Even if the last three months have been peppered with workout classes of the virtual kind, the chances are you've spent an inordinate amount of time sitting down.
Our bodies have very much become a casualty of the pandemic and as we slowly begin to resume normality, it may be that you're looking to tone up before we slip back into society.
A sensible place to start would be dry body brushing, the much-lauded Ayurvedic ritual which has been practiced across different cultures for centuries. Its devotees include Miranda Kerr and Gwyneth Paltrow - who has previously admitted she does it every day before a bath - as they both swear by its ability to boost circulation, clear toxins trapped in the body’s lymph system, and exfoliate the skin.
If you're looking to tone, purge your body of toxins and do some serious exfoliating, then keep on reading for your go-to guide on dry body brushing.
What is dry body brushing?
Dry body brushing quite literally involves what it says on the tin; it involves moving a dry, natural brush over the body in long, pressured strokes.
Why is it important?
"Dry brushing is a particularly wonderful technique for those who suffer from cellulite and uneven skin texture," says Lucy Mitchell, Head of Brand at skincare brand Mio, whose bestseller is its Body Brush. "The tough, natural bristles of body brushes deeply massage the skin, working to soften any hard fat deposits that may lie below the skin’s surface and cause uneven texture. By softening these deposits, body brushing encourages the fat to distribute more evenly, allowing your skin to appear softer and smoother as dimples and bumps associated with cellulite are visibly reduced."
And dry body brushing isn't just good for those suffering from cellulite; Mitchell also explains the benefits of it for detoxifying the body: "By encouraging the drainage of your lymph nodes, dry-brushing helps to stimulate the normal lymph flow in your body, detoxifying it naturally. Eliminating bacteria and toxins in the blood, incorporating dry body-brushing into your routine can help to suppress toxin build-up which leads to cellulite, uneven skin texture, and skin discolouration."
How do you body brush properly?
Mitchell suggests "using long, smooth stokes; take a Body Brush and move over your skin, starting at your feet and moving upwards towards your heart. Be careful not to ‘scrub’ the skin, long even strokes are best for your circulation and lymphatic system."
She proposes using "varying pressure, depending on the sensitivity of your skin. If your skin is particularly delicate, use a lighter hand when body brushing."
When and how often should you dry body brush?
"By body-brushing little and often, for a short amount of time each morning, you will notice a significant difference in not only the appearance and texture of your skin but also your mood as body brushing acts as an all-natural energy boost by stimulating blood flow and circulation," Mitchell advises. She suggests incorporating it into your daily routine, preferably pre-shower and following it with a rich moisturiser.
Mio Body Brush, £22, buy now
Dr. Barbara Sturm Body Brush, £25, buy now
Goop Ultimate Dry Brush, £18, buy now
Legology Lymph-Lite Boom Brush for Body, £16, buy now
Cowshed Walnut Wood Dry Body Brush, £18, buy now
The Body Shop Brush Round, £9, buy now
Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush, £21, buy now
