While I didn't grow up in the South (I'm Pacific Northwest born and bred), I was raised by a Southern mother who was huge on self-care. From as far back as I can remember, she would always remind me to stay on top of my bodycare from head to toe—encouraging starting my lengthy shower routine with a bar soap (featuring good-for-your-skin ingredients), and always reminding me to use an effective body scrub to keep my skin smooth year-round.
By the time I entered adulthood, I had my routine down with specific products and tools I could depend on to deliver great results every time. Today, I'm sharing my edit of one of the tools I use frequently: the dry brush. Keep reading to learn more about how to use a dry brush and its benefits before taking a look at my top picks. Prepare to say goodbye to strawberry legs and dull-looking skin for good!
What Is Dry Brushing?
The name of the tool can clue you into what it is and how to get the most out of it. Dry brushes are usually crafted with an ergonomic wood handle for easy grip and usually feature a dense collection of coarse natural or synthetic fibers. They can be used to buff away dead skin, promote circulation, start lymphatic drainage, get rid of toxins, reduce cellulite, combat ingrown hairs, and boost energy levels.
Using it before you hop in the shower or bath can even help your body serums, lotions, and oils absorb better. I incorporate dry brushing into my routine twice a week, however, some dry brushes are designed to be used daily. Experts recommend starting with your legs and moving upwards towards the stomach; ideally going over each area multiple times for five minutes or more to get the most out of your dry brushing experience. After dry brushing, be sure to add hydration back into the skin with a moisture-replenishing oil.
Since starting to dry brush my skin, it's appeared much plumper, glowier, and smoother. My skin also absorbs easily and stays looking great for days following my dry brushing regimen. If you're in the market for a dry brush to add to your own, keep scrolling for the 14 best dry brushes.
The Best Dry Brushes, Listed
- Best for Gentle Exfoliation: Aromatherapy Associates Revive Body Brush
- Best for a Luxury Treatment: Gilded Body Nero Marquina Body Brush
- Best for Addressing Hyperpigmentation: ESPA Skin Stimulating Body Brush
- Best for Lymphatic Drainage: Tronque Ionic Dry Body Brush
- Best for Combating Keratosis Pilaris: Osea Body Brush
Best for Gentle Exfoliation: Aromatherapy Associates Revive Body Brush
This Aromatherapy Associate dry body brush to quickly sweep away dead skin cells, increase circulation, and get rid of impurities while promoting firmness. It's crafted with round-tip natural bristles from agave cactus that are gentle yet firm on the skin. The result with be ultra-glowy-looking skin in minutes.
Customer Review: "I bought this because I have lymphedema and I wanted to try a dry body brushing technique to see if it made an impact. The brush is great, firm bristles but not hard so it gives the right pressure when brushing. It looks good too and it has the desired effect as well as exfoliating all the dead skin cells."
Product Size: 5 x 2 x 3.5 inches
Bristle Type: Natural, round-tipped from Agave cactus
Base Material: Wood with canvas strap
Pros: Bristles are gentle enough for use on sensitive skin
Cons: None
Best for Firming Skin: Mio Dry Body Brush
The newly released version of Mio's bestselling brush now features 100% vegan-friendly PP fiber bristles with super-soft rubber massage nodules to help smooth and firm the skin. It effectively massages and exfoliates the skin's surface while removing dead skin cells for softer, firmer skin.
Customer Review: "I love that the bristles are not as stiff. Bristles are soft but exfoliate effectively without irritating skin. Also, it has rubber massage nodules in between bristles. My skin has been the smoothest as can be and body lotion absorbs better. Great idea!"
Product Size: 2 x 2.5 x 5.5 inches
Bristle Type: PP fiber with rubber nodules
Base Material: Wood with cotton strap
Pros: Design features rubber nodules that offer a soft massage
Cons: Has a tendency to shed slightly
Best for Pressure-Sensitive Skin: Dr. Barbara Sturm The Body Brush
This multipurpose brush can be used both in the shower and as a dry massage to promote tight, smooth skin with scientifically proven ingredients and nonaggressive natural extracts. If you have tender or pressure-sensitive skin, consider snagging this one in the soft version rather than this medium one.
Customer Review: "I bought this because I’ll try anything to reduce my cellulite! I like this one because the bristles are pretty stiff but not stiff that it’ll hurt you. I feel like my cellulite is getting a little better. I use this product twice a day and the bristles do not hurt or damage your skin at all."
Product Size: 5 x 1 x 3 inches
Bristle Type: Natural in soft or medium density
Base Material: Wood with canvas strap
Pros: Offered with bristles in to densities for comfortable use
Cons: Moderately priced
Best for a Luxury Treatment: Gilded Body Nero Marquina Body Brush
If you're willing to spend a little more on your dry brushing experience, I highly recommend adding this luxurious option to your bodycare routine. Each Gilded Body's Marble Body Brush is handmade with unique veining and patterning with firm sisal bristles, a sustainable, cruelty-free natural fiber derived from the agave plant.
