While I didn't grow up in the South (I'm Pacific Northwest born and bred), I was raised by a Southern mother who was huge on self-care. From as far back as I can remember, she would always remind me to stay on top of my bodycare from head to toe—encouraging starting my lengthy shower routine with a bar soap (featuring good-for-your-skin ingredients), and always reminding me to use an effective body scrub to keep my skin smooth year-round.
By the time I entered adulthood, I had my routine down with specific products and tools I could depend on to deliver great results every time. Today, I'm sharing my edit of one of the tools I use frequently: the dry brush. Keep reading to learn more about how to use a dry brush and its benefits before taking a look at my top picks. Prepare to say goodbye to strawberry legs and dull-looking skin for good!
What Is Dry Brushing and Why Should You Do It?
The name of the tool can clue you into what it is and how to get the most out of it. Dry brushes are usually crafted with an ergonomic wood handle for easy grip and usually feature a dense collection of coarse natural or synthetic fibers. They can be used to buff away dead skin, promote circulation, start lymphatic drainage, get rid of toxins, reduce cellulite, combat ingrown hairs, and boost energy levels.
Using it before you hop in the shower or bath can even help your body serums, lotions, and oils absorb better. I incorporate dry brushing into my routine twice a week, however, some dry brushes are designed to be used daily. Experts recommend starting with your legs and moving upwards towards the stomach; ideally going over each area multiple times for five minutes or more to get the most out of your dry brushing experience. After dry brushing, be sure to add hydration back into the skin with a moisture-replenishing oil.
Since starting to dry brush my skin, it's appeared much plumper, glowier, and smoother. My skin also absorbs easily and stays looking great for days following my dry brushing regimen. If you're in the market for a dry brush to add to your own, keep scrolling for the 14 best dry brushes.
1. Aromatherapy Associates Revive Body Brush
This Aromatherapy Associate dry body brush to quickly sweep away dead skin cells, increase circulation, and get rid of impurities while promoting firmness. It's crafted with round-tip natural bristles from agave cactus that are gentle yet firm on the skin. The result with be ultra-glowy-looking skin in minutes.
Customer Review: "I bought this because I have lymphodema and I wanted to try a dry body brushing technique to see if it made an impact. The brush is great, firm bristles but not hard so it gives the right pressure when brushing. It looks good too and it has the desired effect as well as exfoliating all the dead skin cells."
Product Specs: 5 x 2 x 3.5 inches
2. Mio Dry Body Brush
The newly released version of Mio's bestselling brush now features 100% vegan-friendly PP fiber bristles with super soft rubber massage nodules to help smooth and firm the skin. It effectively massages and exfoliates the skin's surface while removing dead skin cells for softer, firmer skin.
Customer Review: "I love it that the bristles are not as stiff. Bristles are soft but exfoliates effectively without irritating skin. Also it has rubber massage nodules in between bristles. My skin has been the smoothest as can be and body lotion absorbs better. Great idea!"
Product Specs: 2 x 2.5 x 5.5 inches
3. Dr. Barbara Sturm The Body Brush
This multipurpose brush can be used both in the shower and as a dry massage to promote tight, smooth skin with scientifically proven ingredients and non-aggressive natural extracts. If you have tender or pressure-sensitive skin, consider snagging this one in the soft version rather than this medium one.
Customer Review: "I bought this because I’ll try anything to reduce my cellulite! I like this one because the bristles are pretty stiff but not stiff that it’ll hurt you. I feel like my cellulite is getting a little better. I use this product twice a day and the bristles do not hurt or damage your skin at all."
Product Specs: 5 x 1 x 3 inches
4. Gilded Body Nero Marquina Body Brush
If you're willing to spend a little more on your dry brushing experience, I highly recommend adding this luxurious option to your bodycare routine. Each Gilded Body's Marble Body Brush is handmade with unique veining and patterning with firm sisal bristles, a sustainable, cruelty-free natural fiber derived from the Agave sisalana plant.
Customer Review: "A phenomenal work of art that has so many great benefits for your skin. I highly recommend these brushes for you and as gifts for all your family and friends."
Product Specs: N/A
5. Goop G.Tox Ultimate Dry Brush
The G.Tox Ultimate Dry Brush offers intensive exfoliation, leaving the skin looking and feeling refreshed and invigorated. The brush is made with natural, biodegradable sisal fibers taken from the agave plant and features an easy-to-use ergonomic handle.
Customer Review: "Absolutely wonderful! I use this every morning! It helps me so, so much with the little tiny bumps on my arms and thighs that seemed to have never gone away! This has helped to alleviate it so much that now after 3 months, they have nearly gone away! I can’t write enough wonderful things about this brush, if you are on the fence, this is your sign to buy it! Also, it doesn’t irritate my skin at all from the exfoliating, it only helps make my skin smooth."
Product Specs: 11 x 3 x 1.5 inches
6. Keys Soulcare Energizing Dry Body Brush
The Keys Soulcare Energizing Dry Body Brush can be used to gently exfoliate away dead skin cells and boost cell renewal to reveal the luminous, even-looking skin below. This would be my top pick for anyone with pressure-sensitive skin who wants instant results without having to put their skin through the wringer.
