Here’s Why You Should Body Brush

If you’ve ever dismissed body brushing as an unessential and occasional addition to your shower routine, you could be missing out on a whole host of benefits.

It stimulates lymph

The biggest advantage of regular body brushing is how effectively it helps to remove bacteria and toxins via the lymph, a colourless fluid in the lymphatic system that helps rid bodily tissues of waste. By stimulating the lymph nodes, dry body brushing also strengthens the immune system and decreases susceptibility to illness. In many people, the lymphatic system can be sluggish thanks to a lack of physical exercise and poor diet, but body brushing is an easy and affordable way to boost your system.

It improves the appearance of your skin

Dry body brushing actively encourages blood flow, bringing freshly oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood right to the skin’s surface, which over time gives skin better tone and elasticity. It also helps better distribute fat deposits under the skin, so while it won’t rid you of cellulite completely, it will help to reduce the appearance of dimpled skin.

It increases energy levels

Improved blood flow is enlivening for not just your body but for your mind as well. Consider a morning session of dry body brushing a wakeup call for your skin as well as your senses.

It’s suitable for sensitive skin

Unlike some physical body scrubs which can be too abrasive for those with sensitive skin, body brushing is an effective and gentle way to promote cell turnover and removal of dead skin. As well as keeping skin smooth, soft and reducing clogged pores and ingrown hairs, regular exfoliation also prepares your skin for better absorption of body products.

How to do it…

Try to body brush first thing in the morning before your shower so that you can rinse away any dead skin afterwards and emerge with smoother, softer and more refreshed skin. Using a firm, natural-bristle brush, start at the ankles and apply a good pressure as you move the brush up your legs. It should feel like you’re doing something but should never hurt. Continue moving up your body and always work with upward strokes towards the heart. Aim to spend between 2-3 minutes on your whole body. For best results repeat daily.