This Is Why You Should Be Dry-Brushing Your Face
Facial dry-brushing is the experts’ shortcut to gorgeous, glowing, healthy-looking skin. Here’s everything you need to know, including how to dry-brush your face like a skincare pro and the best techniques to try
What is dry-brushing?
Beauty insiders have been urging us to use the ancient art of dry-brushing on our bodies for years, and now the logic is being applied to the skin on our faces. Like mini body brushes but with much softer bristles, facial dry-brushes are used on dry skin after cleansing to exfoliate and boost circulation and lymphatic drainage, helping to depuff and define the face. Similar to body-brushing, it sweeps away dead skin cells so gently that it’s suitable for sensitive skin, too.
However, dry face brushes are not to be confused with cleansing brushes – these are most often electrically powered and are designed to be used in conjunction with cleansers to deep-clean, exfoliate and soften the skin.
How to dry-brush your face like an expert
“I prefer brushes with rounded heads for creating a circular skin-flicking action, a technique much like whisking eggs, but it’s down to preference and practice,” says beauty-industry expert Tracey Woodward. Brush dry, cleansed skin from the décolletage upwards, working in small, circular motions, continuing to work the brush upwards and outwards until you’ve buffed it over the entire face, making sure to avoid the delicate eye area. Woodward spends three minutes every night doing this before applying her normal facial oil and says it’s become “a holistic, meditative part” of her skincare regimen.
To incorporate dry-brushing into your own morning and evening routines, begin as you normally would, with either a single or double cleanse. Pat your skin dry, then use your facial brush to practice Woodward’s technique. Don’t be alarmed if the skin flushes and becomes a little red – it’s just evidence of your blood coming to the surface. Next, follow with your usual serums and moisturizer.
Is dry-brushing right for your complexion?
Most skin types will benefit from some gentle dry-brushing, even if it’s just once a week, to stimulate lymphatic drainage. But if you have very dry skin, brushing might actually dry it out even more by over-exfoliating the skin’s protective barrier. If your skin ever feels tight, irritated and sensitized after brushing, it’s not the right technique for you. Instead, stop what you are doing and apply something that will help settle your skin’s protective barrier once more, such as Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Niacinamide Serum. Likewise, for skin prone to inflammation, including rosacea and acne, brushing can irritate and exacerbate it, so it’s best avoided. Instead, pair a gentle chemical exfoliator (such as Augustinus Bader’s The Essence) with facial massage to achieve similar results.