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Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang
Yes, dry brushing is an extra step in your daily routine, but it’s one worth adding. The ancient Ayurvedic practice (which involves, you guessed it, brushing your body with a special brush) offers a host of benefits.
One, it’s an excellent method of physical exfoliation, effectively buffing off dead skin cells, no messy scrub required. Two, it stimulates the lymphatic system and promotes lymphatic drainage, which helps with things like temporarily reducing the appearance of cellulite. And finally, it’s another way to carve out a nice moment of self-care. However, since there are all kinds of things to consider, from size to bristle type, you'll need to pick the right tool.
We conducted hours of research on the best dry brushes, evaluating dozens of brands on design, material, quality, and types of bristles. After consulting with three board-certified dermatologists who are experts in the relationship between the skin and overall health, we narrowed down our picks. Finally, we took into account different skin types, and what dry brushes deliver the most effective results in order to give you the best in show.
Best Overall
Esker Dry Brush
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Soft yet firm bristles
Easy to grip
Not vegan-friendly
This brush is high-quality yet affordable and has what we think is the best bristle texture. The tips of the natural bristles are soft to the touch yet firmer underneath for an effective brushing that doesn’t scratch your skin. We also appreciate that the grass wood handle comes wrapped in hemp twine for easy gripping.
Price at time of publish: $18
Material: Natural bristles | Dimensions: 8 x 3 x 1.12 inches
Best Overall, Runner-Up
Pursoma Detox Beauty Body Brush
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Revolve
Good for larger areas of the body
Vegan-friendly
Built-in loop for in-shower hanging
No handle
Ideal for anyone seeking a vegan alternative to natural bristles, this brush is made with ethically harvested jute fibers. We also like its unique U-shape, which features said fibers on both sides, making it great for quickly and easily running over larger areas of your body. Bonus points for a built-in loop for in-shower hanging.
Price at time of publish: $25
Material: Jute fiber
Best Budget
EcoTools Dry Body Brush
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Walmart
Affordable
Vegan-friendly
Eco-friendly
Some may not like synthetic bristles
Reap all the benefits of dry brushing without breaking the bank. The hand-held, palm-size brush has synthetic bristles (a boon for vegans) set in a renewable bamboo base, making this an excellent eco-friendly pick.
Price at time of publish: $6
Material: Synthetic | Dimensions: 4 x 1.75 x 5.38 inches
When dry brushing, it’s important to start from your feet and work your way up the body, moving in long, rhythmic strokes (this helps reap those lymphatic benefits).
Best for Sensitive Skin
Dr. Barbara Sturm The Body Brush Soft
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Sephora
Soft bristles
Easy to grip
Expensive
Team Byrdie loves pretty much any and every product this German aesthetic doctor launches, and this dry brush is no exception. It’s especially choice for those with easily irritated or sensitive skin. While the bristles on many other brushes can be too harsh, these are extra soft and gentle.
Price at time of publish: $40
Material: Natural
Best Set
Belula Premium Dry Brushing Set
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Amazon
Great value
Works for face and body
Easy to grip
Not vegan-friendly
If you’re ready to fully jump on the dry brushing bandwagon, pick up this set. For less than $20, you get both a long-handled body brush and a smaller face brush. The former boasts wild boar bristles and a detachable handle (the brush head also has a hand strap) if you prefer to use it as a handheld. The face brush has much softer bristles, ideal for use on the more delicate skin on your face. Rounding out the trio is a set of exfoliating gloves, great for using in the shower.
Price at time of publish: $25
Material: Boar bristles | Dimensions: 14.96 x 3.4 x 1.77 inches
Best Vegan
goop Beauty G.Tox Ultimate Dry Brush
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Sephora
Easy to grip
Made with biodegradable fibers
Vegan-friendly
Expensive
You better believe Gwyneth is all about dry brushing. Her take on the tool is completely vegan, using sisal fibers derived from the agave plant in place of natural bristles. Its wood handle is FSC-certified (meaning it comes from responsibly sourced and managed forests), and we also appreciate the slightly curved angle of the head, which makes it easy to hit hard-to-reach spots.
Price at time of publish: $25
Material: Sisal
Best Splurge
Gilded Body the Marble Body Brush
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thirteen lune
Very aesthetically pleasing
Easy to grip
Comes in various colors
Expensive
Marble makes it a bit heavy
If you’re looking to treat yourself to a super luxurious body brush, make it this one. It’s a favorite of Byrdie Associate Editorial Director, Holly Rhue and majorly ups the dry brushing game. Rather than the standard wooden or bamboo handle, it’s made of beautiful marble. Available in six colors, it’s so gorgeous that you may want to display it as a piece of artwork in your bathroom. The streamlined oval shape and snug strap ensure it fits comfortably in the palm of your hand while natural bristles polish skin.
Price at time of publish: $129
Material: Natural
Best for Cellulite
C.S.M. Body Brush
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Amazon
Dual texture head
Compact size
Affordable
Doesn’t offer as much exfoliation as others
Listen, there’s no treatment or lotion you can use at home that will eliminate the look of cellulite. Still, dry brushing can help minimize the look of dimples as long as you’re doing it regularly. If that’s your goal, use this brush on your booty and legs. Nestled in among the natural bristles are small, flexible massaging nubs, so you get even more bang for your buck—massage is another way to help promote lymphatic drainage and ultimately get skin looking smoother. Bonus points for the round size and no-slip canvas hand strap.
