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Jul 08, 2023

The 13 Best Dry Brushes of 2023, According to Dermatologists

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Why Trust Us? You’re going to want to add one of these exfoliating tools to your routine. You may be well-versed

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Why Trust Us?

You’re going to want to add one of these exfoliating tools to your routine.

You may be well-versed in the practice of exfoliating your face (aka getting rid of dead skin cells to reveal smoother, softer skin), whether with physical products or chemical formulas. But what about exfoliating your entire body? One way you can upgrade your body care routine is by adding one of the best dry brushes to your collection of skincare tools.

The method of physical exfoliation has been around long before you could pick up your favorite beauty products at the local Sephora or Target. In fact, dry brushing dates back to ancient Egypt and Greece and is found in Indian, African, and Chinese medicine, according to Ife Rodney, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist and the founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics in Fulton, MD. “It was used as a method to promote circulation, exfoliate the skin, and support overall wellness,” she says, and it still is today. Even celebrities have jumped on board with this skincare practice (Courteney Cox swears by dry brushing).

Meet the experts: Ife Rodney, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist and the founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics in Fulton, MD, and Debra Jaliman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York.

Intrigued? Here’s the deal: “Dry brushing is a skincare practice that involves using a dry brush with natural, slightly firm bristles to gently scrub the skin,” explains Dr. Rodney. “You start at your feet and move upward, using long, sweeping motions towards the heart.” This helps remove dead skin cells and boost circulation for smooth, soft skin.

It’s important to use a dry brush on dry skin (as opposed to wet). Experts recommend doing so once or twice a week before showering or taking a bath, so long as you don’t have sensitive skin, active irritations, wounds, or certain conditions, like eczema and psoriasis. Afterward, you’ll want to follow up with a non-comedogenic moisturizer or lotion, according to Debra Jaliman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York.

There are many different types of dry brushes to choose from, including ones that fit in the palm of your hand and ones with long handles to help you reach every inch of your skin with ease. Most are made of wood and the best dry brushes are made with natural bristles.

Ahead, check out the best dry brushes, according to dermatologists, editors, and customer reviews.

Dr. Rodney recommends this brush because of its 100% natural bristles and ergonomic, detachable wooden handle. It doesn’t hurt that it also has 4.5 out of five stars overall on Amazon, according to hundreds of ratings.

What the Reviews Say: “Noticeably smoother skin after one use,” said one shopper. “The handle makes it pretty easy to brush everywhere!”

For under $10, this affordable dry brush is a great option for those looking to try out the skincare practice without investing in an expensive product. You can snag the round dry brush on Amazon for around $6, but don’t assume the low price makes it inefficient. Thousands of shoppers give it a five-star rating.

What the Reviews Say: “I have tried other dry brushes but haven’t been able to find one with the correct balance of softness and firmness. This brush is has both plus an aesthetically pleasing design and is at a great price point!”

Prevention’s senior editor has this dry brush and enjoys using it to exfoliate skin before showering once or twice a week. The bristles are stiff enough to get the job done without irritating skin, and it leaves skin silky smooth when followed up with Osea’s body oil.

What the Reviews Say: “This is my favorite tool ever!” said one user. “The brush fits perfectly in my hand and is so easy to use. My skin already looks smoother and firmer, not to mention more radiant.”

This two-pack includes one brush with stiffer bristles for dry skin and one brush with softer bristles for wet skin. Both fit in the palm of your hand with an anti-slip cotton strap and a polished bamboo handle. “It’s highly rated with natural bristles and a soft strap handle for easy use,” says Dr. Rodney.

What the Reviews Say: “I love these brushes, and they’ve lasted a long time. Great, especially for the price.”

This dry brush comes recommended by Dr. Jaliman. “The shape of this brush helps reach certain areas, and the cord is great for when it’s time to put it away. You can hang it in the shower,” she points out. She’s also a fan of the fact that the bristles are made of sisal fibers from the agave plant.

What the Reviews Say: “This is worth the money. The bristles are firm, the handle is comfortable and well designed.”

Dr. Jaliman suggests this dry brushing set from Rosen because it comes with a detachable long-handled brush with natural boar bristles. But that’s not all that’s included. It also comes with a small brush for facial dry brushing and a massager to promote lymphatic drainage that you can hold in your palm or attach to the long handle.

What the Reviews Say: “Two years later, I’m still using this and it works great,” said a shopper who noted that the products are high quality.

From Alicia Keys’ wellness brand, Soulcare, this handheld dry brush features vegan, cruelty-free bristles and a sleek, black handle and strap. Even Keys seems to love this product. She shared a picture of herself using it on Instagram when it was released in 2021.

What the Reviews Say: “This brush is great quality and exfoliates well. My skin always looks great after use,” said a reviewer.

At $40, this dry brush is more expensive than most on this list, but you can expect a high-quality product from Dr. Barbara Sturm that’s worth the splurge. What really sets this option apart from the rest is that it’s available in two bristle types: soft and medium. The soft variation is gentler and better for sensitive skin and newbies, while the medium version features more traditionally stiff bristles.

