Everyone wants gorgeous looking skin, especially in the summer when we are showcasing more of our body than usual in our swimsuits, shorts and strapless dresses.

But only a few of us are blessed with perfect skin.

Are you? I know I am not.

But there are several ways to help you look after your skin and body. One of the easiest and fastest ways must be dry body brushing.

WHAT IS DRY BODY BRUSHING?

Dry body brushing is a way of exfoliating and massaging your skin. A dry brush is moved up and down the body in a combination of strokes and circular motions, depending on the area of your body.

BENEFITS OF BODY BRUSHING

There are plenty of benefits associated to body brushing and I can confirm experiencing some myself, such as skin toning and a slight reduction in cellulite appearance.

I love using my dry brush in the morning before I get dressed and it definitely improves the appearance of my skin.

Benefits include:

• Removal of dead skin cells
• Unclogging of pores
• Circulation boost
• Reduction of ingrown hairs
• Skin softening and toning
• Reduction in the appearance of cellulite
• Stimulation of lymphatic system, which helps to rid the body of toxins
• Helps moisturisers to penetrate the skin better and deeper to work more effectively

You only need one item for dry body brushing and that is of course your body brush. No fancy or expensive creams are required. No extra nonsense.

An extra bonus of body brushing is it being environmental friendly. You are not contributing to plastic waste and lots of brushes are sourced from certified and responsible providers. You can use the brush over and over again and it will last you for years and years.

My body brush is from Botanics that I bought from Boots, who work together with the FSC. Their brushes use FSC certified wood and paper. FSC is the Forest Stewardship Council and promotes sustainable forest management.

Moreover, body brushing might be a good alternative to scrubs for people who have sensitive skin. It might be a more gentle way to look after your skin as you are able to adjust the pressure of your brush.

HOW DOES DRY BODY BRUSHING WORK?

Dry body brushing is super simple and anyone can do it.

The best and easiest way might be to be naked or to be in your underwear. This way you can get to and reach all areas of your body that require brushing.

Begin at the soles of your feet and work your way up your legs using upward, short and firm strokes. Brushing should be upwards towards the heart. Why should you brush towards the heart you may ask?

The idea is that by using strokes in the direction of your heart, your body’s lymph flow is actively used. It travels only one way and that is up towards the neck.

Next are the belly and armpits. Here a circular and clockwise motion is preferred as this  follows the course of the intestine. Hence, it may reduce pressure and relax your belly and add digestion.

Ever wandered why we rub our belly when we have a stomach ache? Now you know the answer.

Last but not least our arms. Repeat the brushing technique you used on your legs. Start at the fingertips and work your way up to the shoulders with short and firm strokes towards the heart.

There are a few things to remember when it comes to body brushing:

1. Never brush over the following: eczema, psoriasis, rashes, wounds, sunburns, or irritated and sore skin. Also, some people with very sensitive skin might feel that dry brushing is not for them. If you are unsure, it is probably best to consult your GP.

2. Use the brush gently. Do not press the brush too hard onto your skin as this may harm your skin rather than doing it any good. You may scratch your skin or irritate it by doing so.

3. You know your skin so adjust the pressure of your brush depending on the sensitivity of your skin. Also, some areas of your body such as the armpits or decollete and neck might be more delicate. Therefore, adjust the pressure of your strokes in those areas.

HOW OFTEN AND HOW LONG SHOULD I BODY BRUSH?

As with any exfoliation, it is recommended to body brush two to three times a week.

It is up to you how much time and effort you want to spend on your routine. It takes on average around 5 min to body brush your entire body.

As with so many things remember that consistency is key. If you want to reap the benefits, you need to body brush a few times a week, every week.

POST DRY BODY BRUSHING CARE

If you do have the time it is recommended to follow your body brushing with a shower or bath to get the dead skin cells of.

However, if you do not have time, like me, you do not have to take a shower afterwards. It is not compulsory.

To be perfectly honest with you, I body brush in the mornings, get dressed for work and off I am.

Have you ever given Dry Body Brushing a go? What are your tips for beautiful looking skin?