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The Benefits of Dry Facial Brushing
Unlock the secret to glowing skin
Everyone dreams of having glowing, radiant skin –why wouldn’t we? Glowing skin not only gives you an amazing look but also boosts your confidence in the process. But getting great-looking skin isn’t as hard as you think. The secret to achieving healthy glowing skin may be hidden in the practice of Dry Facial Brushing.
Essentially, dry facial brushing is done by taking a soft brush and gently brushing your face in small circular motions for several minutes. Known to have numerous benefits for the skin, ranging from improved cell turnover to detoxification. If you’re looking for a simple, natural way to achieve beautiful, glowing skin, Dry Facial Brushing is the answer. Read on to learn more about the amazing benefits of this ancient beauty ritual.
What is Dry Facial Brushing?
Dry Facial Brushing is a beauty ritual which has been around for centuries and is seeing a resurgence for good reason. This ancient beauty practice can help to reduce inflammation, unclog pores, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, making it a powerful tool for anyone looking to achieve glowing skin. It’s a simple but powerful way to exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells, leaving skin looking brighter and feeling softer. By using a soft-bristled brush, typically made of natural bristles, you gently sweep the face, neck, and décolletage in an upward motion buffing the skin and stimulating circulation.
The Benefits of Dry Facial Brushing
This simple and easy-to-do technique has multiple benefits and can help promote healthy skin. Here are some of the major benefits of dry facial brushing:
1. Boosts Circulation: Dry facial brushing helps improve circulation, which can boost overall skin health. By stimulating your circulation, dry facial brushing helps oxygenate your skin cells, promoting cellular turnover and helping to flush away toxins from your skin.
2. Exfoliates Skin: Dry facial brushing helps to exfoliate your skin and remove dead skin cells, helping to keep your skin looking smooth and vibrant. The soft bristles of the brush help to deep clean the pores and remove any impurities that can cause breakouts.
3. Reduces Acne: Dry facial brushing is especially beneficial for those with acne-prone skin, as it helps to reduce inflammation and blemishes.
4. Boost the Efficacy of Your Skincare: By helping to remove the build-up of dirt, oil, and makeup (that can cause breakouts and blackheads) our skin also has the ability to better absorb our daily skincare products, allowing them to work at their maximum effectiveness.
5. Reduces Puffiness: Dry facial brushing helps to reduce puffiness in the face by helping to eliminate toxins out of the body. This helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles and wrinkles, as well as working to improve the skin’s overall look and feel.
6. Rejuvenates Skin: Dry facial brushing not only helps to exfoliate the skin, but it also helps to rejuvenate the skin. The gentle buffing encourages new skin cells to the surface which in turn works to stimulate elastin and collagen production. Healthy collagen production means our skin looks smooth the skin while feeling firm and more plump.
7. Reduces Stress: Dry facial brushing helps to reduce stress and improve relaxation. The gentle massage-like motions can help to release tension and bring a calming feeling to the body.
Is Dry Facial Brushing Suitable for All Skin Types?
First, let’s look at the different types of skin. Oily skin is characterised by enlarged pores and a greasy shine due to an overproduction of sebum. Dry skin lacks sebum and is characterized by tightness and flakiness. Normal skin is balanced and usually has few imperfections. Combination skin is a combination of all three, often with an oily T-zone and dry cheeks.
In short, dry facial brushing can be beneficial for all skin types. For oily skin, dry facial brushing can help remove excess oil and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. It can also help the skin absorb topical treatments more effectively. For dry skin, facial brushing is beneficial because it helps stimulate the production of natural oils. For normal skin, facial brushing can help to improve circulation and promote a brighter complexion. So dry facial brushing is a great addition to your skincare routine at any age and for all skin types.
How to Choose a Dry Facial Brush
Choosing the right brush for your skin can be a daunting task. Follow our simple tips to selecting the right brush for you skin type.
Choose a brush specifically designed for dry facial brushing that is made with natural bristles and certified or sustainable wood. Avoid synthetic bristles that can scratch rather than buff the skin. Natural bristles are kind and gentle on the skin and because they are softer than synthetic bristles, they are ideal for sensitive skin. Natural bristles are also more absorbent, so they are better at lifting and absorbing oils and dirt.
When looking to the size of the brush it should fit comfortably in your hand, a brush that is too large can be uncomfortable, while a brush that is too small can be difficult to use. Choosing a facial brush with a handle makes it easier to control the pressure of the brush, which is important for avoiding skin irritation. A handle also allows you to reach difficult areas such as the corners of your nose and the creases of your mouth.
Hydrea London offers a range of sustainable body brushes including our much loved favourite; the Olive Wood Facial Brush. Carved from strong Mediterranean Olive wood, which boasts a unique distinctive grain and rich depth of colour and with water resistant qualities and ergonomic design this brush looks beautiful in the bathroom as well as being great to use. The super soft pure goat’s hair bristle is perfect for cleansing the pores while providing a soothing facial massage and this dual-purpose brush can be used wet with your favourite cleansing product or dry for brushing the face. The gentle natural bristles make this brush perfect for all skin types including for those just starting out dry facial brushing.
HYDREA LONDON Olive Wood Facial Brush
How to Dry Facial Brush
Once you’ve got the right brush, it’s time to start your dry facial brushing routine. Many facial brushes can be used wet or dry, with the same benefits.
