The Best Dry Brushes for Lymphatic Drainage
In this guide, we will review a comprehensive list of the best dry brushes for lymphatic drainage.
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I used to think dry brushing was a little weird – a crunchy, ayurvedic practice that supposedly detoxed the body and gave you glowing skin (doesn’t the liver do that?!).
Then, in an attempt to dive deeper into holistic wellness and get rid of some stubborn cellulite, I decided to give it a shot.
I didn’t love it at first.
Dry brushing felt scratchy, and I rushed through it most of the time. I went through a handful of cheap dry brushes before I found some of the best ones. And when I found the good ones, I really started to enjoy dry brushing the body.
I started taking my time and focusing on the lymph nodes and stubborn areas. I felt lighter, and it almost became ritualistic. Using dry brushes for lymphatic drainage not only helps exfoliate the skin but also supports overall wellness by promoting lymph flow.
And, many wellness experts swear by dry brushes for lymphatic drainage as a simple, yet effective tool to boost your body’s cleansing system
What is Dry Brushing?
Dry brushing is a centuries-old technique involving gently brushing the skin with a natural bristle brush.
Dry brushing has tons of benefits. It stimulates the lymphatic system, promoting detoxification, improving blood circulation, and exfoliating dead skin cells, leaving you with smoother, healthier-looking skin.
It’s a simple yet effective way to self-indulge, enhance your self-care routine, and boost overall well-being.
You can read all about how to dry brush and the benefits of dry brushing here: The Ultimate Body Detox: How to Dry Brush for Lymphatic Drainage
How to Pick the Best Dry Brush for You
There are many different types of dry brushes, and not all are created equal. For best results, choose a brush that feels natural to you. The more consistent you are with dry brushing, the more benefits you’ll see. Regular use of dry brushes for lymphatic drainage can make your skin glow….but like everything, consistency is key.
To choose the right brush:
- Start by considering the bristle type—whether you prefer soft or firm bristles, depending on your skin sensitivity. For beginners or those with dry/sensitive skin, I recommend a softer bristled brush or even a brush with synthetic bristles.
- Next, choose the handle type. Some people prefer dry brushes that fit in their hands, while others prefer a long handle for hard-to-reach areas like the back. For beginners, I think a simple handheld brush is the easiest.
The main benefit of dry brushing is lymphatic drainage, so you’ll want a brush that is firm enough to move the lymphatic fluid and versatile enough to reach all areas of the body. Too rough though, and you risk damaging the skin.
I’ve tried so many – I feel like a dry brushing aficionado.
The 11 Best Dry Brushes
Best Budget-Friendly Option: EcoTools Dry Body Brush
The EcoTools brush is inexpensive but effective. It’s made with synthetic, cruelty-free bristles and designed with a handle made entirely from renewable bamboo, perfectly sized to fit comfortably in your hand.
Pros: Budget-friendly, easy to fit in the palm of your hand
Cons: Some say the coarse bristles are a little scratchy. I personally felt this was scratchy at first but then I got used to it (or the bristles softened over time).
What Reviewers Say: “The brush is quite brittle, which is exactly what I was looking for. It may be a bit stiff initially, but it’s super effective at getting off dead skin! I use it nearly daily before and/or after showering, and I’ve gotten comments about how smooth and soft my skin is. It might be slightly uncomfortable at first, but I think it feels amazing! Great value for how effective and long it lasts, too!”
Best Natural Bristle Option: Ginger Chi Dry Brush
It looks slightly different from your standard dry body brush, but its curved shape allows it to glide seamlessly over your body contours easily.
Pros: Unique, full-body design, soft but firm bristles
Cons: None
What Reviewers Say: “I have used many varieties of dry body brushes over the years. This one stands out: it has more flexibility and finer and denser bristles than most, and its shape allows you to brush the contours of your ankles to the flat of your stomach and shoulders. My skin feels good afterward—not abused as it has from other brushes, just simply healthier.”
Best for Sensitive Skin: Kitsch Dry Brushing Body Brush & Exfoliating Body Scrubber
The Kitsch Dry Brushing Body Brush is my go-to brush because it’s soft, practical, and budget-friendly. This one is made with vegan synthetic bristles, which I prefer over rougher, natural bristles. However, it’s still effective at sloughing away dead skin and is easy to use over the entire body.
Pros: Affordable price point, suitable for sensitive skin, and gentle dry brushing
Cons: May not provide enough exfoliation for dryer skin gals
What Reviewers Say: “I love this product! The bristles exfoliate your skin super well without being too rough, like some dry brushes are. The handle makes the product easy to hold. The only downside to the product is that it has no long handle, making it a little difficult to reach your back by yourself!”
Best for Firm Exfoliation: CSM Dry Body Brush
The CSM Dry Body Brush is made with 100% natural boar bristles and small massage nodules that exfoliate and massage at the same time. Win-win!
The bristles are soft but stiff enough to exfoliate dead skin and increase blood flow without scratching too roughly. With over 20,000 five-star reviews, people love this one. And at under $10, this is a great deal as well.
Pros: Large size to quickly dry brush your entire body, has massage nodules (if you like that)
Cons: The bristle strength may be too rough for beginners
What Reviewers Say: “This product may feel a little rough at first but easy to get used to. You can use it on all body parts. It does great with exfoliation and smoothes out your cellulite and crepey skin. Well worth the purchase and price!”
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Best for Cellulite: HigherDOSE SUPERCHARGE Copper Body Brush
I first started dabbling in dry brushing after hearing the positive effects of dry bruising on cellulite.
Because dry brushing can boost circulation and lymphatic flow, it can also reduce the appearance of cellulite and give you smooth skin.
