You brush your hair, you brush your teeth, so this really isn’t that weird I promise. 

I swam and lifeguarded for years and I have nasty sun damage on my forehead.    I’ve spent alot of money to get rid of it and it always creeps back.  I’ve had chemical peels, bought expensive weird creams (only later to find out that it was made of discarded baby bits) and have tried every natural remedy ever (yoghurt, lemons, potatoes, etc).   So when I read about Drybrushing (dry brushing) I was curious.  I searched all over the internet looking for a good before and after photo of someone who was dry brushing their face.  There are none.  LIKE ZERO.  So I was super skeptical.  Tons of women swearing by this skin practice but not a single before and after to show their results?   So I ordered a cheap brush (this one here) and snapped a before.  Scroll down if you know all about Dry brushing your face but just need to see a before and after.

So I’m still a skeptic over here but this is what everyone says about brushing your face and it being detoxing –

“Facial dry brushing can help to stimulate the lymphatic system and move out any built-up toxins or other blockages that are creating puffiness or sallow skin (farewell under-eye bags!). However, it has another good-skin benefit too: exfoliation. “Dry brushing is very useful for increasing circulation and exfoliating the skin,” explains San Francisco–based cult aesthetician Kayla Franzblau. “It’s a really affordable and easy way to keep skin free of congestion at home.” Just as long as you’re very, very gentle, she adds.”

I totally believe the exfoliation benefits, but not sold on the lymphatic system stimulation claims.

 

Facial Dry Brushing How-To   (2/3 times a week)

Step 1: Wash your face.

You want to make sure that you’re starting with totally clean skin, that way you’re not opening up all your pores only to clog them with makeup or other irritants.

Step 2: Start at the chin and work your way up.

Like with body dry brushing, you should always brush with gentle upward motions, away from the direction of your heart (to encourage circulation). Brush from your chin to your hairline on one side of the face, and then move to the other side. Light, gentle strokes will do the trick. This should not hurt.

Step 3: Give your neck and decolletage some love.

As any facialist will tell you, your neck is part of your face too. Repeat your gentle brush strokes up from your chest, across your neck to the bottom of your chin.

Step 4: Finish with a nutrient-rich oil or serum.

If you have time, you could apply a mask after dry brushing. If not, go straight to the moisturizing step. I recommend an oil, because it will penetrate deep into those newly opened pores and lock in all the moisture and nutrients. Top it with a serum for an added dose of hydration.

Step 5: Wash your brush.

Gently scrub your dry brush with warm water and a nontoxic soap at least once a week. Set it out to dry so that it doesn’t collect any mildew or bacteria. You can also lightly mist your brush with a tea tree solution (1 part tea tree oil, 2 parts water) to keep it clean in between washes.

I would add a step 6 right here and tell you to put on sunblock.  That fresh skin with oil on it is just begging for a sunburn and more sun damage.  I use Shiseido because it doesn’t burn my eyes, but use whatever you love.  

Source:  Mind Body Green 

I’m using Rose Hip Oil for step 4, once again it’s like a cult favorite of the internet and the only before and after photo of rose hip oil benefits was from the early 80s.   So I’d say this is a before and after of Rose Hip Oil and Drybrushing?   I like Mario Badescu’s Rose Hips Nourishing Oil but his oil is a blend of Rose Hip Oil and Castor Oil.  If you’d like something more concentrated, I like Teddie Organics Rose Hip Oils.   Both are well priced and the bottle will last you forever using one or two drops at a time.

What is Rosehip Oil?

Rosehip oil or rosehip seed oil is extracted from the seeds found in the hips of several species of wild rose (Rosa Canina, Rosa Mosqueta/Rosa rubiginosa). These grow mainly in the Southern Andes, particularly in Chile, and while there’s little difference in the oil whichever species of plants are used, the method of extraction is crucial to the quality of the oil.  Since the seeds contain the oil with all the beneficial nutrients, it’s important that the method of extraction retains the composition of the oil without any loss of these nutrients.

Rose Hip Oil has many google benefits:  

For healthy skin

  • Smoothes the skin, removes blemishes and evens the complexion
  • Regulates natural sebum production to rebalance oily skin and reduce greasiness
  • Prevents the breakdown of collagen, restoring skins natural elasticity
  • Rejuvenates the skin, leaving it smooth, supple and fresh
  • Treats dry, sensitive and cracked skin, whether its on your face, elbows or heels
  • Helps combat acne and treats existing acne scars
  • Helps fade scars, burns and stretch marks
  • Treats inflamed skin, especially in people with psoriasis or eczema
  • Helps reduce the redness of rosacea
  • Lightens the dark circles under the eyes

Anti-ageing

  • Prevents and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Protects against and reverses the signs of premature aging
  • Prevents and reverses the damage caused by environmental and UV exposure
  • Helps fade pigmentation marks, whether age spots, freckles or hyper-pigmentation around scars

For healthy hair

  • Treats dry scalp, itchiness, and dandruff
  • Conditions and moisturizes to reveal shinier, healthier hair

For healthy nails

  • Nourishes the nails and cuticles to prevents breakage and hangnails

 

 

My results are impressive and I’m only like one week in.  I will keep updating this blog with further progress.

Before Dry Brushing – After 7 days of Dry Brushing and applying Rose Hip Oil

Iphone 7 photo.

Let me know if you have any questions?  Or if you’d had good or bad results with dry brushing?