How to Dry Brush: A Step-by-Step Guide

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The benefits of dry brushing and when to do it

Co-authored by Pila Xian and Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD

Last Updated: March 12, 2025 Fact Checked

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What is dry brushing?

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How to Dry Brush

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Benefits

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When Not to Do It

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How Often to Do It

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Cleaning Your Brush

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Video

Dry brushing, also known as gharshana, is the practice of using a brush with stuff bristles on the skin for different health-related purposes. So, how does dry brushing work exactly? And are there any reasons not to do it? If this wellness trend has piqued your interest, keep reading for a comprehensive guide to all the benefits and side effects of dry brushing, including step-by-step instructions on how to do it yourself.

Dry Brushing: An Overview

Dry brushing exfoliates your skin and encourages lymphatic drainage. To do it, get a brush with stiff bristles and use circular motions to swipe over each area a few times. Start at your feet and work your way up your body, applying light pressure on thin skin and more pressure where your skin is thicker.

Section 1 of 6:

What is dry brushing?

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With roots in ancient India, dry brushing was referred to as “gharshana” in Ayurvedic texts, which used raw silk gloves instead of a brush. The process has evolved quite a bit since then, honoring traditional practices with modern tools. The two main purposes of dry brushing are to stimulate and exfoliate. The brushing motion stimulates blood flow, while the brush’s bristles help to shed dead skin cells, leading to relaxation, improved circulation, and a smooth complexion.^{[1]
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Section 2 of 6:

How to Dry Brush

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Choose a dry brush that best suits your needs. Dry brushes are relatively affordable, but selecting the right one for you is key. Brushes with firm bristles should be reserved for areas with thicker skin or problem spots, like cellulite. Think about how often you’d like to use it, as certain bristles, like boar bristles, are more suited for daily use than others. Here are some of the top options for you to consider:^{[2]
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- Best Overall Pick: The goop Beauty Dry Brush features thick bristles with an organic, easy-to-use design that anyone can benefit from.
- Best Budget Pick: The EcoTools Dry Body Brush is only $5 and features a palm-sized brush pad that exfoliates your skin throughly at a low, low cost.
- Best for Cellulite: The ELEMIS Body Detox Skin Brush has a removable handle, perfect for brushing those hard-to-reach problem areas, like the thighs and buttocks.
- Best for Exfoliating: The Esker Dry Brush has natural bristles, excellent for exfoliating. They’re also unlikely to irritate sensitive skin, which is another huge plus.
When dry brushing, you want to cover as much surface area as possible. Begin at the bottom of your soles, brushing the thin skin in small circles, and applying light pressure. The thinner the skin, the lighter the pressure you should apply.^{[3]
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As you move your way up toward your legs and arms, brush in a side-sweeping motion, pushing in the direction of your body’s lymph nodes. There are about 600 lymph nodes in the average person, although every body is slightly different. You can press more firmly in these areas where the skin is bit thicker.^{[4]
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Brush in large circles across your torso. Brushing upwards in a clockwise motion opens up pathways toward your lymph nodes, which in turn reduces bloating and improves your immune system. Start at your lower abdomen and work your way up your chest, back, and shoulders.^{[5]
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- Swipe over each area just few times. The whole process shouldn't take very long.^{[6]
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Hop in the shower to wash off all of the dead skin cells left lingering on the surface of your skin. A shower with cool water can make for a refreshing and rejuvenating experience, while also reducing the risk of irritating your freshly scrubbed skin. Once you're done, you're sure to emerge with a smooth and radiant complexion. ^{[7]
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As the final step to this wellness routine, apply moisturizer or body oil to your scrubbed body.^{[8]
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Ellen Turner
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} This will help soothe any potentially sensitive spots, while giving you with a hydrating glow. A scent-free lotion or oil would work best, as any added chemicals could irritate the skin. Aloe vera or shea butter-based body creams are particularly helpful in sealing in moisture and nutrients.

