Can You Dry Brush Your Face? We Asked Derms

Dry brushing has a fervent fan following, with many swearing by the technique for that lit-from-within glow and silky smooth physique. Indeed, there’s a real and compelling history behind the Ayurvedic practice, which involves using a dry-bristled brush to improve circulation and exfoliate tired, dead skin off the body. But while it’s mega-popular below the neck, we don’t see as much hype around dry brushing the face. And why not? Given that there’s skin on both the body and the face, it stands to reason that you’d gain similar results.

Turns out, the answer is a bit more complicated. Read on for everything you need to know about dry brushing the face, straight from board-certified dermatologists Teresa Song, MD, and Ranella Hirsch, MD.

What Is Dry Brushing?

Dry brushing is an exfoliation technique with Ayurvedic roots in which one uses a dry-bristled brush to improve circulation and remove dry skin. According to Song, dry brushing is generally gentler than a typical body scrub in the shower, making it a great option for those who want a lighter exfoliation; that said, she adds that it’s not necessarily ideal for those with sensitive or particularly reactive skin types. Plus, Hirsch notes that dry brushing is often done incorrectly or overdone.

Can You Dry Brush Your Face?

While you certainly can dry brush your face, neither expert would necessarily recommend it. “It’s [seldom] something I recommend,” explains Hirsch. “Especially when there are such great chemical exfoliants out there.”

Song echoes her sentiments, saying there are simply better ways to exfoliate the face and stimulate lymphatic drainage. Facial skin is far more delicate than the skin on the rest of the body, and given how easy it is to overdo dry brushing, you run the risk of injury and irritation.

Benefits of Dry Brushing Your Face

While dry brushing the face poses risks (more on that in a bit), there are a few potential benefits:

• Increased circulation: According to Hirsch, dry brushing generally helps improve blood flow.
• Gentle exfoliation: Dry brushing acts as a sort of physical exfoliator, gently buffing off dead skin cells. When done properly, dry brushing offers a lighter exfoliation method than many standard chemical exfoliants.
• Improved lymphatic drainage: Song notes that dry brushing can help improve lymphatic drainage in the facial area.

Risks of Dry Brushing Your Face

The foremost issue with dry brushing is that people rarely do it correctly—instead, they’re often more aggressive and invasive with their approach. As a result, it’s particularly dangerous to do on the face, where the skin is more delicate than the rest of the body. Risks range from outright injury to breakage in the skin barrier, which Song says can present with redness, irritation, sensitivity, and potential acne flare-ups. For these reasons, both experts say they rarely, if ever, suggest dry brushing the face.

How to Dry Brush Your Face

If you still feel compelled to dry brush your face, you certainly can. While Hirsch suggests seeking a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner to perform the treatment, you can theoretically do it from home. If you must, our experts suggest using the following method:

1. Pick a brush intended for the face with very soft bristles.
2. Cleanse the face with a gentle, hydrating cleanser.
3. Pat the skin dry.
4. Using light pressure, gently sweep the brush upward across the face. Be careful to complete just one cycle around the face, and avoid especially sensitive areas, such as around the eyes.
5. Rinse skin with water and pat dry again.
6. Follow with your usual skincare routine, focusing on repair and hydration.

The Final Takeaway

Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Our experts are fairly staunch in their stance on dry brushing the face—that is to say, they do not recommend it. If, for some reason, you feel absolutely committed to it, be sure to follow safety protocols and don’t overdo it. But in general, we say stick to the chemical exfoliants.