For most of my life, I've managed to get by with a fairly minimalistic bodycare routine. While I spend ages layering toners, serums, and creams into my face morning and night, my bodycare routine has typically consisted of body wash, a weekly body scrub, and body lotion (when I can be bothered).
In 2026, however, I've noticed patches of rough skin creeping up on the backs of my arms. Known as keratosis pilaris, this rough, bumpy skin can appear everywhere from the arms to the thighs. It's totally harmless, really common, and whether you have it or not is largely determined by genetics. As well as keeping skin well moisturised (I've committed to daily body cream from head to toe), regular exfoliation is one of the best ways to buff this rough skin smooth and soft.
However, after a few weeks of using my body scrub daily, I realised it wasn't making much of a difference, so I decided to experiment with body brushing. My (incredibly dry-skinned) husband body brushes daily and swears by the simple technique for removing patches of rough, dry skin, and convinced me to put it to the test.
Now I'll give you a heads up, this is not the most relaxing or enjoyable of beauty rituals. Body brushes are designed to be used on dry skin (they're often referred to as dry brushes), so they can feel quite rough and scratchy. However, the rougher and scratchier they are, the more likely they are to have an impact when it comes to dealing with patches of rough skin. I was ready to give up after a week, but by the time that point came round, the bumpy patches on the backs of my arms had totally disappeared, replaced by silky smooth skin. For real.
So, scroll on to discover the best body brushes for smooth, glowing skin, as well as all you need to know about what body brushing is and what the benefits of body brushing are, as per an expert.
What Is Body Brushing?
Body brushing, or dry brushing, is simple. "You use a firm natural bristle brush on dry skin, usually just before you shower," reveals Flavia Morellato, lymphatic drainage expert. "It has been part of wellness rituals for centuries. I use it with clients as a two-minute daily habit that wakes up the skin and gets the circulation and lymphatic flow moving," she adds.
What Are the Benefits of Body Brushing?
There are many benefits to body brushing. It sloughs away dead skin cells, so skin feels smoother and your body cream absorbs far better afterwards. It brings blood to the surface of the skin, which is where that warm, tingly glow comes from.
"Because the strokes follow the direction your lymph drains, it can help move fluid along and ease that puffy, heavy feeling, particularly around the thighs and ankles," adds Morellato.
"Like any form of exfoliation, body brushing works to remove dead skin, so it can help to smooth skin texture, reduce clogged pores, and revitalise skin. In addition, because the technique is a form of massage, it also helps to boost circulation and stimulate the lymphatic system," she explains.
Some people find that regular body brushing can help to address areas of cellulite and stretch marks, and to reduce water retention. However, Morellato caveats that by adding that body brushing is not a detox. "It will not get rid of cellulite, whatever you read online. What it does beautifully is prime the skin and get you into the habit of paying attention to your body every day."
How Do You Body Brush?
'Always work towards the heart, because that is the direction your lymphatic system drains,' says Morellato. She advises following step-by-step guide.
- Start at the feet and brush upwards in long, light strokes over the legs.
- Then the hands, brushing up the arms towards the shoulders.
- On the stomach, use gentle circular strokes in a clockwise direction.
- Keep the pressure light, this is not scrubbing, and pressing harder will not give you a better result, it will just irritate the skin.
- Avoid anywhere broken, sore or sunburnt.
How Often Should You Body Brush?
"Two to four times a week is plenty for most people. If your skin runs sensitive, once or twice is enough. Consistency matters far more than intensity, so a light brush a few mornings a week does more than one aggressive session a fortnight. If skin starts to feel tight or irritated, ease right off," says Morellato.
