The Brush-Off: Dry Brushing’s Modern Comeback
From Ancient Ritual to Instagram Routine, a Low-Tech Tool Finds New Life in Wellness Culture
Dry brushing doesn’t have a single origin — instead, it emerged across ancient Egypt, Greece, and India, where variations of the practice were prized for purification, exfoliation, and improved circulation. In Ayurveda, Garshana involves the use of raw silk gloves. The Greeks relied on strigils after exercise, while the Egyptians favored brushes before bathing.
Fast-forward: today’s #drybrushing boasts nearly 18,000 tagged posts, with influencers and dermatologist-backed brands alike touting its benefits, including glow-boosting, lymphatic drainage, and stress relief. Beauty insiders and subscription services are fielding endless “how-to” content, while luxury skincare players are embedding brushes into their regimens.
Why It Matters:
Dry brushing taps into the sweet spot where ancient ritual meets modern biohacking. As wellness shifts toward low-tech, high-touch tools, brands such as U Beauty and Dr. Barbara STURM are launching proprietary brushes that serve as extensions of their premium routines. Beyond beauty, the practice resonates with sedentary, stressed-out consumers seeking circulation and stress relief — making it both gender-neutral and ageless. With its giftable format, affordable luxury price-point, and ritualistic appeal, dry brushing is poised to scale as a gateway wellness accessory for the holiday season and beyond.
