Body brushes are the latest skincare phenomena and they have so many great benefits to offer. But with such a wide variety to choose from, how do you know which one is best for you? There are brushes of plastic or wood and with synthetic or natural bristles; some with massage nodules, some without.
To help you out, we've put together a buying guide so that you can have your say in each element of your body brush, from how much it exfoliates to whether it's cruelty-free. Not only that, but we've found the best available from Amazon, eBay, and Boots, and ranked them from 1 to 10. That way, you can see every detail and compare the products yourself!
Quick List - Top Body Brushes
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
There are so many types of body brushes available to buy in the UK, so it's a good idea to arm yourself with the facts before you buy. In this guide, we've taken a look at every aspect of these useful tools from their materials to their extra features to ensure you can make an informed decision.
Not too soft, not too harsh, but just right – playing Goldilocks with different body brushes is a very common issue. Not knowing about the bristles of your brush can put you at risk of getting one that's too rough on your skin, or, on the flip side, one that's not exfoliating enough. Find out which suits you best.
Boar hairs are short and wiry which means they can be easily bunched together – great for creating a strong bristle. The strength of boar bristles is due to their robust structure and durability, both of which will play an important part in not only the lifetime of your body brush, but the quality, too.
As you use these bristles, they soften only slightly when in contact with water, leaving the intensity of the brushing almost entirely up to you. This is good if you have sensitive skin, or if you want to try out dry brushing with little to no water.
While boar hair brushes are not suitable for cruelty-free shoppers, there is a natural option that's much more eco- and animal-friendly. Plant-based bristles are soft but spiny, offering a light exfoliation to gently sweep away the dead skin cells on the surface. Much like boar bristles, they're durable yet flexible.
Synthetic bristles such as polystyrene or nylon are another great animal-friendly option, offering a similar strength and an even stronger durability. This is because they lack the natural elements that start to break down after a few uses.
However, this does mean that they're usually a lot rougher, sometimes leaving scratches on those with particularly delicate skin.
If you are someone who sees skin flare-ups with scratchy jumpers or you have eczema, you may therefore find synthetic bristles to be a little too harsh. That said, if you notice frequent a build-up of dry skin on your arms and legs, you would benefit from a stronger synthetic brush.
Choosing the type of brush can depend on a number of things, but primarily it comes down to your comfort.
If you struggle to bend down to reach your ankles or don't have a partner to help you with your shoulders, you might benefit from a brush with a long handle. These usually come with drying hooks too, so you can let them drain and air out in order to keep them fresh.
On the other hand, you might prefer the close contact and precision of a brush with a strap. With this style, you have the ability to apply more pressure in tougher areas as you can firmly grip the brush with the help of the strap.
The majority of brushes on the market that you see will be made of wood. Whether that's bamboo, birch, or something else, you name it and it'll be there.
However, brands don't tend to specify the type of wood used, as the main appeal comes from the aesthetic appeal and eco-friendliness of this material – they don't use as much plastic, they're biodegradable, and they look more sophisticated than a plastic body brush.
From a budget perspective, you may find that you'd prefer the simplicity and affordability of a plastic brush. While they don't last as long as wooden brushes, they're a cheaper option for the time being. Not to mention that in comparison to some wooden brushes, they're completely waterproof.
To help reduce the visibility of cellulite on your legs or other parts of your body, body brushing is a great place to start. To level up, try massage nodules. These are little wooden or plastic bumps between the bristles which increase the effectiveness of the brush, offering enhanced relaxation and an extra circulation boost.
However, bear in mind that they have been known to slow down the process of exfoliation as they're designed to be used with a slow sweeping motion, in comparison to the fast scrubbing motion suited to exfoliation.
Therefore, if your body brush will be used for less of a daily ritual and more of a relaxing Sunday wind-down, try out one of the body brushes with massage nodules.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gospire Dry Brushing Body Brush | ![]() | This One Ticks All the Right Boxes | |
2 | Botanics Botanics Natural Bristle Body Brush | ![]() | For Those Tough-to-Reach Places on Your Back | |
3 | Metene Brush With Soft and Stiff Bristles | ![]() | A Double-Sided Brush With a Strong Grip | |
4 | Ana Wiz Lymphatic Detox Brush | ![]() | An Effective Massaging and Circulation-Boosting Tool | |
5 | Rengöra Lymphatic Drainage Massager | ![]() | A Dry Brush That Would Make a Lovely Gift | |
6 | whpawh Body Brush Back Scrubber | ![]() | A Long Brush and a Little Loofah | |
7 | Aromatherapy Associates Revive Body Brush | ![]() | Revive Your Skin With a Luxurious Ease | |
8 | EcoTools Dry Body Brush | ![]() | An Eco-Friendly Way to Dry Brush | |
9 | NUOLUX Body Brush | ![]() | The Most Colourful Option Around | |
10 | Ithyes Dry Brushing Body Brush | ![]() | Super-Soft Bristles to Care for Sensitive Skin |
With their shiny, non-absorbent high-quality wood, these brushes do not swell or smell when in contact with water. The boar bristles are easy to moderate in strength, allowing you to apply the perfect pressure for boosting your blood flow.