Customer Review: "A phenomenal work of art that has so many great benefits for your skin. I highly recommend these brushes for you and as gifts for all your family and friends."
Product Size: N/A
Bristle Type: Natural, derived from the agave sisal plant
Base Material: Natural marble with canvas strap
Pros: Provides skin benefits while being extremely aesthetically pleasing
Cons: Luxury price point
Best Ergonomic Design: Goop G.Tox Ultimate Dry Brush
The G.Tox Ultimate Dry Brush offers intensive exfoliation, leaving the skin looking and feeling refreshed and invigorated. The brush is made with natural, biodegradable sisal fibers taken from the agave plant and features an easy-to-use ergonomic handle.
Customer Review: "Absolutely wonderful! I use this every morning! It helps me so, so much with the little tiny bumps on my arms and thighs that seemed to have never gone away! This has helped to alleviate it so much that now after 3 months, they have nearly gone away! I can’t write enough wonderful things about this brush, if you are on the fence, this is your sign to buy it! Also, it doesn’t irritate my skin at all from the exfoliating, it only helps make my skin smooth."
Product Size: 11 x 3 x 1.5 inches
Bristle Type: Biodegradable and natural, derived from agave sisal plant
Base Material: Wood with cotton rope
Pros: Ergonomic handle, making it easy to get to hard-to-reach spots
Cons: Bristles are not ideal for use on sensitive skin
Best for an Even-Looking Glow: Keys Soulcare Energizing Dry Body Brush
The Keys Soulcare Energizing Dry Body Brush can be used to gently exfoliate away dead skin cells and boost cell renewal to reveal the luminous, even-looking skin below. This would be my top pick for anyone with pressure-sensitive skin who wants instant results without having to put their skin through the wringer.
Customer Review: "This is a gentle exfoliating brush, and I found it felt quite nice on skin. It was not too tough or rough, but also not too soft. The strap on the back makes it easy to hold in hand (it was not elastic, though it fit my hand OK). It looks quite nice and would be giftable as well with the elegant wood and nice packaging."
Product Size: 2 x 3 x 6 inches
Bristle Type: Natural, cruelty-free
Base Material: Wood with canvas strap
Pros: Promotes gentle exfoliation and skin cell renewal
Cons: None
Best for Daily Use: Skin Gym Dry Body Brush
If you ask any beauty editor what bodycare line offers the best tools to support skin health, there's a high chance Skin Gym will be raised as one of the best. My favorite from the brand is the Dry Body Brush, as it's made with natural sisal cactus bristles that are gentle enough to be used daily to exfoliate and polish the body.
Customer Review: "Love the curve of the handle. Sometimes the long handled dry brush that I already have is awkward. This dry brush is much easier to use for some areas on the body due to the shape of the handle. The description does say soft but the bristles are definitely firmer. I just use with a lighter touch. As of now there has been no bristle fallout. Definitely would recommend this one!"
Product Size: 3 x 1 x 9.5 inches
Bristle Type: Natural, derived from agave sisal plant
Base Material: Wood with cotton rope
Pros: Bristles are soft and gentle enough for daily use
Cons: None
Best for Addressing Hyperpigmentation: ESPA Skin Stimulating Body Brush
Smoother and more radiant skin is made possible with this skin-stimulating body brush by Espa. Crafted from Mexican cactus plant bristles, this brush buffs away dead skin cells while prompting circulation and reducing an uneven skin tone. I've found this one extremely comfortable to use before hopping in the shower.
Customer Review: "I was on the market for a dry brush as I heard it was great self-care and good for lymphatic drainage/massage. I haven't used it for very long, but I like it so far and feel that it is really well-made. Initially, I felt it was rough, so I've just learned to be light and gentle with my strokes, and no problems yet."
Product Size: N/A
Bristle Type: Natural, derived from Mexican cactus
Base Material: Wood with canvas strap
Pros: Bristles lightly stimulate circulation and soften skin
Cons: None
Best Affordable Buy: Complete Skin Makeover Dry Body Brush
While you could book yourself a costly visit to the spa, you could also just start using Complete Skin Makeover's Dry Body Brush to immediately get glowy, even skin in the comfort of your own home. This one uses soft and firm natural boar bristles to promote circulation and combat cellulite.
Customer Review: "Now that I’ve started dry brushing I never skip that in my morning routine, no matter how late I am. It makes my whole body feel like I just got a massage, and this brush isn’t overly scratchy. I think the massaging heads make a difference. The strap is a tad long for me but it doesn’t impede its function. I also appreciate the QR code for the instruction guide."