Customer Review: "This is a gentle exfoliating brush, and I found it felt quite nice on skin. It was not too tough or rough, but also not too soft. The strap on the back makes it easy to hold in hand (it was not elastic, though it fit my hand OK). It looks quite nice and would be gift-able as well with the elegant wood and nice packaging."
Product Specs: 2 x 3 x 6 inches
7. Skin Gym Dry Body Brush
If you ask any beauty editor what bodycare line offers the best tools to support skin health, there's a high chance Skin Gym will be raised as one of the best. My personal favorite from them is the Dry Body Brush since it's made with natural sisal cactus bristles that are gentle enough to be used daily to exfoliate and polish the body.
Customer Review: "Love the curve of the handle. Sometimes the long handled dry brush that I already have is awkward. This dry brush is much easier to use for some areas on the body due to the shape of the handle. The description does say soft but the bristles are definitely firmer. I just use with a lighter touch. As of now there has been no bristle fallout. Definitely would recommend this one!"
Product Specs: 3 x 1 x 9.5 inches
8. ESPA Skin Stimulating Body Brush
Smoother and more radiant skin is made possible with this skin-stimulating body brush by Espa. Crafted from Mexican cactus plant bristles, this brush buffs away dead skin cells while prompting circulation and reducing an uneven skin tone. I've found this one extremely comfortable to use before hopping in the shower.
Customer Review: "I was on the market for a dry brush as I heard it was great self-care and good for lymphatic drainage/massage. I haven't used it for very long, but I like it so far and feel that it is really well-made. Initially, I felt it was rough, so I've just learned to be light and gentle with my strokes, and no problems yet."
Product Specs: N/A
9. Complete Skin Makeover Dry Body Brush
While you could definitely book yourself a costly visit to the spa, you could also just start using Complete Skin Makeover's Dry Body Brush to immediately get glowy, even skin in the comfort of your own home. This one uses soft and firm natural boar bristles to promote circulation and combat cellulite.
Customer Review: "Now that I’ve started dry brushing I never skip that in my morning routine, no matter how late I am. It makes my whole body feel like I just got a massage, and this brush isn’t overly scratchy. I think the massaging heads make a difference. The strap is a tad long for me but it doesn’t impede its function. I also appreciate the QR code for the instruction guide."
Product Specs: 4 x 4 x 2 inches
10. Complete Skin Makeover Dry Brushing Body Brush Set
Can't get enough of Complete Skin Makeover's Dry Body Brush? It's offered in a set with its Mini Body Brush for only $16! The boar bristles of these brushes are soft and firm, and won't fall out with repeated use. In addition to helping renew your skill cells, it encourages collagen production and deeply cleanses the pores.
Customer Review: "I wouldn't say this brush is for sensitive skin but it does feel good and feels like it's actually working. The bristles are stiff enough to make a difference but not too stiff where your skin hurts after using. My skin feels 'brushed' after using but not raw. I love to use it."
Products Specs: 7 x 7 x 2 inches
11. Tronque Ionic Dry Body Brush
This dry body brush is made from extra fine ion-charged copper bristles to create negative ions as your brush from natural friction. You can expect smoother, brighter skin, with softened cellulite, lymphatic drainage, and reduced inflammation.
Products Specs: N/A
12. Tata Harper Dry Body Brush
Tata Harper's Dry Body Brush ensures a large round wood base, a wood knob for an easy grasp, and soft vegan bristles that can be used to gently exfoliate the skin for better circulation. After beginning to use it, I've noticed a major different in hose easily the rest of my bodycare products absorb into the skin.
Customer Review: "Tata Harper's Dry Body Brush is made with high-quality wood and bristles. The size and shape are perfect to grasp onto. I am very happy with this product, I am enjoying the results of my new routine."
Product Specs: N/A
13. Kitsch Exfoliating Body Dry Brush
Kitsch's Body palm-size Exfoliating Body Dry Brush was designed with sensitive skin in mind with cruelty-free bristles. In addition to the brush being used to buff away dead skin cells, improve circulation, and detoxify the skin, it can also help improve the appearance of the skin and promote lymphatic drainage.
Customer Review: "I have tried all sorts of products in the shower for dry skin. I read the reviews and decided to try the dry before shower brush and was pleasantly surprised to see a difference on the first day. Skin was softer and smoother already."
Product Specs: 6 x 3 x 1.5 inches
14. Osea Body Brush
Osea has been a favorite brand of mine since the earliest days of the COVID-19 lockdown, and their Body Brush has made the biggest difference in my strawberry legs. Its bristles are made of plant-based fibers that buff away dead skin and prep it for hydration. However, if you have sensitive skin, you might want to skip this one.
Customer Review: "I've only used this once so far to begin my dry brushing routine before showering and my skin feels amazing! I can see why some people say the brush is rough, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially on my legs. You may want to skip sensitive areas or be extra gentle at first. Would highly recommend!"
Product Specs: 2 x 5.5 x 3.5 inches
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