Plus, with the quality bristles and 12 massage nodules per brush, this set is ideal for someone who wants to reduce the appearance of cellulite and brighten their skin. For under £10, this pack of two is a bargain that offers more than most!
This brush by Botanics is completely natural and completely plant-based. Not only that, but to reduce our impact on the planet, it has also been made using FSC-certified wood and paper.
The bristles are roughly splayed out to provide a soft yet effective exfoliation. When you're finished using it, you can hang it up in your bathroom to let it drip-dry easily. With its smooth wooden finish and elegant branding stamp, this brush is a gorgeous addition to your beauty routine.
This body brush is double-sided, technically making it a 2-in-1 product for under ten pounds! This means you can swap between the soft bristles or the hard bristles to target the areas with the pressure that is needed.
The wooden handle is over 40 cm long and is designed so that you can easily reach every corner of your back without having to stretch. It also features blue grips on the handle for enhanced comfort and practicality.
With strong boar bristles and a rough texture, this brush is ideal for removing dead skin and massaging areas of built-up fatty tissue. For an invigorating morning detox, you can hold this brush with the help of the strap to work on your lower calves and thighs.
Also, the brand notes that the boar bristles are in fact ethically-sourced, which is always good to know as a buyer. To add to the appeal, the body is made from all-natural lotus wood.
Made from natural boar bristles, this brush specialises in aiding the lymphatic drainage system with it's soft, splayed bristle ends. The medium-sized handle is the perfect length for reaching your shoulders and legs, and it's shaped at an angle to properly guide everything to your heart.
It comes in a beautifully-packaged box too, with added branding on the brush handle. All in all, this is a good quality brush with a long list of positive reviews, especially as it comes with a free eBook that's full of tips and tricks.
Here's another classic wooden brush with boar bristles, but this time, it comes with a little extra. After using this lightly-exfoliating brush, you can try the natural loofah to lift away the excess dirt left over from the dry skin.
Another unique feature is the ABS plastic holding the bristles in place, which is said to have a better grip than wood. Arguably, this makes the product less eco-friendly, so you might want to bear that in mind while you shop.
For the ultimate stimulating ritual, indulge in this rejuvenating body brush to help revive tired skin. Made from active agave cactus bristles that are rounded at the tip, you will notice a gentle exfoliation that will stimulate your blood flow and make you feel energised.
The only thing to note is that you can't actually submerge the whole brush in water as the wood may damage after time. Saying that, as it's such high-quality, well-made brush, it's going to be a product that you'll want to look after!
Next up, a popular brush from EcoTools which, as you can guess from the name, has been made with sustainable, 100% vegan-friendly materials such as recycled plastic and bamboo.
The particular purpose of this product is to dry brush your body before showering or bathing in order to boost circulation and get a good exfoliation going. While this is a well-rated pick for those who want to get a really thorough scrub, the fact it is not designed for use with water does make it less versatile than some.
This bright green body brush is an affordable essential. With polystyrene bristles and a plastic body, you can wash and go without worrying about getting the brush too wet as it's entirely waterproof.
Despite its water resistance, the handle has been known to get brittle after time, so you may want to make sure that you use the hanging hook to properly dry it out after every use!
Take it back to basics with this white body brush reviewed by over 1,643 happy buyers. The long handle has a built-in plastic hook which is a unique feature in comparison to the usual string ones. This will help it dry more quickly, plus it can't ever accidentally snap off.
The only issue is that this nylon-bristled body brush is very soft, with some users mentioning that it felt too soft to get a good exfoliation. On the other hand, this may well be the perfect product for someone with easily irritated skin!
By using a brush in a sweeping motion all over the body and directing your movements towards the heart, body brushing is known to make you feel energised and invigorated. In addition, it has a number of physical benefits.
For example, body brushing can work to encourage toxins out of your body, boosting your lymphatic system as you break down fat tissue under the skin. In addition, it can help to stimulate the circulation in your body making you feel and look refreshed.
Not forgetting its most effective benefit, exfoliation. By brushing away the dead skin cells that rest discreetly on the surface, you'll notice an immediate difference in the smoothness of your skin.
If you're specifically interested in dry brushing and are curious as to how to implement it into your routine, we've got you. Follow the tips from this straightforward video and you'll soon feel the benefits!
Wondering what else you add to your basket to treat yourself to an at-home spa day? From moisturising masks to muscle-relaxing salts, we've got some great suggestions below to get you blissed out.
Hopefully, you are now ready to buy your own body brush. Whether you like the idea of coarse boar bristles or you prefer to shop for plant-based products, there should be something for you on our list. Remember to take good care of your new brush and watch the tutorial to get the best out of it!
Author: Annie Speight
No. 1: Gospire|Dry Brushing Body Brush
No. 2: Botanics|Botanics Natural Bristle Body Brush
No. 3: Metene|Brush With Soft and Stiff Bristles
No. 4: Ana Wiz |Lymphatic Detox Brush
No. 5: Rengöra|Lymphatic Drainage Massager
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games