #selflove #bodypositivity

Self-massage and exfoliation are cool, sure… but I’ve saved the best for last. The self love and body positivity benefits of dry brushing are my absolute favourites!

I mean, how often do you hang out in your birthday suit? How often to you pay attention to your gorgeous body as a whole? Or even focus on key areas with kindness, not insults? Many of us have a bad habit of talking down to our beautiful bodies when we appreciate them in their full glory. And dry brushing is the perfect opportunity to work against that and silence your inner mean girl.

In order to make the most of dry brushing (and spoil all of your gorgeous skin) you gotta get naked. The act of dry brushing really forces you to get in touch with your beautiful body and focus on areas we often hate on, like our tummies, thighs and booties. It’s the perfect opportunity to pay special attention to those areas and appreciate them.

I love to combine this awesome act of self care and self love with positive affirmations.

While you’re dry brushing areas you normally hate on try to speak to yourself with kindness. Use phrases like “I am beautiful”, “I love and honour my body”, “I’m grateful for these gorgeous thighs that grant me the strength to move”, “I accept myself as I am”.

New to positive affirmations? Here’s a free little download that can help:

Is it a little weird at first? Sure! But after a while all this kindness will feel normal, and that’s going to help to change your perceptions about yourself and your relationship with your amazing, life giving body. I mean, look at that beautiful biological masterpiece you call home? Daaaammmmnn, right? 

Related: 8 Ways to Love Yourself Fiercely And Why Your Health Will Totally Thank You

How do you dry brush?

So we know the benefits, but how much effort is involved? Very little my friend! Woohoo! You can easily get your hands on a dry brush at almost any health food store and tons of drug stores. I personally prefer one with a long handle and removable brush, for areas you want to get up close and personal with. Like this one.

If you search around the internet you’ll find a ton of rules that claim that you can only tap into the benefits of dry brushing if you: start at your feet, brush in gentle, circular motions and move up towards the heart. But I’m not a stickler for rules. In my personal opinion – you do you hun! You’re still tapping into all of the goodness!

If back and forth motions feel good then follow that instinct! If circular is where it’s at, that’s awesome! Start at your feet, start at your hands, mix it up. This is you time, do it however you like. You know your body best.

Just make sure to keep it gentle; your skin is sensitive and pressing hard could irritate it. It’s best to avoid your face and other bits and pieces, if you catch my meaning, as they can be extra sensitive. And you can easily work it into your self care routine; I personally prefer to do this in the evening before my bath (yes, I’m an evening bather – breaking the mold!) But you can really make it happen whenever you want to.

Have you tried dry brushing before? Do you plan to start now? Which benefits of dry brushing are your favourites? Let me know your thoughts in the comments lovelies.

Health and love and happy skin,

sara-signature

Thought of the day: My body is beautiful and worthy of love.

 

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Sara | Ms. Health-Esteem

Sara Flanagan is a wellness writer and the creator of www.mshealthesteem.com, where she shares her story of being diagnosed with Graves Disease, a chronic autoimmune disease, and empowering herself to do everything she can to thrive in spite of her diagnosis. She writes articles on self-love, acceptance, wellness and nutrition. Join the Health-Esteem Family today and share in the journey.

34 Comments

  1. Reply

    daniellewahlstrom

    June 6, 2018

    I am getting a dry brush today! Thank you for the tips!

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 10, 2018

      I’m so excited for you to give it a go Danielle! You’re so welcome. I hope that you adore it! Get ready for a ton of goodness ^^. Let me know what you think <3

  2. Reply

    Diana

    June 6, 2018

    Thank you for the tips! i needed this!

    xx
    http://www.thedecemberdame.com

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 10, 2018

      I’m so happy you enjoyed them Diana! Thank you <3. Wishing you well :)

  3. Reply

    Dani

    June 6, 2018

    Thanks for sharing how important this is. I’m happy to try this and see the results. Very informative and helpful.

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 10, 2018

      I’m so happy you enjoyed it Dani! That makes my day! It’s so amazing how much goodness dry brushing has to offer, eh? I had a lot of fun researching this one. Have you ever tried it before? If not, I really hope that you give it a go <3. Wishing you a wonderful day!

  4. Reply

    Courtney Miskell

    June 6, 2018

    I have a dry brush exactly like the one in your photo! And I try to use it once a week but it’s more like once a month lol . You’ve inspired me to go back to trying at LEAST once a week. We should start an accountability group where we encourage each other to do it more often hahaha Thanks for this post!! 🙂 . P.S. I love your blog and totally signed up for your newsletter 😀

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 10, 2018

      Isn’t it the best dry brush? I adore it! I had a smaller one when I started with a handle that didn’t detach and it just wasn’t right. So happy I found this one ^^.

      And I completely understand letting things fall to the wayside. Sometimes things fall on the back burner and that’s ok!But I hope that you have the opportunity to give it a go a bit more often. It really does feel amazing, doesn’t it! I think it would be so fun to create a self care accountability group ^^. Might be an idea for the future! I have a free self care planner if you need one in the meantime https://mshealthesteem.com/self-care-planner/ <3 Thank you a ton for joining the tribe! Keep in touch darling. Have a beautiful day!

