Dry Brushing/ Exfoliation
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Hello all and welcome to another blog! I thought that I would keep it short(er) and sweet this week because last week’s post was quite the essay. If you haven’t yet, go check out last week’s blog on Beginner’s guide to the gym as I included some tips that I wish I had known when first starting out.
As for this week though, I’d like to touch on the practice of dry brushing and body exfoliation in general. I think the idea is pretty clear from the name but it may be nice to define it anyway.
Dry brushing: Using a firm-bristled brush to gently exfoliate the skin, thus stimulating blood flow and removing dead skin.
As for why it’s important to include this into your weekly regimen, here are some of the benefits of the brush:
Helps detoxify by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph flow and drainage
Unclogs the pores leaving you with smoother, softer skin
May help reduce the risk of cellulite
Stimulates your nervous system, thus leaving you feeling invigorated
Specifically with dry brushing, there are a few things to keep in mind. As a language teacher, I find it helpful to answer the ‘W’ questions (who, what, when, where, *how) when thinking about the practice of dry-brushing:
Who: Anyone interested in benefitting from the items listed above. Those with sensitive skin should keep reading as I will list gentler alternatives
What: Use a firm-bristled brush, and a smaller one, or an exfoliating scrub, for the face.
When/Where: Right before you shower when your skin is dry. You can then wash away any dead skin afterward. It is a bit better to dry brush at night as the scrubbing can leave your skin a bit more sensitive and therefore more susceptible to sunburns. If you typically shower in the mornings then I would recommend applying a high SPF sunscreen before going out. As for how often, 3-4 times a week seems to be safe as any more than that risks leaving your skin raw and sensitive.
*How: Always brush gently and in the direction towards your heart. Do not scrub your skin until its red, but rather use long, consistent strokes making sure to take your time and get every area.
For those of you with sensitive skin, there are a few alternatives to dry brushing I can recommend.
For the face:
1. A gentle face scrub. Combine instant tapioca mix and water in a bowl to form a runny paste. Apply to the face and allow to harden (10-15 minutes), then gently scrub the mask in circles, and finish by washing off with warm water. Pat dry with a towel.
For the body:
1. A sweet sugar scrub. Combine sugar and baby oil in a bowl until a runny paste forms. With your fingers, apply the paste to one area and gently exfoliate. This is best done in the shower as you can easily rinse off the scrub once you’ve done your whole body.
After:
1. If your skin is still red/ irritated after you have finished exfoliating, you can apply some aloe vera or coconut oil to soothe it. These can also be used in the scrubs themselves to take a proactive step against irritation.
So what do you all think, is dry brushing something that you can see adding into your weekly beauty routine? Or do you already practice some sort of exfoliation? I’d like to know what you do/ think about it in the comment section below!
In the meantime, if you have any blog post topic requests please shoot me an email or DM me on Instagram :)
xoxo,
Alexandra
Disclaimer: All material on this website is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.
Originally published on my blog on September 11, 2018