Dry Brushing Your Face – Fad or Not?

Dry brushing is the process of sweeping a brush in gentle circles across your skin, without the use of water. While it is a technique that can be used across the whole body, the method is becoming more popular for use on the face, and so is slightly different as the skin here is much more delicate and sensitive. But should you try it or not?

The technique of dry brushing

Rooted in ancient Ayurvedic tradition, dry brushing has been used as a way to cleanse the skin by cultures from the ancient Greeks through to the Japanese in East Asia.

One of the reasons that it is increasing in popularity is because of its simplicity in materials and effort. With just a brush and a few minutes of your time, mindfully massage upwards from your décolletage in light circles, to achieve smooth skin that’s also more even in appearance. Following the same path as a facial, finish off with a few sweeps down the side of your face and some facial oil.

It’s important to note that the kind of brush you use matters. Dry brushing a sensitive area, like your face, means you need to select a small brush with fine or soft bristles. If you have sensitive skin, like our founder, you may not need a brush at all, and a muslin cloth lathered in your usual face wash may in fact be more suitable and give you healthier results.

The benefits of brushing your face

The benefits of dry brushing range from smoother skin to increased circulation. These may also be achieved in alternative ways, as outlined below:

Increased circulation: Brisk brushing brings the blood up to the surface of your skin and increases circulation. For similar results, pair a Gua sha tool with your favourite face oil to simulate circulation and lymphatic drainage.

Smoother, more even appearance: Dry brushing evenly removes dead skin cells for smoother skin and helps to even out skin tone too. This can also be achieved using a muslin cloth and your normal face wash.

Exfoliation: By removing dead skin cells from the surface of your face, you encourage new skin cells to grow. This helps to build a brighter and more even appearance.

Why it might not be right for you

If you have sensitive skin or skin conditions, such as acne or eczema, dry brushing can irritate your skin rather than support its best health. This can also happen if you brush too hard.

It’s important to note, dry brushing the face isn’t for everyone and while there are benefits, there are also alternatives to achieving similar results. Make sure you consider your skin type and choose a method that’s right for you.

^Sources:

^{https://www.verywellhealth.com/dry-brushing-the-skin-4177763}

^{https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/porter/article-9ce8cf958ed30850/beauty/skin/how-to-dry-brush-your-face}

^{https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-26351/a-5step-guide-to-dry-brushing-your-face-for-brighter-skin.html}

^{https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/beauty/skin/a705602/should-you-be-dry-brushing-your-face/}