Dry, dull skin? Cellulite? Sluggish circulation? An ancient Ayurvedic practice may just be the answer. No matter what time of year it is, Garshana, a traditional Ayurvedic dry massage technique, is always in season. This simple process that softens the skin, improves blood circulation and stimulates the lymph system can be done at home, in under five minutes and for less than $20.00. But, how can something so simple and inexpensive be so effective?

Detoxify & Soften Skin

Our skin is the largest organ in the body.  Actually, it is the largest, chief organ we have that helps to detoxify our cells so that we can stay healthy, energized, and healthy. According to Dr. Trevor Cates, ND, when it comes to detoxification, the most important organs are the skin, lymphatic system, digestive system, liver, and the kidneys.

Dry skin brushing is crucial for supporting detoxification and reducing our toxic load. Dead skin cells and excreted waste from our body can build up preventing our bodies from detoxing from the inside out. Dry brushing helps to remove the uppermost layer of dead skin cells and debris encouraging our natural detoxification process. Plus, removing dead skin cells help to improve the look and feel of skin thus revealing soft, smooth skin.

Smooth Cellulite

Dry brushing improves vascular blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. It encourages the body’s excretion of metabolic wastes so the body is able to run more effectively. It also increases circulation to the skin which can help to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Cellulite contains toxic materials that are stored in your body’s fat cells. Dry brushing, especially when done in the direction of lymphatic flow, aids in the removal of toxins stored in fat cells.

Follow our spa-industry-expert tips listed below to get the most out of your dry body brushing routine.

• What You Need: Natural Bristle Contour Body Brush
• Skin Prep: Dry brushing is most effective when your skin is completely dry. We recommend using a dry body brush prior to showering in the morning.
• Tip #1: Skin should be pink due to increased circulation.
• Tip #2: Dry brushing feels amazing so if it is painful or overly irritating, ease up on the pressure.

Step-by-step Technique

• Work in gentle circular, upward motions, using long, flowing strokes.
• Always begin at the ankles moving in upward movements towards the heart, the same direction lymphatic fluid flows through the body.
• Starting at the ankles, move up to the lower legs, thighs, stomach, back and arms. Be cautious of softer and sensitive skin around the chest and breasts. Use caution to never brush over inflamed skin, open sores or sun-burned skin.
• Follow up dry body brushing with a shower to wash away the dead skin cells and impurities.
• To improve the release of toxins, end your shower with a few cycles of hot then cold water, a version of at-home hydrotherapy. First turn the water to as hot as you can take it for several seconds, then to as cold as you can tolerate, then back to hot, and so on. Use caution to not use water temperatures above 105° F.  The increase and decrease in water temperature  contracts and dilates capillaries this stimulate the blood circulation and further invigorate the skin.
• After dry brushing and showering, finish with a rich, paraben-free moisturizer such as Be Calm Lavender Body Butter or Sea Sanctuary Body Butter.

Are you looking for bath and body products that you can incorporate into your daily routine that will help reduce your toxic load? If so, visit or website for more details on our certified cruelty-free, natural, organic and vegan collections!