The How’s & Why’s of Dry Brushing Your Skin

It just takes a few moments to brush your skin before your bath or shower, and you are sure to be surprised at the benefits your body will reap from this simple, enjoyable, very inexpensive practice.

When you dry brush your skin it gives you a great many benefits. First, it exfoliates your skin. Properly exfoliated skin is less prone to breaking out and is much softer to the touch. When your skin is well-exfoliated, it has a youthful glow.

Your skin is the biggest part of you! While this may be hard to believe, it is true. The skin is hard at work constantly processing toxins and taking in nutrients. In fact, the skin is as important as the kidneys in performing this function. A quick daily brushing makes it more capable of flushing toxins out of your system via perspiration. Additionally, it makes it better able to absorb nutritional oils and other treatments you apply. Brushing stimulates your lymphatic system and helps keep your urinary tract functioning properly. All-in-all, brushing is a great way to keep your whole body healthy.

To dry brush your skin, you will want to have a brush with natural bristles. Choose the stiffness or softness that feels best to you, or have a collection of brushes, loofahs and so on to experiment with. The main thing to remember in dry brushing your skin is to always work toward the heart. This benefits the circulation and the lymphatic system. If you have an area of damaged or irritated skin, avoid it until it has healed.

So, start with your feet, rubbing the bottoms in a circular motion with a small brush. When you’ve had enough of that, brush lightly from the tops of your feet, up your legs toward your tummy. I usually finish the lower legs first then move to the upper legs. You can brush over your hips in a circular motion or up toward your heart - whatever feels best to you. Brush your stomach in a clockwise motion to stimulate digestion. You can brush over your chest or breast in a circular motion or lightly brush toward the nipple. Again - whatever you prefer is right for you. Brush the palms of your hands in a circular motion as you did the soles of your feet, then brush up your arms to your shoulders. Use a long handled bath brush to brush your back upwards toward your heart or in circles.

After you have finished brushing, jump right in the shower or bath to complete the process. Wash away all the dead skin you have loosened by brushing. Be sure to use natural products in the bath that do not contain chemicals and petroleum products. Remember that your skin both expels toxins and takes in whatever you put on it. Be sure to give it something nutritious.

Copyright: SuzanneBennett: June 27, 2009

Of course, keep your whole body clean and detoxified with lots of fresh pure water, a healthy food plan that includes plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and fiber, and daily light to moderate exercise.