As we head into the Summer months with renewed energy it’s time to resurrect the morning routine and look to the humble body brush for the answer to summer soft skin and lymphatic massage. 

Say goodbye to winter dryness and hello to a healthy summer glow.

Miranda Kerr and Gwyneth Paltrow are among a long list of wellness advocates who are devoted to dry body brushing. Miranda Kerr in particular has incorporated body brushing into her routine for over ten years declaring it’s “a great way to get the circulation going, remove dead skin cells, aid lymphatic drainage, detoxify your system and keep your skin smooth all over.”

Intrigued? We asked leading dermatologist Dr Ariel Haus for further insight and tips for body brushing at home. 

What is dry body brushing?

Dry body brushing is a method of body exfoliation that has been practiced for centuries in many cultures. The treatment involves buffing dry skin with a special exfoliating brush to remove the top layer of dead skin cells and in turn smoothing its texture.

Dr Haus says: “Daily body brushing, stroking in the direction towards the heart, or a strong-handed massage on the thighs will increase fat dispersion if done on a regular basis.” Dr Haus adds: “Make sure you’re using a quality brush with natural materials.” Synthetic bristles tend to be hard on the skin, so opt for a natural bristle like 

Kent Brushes beech wood body brush.

What are the benefits of dry body brushing?

Not only does body brushing give the body, skin and mind a much-needed boost it’s also great for circulation and blood flow. Dr Haus explains: “Body brushing is good for improving circulation and lymphatic drainage.” Just a couple of minutes a day will promote your lymphatic system, helping your body metabolise toxins more efficiently, discourage fluid retention and cellulite and soften and tone your skin. 

As we grow older, our skin becomes less efficient at shedding layers, but dry body brushing is fantastic at exfoliating these dead skin cells for a brighter complexion. 

That’s not all, regular exfoliation primes your skin to absorb the ingredients from body creams and serums much more effectively. Dr Haus says: “You should always moisturise the skin after body brushing.  I like to recommend products containing at least 10% urea to my patients, as this will penetrate the skin barrier and stimulate collagen production.”

Alongside smooth skin, regular body brushing encourages cell turnover so whether you wax or shave, a quick brush is fantastic at keeping pesky ingrown hairs and clogged pores at bay.

While body brushing wont completely rid your legs of cellulite, it helps mobilise and contribute to the even distribution of fat deposits under the skin – it’s been scientifically proven to give your limbs a much smoother, and firmer, look and feel. In an experiment conducted at the University of Sunderland, a group of women put three popular cellulite treatments to the test. After five weeks, body brushing provided the greatest amount of improvement when compared to toning exercises and cellulite cream.

How to dry body brush

• Just before jumping in the shower or taking a soak in the bath, take your body brush and starting at your feet, brush up your legs in long, soft strokes, towards the heart. 

• Next, use the brush in circular motions on your stomach. 

• Brush arms in long upward strokes.

• Do your chest in circular motions. 

• Spend between three to five minutes before washing away the dead skin cells. 

And remember, consistency is key. 

Dr Ariel Haus www.drhausdermatology.com

Dodou, K. (2017). University of Sunderland Five Week Trial of Three Different Cellulite Treatments. 

Supported by scientific research outlined in an experiment conducted at the University of Sunderland, where a group of women were assigned to follow one of three popular cellulite treatments for a period of 5 weeks. Surprisingly, the women who took on daily exercise routines saw an 11% improvement on their cellulite appearance, those who applied caffeine cream saw a 15% improvement while the remaining participants performed daily dry brushing which resulted in a 26% improvement.

Our Top 3

We’ve compiled our Top 3 body Brushes available for you to shop online and instore now.

1. Ayurvedic Dry Body Brush £17.50

Vegan and sustainably produced, this walnut wood and cactus sisal fibre body brush is used for the ancient Ayurvedic ritual of Garshana (dry body brushing).

Used to detoxify the body and stimulate lymphatic drainage, this naturally firm fibred brush also enhances blood circulation and softens skin through exfoliation. A practice used for thousands of years, daily dry brushing will release the body’s internal glow and let it radiate from the capillaries with a feeling of warmth and nourishment.

2. Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush With Bag £15.65

An exfoliating body brush which softens skin and helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite

Help in your quest for the elimination of cellulite by brushing your body with this pure natural cactus bristle brush. Dry body brushing daily is a natural way to increase circulation, improves metabolism, eliminates dead skin cells, and helps the body's natural detoxification process.

The natural Cactus bristle enhances this proven skin treatment, that can help to improve the texture and tone of the skin.

3. Hydréa Detox Body Brush £9.50

Gain multiple health and beauty benefits from this one brush. It's a high-quality massage brush, with flexible rubber nodules and natural bristles over a wide surface area. With one sweep of the brush, the lymph and blood flow is stimulated, while the skin is exfoliated and smoothed. Massage in circular movements towards the heart for best results.

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