The Best Body Brushes
- Best Overall Body Brush: ESPA Skin Stimulating Body Brush, £23
- Best Affordable Body Brush: The Body Shop Cactus Long Handle Brush, £13
- Best Body Brush for Stretch Marks: Mama Mio Body Brush, £15
- Best Body Brush for Sensitive Skin: Dr. Barbara Sturm Body Brush Soft, £35
- Best Luxury Body Brush: Altesse Studio Vitalis Body Brush, £160
- Best Body Brush for Dry Skin: Aromatherapy Associates Polishing Body Brush, £26
- Best Body Brush for Sauna Users: Supercharge Copper Body Brush, £67
- Best Electric Body Brush: Geske Sonic LEK Full-Body Brush & Intensive Exfoliator, £110
1. ESPA Skin Stimulating Body Brush
I find this brush to be the perfect balance—it's rough enough to give a good exfoliation, but isn't so scratchy that it hurts to use it. Even after several weeks of rigorous use, the bristles haven't bent out of place.
Pros
- Great quality
- Soft bristles
- Adept at removing dry skin
Cons
- Would love a longer handle
2. The Body Shop Cactus Long Handle Brush
This long-handled body brush is perfect for hard-to-reach areas like the back, neck, and shoulders. The bristles are soft and dense, which makes it easy to use.
Pros
- Great for reaching back of body
- Affordable
- Crafted from FSC certified wood
Cons
- Surface area of bristles smaller compared to others
3. Mama Mio Body Brush
Amongst the bristles, you'll find soft plastic points which help to provide additional massage benefits.
Pros
- Great for massage
- Great for circulation
Cons
- Not the best for exfoliation
4. Dr. Barbara Sturm Body Brush Soft
This is one of the softer body brushes I've tried. Ideal if you have sensitive skin or simply want a more gentle dry brushing experience.
Pros
- Super soft bristles
- Sturdy handle
Cons
- Not the easiest to clean
5. Altesse Studio Vitalis Body Brush
This is mega pricey, but hear me out. It was developed in collaboration with Emmanuelle and Rebecca Trévalinet, the mother-and-daughter founders of the Méthode Trévalinet, a signature massage technique that draws on lymphatic drainage methods, alongside Kobido massage and traditional Chinese acupressure. The result is a thoughtfully designed brush that mirrors the movements used during their professional treatments. As for the verdict? It excels at buffing away dead skin, leaving limbs feeling smoother, softer and more invigorated.
Pros
- Expertly made
- Great design
- Soft but sturdy brushes
Cons
- Expensive
6. Higherdose Supercharge Copper Body Brush
This option features ion-charged copper bristles, which claim to accelerate lymphatic drainage and restore electromagnetic balance, in addition to exfoliating skin. It's recommended for use before a sauna to help boost the benefits.
Pros
- Has copper bristles for added benefits
- Great exfoliator
Cons
- It's another pricey one
7. Aromatherapy Associates Polishing Body Brush
Made with soft but firm natural cactus sisal bristles, this may not be the cheapest option out there, but it certainly comes well reviewed. "I have tried many body brushes in the past, but this one truly stands out from the rest. The bristles are just the right firmness, providing a gentle yet invigorating exfoliation experience. Not only does it effectively remove dead skin cells, but it also improves circulation and leaves my skin feeling incredibly smooth and radiant," says one reviewer.
Pros
- Soft bristles that still do the job
- Invigorating
Cons
- Again, would love a long handle
7. Geske Sonic LED Full-Body Brush
This is a great bit of kit if you're looking for more than just a bit of exfoliation, as it combines sonic pulsations with textured silicone bristles to help lift away dead skin cells while delivering a deep cleanse. It's also fitted with red LED light therapy, making it feel more like a skincare device than a traditional body brush. It's also waterproof, so it's ideal for use in the shower.
Pros
- Red Light
- Pulsation Tech
- Intensive exfoliation
- Soft silicone tips
Cons
- Expensive
How We Tested
To find the best body brushes, I tried a range of options to the test over several weeks, assessing everything from the quality of the bristles to how comfortable they were to hold and use. I also considered how effectively each brush buffed away dead skin without irritating, how well it reached awkward areas such as the back, and whether the bristles maintained their shape after repeated use. I also looked at performance, quality, value for money and ease of cleaning, recommending only the body brushes that I'd happily keep in my own bathroom.
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