Price at time of publish: $12
Material: Boar bristles and rubber nodes | Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 2 inches
Best Long Handle
Cleanlogic Sport Wooden Handle Bath Dry Brush
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Cleanlogic
Affordable
Bristles infused with charcoal
Vegan-friendly
Brush must be replaced after 30 uses
The extra-long handle on this brush makes it ideal for hard-to-reach spots like your back. The synthetic (cruelty-free, vegan) bristles are also infused with charcoal, a unique element that helps ward off the bacteria and other grime that can often build up in a dry brush, especially if you like to keep it in the shower. The wallet-friendly price is a nice plus, too.
Price at time of publish: $11
Material: Charcoal-infused synthetic
Best Hand-Held
Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush
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Dermstore
Detachable handle
Easy to grip
Bristles may feel scratchy for some
A wide, easy-to-grip handle makes this a great compact and hand-held option (not to mention great to use on smaller targeted spots like elbows and knees). But, it’s a good pick to use anywhere on your body since there’s also a detachable handle that easily pops on and off in case you also want to use it on your back. FYI, the cactus bristles are pretty stiff and firm, so go easy if you have sensitive skin. Pro tip: Make sure to store it outside of the shower to avoid warping.
Price at time of publish: $45
Material: Cactus fibers | Dimensions: 5 x 15 x 16 inches
Best for Face
Primally Pure Facial Dry Brush
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Primally Pure
Unique option for face
Soft bristles
Not vegan-friendly
While dry brushing for the face may not be as popular as for the body, it is a thing, offering many of the same benefits (like increased circulation, effective exfoliation, and lymphatic drainage). The big caveat here is ensuring you use a brush with super-gentle bristles to not tear, scratch, or irritate the more delicate skin on your face. This one fits the bill, with ultra-soft natural goat bristles that gently slough and massage skin in one fell swoop. As with your body, use it on dry skin, cleanse, then follow with a moisturizer.
Price at time of publish: $18
Material: Goat hair bristles
Best Dual-Sided
Beauty By Earth Dry Body Brush
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Amazon
Easy to grip
Dual-sided head
Not vegan-friendly
This two-in-one brush functions as a three-in-one. Its natural boar bristles (which are cruelty-free) work equally well on wet and dry skin, while the other side of the brush features rubber massaging nubs. Use that side post-shower paired with a little body oil to relieve achy muscles in your back or legs.
Price at time of publish: $20
Material: Boar bristles, rubber nubs | Size: 14.09 x 2.99 x 2.13 inches
Best for Very Dry Skin
Osea Plant-Based Body Brush
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Oseamalibu
Made from natural materials
Exfoliates
Brush cannot get wet
With stiff bristles, this plant-based brush from Osea Malibu does some serious exfoliating. Just note that if you're new to dry brushing, the bristles may feel a tad rough at first as your skin adjusts. But reviewers love that this beechwood-and-cotton brush with sisal fibers sloughs off dead skin without causing redness. Like others, it has a convenient strap on the back that makes it easy to handle.
Price at time of publish: $28
Material: Beechwood, cotton, sisal fibers
Best Vegan, Runner-Up
Keys Soulcare Energizing Dry Body Brush
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Keys Soulcare
Vegan bristles
Gentle
Not for intense exfoliation
If you're new to dry brushing or have very sensitive skin, you'll want to start out easy, and this gentle brush is perfect. You'll get a gentle exfoliation, and the fairly small size with handle makes it easy to use. Because it goes easy on skin, you can use it several times a week, adding value.
Price at time of publish: $22
Material: Vegan bristles | Size: 5.5 x 3 inches
Final Verdict
Dry brushing is a simple step to add to your daily routine that can offer a whole host of benefits. The Esker Dry Brush is our overall favorite, an option made from natural bristles with a round head that works equally well on multiple parts of the body. If you want to try a less expensive alternative, the EcoTools Dry Body Brush is also a great choice that smooths and exfoliates skin. For those who want a vegan option, the Pursoma Detox Beauty Body Brush and Beauty G.Tox Ultimate Dry Brush are both good picks, touting plant-derived bristles. And while the Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush is a bit pricey, it is a nice handheld option that also has the unique feature of a detachable long handle.
Meet the Expert
- Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD FACMS FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon, and media expert. She's experienced in both medical and cosmetic dermatology and expert in how the skin relates to overall health, and values dry brushing as an integral part of your skin wellness routine.
- Michele Green, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in the NYC area with a practice that focuses on medical and cosmetic dermatology. She is highly experienced in the connection between wellness and skin health, and proponent of dry brushing.
- Alicia Zalka, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in western Connecticut who specializes in the what the skin can teach you about everyday health.
What to Look for in a Dry Brush
Bristle Type
Finding that ideal medium of bristles that are stiff yet soft might sound a lot like a self-care version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. But the variety of bristle types on the market—veering between synthetic and natural—offer a ton of options. You want to find bristles that are firm but don't feel scratchy on your skin. If your skin is particularly sensitive, try a brush with gentle bristles, like Keys Soulcare Energizing Dry Body Brush. If you want to dry brush your face, be sure to use a brush designed for facial use. You can also choose from plant-derived bristles, like those found in the Pursoma Detox Beauty Body Brush, synthetic, or natural, meaning they're derived from some kind of animal.
Style of Brush
Determine whether you want a dry brush with a long handle to target any hard-to-reach areas or if you'd prefer a more compact, hand-held option. Many handheld options include a strap to make the brush easier to hold. The Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush, for example, has the unique feature of a detachable long handle for a utilitarian design that makes it worth the spend.
Material and Design
Consider a material that is durable enough to handle everyday use, since dry brushing is a daily practice. The Beauty G.Tox Ultimate Dry Brush is designed to last years, so its quality construction makes it a good investment.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She recently made dry brushing a regular part of her daily pre-shower routine and loves it. She has used (or is currently using) many of the options featured on this list.
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