Dry Brushing: How to Use a Body Brush
Dry brushing takes three minutes before a shower and leaves skin feeling smooth and awake. Here is how to do it properly, how often, and what to expect.
To dry brush, use a natural-bristle body brush on dry skin before your shower. Start at your feet and use light, long strokes upwards towards your heart, then do your arms from the hands up, and your stomach in gentle circles. Keep the pressure light, spend 2–5 minutes, then shower and moisturise. Two or three times a week is plenty for most skin types.
Dry brushing is exactly what it sounds like: brushing your skin with a firm, dry brush before you get wet. It is a simple exfoliation step that many people enjoy for the smooth feel and the wake-up it gives in the morning. You will also see bold promises online. This guide sticks to the practical side: how to do it, how often, and what it realistically does.
Choosing a body brush
- Natural bristles (such as sisal or cactus fibre) are firm; soft bristles suit sensitive skin.
- A long handle reaches your back; a handheld pad gives more control on legs and arms.
- Firm but not scratchy: press it on the inside of your wrist. It should not leave red marks.
How to dry brush, step by step
- Start with dry skin and a dry brush, before your shower.
- Begin at your feet. Use long, light strokes up the legs, towards your heart.
- Move to your stomach with gentle clockwise circles.
- Do your arms from the hands up to the shoulders.
- Reach your back with a long-handled brush, strokes going up and in.
- Skip the face, broken skin, sunburn, rashes and moles.
- Shower, then apply a moisturiser or body oil while skin is still slightly damp.
How many days a week should you dry brush?
Two or three times a week suits most people. Daily brushing can irritate the skin, especially in summer when skin is already exposed to sun, salt and chlorine. If you have sensitive skin, start once a week.
Is it better to dry brush in the morning or at night?
Most people prefer mornings: the brisk strokes feel energising before a shower. At night, keep it slower and lighter as part of a wind-down routine, perhaps before a spa bath at home. There is no wrong time as long as it is before you get wet.
Do you have to shower after dry brushing?
It is a good idea. A shower rinses off the loosened skin flakes, and moisturising afterwards stops your skin from feeling tight. Brushing in or next to the shower keeps the mess contained: a shower stool makes it easier to reach your feet and legs, and a quick-dry bath mat keeps the floor dry.
Portable Bamboo Shower Stool
Sit to brush your legs and feet, then fold it flat when you are done.
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Swirl Quick-Dry Diatomite Bath Mat
A diatomite mat that dries in minutes, even in a small bathroom.
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Wabi-Sabi Ceramic Soap Dispenser
Keep your body wash and lotion in matching ceramic dispensers.
Shop now →What dry brushing can and cannot do
What it does: it exfoliates, removing dead skin cells so skin feels smoother and body lotion absorbs more evenly. Many people also simply enjoy the sensation and the routine.
What the evidence does not support: popular claims about detoxing, removing cellulite or "boosting" your lymphatic system are not backed by strong scientific evidence. Enjoy it as a skin-care ritual rather than a treatment. If you have eczema, psoriasis or another skin condition, ask your GP or dermatologist first.
How to clean a body brush
Tap the brush out after each use. Once a week, wash the bristles in warm soapy water, rinse and let them dry bristles-down, out of the shower, so the wooden handle does not stay wet.
Brush, shower, breathe.
Shower stools, quick-dry mats and ceramic dispensers for a calmer daily routine.
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FAQs
Is there a proper way to dry brush your body?
Yes: use a dry brush on dry skin before showering, with light, long strokes from the feet upwards and from the hands to the shoulders, then shower and moisturise.
How many days a week should I dry brush?
Two or three times a week suits most people. Start with once a week if your skin is sensitive.
Is it better to dry brush at night or in the morning?
Either works. Mornings feel energising; at night, use lighter strokes as part of a slower routine.
Do I have to shower immediately after dry brushing?
It is best to, to rinse off loosened skin, then moisturise while your skin is still slightly damp.
Does dry brushing get rid of cellulite?
There is no strong evidence that it does. It exfoliates and leaves skin feeling smoother, which is why many people enjoy it.