Product Size: 4 x 4 x 2 inches
Bristle Type: Natural boar hair with rubber nodules
Base Material: Bamboo with canvas strap
Pros: Design features rubber nodules that offer a soft massage
Cons: Has a tendency to shed slightly
Best Multi-Purpose Set: Complete Skin Makeover Dry Brushing Body Brush Set
Can't get enough of Complete Skin Makeover's Dry Body Brush? It's offered in a set with its Mini Body Brush for only $16! The boar bristles of these brushes are soft and firm, and won't fall out with repeated use. In addition to helping renew your skill cells, it encourages collagen production and deeply cleanses the pores.
Customer Review: "I wouldn't say this brush is for sensitive skin but it does feel good and feels like it's actually working. The bristles are stiff enough to make a difference but not too stiff where your skin hurts after using. My skin feels 'brushed' after using but not raw. I love to use it."
Product Size: 7 x 7 x 2 inches
Bristle Type: Natural boar hair
Base Material: Bamboo with canvas strap, cotton rope
Pros: Set comes with two dry brushes (for the body and face)
Cons: Has a tendency to shed slightly
Best for Lymphatic Drainage: Tronque Ionic Dry Body Brush
This dry body brush is made from extra fine ion-charged copper bristles to create negative ions as your brush from natural friction. You can expect smoother, brighter skin, with softened cellulite, lymphatic drainage, and reduced inflammation.
Product Size: N/A
Bristle Type: Ion-charged copper
Base Material: Beechwood with leather strap
Pros: Ion-charged bristles and brushing motion ground your energy state
Cons: High price point
Best for Product Absorption: Tata Harper Dry Body Brush
Tata Harper's Dry Body Brush ensures a large round wood base, a wood knob for an easy grasp, and soft vegan bristles that can be used to gently exfoliate the skin for better circulation. After beginning to use it, I've noticed a major difference in how easily the rest of my bodycare products absorb into the skin.
Customer Review: "Tata Harper's Dry Body Brush is made with high-quality wood and bristles. The size and shape are perfect to grasp onto. I am very happy with this product, I am enjoying the results of my new routine."
Product Size: N/A
Bristle Type: Soft, vegan
Base Material: Wood base with knob
Pros: Immediately promotes circulation and lymph flow
Cons: None
Best for Sensitive Skin: Kitsch Exfoliating Body Dry Brush
Kitsch's Body palm-size Exfoliating Body Dry Brush was designed with sensitive skin in mind with cruelty-free bristles. In addition to the brush being used to buff away dead skin cells, improve circulation, and detoxify the skin, it can also help improve the appearance of the skin and promote lymphatic drainage.
Customer Review: "I have tried all sorts of products in the shower for dry skin. I read the reviews and decided to try the dry before shower brush and was pleasantly surprised to see a difference on the first day. Skin was softer and smoother already."
Product Size: 6 x 3 x 1.5 inches
Bristle Type: Soft, vegan
Base Material: Wood with canvas strap
Pros: Gently buffs the skin while stimulating healthy blood circulation
Cons: None
Best for Combating Keratosis Pilaris: Osea Body Brush
Osea has been a favorite brand of mine since the earliest days of the COVID-19 lockdown, and its Body Brush has made the biggest difference in my "strawberry legs." Its bristles are made of plant-based fibers that buff away dead skin and prep it for hydration. That said, if you have sensitive skin, you might want to skip this one.
Customer Review: "I've only used this once so far to begin my dry brushing routine before showering and my skin feels amazing! I can see why some people say the brush is rough, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially on my legs. You may want to skip sensitive areas or be extra gentle at first. Would highly recommend!"
Product Size: 2 x 5.5 x 3.5 inches
Bristle Type: Plant-based sisal fibers
Base Material: Wood with canvas strap
Pros: Helps prep the skin for optimal hydration ahead of bathing
Cons: None
The Testing Process
To test these dry body brushes, I paid attention to a few key components that influenced our decision-making. One of the most notable features that stood out to me immediately was their uniquely ergonomic designs, ease of use, density of bristles, and overall effect on the appearance and feel of the skin over a few weeks of use. The best brushes displayed near immediate results, with dry skin buffed away to reveal a noticeably smooth and glowy layer beneath without any discomfort.
I also took note of the materials used to create the dry brushes, such as what the bristles and bodies were crafted from (plus, how the materials were sourced). As someone who prefers using bodycare products and tools that are as gentle on the environment as they are on my skin, dry brushes using naturally sourced boar bristles and wood stood out to me the most. Lastly, I compared the various price points these brushes were offered at, deciding which brushes offered an effective solution for reviving dry, dull skin at the fairest price.
Why Trust Us?
Not only am I providing my honest review of dry brushes we've had firsthand experience with through testing, but we've also scanned through thousands of reviews across the market from customers who've also used this product as part of their bodycare routine. The list above is composed of the 14 products that stood out to me, as well as to other members of Who What Wear's beauty team who have given each one their stamp of approval.
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