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The skincare ritual of dry brushing began in Ayurvedic medicine – a healing system practiced in India for hundreds of years. This practice encourages natural healing therapies that create balance between the body, spirit, mind, and environment. Learning how to dry brush the face and body may be beneficial if you feel off-balanced at any point in your life.Â
For anyone interested in learning more about dry brushing and its benefits, keep reading! Although these techniques began in ancient times and rituals, there aren’t rules or conditions on who can start dry brushing their face and body today.
- What is dry brushing?
- What are the benefits of dry brushing the face and body?
- What to do before and after dry brushing
- Risks of dry brushing the face
- How to dry brush my face correctly?
- Other ingredients to apply after dry brushing the face
- Are dry brushing and gua sha the same?
- Final thoughts
What is dry brushing AND HOW TO DRY BRUSH?
Dry brushing is an ancient skincare ritual that uses a brush with firm bristles to exfoliate the skin. Dry brushing face promotes soft skin, improves blood circulation, and prevents breakouts.
Additionally, you can dry brush the face and body to maximize the benefits of this treatment! Due to dry brushing techniques becoming increasingly popular, it is best to research thoroughly to learn how to dry brush and use the right products. Not surprisingly, if you are looking for a healthy vegan brush to start your dry brushing journey, it is best to opt for a plant-derived brush.
Nylon bristles typically make up synthetic brushes. Plant-based brushes derive from vegetable, agave, or cactus plants. On the other hand, dry brushes that are not cruelty-free or vegan can contain hog, goat, or horse hair, so research carefully before buying!
An important thing to note is that different dry brushes have different bristle firmness, depending on what materials the brushes come from. The firmness of the bristles varies for different skin types – dry and dehydrated skin may need a different (softer) brush than normal or oily skin type.
What are the benefits of dry brushing the face and body?
A few benefits of face dry brushing include improving blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, exfoliating the skin, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Your face may become red after dry brushing due to enhanced blood flow to the areas you are brushing. Furthermore, by increasing blood circulation in the face, dry brushing face promotes clear skin, free of impurities.
In addition, dry brushing improves and increases lymphatic drainage. If your lymph nodes in the face do not drain out entirely, it leads to swelling and puffiness of your face.
Dry brushing exfoliates the skin as well. If your skin is dry or flaky, it can lead to clogged pores. By dry brushing, you’ll remove dead skin cells and prevent acne in the process. Furthermore, exfoliation helps promote collagen production, thus improving the appearance of glowing skin.
Lastly, dry brushing of the face reduces fine lines. Unlike ingredients like glycolic acid, chemical peels, retinoids or retinol, dry brushing may not work as strongly. But facial dry brushing still mildly exfoliates the skin, thus helping to reduce fine lines and crows feet.
It is a good idea to add vegan retinol and vitamin C serum to your skin routine after dry brushing. Always choose clean skincare ingredients, that will not irritate your skin. Plant Mother’s vegan retinol and vitamin C serums are 100% organic, making them the perfect healthy duo to add to your routine after dry brushing.
What to do before and after dry brushing the face
A few tips before and after dry brushing the face include making sure your face is completely dry before starting. The timing of dry brushing is essential as well. The best time to dry brush is right before washing your face to cleanse your face of dead skin cells efficiently.Â
After dry brushing, it is best to rinse your face with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser to remove any remaining dead skin cells. After cleansing, the next step is to apply serum to your face and neck to maximize the benefits of dry brushing. This is the time when your skin will quickly absorb the nutrients from the serum because of increased blood circulation.
As stated above, applying vegan and natural serums like Plant Mother’s retinol and vitamin C works amazingly with dry brushing! Containing over 200 natural botanicals, including Kakadu plum, hibiscus, sea buckthorn, maracuja, and bakuchiol, they are gentle and effective on the skin. These face serums do not cause any redness, dryness, or irritation commonly associated with synthetic retinols or vitamin C serums.
Lastly, it is crucial to apply sunscreen, especially biodegradable sunscreen. Using organic sunscreen with natural ingredients protects your skin from sun damage and also protects the environment. Biodegradable sunscreens are safe for all ages and skin types without damaging coral reefs and are not toxic to animals and marine life.
Risks of dry brushing the face
There are a few risks associated with dry brushing your face. Limiting dry brushing to 1-2 times a week is best to avoid skin irritation. Those with sensitive skin should dry brush once every few weeks.
Moreover, those who have skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, rosacea, psoriasis, and  eczema should consult their doctor before beginning dry brushing techniques. Dry brushing may make these skin conditions worse rather than improve them.
How to dry brush my face correctly?
So, how do you dry brush properly? First, you must find and use the right tool for your skin. Using the right dry brush regarding what materials it’s made up from and how firm the bristles are is essential.
Moreover, there are different brush sizes and bristle firmness when it comes to dry brushing the body versus the face. To avoid skin irritations and acne, it is best to use two brushes – one for the face and one for the body.
The next tip is to start at the top of your face and slowly move toward your heart. Use a gentle circular motion on the forehead, nose, and temples. Next, use outward strokes along the cheeks towards your hair and ears, going down the neck.
Thirdly, to properly dry brush, apply gentle pressure with deliberate and slow brushstrokes. Avoid brushing too harshly or too fast not to damage or irritate your skin.
Additional tips on how to dry brush properly
The fourth tip is to apply serum or moisturizer after cleansing your face. If you have dehydrated skin, keep your skin damp while applying moisturizer to hydrate the skin. In addition, combine hydrating ingredients like noncomedogenic face oil, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide serum into your moisturizing routine.
Lastly, applying sunscreen is most important when dry brushing the face. Dry brushing leaves your skin especially sensitive, thus making it a priority to apply biodegradable sunscreen. Not only that, but wearing sunscreen daily prevents crepey skin, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation.
Are dry brushing and gua sha similar?
A question: are dry brushing and using gua sha tools similar? Well, they are similar in their benefits, but they have their differences too.
First and foremost, gua sha originates from traditional Chinese medicine and is a technique that helps distribute “qi” (pronounced “chi”), or energy, around the body. Gua sha techniques assist energy flow through the body.
Typically, gua sha is a rose quartz or jade stone we use to scrape and massage the skin. A few benefits of gua sha, similar to dry brushing, include increased blood flow, lymphatic drainage, encouraged collagen production, and promoted healing. Gua sha can also reduce anxiety, insomnia, migraines, and neck pain.
As a bonus, you may apply face oils and serums to use with gua sha. As we explained above, Plant Mother’s vegan retinol and vitamin C serums are beneficial additions to any routine, mainly used alongside gua sha or after dry brushing rituals.
HOW TO DRY BRUSH - Summary
- Dry brushing originated in India as a technique to calm the mind, body, and spirit through natural remedies.
- Dry brushing techniques increase blood flow in the face and body, exfoliate the skin, and help prevent acne. Due to this chemical-free and inexpensive technique, anyone who wants to help balance their energy is welcome to practice this treatment!
- When brushing any part of your face or body, it is vital to ensure the skin is completely dry. This will help stimulate the skin and easily exfoliate dead skin cells or flakes on the surface.
- Applying serums and moisturizers is essential after dry brushing and cleansing – check out Plant Mother’s products that are gentle and effective for even the most sensitive skin.
- Finally, gua sha and dry brushing the face have some similarities and differences. The most significant difference is that dry brushing prevents acne and exfoliates the skin. Gua sha helps to reduce anxiety, tension, and migraines. In contrast, both techniques promote overall energy, healing, and lymphatic drainage.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions.
The publisher of this content does not take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, skincare product, or lifestyle program.
