I like to consider myself in the advanced course when it comes to dry brushing . I started my beauty career at Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop —the actor-turned-entrepreneur was an early evangelist of the power of the lymphatic system (a rarely discussed organ system that lies directly under the skin and carries fluid throughout the body) and how caring for it can change how your body looks and feels. While studies on the benefits of dry brushing are a bit dubious (besides the skin exfoliation properties, which can help with things like KP bumps ), my personal experience is that it makes a huge difference with fluid retention and bloating.
But after almost a decade of doing it, I've been craving something with a bit more kick. This is why I went on a Goldilocks-like search for something new and settled on a one-two punch: the de la heart Wooden Lymphatic Body Sculptor Tool and the Love Wellness Bye Bye Bloat Lymphatic Massage Roller . My new routine involves both a pre- and post-shower step—which I know, is high maintenance—but I've never felt better and my skin looks and feels incredible, too.
First, before I hop in the shower, I strip down and grab my de la heart tool. Holding it like I'm gripping brass knuckles (or, how I assume you would—it's not something I personally have experience with), I use the concave side of the tool just like I would my dry brush—working limb-to-torso on my body in short motions. On areas that feel a bit off (tingly or crunchy), I spend a little extra time on the massage in that area.
Then, just shower as usual. After I've toweled off, I go for tool number two. Yes, the Love Wellness tool is a bit silly looking—kind of like one of those cat toys that scoots around on the floor by itself—but it feels incredible.
First, I smooth on whatever body oil I'm currently in love with one limb at a time (right now I'm switching between the Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil and Alo Head-to-Toe Body Oil , finished off with a dab of Brown Sugar Babe It Girl ). I use the tool in the same fashion and motions as I did the pre-shower one: out to in. Each of the seven cryo-balls rolls around as you move it across your skin, giving you both a cooling treatment and lymphatic massage at the same time.
As an added bonus, the oil sinks in super fast. By the time I'm ready to walk out the door, my skin is glowing (a key requisite for anybody who loves a mico-mini in the way that I do)–but also, I don't have that heavy leg or bloated stomach feeling that dry brushing seems to always fix—I just feel good. And because of that, the two-step routine is worth it to me.
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