This TikTok-Famous Derm Swears By Dry Brushing — Are You Making This Common Mistake?

It's that time of year when people start picking up new habits. And with new routines usually comes a learning curve. I'd wager a few people will try their hand at dry brushing as part of their overall wellness and beauty routine. And guess who's on board? Triple board-certified dermatologist Mamina Turegano, M.D., FAAD, the holistic dermatologist—who reps a huge following on social media, where she shares many of her mother's favorite beauty secrets—says that dry brushing is an excellent way to take care of your body and skin below the neck. 

Are you on board yet? As if those weren't good enough reasons to try (if you haven't already!), it's also an excellent physical exfoliant for the body. Yes, those dry bristles can buff away excess dead skin cells and rough patches, revealing softer, smoother skin underneath. But this brings me to the mistake I see all the time: forgetting to hydrate after. Just like moisturizing your face post-exfoliation is mandatory, so is the same for your body.

There's a positive spin to this, too: All those hydrating ingredients and antioxidants in your lotion of choice can penetrate the skin a bit deeper. We recommend looking for a lotion with several types of moisturizing ingredients, so it can address skin hydration from several angles. For example, you'll want to look for humectants (like aloe vera and glycerin) to attract and bind water molecules—as well as more emollient and occlusive ingredients (like shea butter, squalane, and botanicals oils) to create that conditioning and comforting layer of the skin. 

Basically, hydrating after the shower should always be considered a must. But it's especially vital if you're folding a dry brushing session into your routine—as physical exfoliants can increase the likelihood of transepidermal water loss. Got that? Good. Happy brushing!