Section 3 of 6:

Benefits of Dry Brushing

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Lymphatic drainage Dry brushing in the direction of the lymph nodes helps to release the buildup of toxins and alleviate pain, inflammation, and stress. A lymphatic drainage massage involves applying pressure on certain areas of the body to reduce swelling caused by any number of health conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.^{[9]
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- People with pre-existing conditions like heart disease, stroke, and blood clots should not attempt dry brushing with the goal of lymphatic drainage in mind.
- Dry brushing should be coupled with other measures for best results, like wearing compression garments.
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Exfoliation Dry brushing is a great way to exfoliate your skin, remove dead skin cells, and unclog pores. However, exfoliating too often (or too harshly) can irritate your skin, so start slow. There are two types of exfoliation: physical and chemical. Dry brushing is physical exfoliation since you’re literally scrubbing away the dead skin cells. It's a great option to unclog pores and fight dull skin.^{[10]
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- How often your exfoliate mainly depends on the kind of skin you have:
  - If you have normal skin, you can begin by exfoliating 2-3 times a week and see how your skin reacts.
  - If you have oily skin, exfoliating daily is likely to reap many benefits.
  - If you have sensitive skin, try exfoliating once a week and continue if there is no irritation. If your skin is red or tender, exfoliating with a dry brush may not be for you.
Dry brushing increases the flow of blood to the surface of the skin, giving you a glowing complexion. It also sends more blood to your essential organs and muscles, which helps with soreness and improves overall skin health. Increased blood flow is what usually causes the feeling of reinvigoration after a massage, Luckily, your dry brush can save you a pricey trip to the spa!^{[11]
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Using gentle dry brushing techniques can help relieve and manage stress, just like a professional massage would. Dry brushing regularly can become an enjoyable form of self-care as it releases tension and pressure in sensitive areas of the body. The rhythmic motion of the dry brush massage can also work to lightly lull the brusher into a drowsy state before bed, promoting better sleep.^{[12]
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Some people believe that dry brushing can reduce the appearance of cellulite, although there’s no scientific basis for this. It’s more likely that the skin plumps up in response to the dry brush and fills in the “cottage cheese" dimples created by cellulite. Although this doesn’t provide a long-term fix, dry brushing problem areas prior to an event could temporarily provide the desired tight-and-toned look.^{[13]
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Section 4 of 6:

When Not to Dry Brush

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If you have inflamed skin Don’t dry brush along areas of inflamed skin, whether that be a temporary problem due to rash or infection, or part of a more serious condition, like eczema and psoriasis. Applying a dry brush to red, blotchy areas of the skin will only result in skin that's even more irritated, adding insult to injury. It’s important to remember that dry brushing should feel pleasurable, not painful. If it hurts, you shouldn’t continue dry brushing that part of your body.^{[14]
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- Do not dry brush over a sunburn.
- Do not dry brush over bumps, warts, or otherwise raised skin.
The only thing worse than dry brushing on irritated skin is dry brushing over open wounds. The risk of infection is high, and is only even more increased by the fact that dry brushing over sensitive areas could result in micro-tears. Acne-prone skin may lead to small, tiny wounds, so avoid dry brushing during breakouts.^{[15]
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Section 5 of 6:

How Often to Dry Brush

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Start once a week and go from there. Some people can dry brush every day without the risk of irritating or damaging their skin, while others are not so lucky. As a general rule of thumb, you should start by dry brushing once a week and seeing how that goes. If you experience no adverse effects, like pain or inflamed skin, up your dry brushing routine to two times a week. You can continue from there if you start to really notice and enjoy the intended benefits.
- If you know your skin is sensitive but you still want to try your hand at dry brushing, don’t invest in a firm brush just yet. Instead, begin by using a washcloth and monitor how your skin reacts.
- It’s important not to overdo it. Dry brushing aggressively or too frequently can seriously damage your skin.^{[16]
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Section 6 of 6:

How to Clean Your Dry Brush

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Since many dry brushes are made using natural materials, it’s best to match this energy by using natural cleaning solutions. The chemicals you use to clean your brush may ultimately end up on your body, even in trace amounts, so you want to be super careful to avoid additives and irritants.^{[17]
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Soak your brush in a bowl. First, place your brush in a bowl of water. Then, add a few generous drops of tea tree oil, which will help break down dirt and skin particles. Let your brush soak for about 30 minutes. Rinse and repeat weekly. You may notice the bristles of your brush begin to soften over time, which is normal.^{[18]
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- These tools typically have a lifespan of 6-12 months, and if the bristles are falling out, that’s a good sign that it’s time for a new brush. However, some of the more expensive dry brushes can last a lifetime if properly cared for.
Once you’ve soaked and washed your brush, allow it to dry by setting it in a clean, airy place, like on a window ledge. Don’t let it air dry any place where it could get immediately dirty again, like your shower. You also don’t want it to absorb any smells, so the kitchen is also out of the question.^{[19]
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