You’ve probably heard of dry brushing, but what if you used CBD topicals with dry brushing? Capital idea. I’ll tell you why. But first, some background on dry brushing.
If you regularly read this blog, you know creates CBD topicals for health and beauty. All of our topicals are free of chemicals, stabilizers, toxins and other harmful ingredients found in so many health and beauty products. So rather than go into the basics of CBD topicals and why they are a good choice for so many reasons, just check out our blogs and frequently asked questions. Now, on to dry brushing.
What is dry brushing?
Dry brushing, like using CBD for health and beauty, goes back millennia, with its origins in Ayurvedic medicine, or Ayurveda. Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest medical systems India’s traditional system of health care. Dry brushing is a holistic and energizing method of self-care, focusing on the skin.
As I’ve noted often in this blog, skin is our largest organ. It’s an elastic, strong sheath that encases the body. It not only holds everything in place it protects us from environmental pollution, germs and toxins. It also produces vitamin D and transmits sensations to the nervous system.
Dry brushing, with its Ayurvedic roots, has gained popularity in spas as a way to get glowing skin. But it goes deeper than that, so there’s a good reason to try it. As I’ve said, skin protects us, why wouldn’t we protect our skin to keep it healthy.
What are the benefits of dry brushing?
First, you stimulate circulation and exfoliate when you massage
your body with a firm-bristle brush before bathing. But that’s just the beginning. Here a few of the benefits of dry brushing.
- Softens skin: dry brushing gently exfoliates skin, which increases circulation. Increased circulation oxygenates the skin and can stimulate collagen production, which thickens the skin. The added oxygen helps to reduce puffiness, improve elasticity.”
- Tones and sculpts: The outer stimulation of dry brushing can help tone and sculpt the muscles just below the skin’s surface. The increased circulation gives skin that supple glowing look.
- Detoxes: Dry brushing aids with lymphatic drainage, an essential key to keeping the immune system working well. The stimulation kick-starts the natural detoxification moving out potentially disease-causing toxins that may get stuck in the lymph glands.
- Plumps the skin: Now not everyone thinks that dry brushing can help reduce cellulite. But there are others who swear it works. Either way, if it makes your skin glow and your cellulite temporarily less visible, what’s the harm?
How to dry brush
Think about this if you’re considering dry brushing. If you’re doing all that good for your skin and then smearing on lotions and moisturizing creams that are loaded with chemicals, what’s the point? Let’s face it, our cosmetics and skin care products are not regulated and pretty much anything goes. They tend to be loaded with chemicals, stabilizers and other substances toxic to our bodies and the environment. That’s why using CBD topicals with dry brushing makes sense.
Dry brush before you shower two or three times a week. As the name implies, your skin should be completely dry. Start at your feet and using a circular, upward motion, gently massage the brush over your skin, always moving toward the heart.
Simple enough, right? But there are things to consider with dry brushing. If you have a skin rash, such as psoriasis or eczema, avoid brushing the areas of dry crusty skin. Dry brushing can aggravate the condition. Instead work to heal the rash with a CBD topical created especially for rash. Also avoid open wounds. Take care of the wound so that it heals, brushing around the affected area. Clearly, you don’t want to dry brush over a burn, which could break open the skin leading to infection or worse. Instead, treat the burn so it heals, brushing around it.
CBD topicals with dry brushing
Now let’s talk about how to protect the skin after you brush. Once you’ve finished the circular massage, you’ll shower. Use a chemical-free soap that is nontoxic and plant based. Did you know that a lot of soaps contain chemicals that can promote allergies and other harmful conditions? You’ve just gone to all the trouble to detox and purify your skin, why would you pile chemicals back onto it?
Once you emerge from your shower, you’ll want to apply CBD topicals that nourish and hydrate your skin. CBD topicals interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) everyone has. The ECS, in conjunction with CB receptors, helps maintain homeostasis (or balance) in our bodies.
Rather than apply fragrance-heavy products, reach for CBD lotions made with CBD, carrier and essential oils. No chemicals. Treat your face to complexion products that protect, hydrate and replenish your skin. Even your lips deserve soothing natural protection from a chemical-free balm.
Taking care of your skin isn’t just about looking good. When your protective layer is revitalized and rejuvenated, it can more easily go about its business as the first line of defense for your body. At the same time, it can look radiant and fresh