Last Updated on February 23, 2026 by Carrie Korem, FNTP
Dry brushing is a simple at-home therapy that can actually make a big difference for your overall health. It’s a gentle way to support lymphatic drainage and detoxification in the body.
Here’s how Dry Brushing Works
Your skin is one of your detox pathways. It has a massive surface area, it gets a ton of blood flow, and it’s often the first place on the body to show degeneration or imbalances and it can often be the last thing to heal. Symptoms such as dryness, bumps, irritation, random breakouts is your body waving a red flag to let you know it needs support.
Eventually these toxic substances, such as chemicals from skin and hair care products (including sunscreen), work their way into the bloodstream or lymphatic system and must be neutralized by the liver and kidneys and then eliminated via the urinary tract or colon. When the liver and kidneys are overburdened, skin eruptions may ensue as toxins overwhelm the skin.
Your pores help you release waste through sweat, but they can also absorb what you put on your body. So all those skincare and hair products, makeup, and even sunscreen can add to the load over time. These toxins get into the bloodstream or lymphatic system and then the liver and kidneys need to neutralize them and eliminate them. When the liver or kidneys are overburdened, this is often when you’ll see skin issues because the body is trying to get rid of the toxins.
If you’re using a lots of products every day, or you’re around chemicals at work, your detox systems never really get a break. This is why it’s so important to use non-toxic products, eat a nutrient-dense diet and also do simple things like dry brush and sweat.
Benefits of Dry Brushing:
Removes dry, dead skin and clears pores, allowing the skin to “breathe”.
Stimulates the hormones and oil-producing glands in the skin.
Increases circulation.
Assists the body in the removal of toxins.
It can help support smoother skin when there is cellulite or restricted fascia.
How do you Dry Brush?
- Once a day, preferably before bed or before a shower or time in a dry sauna.
- Brush, starting at the feet, and work up towards the heart using light, short strokes (always brushing towards the heart). Then work from the arms towards your chest. Don’t forget your palms and soles. The skin should be stimulated, not red or irritated.
- Dry brushing the entire body should take from 45 seconds to 2 minutes.
- It’s best not moisturize afterwards so the pores can breathe and rid themselves of toxins.
How Often Should You Dry Brush Your Body?
It’s best to dry brush daily.
What is the best dry brush?
You can find them on Amazon, but truly my most favorite dry brush is from Primally Pure. It’s modestly priced and it’s made from sustainable bamboo and horse hair. It’s so soft and feels amazing on the skin! I love that it’s soft enough even to use over the thyroid.
Here is some additional information about how to do gentle detox at home
How to Make and Use Castor Oil Packs
Oil Pulling
How to Detox the Liver Naturally
The Benefits of Sauna Therapy
The Benefits of Red Light Therapy
Sources:
http://www.biodynamicwellness.com/RESOURCES/DRY_SKIN_BRUSHING.pdf
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/02/24/dry-skin-brushing.aspx