  5. Reply

    Jessica from The Fit Train

    June 6, 2018

    I absolutely love dry brushing!! Great article.

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 10, 2018

      It’s absolutely amazing! I’m so glad that you enjoy it too Jessica! Thank you tons <3

  6. Reply

    Jamie

    June 6, 2018

    I love hearing about dry brushing and I’m wondering why I haven’t jumped on board (probably because I don’t even always have five minutes before my shower- sigh). But, I think it’s time I make time- it just sounds amazing and so good for you! great read and you’ve got me convinced <3 Jamie

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 10, 2018

      I’m so excited for you! I can’t wait for your brush to find you <3. I hope that you adore it hun! Even if you only get the chance to do it once a week or even once a month you're still going to get a ton of goodness out of it. Wishing you a beautiful day darling! ^^ Let me know what you think!

  7. Reply

    Laura

    June 6, 2018

    Hey Sara! Thank you for sharing this. I have always been particular about my skin. I exfoliate and lotion up constantly! I am going to go get a brush!!! Probably a lot more inexpensive than buying scrubs all the time!! Thank you!!

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 10, 2018

      That’s so awesome to hear Laura! It really is amazing at exfoliating. Your skin is going to feel incredibly soft. And there’s so much more goodness to be had! And it feels flipping amazing xD. I’d love to hear what you think :). I hope that you adore it as much as I do ^^. Wishing you a wonderful day!

  8. Reply

    Mr. MM2K make money 2000

    June 10, 2018

    That sounds really nice. I will share these tips with my girlfriend

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 10, 2018

      Thank you! I hope that she really enjoys it :). It’s great for guys too – we all have skin after all. So don’t be afraid to try it out yourself if you’re interested ^^

  9. Reply

    Jamie

    June 10, 2018

    I’m really excited to try this!

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 10, 2018

      I’m so excited for you <3. Hope you enjoy it tons sweetheart ^^

  10. Reply

    Katarina

    June 10, 2018

    Never tried dry brushing but it sounds lovely!

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 10, 2018

      Oh I hope you get the chance to try it Katarina! It’s really such an awesome form of self care. Combining skin care, self love and body positivity all into one awesome package. ♡ I think you would adore it!

  11. Reply

    Maryann

    June 10, 2018

    I never tried but I’ve heard so many benefits of dry brushing!! I definitely need to try it! Thanks for showing me different ways to take care of my body ❤️

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 10, 2018

      I really hope you get the chance to try it darling! It’s so lovely. And feels amazing! Plus, there are some pretty awesome health bonuses, as you can see ;). I’d love to hear what you think! Thank you for all of the awesome inspiration you share everyday too hun.

  12. Reply

    Angela

    June 10, 2018

    Dry brushing is AMAZING! Feels so cleansing, thank you for the reminder to stay more consistent with it. Namaste?

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 10, 2018

      You’re so welcome Angela! I’m happy you enjoy it too. It really does feel amazing ?. Hope you treat yourself to some time with your dry brush soon ?

  13. Reply

    Mama Doc

    June 10, 2018

    I love dry brushing! Have been doing it daily for years. I think it is also great for skin circulation and lymphatics.

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 15, 2018

      It’s so awesome, isn’t it! And you’re absolutely right. The self-massage aspect of dry brushing helps to encourage lymphatic drainage. Isn’t that awesome! I’m really glad you have this wonderful, go-to self care activity to tap into on the regular Michelle. It’s too good to miss out on :).

  14. Reply

    Emily

    June 12, 2018

    One of my addiction is back scratches, its comforting for me. Seeing . the brush that you use, for sure that can also provide a good scratching that I need. Now back to “brushing” being a lover of scratching, it’s worth trying and I can see that I might enjoy it.

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 15, 2018

      I’d love to hear what you think if you give it a try Emily! It does feel amazing. Not necessarily scratchy (you definitely don’t want to press too hard and irritate the skin) but absolutely wonderful. And you may even prefer back and forth motions as opposed to circular – it might feel a bit closer to scratching (just a guess). Let me know how it goes! I’m really excited to hear if it’s exactly what you’re looking for 🙂

  15. Reply

    Mel @ Melsmoneymindset.com

    June 12, 2018

    I know the benefits of dry brushing (I used to do it regularly) and I even have a brand new one sat in my bathroom doing nothing, so why am I not doing it?! As my skin gets older I really need to do this as I’m starting to get dead skin and my skin just doesn’t feel as nice as it used to, so I am starting again this week! Thanks for the nudge 🙂

    • Reply

      Sara

      June 15, 2018

      Sometimes things fall to the back burned and that’s ok! We can’t always do everything <3. But I'm really glad you'll be getting back into it Mel! It's absolutely wonderful for your skin and such a great form of self care. I hope your skin is feeling happier and healthier in no time and that you adore getting back into it! Wishing you well as you hop back onto the dry brushing train :)

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