Taylor Swift suggested we shake it off, but maybe we should all be brushing it off instead.
That's what proponents of dry brushing would have you believe, at least. While the trendy technique has been around for thousands of years, it has—like so many things—enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the social media era, part of the self-care-meets-skincare scene. It's been touted as a panacea for everything from cellulite to puffiness to dryness, one that requires just a simple tool.
So, what exactly is it? “Dry brushing is a technique that utilizes a dry, coarse-bristled brush to literally brush the skin, helping to stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage and remove dead skin cells,” explains Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto. It’s usually done before showering—hence the dry part—and on the body (although you can do it on your face if you're careful; more on that below).
Meet the experts: Geeta Yadav, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto. Cecily Braden, is an aesthetician and founder of Cecily Braden Spa & Wellness and The Lymphatic Brush. Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York and New Jersey.
But SkinTok enthusiasm aside, is dry brushing legit? And how exactly do you do it? We talked to dermatologists to get the dry brush download.
What are the benefits of dry brushing?
First and foremost, dry brushing is about exfoliation—the physical removal of dead cells. “This promotes clearer, brighter, smoother-looking skin with a more even texture and tone,” Dr. Yadav explains. “It can also help prevent ingrown hairs and breakouts by clearing away the dead skin cells that block the hair follicle or pore.” Devotees also claim it can improve the appearance of cellulite (sort of like the fascia blasting trend), and while one study found that using a vibrational massage tool did, in fact, visually improve cellulite in the thighs of female subjects, it's tough to say dry brushing would have the same effect. It's possible, though.
Dry brushing is also thought to increases circulation, allowing more blood flow, with its nutrients and oxygen, to get into the cells, notes aesthetician Cecily Braden, founder of Cecily Braden Spa & Wellness and The Lymphatic Brush. Then there’s the topic of lymphatic drainage. Dry brushing can impact the lymphatic system, says Braden, but it’s more of an indirect effect—the increased circulation helps to activate the lymphatic system so that it can better remove waste from the cells and tissue, she explains. Still, Braden asserts this is why dry brushing is an effective way to help combat puffiness—and why many people report generally feeling “lighter” after they dry brush. It's important to note however, that there is not research to support any of these claims.
Finally, there are some mental health benefits, too. “Dry brushing’s rhythmic movements activate the parasympathetic nervous system, sending calming messages from the touch receptors on our skin to our central nervous system,” says Braden. And science does support this: Research shows that regular massage releases endorphins and serotonin, helping recipients feel less depressed afterward. For this reason, it’s a smart addition to your self-care line-up, particularly on days when you’re feeling a little extra stressed. (Who isn’t these days?)
Who should try dry brushing?
When it comes to lymphatic drainage and circulation boosts, the jury's still out. But consider dry brushing if you want to improve your skin's texture or give yourself some healing self-care, advises Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York and New Jersey. The big caveat? This only applies if you have normal, healthy skin. “People with conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or generally sensitive skin should avoid it,” she says. Dr. Yadav agrees: “Dry brushing can be more abrasive than other methods of physical exfoliation, especially if your skin tends to be more reactive.”
How do you dry brush?
Haphazardly running the brush across your bod isn’t going to cut it. Proper technique is paramount. Grab your brush and begin with your arms. The golden rule: Move upward in short strokes that gradually get longer. Braden says to start close to your armpit, keeping the brush strokes short. Slowly lengthen them until you’re moving all the way from your elbow to your armpit. Repeat on the lower half of your arm, starting at the elbow, and gradually moving from wrist to elbow. Do the same entire process on the other arm.
Move onto your stomach next. She recommends brushing upward, again, starting with short, overlapping strokes, before moving onto longer ones. You can also do some circular motions, both left and right. Then, finish with the legs. Start at the crease in your groin, moving down to the knee. Then start at the knee, and keep extending the strokes until you’re going all the way from ankle to knee. It should only take you about 10 minutes to dry brush your entire body, says Braden.
But what about dry brushing your face? It's a pass. “The skin on the body is thicker than on your face and can better tolerate the coarse, abrasive bristles of the brush,” says Dr. Yadev. “I wouldn’t recommend dry brushing your face when we have so many other facial exfoliation options to choose from.” If you’re dead set on trying it, Dr. Garshick advises choosing a softer brush (look for dry brushes labeled specifically for the face) and moving in small, circular motions, always avoiding the delicate eye area.
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The common dry brushing mistakes.
We told you about the technique tricks you should try, but what about the pitfalls to avoid? There are some. Here's what you need to know, say our experts:
- Don't dry brush too often. Even though dry brushing appears as a daily habit in many DITL social media videos, there’s really no need for this kind of regularity. “It can be too much for the skin,” cautions Braden, who says one to three times per week is a good guideline. Dr. Garshick agrees, noting that this schedule ensures you don’t over-exfoliate and wind up irritating your skin.
- Avoid applying too much pressure. Dry brushes are meant to feel coarse and somewhat scratchy; the bristles are doing the hard work for you. As such, you really don’t need to push hard at all. Braden advises moving the brush very gently, keeping the strokes horizontal and sweeping, rather than flicking or tapping.
- Please, don't assume your brush is clean. Yep, just like your makeup brushes, this brush also requires regular washing in order to mitigate the build-up of bacteria. According to Dr. Yadav, once a week or even every other week is ideal. Simply wash it with warm water and any mild soap, then let it dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated area.
So, to brush or not to brush, that is the question. As you can see, there are no hard-and-fast rules here, but this trend is one that's worth trying, IMO. I wouldn't expect miracles, of course, but if smoother, softer skin is on your summer beauty bingo card, brush away.
Melanie Rud
Freelance Writer
Melanie Rud is a beauty writer and editor with over 15 years of experience in the industry covering skincare, makeup, hair, and more. Her work has appeared in Shape, Real Simple, Byrdie, In Style, RealSelf, Good Housekeeping, PopSugar, and multiple other print and digital outlets. Additionally, she works as a personal beauty coach and also offers consulting services for beauty companies.
Reviewed byBrian Underwood
Beauty Director
Brian Underwood is beauty director at Women’s Health, where he oversees content strategy for the brand across all platforms, including digital, print, and social. Underwood previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and O, The Oprah Magazine. During his tenure leading beauty content for the Oprah brand at Hearst, stories Underwood commissioned were awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Award and a Fragrance Award for Editorial Excellence (his second). He was the launch Beauty Director of Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE, and has held additional editorial positions at Fitness, Organic Style, Good Housekeeping, Life & Style Weekly, and Woman’s Day and has written for Self, Shape, Seventeen, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and many more. Underwood previously served on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and as partnerships director of the Trans Beauty Clinic, a New York-based charitable organization that provided beauty services and workshops to the city’s trans community.