Dry Brushing

When we first moved to Colorado, I was really good about "dry brushing" my skin and then moisturizing with oils- both were things I had learned when I was readying about Ayurvedic practices. I think because I was so good about doing that regularly, my skin didn't even seem to go through much of a transition as we moved from a very humid to an extremely dry climate.

But through this past Winter, I got a little out of the habit.  I still do it on occasion, but I don't do it daily like I used to. At  best, I do it weekly.

Now that the seasons are changing, it seems my skin is going through some kind of molting period like a snake! Obviously, it's a great time to get back into that good Ayurvedic habit I had developed.

So that's my THING OF THE WEEK for this week. 

Here's what dry brushing is and why it's important.
Dry brushing is done by using a brush on your skin to scrap off the dead skin cells on the top layer of your skin, before bathing or showering.  Not only does it promote detoxification, but it stimulates your lymphatic system.  Your skin needs to be able to "breathe", and daily brushing increases oxygen flow and circulation.  Not only is it good for the appearance of your skin, but as a huge bonus, it's getting rid of toxins. 

How to dry brush 
I use this brush.

I like the long handle for my back.  But sometimes that longer handle bugs me. So, I also have this no-handle brush.
Any natural bristle brush that you prefer will do.  I found both of mine on Amazon by doing a search for "brushes for dry brushing".

The main thing to remember is to use medium pressure (don't scrap it to the point of pain, but do it hard enough that it's actually doing it's job of removing dead skin cells), long strokes, and always move towards the heart. I start a the bottom of my body- feet, then legs, and keep moving up. My torso area isn't as fun as my limbs, because it's just more sensitive. So be more gentle on areas like that.

THEN, take a shower, or bathe. I do this at night, before my bath.

After drying off, massage on some sesame oil (although for the winter I've been using coconut oil- I read that was good to use during the colder season somewhere, but who knows if it's true.  I prefer the sesame and as soon as I finish my current bottle of coco, I'm switching back). Again, you can do a search on Amazon to find the sesame oils specifically for this... it's NOT the same kind you cook with!😉

And that's it.  It takes no more than 5 minutes a day.  It's good for your skin, and your lymphatic system.  So why the heck not?

I'm hoping my dry flaky skin will already be looking better in a week's time, and that I'll be back in the good routine of dry brushing on a daily basis.