I love this one by HigherDOSE due to its Ion-Charged Copper bristles. HigherDose states, “The ion-charged bristles of this dry skin brush wake up the body, accelerate lymphatic drainage, exfoliate the skin, reduce cellulite, restore electromagnetic balance & counteract the modern stressors of an always-online lifestyle.”
Yes, please!
Pros: Copper ion bristles (great for anti-aging!), soft bristles, feels luxe
Cons: On the pricier side
What Reviewers Say: “The brush features a solid wood base, soft leather hand strap and a unique mix of horsehair and soft copper bristles. Gently brushing really lifted dry skin. Afterward, my skin and entire body felt tingly and energized. The mix of copper and natural bristles made a big difference.”
Best Luxury: Dr. Barbara Sturm Body Brush
Dr. Barbara Sturm is known for her luxury skincare line, non-surgical anti-aging treatments, and skin rejuvenation. Her body brush is luxe and minimal, the perfect addition for any luxury self-care lover. I like that it is available in two versions—soft and medium. The softer brush is gentler and more suitable for beginners and sensitive skin.
Pros: Luxe, minimal, comes in two versions
Cons: On the pricier side
What Reviewers Say: “So good. I use this with coconut oil on my legs to help with cellulite and make my legs look and feel so smooth!! Also, this one is the best quality dry brush I’ve found that doesn’t overexfoliate or hurt when using!”
Best Eco-Friendly Option: goop Beauty G.Tox Ultimate Dry Brush
Gwenyth Paltrow is behind the Goop Beauty Dry Brush. It’s part of her vibe for eco-friendly living and caring for your skin naturally. This eco-friendly brush is a favorite because of its curbed handle and soft sisal brushes. It is still on the softer side and is great for all skin types.
If you’re looking for a great gift option, go for the goop gift set, which includes the hydrating body oil.
Pros: Ergonomic handle that’s in between a palm brush and long brush, soft-ish bristles
Cons: Some may feel the brush is too firm
What Reviewers Say: “Great brush that is very comfortable to hold. It could be a bit sturdy for those with very sensitive skin. I typically prefer more exfoliation and don’t mind it. “
Best for Both Wet and Dry Use: The Skinny Confidential Butter Brush
This one quickly became a top favorite due to its silicone body. Not only can you keep it in the shower (unlike most brushes with a wood base), but the silicone body also makes it easy to grip. The length is perfect for reaching your entire body without being too long or awkward.
This one is an investment but well worth it.
Pros: Silicone handle, size/shape
Cons: Expensive
What Reviewers Say: “I really like this brush—the handle is comfortable, and it’s the perfect length to use. It doesn’t leave scratches on my skin, but it’s not comfortable. The bristles aren’t exactly soft, as they wouldn’t be effective if they were too soft. I’ve tried a few others, and I like this one the best, so I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a dry (or wet) brush.”
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Best Brush with Detachable Handle: ELEMIS Body Detox Skin Brush
Sometimes, it’s nice to have the option of a longer brush for hard-to-reach areas and a palm-sized brush for everywhere else. The ELEMIS Body Detox Skin Brush is a two-in-one dry brush with a detachable handle.
This brush is made with cactus bristles, which are pretty firm – it may take some getting used to, but reviewers loved the sturdiness and quality of this one.
Pros: Detachable handle, high-quality
Cons: It may be to firm for beginners
What Reviewers Say: “The first couple weeks, the massage was quite painful, as the brush, made of a cactus fiber, is extremely firm. Then the skin got used to it, and now the dry brush massage is part of my regular morning routine. The brush doesn’t lose any bristles and stays as firm as it was on day one. After regular use, my skin became very smooth and silky, and even some spider veins started disappearing. It is a very high-quality product. Highly recommend.”
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Best for Travel: Shash Exfoliating Face Brush
Do you really need a travel dry brush? Technically, most dry brushes are pretty travel-friendly already, but hear me out on this.
I purchased this face brush as a travel dry brush option—it’s only 5″ and fits right in my makeup bag.
After a long day of traveling, I pamper myself and do a mini dry brush routine using short, circular motions and gentle strokes before jumping in a hot shower or bath. It only takes a few minutes and helps me maintain my self-care routine while still getting a full-body exfoliation away from home.
Pros: Travel-friendly
Cons: This is marketed as a face brush, but it may be a little too harsh for the face (I prefer using it on the body, hands, and feet instead)
What Reviewers Say: “I love this brush. It’s very well made, the bristles are very uniform, and the handle is solid. I love that the bristles are firm but not painful.”
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Best Gift Set: OSEA Golden Glow Full Size Body Set
It doesn’t get much better for the self-care lover in your life (or just for yourself) than OSEA products. I’ve been a big fan of their organic skincare and body care line, and this set includes a dry brush with plant-based sisal fibers that exfoliate away roughness for smoother skin. Then, slather on the body oil for radiant skin guaranteed.
Pros: Gift set, perfect for yourself or others
Cons: None
What Reviewers Say: “Such a luxurious set; first brush, then salts in the shower and the heavenly smelling body oil after, and my skin is literally glowing.”
How to Care for Your Dry Brush
Admittingly, in my first year of dry brushing regularly, I’d rotate through different dry bruises, throwing them out every few months. I thought you couldn’t get a dry brush wet, so I didn’t wash them! Don’t do that!
You can (and should) wash your dry brush. After each session, gently tap to remove any leftover dead skin cells.
Then, wash your dry brush with mild soap and warm water once a week. Rinse them well and let them air dry completely. Easy!
Consistency is Key
Incorporating dry brushes for lymphatic drainage into your self-care routine can help reduce puffiness and improve skin texture, leaving you with a healthy, natural glow.
However, consistency is key to seeing great results with any of these dry brushes. Aim to incorporate dry brushing into your routine 3-4 times a week for optimal benefits, and you’ll be well on your way to healthier, smoother skin.
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