Dry brushing is a time-honored skincare technique that has been around since ancient Egypt – and was purportedly used by Cleopatra herself. As legend goes, Cleopatra dry brushed her skin before taking milk baths. Considering Cleopatra’s famed status as the ultimate femme fatale, it’s no wonder countless beauty lovers have been following Cleopatra’s lead and are still dry brushing their skin thousands of years later. TikTok has become a leading authority on beauty trends nowadays and there, #drybrushing has 1.4 million views and counting as TikTokers strive for Cleopatra’s legendary glow.

What is dry brushing?

Dry brushing is the act of exfoliating the skin with a coarse brush to promote smoothness and plumpness. The purported benefits of dry brushing include promoting circulation, clearing away dead skin, improving skin’s texture, and possibly reducing the appearance of cellulite. (The science on getting rid of cellulite is limited, so the evidence is largely anecdotal.)

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Many TikTokers swear by dry brushing for achieving silky-soft skin. Some even declare the practice provides a natural energy boost and aids with digestion. Note: These benefits touted by TikTokers are not backed by clinical data, and the primary purpose of dry brushing is exfoliation.

The Best Dry Brushing Technique for Preventing Redness and Irritation

If you’re planning to incorporate body brushing into your skincare routine, it’s important to be careful about your technique. You don’t want to brush your skin with the same intensity with which you would brush your teeth, for instance.

Stick to body brushing once a week, and steer clear of the skincare practice if you have skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema, or if you have super dehydrated or sensitive skin. Perform the treatment right before stepping into the shower – that way, you can wash away any flaky, dead skin. Reach for a natural-bristle brush and use long, gentle strokes that face towards your heart, repeating the motions up to three times (depending on what feels comfortable). Use a clockwise motion once you get to your belly, and remember that you can brush more firmly on thicker areas of your skin, such as the soles of your feet.

Make sure to listen to your body and stop immediately at any signs of irritation. You’ll also want to avoid brushing over any broken skin, which includes sunburns or cuts. After you’re done brushing and showering, apply a thick body lotion afterwards  – CeraVe Moisturizing Cream works great for this.

Lest you needed even more reasons to try body brushing, consider this: Supermodel Miranda Kerr dry brushes her skin every day. She wrote on the blog for her skincare brand, Kora Organics, that “Each morning I look forward to dry body brushing to help me wake up and start my day feeling refreshed and invigorated.” When a skincare technique is practiced by Egyptian queens and Australian supermodels, it’s definitely worth a shot. Below, discover the best dry body brushes and related products to add to your beauty arsenal.