Dry Brushing : Healthy Body, Healthy Skin
By Cheryl Thielade
What is dry brushing?
Dry brushing is a simple technique to improve your surface circulation by dry brushing your skin. This will help keep the pores of your skin open and encourage your body to eliminate the metabolic wastes that have accumulated. This will result in an improved ability to eliminate bacteria and toxins, plus it will help your skin to look and feel healthier and more resilient to the buildup of these toxins.
How often?
This is a treatment you can easily incorporate into your daily regime. Rinse off in the shower and turn off the water. Scrub your damp skin, paying attention to rough, dry areas. Keep the brush dry. Start with the feet and always brush upwards toward the heart. Do not apply to face or neck. Avoid abrasions and cuts and use prior to shaving.
What type of brush?
The dry-brushing brush has a very long handle so when you are holding it you don’t need to lean down too far. The bristles should be natural, not synthetic, and stiff, but not hard.
What are the benefits?
• tightens skin
• helps digestion
• reduces cellulite
• stimulates circulation
• increases cell renewal
• removes dead skin layers
• cleanses the lymphatic system
• strengthens the immune system
• improves the exchange between cells
• stimulates the glands which assist the body’s
system is performing at peak efficiency
Marine Body Scrub
Yields: 2 treatments
Prep your skin for the summertime. Kelp powder is an excellent detoxifier and skin texturizer. This body treatment will help with lymphatic drainage and smooth and nourish the skin.
Combine the following in a stainless steel bowl:
1 cup (250 mL) fine sea salts
½ cup (120 mL) baking soda
¼ cup (60 mL) vegetable glycerin
2 tbsp (30 mL) sunflower oil
1 tsp (5 mL) grapefruit seed extract
2 tbsp (30 mL) kelp powder
24 drops Cellufirm essential oil blend
Cheryl Thielade is the owner of Scentimental Creations and teaches natural skincare in Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
