About a decade ago, dry body brushing was one of the most popular wellness trends at the time. Everyone was talking about it and I was selling so many dry brushes that I could barely keep them in stock. While it might not be the huge trend it was back in the day, the benefits are just as good and it's still one of my favourite wellness practices.

Dry brushing has strong roots in Ayurveda, India's 5,000-year-old traditional health system, where it is known as Garshana. It was traditionally used to stimulate circulation and support lymphatic flow, and today it’s widely appreciated for its exfoliating and skin-smoothing effects.

What the evidence says about dry brushing

Dry brushing has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic tradition to stimulate circulation and support lymphatic flow, and there is some emerging research exploring these benefits. A 2021 study from the University of Sunderland, conducted as part of the BBC1 programme "The Truth About Looking Good", compared dry brushing, exercise, and anti-cellulite cream over five weeks. The dry brushing group showed a 25.8% improvement in the appearance of cellulite, compared to 12.7% for exercise and 14.7% for cream.

Running the firm, natural bristle brush over dry skin also lifts away the flaky surface layer immediately, making it an effective form of physical exfoliation, and helps body oil you apply afterwards absorb more evenly. This is one reason it may help improve the appearance of keratosis pilaris (those small bumps on the backs of the arms and thighs caused by a buildup of keratin in the hair follicles). The firm sweeping motions also encourage blood flow to the surface, which can give the skin a temporary healthy-looking glow.

How to dry brush your body

1. Choose a natural brush. You want firm, natural bristles that will sweep the skin without scratching it. The Hydrea Professional Vegan Dry Body Brush is an excellent option to start with. This is the next generation of the original Hydrea dry brush I was selling back in the day. This version is a lot softer and more comfortable on the skin. It is made from FSC-certified beechwood with a blend of cactus bristles, cut on a curved angle to follow the contour of the body. It's made in the UK and vegan.

2. Brush before you shower. Always brush on completely dry skin. Start at your feet and use long, sweeping strokes upwards towards your heart. When you reach your stomach, use gentle circular motions in a clockwise direction.

3. Adjust your pressure. The brushing should feel firm and invigorating, not scratchy or rough. Be gentler on areas where your skin is thinner, like your chest and neck. You only need to do this for about three to five minutes.

4. Shower and hydrate. Jump straight into the shower to wash away the exfoliated skin cells. While your skin is still damp afterwards, apply a rich body oil to lock in the moisture.

If you have broken skin, sunburn, eczema, or rosacea, it is best to avoid dry brushing over those areas entirely.

The best body oils to use after dry brushing

Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil

If you are dry brushing to help smooth the appearance of dimpled skin, the Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil is a fantastic follow-up. This conditioning plant oil blend is designed to help smooth the appearance of the skin, using birch leaf extract and nourishing plant oils. In a 28-day study, it was shown to leave skin looking 22% firmer and 21% smoother.

Tuttofare Not Your Regular Body Oil

The Tuttofare Not Your Regular Body Oil is a beautiful nutrient-dense tallow and botanical oil with a sweet citrus and cypress scent. It melts into the skin without feeling greasy and contains Australian grass-fed beef tallow, buriti, olive and castor oils, and leaves you smelling like sweet citrus and fresh cypress.

Juniper Anti Ageing Revitalising Body Oil

If you have mature skin, the Juniper Anti Ageing Revitalising Body Oil is perfect. It is a practitioner-grade certified organic botanical blend that helps support skin elasticity and improve the appearance of dryness.

Mukti Red Velvet Body Oil

The Mukti Red Velvet Body Oil is a fast-absorbing dry oil with an elegant finish. It features sustainably sourced lycopene from red tomato seeds and squalane to help replenish moisture and support the skin against environmental stress.

Black Chicken Remedies Love Your Body Oil

The Black Chicken Remedies Love Your Body Oil is a nourishing blend of avocado, rosehip and hazelnut oils. It provides rich daily hydration with the uplifting scent of sandalwood and geranium bourbon.

LAMAV Ayurvedic Body Oil Uplift

The LAMAV Ayurvedic Body Oil Uplift is a rejuvenating blend of blue tansy, ylang ylang and jasmine essential oils, enhanced with ashwagandha, amla and holy basil from their proprietary Ayurvedic Wellness Blend. Like all LAMAV body oils, it is infused over 14 days following traditional Ayurvedic methods.

Vanessa Megan Bio-Omega Body Contouring Oil

The Vanessa Megan Bio-Omega Body Contouring Oil is an award-winning certified organic option that is ideal for areas with stretch marks or scarring. It is a fast-absorbing blend of native Australian boab, pumpkin seed and rosehip oils that leaves the skin feeling soft and nourished.

Dry brushing pairs really well with other Ayurvedic morning rituals. If you have not tried tongue scraping yet, have a read of my blog on the benefits of tongue cleaning. It's a quick 30-second practice and so worth it! I also have a guide on incorporating Ayurveda into your daily routine if you'd like to explore more.