I Was Sceptical About Body Brushing, But It's Totally Transformed My Skin

For me, bodycare is just as important as my skincare routine. I love to slather on creams and oils and indulge in beautiful shower gels, oils and salt scrubs. However, despite my love of this beauty category, I had never tried body brushing until a few months ago. Of course, the benefits of body brushing have been raved about in the beauty world for decades, but I just never thought it was for me. I scrub in the shower, so what’s the point of getting a brush too? Plus, the idea of doing so on my dry, pre-shower skin seemed kind of painful and pointless.

Wow, was I wrong. Honestly, I hate being wrong, but no single step has switched up my shower routine and changed my skin more, and I am now completely obsessed. Keep reading to find out how to body-brush and the products that I recommend.

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(Image credit: @chrissyford)

First up, when should we body-brush? Personally, and despite my earlier cynicism, I actually prefer to brush my body when my skin is dry, as it helps me to feel really zingy and invigorated before I've even stepped foot into the shower. But it turns out that you can body-brush whenever you like: on dry pre-shower skin or when your skin is damp post-shower. 

So what are the benefits? "It’s used by alternative therapists to promote this network of cleansing vessels, which runs just beneath the surface of the skin, and to help detoxify and decongest the body,” says Kate Shapland, founder of Legology. "It also promotes the blood circulation, improving the flow of fresh nutrient-rich blood to the surface of the skin, which manifests in a natural sense of tone and smoothness as the blood fills the upper skin layers."

Plus, with regular use, I have personally noticed that my skin looks more even in tone and that my legs are smoother with fewer bumps. And you know that feeling you get in your limbs after you’ve done an amazing workout? It’s like that, sans the post-exercise ache. 

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(Image credit: @em_tong)

Another perk of body brushing is how well it preps your body for hair removal, if that’s something you choose to do. The exfoliation gives you a smooth base for the closest shave and halts ingrown hairs. If you get laser hair removal, using a body brush to exfoliate dead skin will help with the result, says Joanna, a senior consultant at Pulse Light Clinic.

"Exfoliation is highly recommended for those of you who perform laser hair removal frequently to high-risk areas for ingrown hair," explains Joanna. "I recommend doing it prior to shaving, at night before bed at least twice weekly, before you take a shower.”

"A great by-product of body brushing is also softer skin and skin that is primed for an application of oil or cream: both absorb more quickly into skin that has been lightly abraded and when the circulation and lymph are raised,” adds Shapland.

This is something that you notice immediately—your moisturiser of choice doesn’t just sit on your skin but sinks in quickly for ultra-hydrated, smooth skin. Keep scrolling for some of my top picks.