Why I Started Dry Brushing My Face (And Why You Should Too)
Originally published on Annmarie Gianni All Natural Skincare Blog.
To the novice, dry brushing can seem like some sort of sick joke—coarse bristles on your already dry and delicate winter skin. I don’t blame you for steering clear. But those who swear by dry brushing know that’s not the case.
The actual act of dry brushing is much more soothing and beneficial than the horror story some people imagine it to be. If done correctly, you’ll be hooked on dry brushing as well.
How to dry bush
The best way to dry brush is with a soft-bristled brush and a long handle to easily reach the whole body. Starting at your feet and ankles work the brush in circular motions, then transition to longer strokes up the body while moving up your limbs to your stomach and shoulders.
You always want to brush towards your heart to follow the lymphatic fluid flow of the body, except on your back. When you reach your back you want to brush down from your neck to your cute tushie.
Of course it’s all about your brush choice (we’ll go over this a little later), but with the right brush in hand this practice will help you look smooth and vibrant.
Benefits of dry brushing
Increased blood flow and better circulation
And all that comes with it. By invigorating the skin and drawing more blood towards the areas you brush you may reduce puffiness, inflammation, and even cellulite.
That’s right—cellulite. The dimples you see are caused by toxins in the fat cells, so targeting these areas with more blood flow may help break down unwanted toxins.
Gentle exfoliation
Dry brushing helps remove the dead skin that builds up over time, leaving you with brighter and softer skin. This can also help open your pores to promote healthier hair growth and eliminate ingrown hairs. Another benefit of open and breathable pores is their ability to fully absorb all nutrients.
Nervous system aid
Dry brushing not only feels as good as a mini massage, but it also has the benefits of one. It stimulates and rejuvenates the nervous system by waking up the nerve endings in the skin.
Lymphatic health
By massaging your body in support of your lymphatic system you are helping encourage the discharge of toxins and release of metabolic waste. The lymphatic drainage that occurs will have you feeling renewed.
I found such amazing results dry brushing my body, I started dry brushing my face.
Why I started Dry Brushing My Face
I was hesitant at first because I had been told the skin on our faces is too delicate for deep exfoliation, but if you’re dry brushing correctly you will see beautiful benefits in no time.
Not only do you receive the same effects of body dry brushing, but applying this practice to your face also helps clarify the skin. I focused my dry brushing around my T-zone and other problem areas on my face and I found a reduction in blackheads and pimples.
How to use a facial brush
Here are some tips to maximize the effectiveness of dry brushing your face.
1. Pick the right brush.
When it comes to brush selection you want to have much higher standards than you do with your Saturday night tinder swipes. You absolutely want a softer brush than what you would use on your body and there are a lot of viable options out there. I went through many brushes before I found my favorite, the Annmarie Bamboo Face Brush.
This brush is advertised as an applicator for facial cleansers as well as an exfoliator, but I found that it works perfect for the alternative use of dry brushing. The velvety nylon bristles are gentle enough to protect your sensitive skin, while still doing the job of removing dead cells and polishing your beautiful face.
I was also turned onto this brush because of the eco-friendly and sustainable bamboo handle. It’s always nice to feel good, while looking good.
2. Wash your face BEFORE dry brushing.
Dry brushing exfoliates your skin and opens your pores, so you want to make sure you don’t have dirt and bacteria sitting on the surface waiting to clog your freshly invigorated skin. You want a clean face to go along with your rejuvenation.
3. Brush with purpose
Just like with the body you want to brush towards the heart. I start with a circular motion all over my face to wake up the cells then I brush down my T-zone, down the sides of my face and down my cheeks towards my chin.
4. Don’t forget the neck
Your neck is part of your face, so don’t forget to show it some love. Brush from chin to chest in long strokes.
5. Properly care for your brush
After you dry brush wash the brush with hot water and let it fully dry before storing it and dry environment. Once or twice a week you can clean it with something stronger if you’d like.
6. Don’t over-do it
I found that if I dry brushed my face too often it started getting a little sensitive. I recommend dry brushing your face two to three times a week. Spread it out and make it ritualistic.
It’s always fun to take time for self-love and when it’s all about something as precious as your face it’s extra fun to diva it up and take your time with it. Spend about two to three minutes loving yourself in the mirror and dry brush away.
The magic of dry brushing
Within one to two dry brushing sessions you should see your skin's appearance brightening and possibly even tightening due to increased blood flow. You will immediately feel softer and more supple.
With time, the appearance of facial blemishes may lessen and hopefully your smile will be bigger and brighter than ever after seeing results.
Do you dry brush your face? Share your experience in the comments below.