1.Cleanse: ensure your skin is makeup free and freshly cleansed. Cleanse with a gentle natural face cleanser that leaves the skin hydrated and balanced. The Dr. Alkaitis Organic Purifying Facial Cleanser strengthens your skin while balancing and restoring the skin’s natural pH-balance. We love it as it gently cleans deeply and thoroughly and leaves your skin dewy and soft ready for the next skincare steps.
If you have sensitive, mature or dry skin the AMALA Soothe Nourishing Gentle Cleansing Balm is perfect for prepping the skin. This rich balm melts into a milky oil that lifts all traces of makeup, oil and pollution. The soothing and hydrating botanical actives nourish and nurture the skin. This cleanser is even recommended for those with rosacea it is so effective and gentle. It’s perfect to prep the skin for dry facial brushing.
DR ALKAITIS Organic Purifying Facial Cleanser
Creamy facial cleanser
A nutrient rich organic cleanser that strengthens your skin and aims to balance and restore your skin's natural pH-balance. Cleans the skin gently, deeply and thoroughly, removing old skin cells and leaving your skin dewy, soft and refreshed.
Best for: deep cleansing in all skin types.
2. Begin at the neck: Now you are ready to start dry facial brushing. Begin at the base of the neck and work your way up to the forehead. Brush in an upward motion and be gentle, as too much pressure can damage the skin. Massage your face in a circular motion being sure to keep your movements light and be sure not to drag the brush across your skin.
3. Target areas: Focus on the areas that require extra attention. Mine are always the cheeks and jawline as I want to keep the cheeks plump and the jawline defined. Using short, gentle strokes also focus on the areas that collect dirt and oil, such as the nose, chin, and forehead. Massaging your neck and jawline is ideal in helping to reduce tension and the benefits of massage on the neck help to tone the area and keep the crepey skin at bay.
To get the best results, use the brush daily for five to ten minutes and don’t forget to follow with your natural moisturiser after. With consistent practice not only will your skin look healthier and brighter but I’m sure like me, you will look forward to quiet time immersing in a little self care.
How Often Do I Dry Facial Brush
With dry facial brushing becoming increasingly popular there is so much conflicting data on just how often you should be dry facial brushing. So how often should you do it?
The frequency of dry facial brushing depends on several factors, such as skin type and the condition of your skin. Dry facial brushing is a safe and natural practice that can be done on a daily basis but we recommend working up to daily brushing over a three month period. As a guide those with normal skin may dry brush their face 2-3 times a week, while those with dry or sensitive skin may need to do it less often at 1-2 times a week. If your skin is oily or prone to breakouts, you can increase the frequency to 3-4 times a week.
It is important to remember that while dry facial brushing can be beneficial, it should be done with a light touch. If you notice any irritation, you should reduce the frequency or use a softer brush. You skin will appear pink and flushed due to the increased circulation, this is normal. You skin should not feel or look raw or inflamed. Over-brushing can cause irritation or further dry out your skin. When you are dry facial brushing, it is also important to avoid using harsh cleansers or scrubs as these can strip away the skin’s natural protective oils.
Dry facial brushing is a gentle and effective way to improve the health and appearance of your skin and the benefits compound with each practise. So we say stick with it and find the right frequency for your skin type. By following these tips, you can be sure that you choose a brush that works best for your skin type and that you use it correctly.
How to Clean and Care For Your Dry Facial Brush
Just like we keep our muslin face cloths or sea sponges clean, it is essential to keep your dry facial brush clean and cared for. This will help to keep bacteria and dirt from building up in the bristles and spreading to other parts of your face. Here are the key steps for ensuring the longevity of your brush and keeping it in the best condition.
Many dead skin cells are sloughed off during dry brushing and build up in the brush bristles, after each use, tap the brush to remove dead skin debris. However once a week or fortnight depending on use, we recommend washing your brush in warm water as you do your makeup brushes. Here’s how.
1. Cleaning the Brush
Start by running the bristles of the brush under warm water to remove any dirt and debris. Use a mild shampoo or facial cleanser to gently massage the bristles of the brush to remove any remaining dirt or oils. Rinse the brush with warm water until the water runs clear.
2. Air Drying the Brush
Once you have washed the brush, it is important to allow it to dry properly. Start by shaking off any excess water and then lay the brush flat with the bristles facing downwards. Allow the brush to dry completely in an area with good airflow, such as a windowsill or a well-ventilated bathroom.
Avoid leaving the brush in an area that is likely to experience dampness or higher temperatures, as this can lead to the growth of mould and bacteria on the bristles.
3. Storing the Brush
Once the brush is clean and dry, it is important to store your brush in a well-ventilated area with the bristles facing downwards so that the head of the brush does not come in contact with any dirt or debris. This will help to protect the bristles from any dirt and bacteria and ensure the longevity of the brush.
Be sure to replace your facial brush every few months to ensure that it is always clean and free of bacteria. Additionally, only use your facial brush on clean skin, as it can spread dirt and oil to other areas of the face if used on dirty skin.
If used wet for cleansing, drain excess water after use and dry thoroughly away from moisture.
The benefits of dry facial brushing are numerous and far-reaching. Not only can it provide an extra layer of cleansing and exfoliation, but it promotes a natural, glowing complexion and is the perfect compliment to an all-natural skincare regime. Ultimately, dry facial brushing is a simple and cost-effective way to improve the look and feel of your skin. With regular use, you can easily unlock the secret to a radiant and healthy complexion.
Did you know that dry brushing is not just for the face? You can enjoy the benefits of dry brushing all over your body. Check out our full range of body brushes, once you start seeing the benefits we think you’ll be hooked.
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