What the Reviews Say: “I’ve bought body brushes in the past, but with my sensitive skin it hurt too much to continue using. Dr. Sturm’s soft version of the body brush has been perfect to get me body brushing and on the way to better skin and body health.”

For a gentler dry brushing experience, turn to this option from skincare brand Tata Harper. Unlike other popular choices, it has a round shape instead of an oval, and it has a wooden knob to hold onto rather than a cotton strap. It’s pretty to look at, and it provides effective exfoliation and stimulation.

What the Reviews Say: “I love how easy this dry brush is to handle and use. It’s just the right size to hold in the palm of your hand and very soft on the skin while doing its job.”

With natural bristles and a removable handle, this dry brush from Joanna Vargas is one of the best. It’s on the pricier side, but that’s because it’s made of high-quality materials designed to last. It even has a rope hook for hanging up in your bathroom, and reviews say it really makes a difference in the appearance of their skin.

What the Reviews Say: “I have never thought to use something as simple as a brush for cellulite. It really works.”

This dry brush is from Miranda Kerr’s skincare brand, Kora Organics. She practices dry brushing daily, according to her website. This one is made with natural agave cactus bristles and FSC-certified beechwood. It also has a handle strap to keep it in place in your palm while you brush it in circles all over your body.

What the Reviews Say: “This brush is so invigorating and energizing to use! I’m hooked and can’t believe I waited so long to start dry brushing.”

This is the most expensive dry brush on our list, but it’s from trusted skincare brand Elemis and is a great option for dry brushing pros who know they’ll use the tool regularly. Its bristles are made of natural cactus fibers, and it comes with a detachable handle.

What the Reviews Say: “My skin is so soft and the dark spots are less visible,” wrote a shopper who uses this daily. “My skin is better than it was at 40.”

This round dry brush has a contoured bamboo handle that’s easy to grip and soft yet firm bristles. While most of Kate McLeod’s products are vegan, the bristles in this dry brush are made of sisal and horse hair for exfoliation.

What the Reviews Say: “I’ve been a dry brush fan for years. Love this one because it is gentle and easy to hold,” said one reviewer. “My skin glows and feels smoother with dry brushing. Very invigorating.”

✔️ Consider bristle type and quality. Natural bristles are best for dry brushing, as synthetic bristles tend to be harsh on skin, says Dr. Jaliman. “Look for brushes with firm but not overly stiff bristles,” Dr. Rodney advises.

✔️ Check out the handle. Some dry brushes come with a long handle to help you target hard-to-reach places, like your upper back or lower legs without straining yourself. Others simply fit in the palm of your hand. What’s best for you is up to your personal preference and flexibility.

✔️ Note the price. Dry brushes come in a range of prices. Consider whether it’s something you want to invest in or try out first before buying an expensive skincare tool.

The most obvious benefit of dry brushing is that it physically exfoliates the skin, which can help improve skin texture and appearance. “It may help remove dead skin cells, promoting smoother skin,” says Dr. Rodney.

It also increases circulation by stimulating blood flow, she points out, which potentially helps eliminate toxins. “Stimulating areas of the body with dry brushing helps to promote oxygen to the area,” adds Dr. Jaliman. That increased blood flow helps boost collagen production (like the best collagen powders), making this a great anti-aging skincare treatment, she explains.

Some people consider dry brushing beneficial to lymphatic drainage, which is good for proper immune function, but more research is needed to confirm this claim, according to Dr. Rodney.

Lastly, the practice is simply relaxing. It’s a luxurious step in a full-body skincare routine you can do before hopping in the shower or taking a bath.

You should dry brush once or twice a week. There’s no need to do it daily, and if you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to do it even less or consider skipping this practice, according to Dr. Jaliman.

“The biggest drawback is potential skin irritation, especially if done too aggressively or on sensitive skin,” says Dr. Rodney. People with sensitive skin should limit how often they dry brush and apply light pressure when doing so.

Those with extremely dry or thin skin and anyone with open wounds or active infections should steer clear of this practice altogether. And everyone should avoid dry brushing areas of skin with active irritations.

If you have eczema or psoriasis, dry brushing could make these conditions worse, Dr. Jaliman notes, so you’ll want to be very careful if you do decide to try it, or skip it entirely. If you’re unsure if your skin can handle this form of exfoliation, check with your dermatologist first.

We interviewed Ife Rodney, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist and the founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics in Fulton, MD, and Debra Jaliman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York. They provided insights on what to look for in dry brushes and gave us a few product recommendations. We also conducted research on products from trusted brands, took into account editor experience with some tools, and considered options with substantial customer reviews to create this list of the best dry brushes.

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

Christie is a writer, editor, and content strategist living in New York City. She is currently the senior commerce editor at Prevention.

Previously, she was the news editor at Shape, where she wrote and edited timely stories with a focus on celebrity, health, beauty, and wellness news. She interviewed celebrities, celebrity fitness trainers, and other experts to provide insider tips and information to readers about emerging wellness trends. Prior to that, she was a commerce editor at Meredith. She wrote and edited shopping content for Real Simple, Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, and Martha Stewart Living.

Christie has also written features for InStyle and Glamour, and more of her previous work can be found on People, Travel Leisure, and MyDomaine. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a B.A. in humanities.

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