A Brief History

Dry brushing can be traced back to many different cultural practices. Ancient Egyptians, well-known for their beauty rituals, would incorporate dry brushing with their milk and honey body softening treatments. In India, Ayurveda dry brushing was part of their 5,000 year old holistic health care practice. From ancient Greek and Roman civilizations to Russian, Turkish, Chinese, and Japanese cultures, dry brushing practices of some kind have been incorporated into bathing rituals for centuries. Roughly 30 years ago, Finnish naturopath, Paavo Airola, re-popularized the practice as a way to naturally detoxify and heal.

The Why - A Myriad of Health Benefits

There are multiple health and wellness benefits to incorporating dry brushing into your daily routine. According to Meghan Kennedy Brind, a graduate of naturopathic medical program and an avid health enthusiast, "Dry brushing is incredible for reducing cellulite, improving blood flow, energy and metabolism as well as promoting detox.” It also promotes lymphatic drainage while simultaneously offering a gentle physical exfoliation by sweeping away dry, flaky skin. Additionally, dry brushing is beneficial to your mental health since it stimulates the nervous system. Some individuals liken it to the feeling of a gentle massage. Anna Nenoiu, a celebrity make-up artist in Toronto and PURA Muse, uses her dry brushing ritual as a chance to “practice speaking kindly to myself, praising my body, and loving every inch of myself”.

The How - A Full Body Experience

Many advocates suggest dry brushing in the morning as it’s a very awakening experience. Others dry brush twice a day as they feel it also promotes relaxation and deep sleep before bed. In other words, dry brushing, like anything skincare related, is based on personal preference to some degree. Meghan suggests dry brushing “1-3 x weekly minimum for ultimate results, but any application is beneficial…start slowly and work your way up!”.

Dry brushing is often recommended before showering or bathing:

1. Starting at the feet, brush upwards (towards the heart) using gentle strokes.
2. When you reach your arms, similarly start at your hands and work your way up.
3. For the stomach and chest, work in short strokes in a clockwise, circular direction.
4. Once finished dry brushing, hop into a warm shower or bath.

Not only does a bath or shower wash away any sloughed off skin flakes, “the heat of the water temperature can also increase blood flow through the body which can yield even more effective results”, notes Meghan. After showering or bathing, pat your skin dry and apply your favourite body lotion or oil to nourish your skin. Anna loves applying PURA’s Cocoa & Rose Body Lotion to “hydrate and moisturize my skin leaving it feeling tighter, softer, and smoother”. Not to mention its aromatherapy benefits from luxurious French cocoa absolute and lavender, euphoric vanilla, herbaceous rose geranium and vitamin-rich prickly pear oils. If your skin is craving more intense hydration (hello, dry Alberta winters!), we recommend layering PURA’s Cocoa & Rose Body Oil over the lotion to seal in all the moisture. Your skin has never been softer, smoother and healthy looking.

Written by Marla Boehr