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Dry brushing is one of those practices that not everyone includes in their daily routine — many people may not even know it exists — but there are plenty of skincare companies, publications, and beauty blogs that make convincing arguments about why you should.
The best dry brushes are a necessity if you're going to make body brushing a step in your skincare process, and we've done the research to find ones that will rid your skin of cells that no longer need to be there, leaving you soft, smooth, and ready for hydration.
If you think about it, the process makes sense. Over time, our bodies produce tons of dry skin cells that pile up (that's what causes that sort of ashy buildup that we associate with dehydrated skin, especially in the winter time). Using a soft dry brush to remove those cells will leave skin smooth and primed for in-shower exfoliation and whatever type of moisturizing you do. A quick Google search will reveal arguments that claim dry brushing benefits include skin and cell stimulation, removal of dead skin cells and toxins, and better blood circulation. This Bustle author even found that two weeks of dry brushing noticeably reduced the appearance of scars. However, it is important to keep in mind that there is no cold, hard evidence that proves dry brushing is an absolute necessity or toxin-buster. But hey, giving your body a mini-massage on the reg? Sounds pretty darn good to us.
Below, we've narrowed it down to six brushes of varying styles and shapes that help you to cleanse, stimulate, and soften your skin before you hydrate.
1
A Double-Sided Body Brush That Helped One Bustle Author Reduce The Appearance of Scars
Swissco Bamboo Collection Double Sided Body Brush, $14, Amazon
This double-sided body brush is made out of bamboo, and features — you guessed it — two super useful sides. Each one functions differently: The side with natural bristles works to brush off dead skin cells and promote circulation, while the non-bristled side is great for a relaxing massage. This Bustle author found that after using it for just a few days, not only was she getting rid of dead, dry skin, but also, the appearance of scars was visibly reduced.
2
A Long-Handle Dry Brush That's Ideal For Reaching Your Back
WINCAN Bath Dry Body Brush, $11, Amazon
Out of 77 reviews on Amazon, the WINCAN dry brush received five stars from every single reviewer — that's pretty impressive. This brush is extra handy for hard-to-reach parts of your body like your back, thanks to the extended, wooden handle, and the exfoliating bristles are 100 percent natural. Pro tip from the creators: If you find the bristles to be a little too hard, just soak them in water for two minutes prior to exfoliating.
3
A Wooden Dry Brush That Fits In The Palm of Your Hand
Dry Skin Body Brush, $11, Amazon
You definitely don't have to worry about this brush being cumbersome, as the small, wooden shape fits easily into the palm of your hand, and stays secure there with a cloth strap. Situated among sturdy, natural bristles are massage nodules, so while you exfoliate and eliminate dead skin cells, you can get a stimulating massage at the same time.
4
A Long-Handle Dry Brush Made Of Super Lightweight Material
LoneyShow Long Handle Bath Body Brush, $17 (3 Pack), Amazon
The nice thing about this long-handle dry brush is the lightweight, easy-to-clean plastic that it's constructed from. A whopping 98 percent of Amazon reviewers gave this brush five stars, many of them applauding the lightweight feel in comparison to many wooden brushes. With medium-soft bristles, you can reach your back using this brush, and you get three of varying colors (blue, purple, and pink) for a great price.
5
A Plastic Massager That Doubles as an Exfoliator
Sotica Cellulite Brush Body Massager, $7, Amazon
While the company calls this hand-held massager a "cellulite brush," it actually functions as both a dry brush and a relaxing body massager. The "nubbed" surface is great for skin stimulation, and when used in a circular motion, it can loosen trapped fluids beneath the skin's surface while removing unwanted dead skin cells and improving circulation. Many Amazon reviewers who gave the product five stars recommend using it to rub lotion into the skin.
6
A Dry Brush That Comes In The Form Of A Loofah
Loofah Back Scrubber by Vive, $15, Amazon
Made from soft mesh, this loofah brush has a long handle for convenience when massaging and exfoliating hard-to-reach places like your back. Amazon reviewers were satisfied with both the soft material that some prefer to bristles, as well as how easily the mesh lathers up with soap if you use the loofah as both a dry brush and an in-shower scrubber.
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