Ursa Major Dry Brush Guide: Exfoliate Before Body Serum
By Ursa Major Skincare | Published: 2026-10-15
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use a dry brush before body serum for smoother skin. Step-by-step dry brushing routine with Ursa Major Dry Brush and Golden Hour Body Serum.
Quick answer
Dry brush first on completely dry skin, then apply body serum. This order removes dead surface cells so the serum can absorb evenly, and it prevents the brush from dragging on damp or product-coated skin. Use light, upward strokes for about three minutes, then follow immediately with a body serum like Golden Hour Body Serum.
Why dry brushing before body serum works
Dry brushing creates a smoother surface by physically lifting away dryness and dulling cells. When you apply a body serum afterward, it meets fresh skin rather than a layer of flaky buildup, so the formula spreads further and feels less tacky. The Ursa Major Dry Brush is made with natural beech wood and sisal bristles, which are firm enough to buff away dryness but still flexible enough to follow the contours of your legs, arms, and back.
This sequence also protects the brush itself. Serums and lotions can leave residue on natural bristles, making them clump and lose their effectiveness over time. By brushing first on clean, dry skin, you keep the tool in better condition and get a more consistent exfoliation each session.
Dry brush vs body scrub: which comes first in your routine?
A dry brush and a body scrub both exfoliate, but they work differently. A scrub uses a cream or oil base with particles that dissolve or rinse away, while a dry brush relies on friction alone. If you use both in one shower, you risk over-exfoliating and leaving skin tight or irritated. A practical approach is to dry brush two or three times a week and use a scrub on alternate days, or reserve the scrub for rough patches like elbows and heels.
For most people, dry brushing before a body serum is the gentler daily option because you control the pressure and there is no added fragrance or grit. If your skin is sensitive, start with once a week and build up. If you prefer a scrub, use it in the shower, then apply serum to damp skin—but do not dry brush immediately after a scrub.
How to fit dry brushing into your body care order
The best order for body care is: dry brush, shower if you choose, then serum, then any thicker cream or oil. Dry brushing happens before water touches your skin. If you shower afterward, pat dry and apply serum within a minute or two while skin is still slightly damp. If you dry brush without showering, go straight to serum. This order keeps exfoliation first and hydration second, which is the opposite of applying serum and then trying to brush over it.
For the face, keep your routine separate. Mountain Glow Serum is a face product with 41 clean plant actives designed to support visibly firmer, healthier-looking skin. It belongs after cleansing and before moisturizer—not in the same step as body brushing. Using the right product on the right area prevents irritation and lets each formula do its job.
Step-by-step dry brushing routine
- Start on completely dry skin: Begin before you shower or apply any product. Stand on a towel to catch flakes. Hold the Ursa Major Dry Brush by its beech wood handle and use light pressure—let the sisal bristles do the work, not your muscles. Checkpoint: If skin feels pulled or looks red, you are pressing too hard. Ease up.
- Brush upward from ankles to heart: Use long, sweeping strokes moving toward your heart: ankles to knees, knees to hips, wrists to shoulders. Overlap each stroke slightly. Spend about one minute on each leg and arm, then move to your stomach and back in circular motions. Mistake to avoid: Do not brush back and forth. Always move in one direction to support circulation and prevent irritation.
- Keep it under three minutes: Set a timer for two to three minutes total. More time does not mean better exfoliation—it usually means redness and sensitivity. When you finish, your skin should feel warm and tingly, not raw. Checkpoint: If you see scratch marks, stop immediately and skip serum that day. Let skin recover.
- Apply body serum immediately: Pump Golden Hour Body Serum into your palms and smooth it over your legs, arms, and torso using the same upward motions. Use more on dry areas like shins and elbows. Let it absorb for a minute before dressing. Mistake to avoid: Waiting too long. Serum works best on skin that is still warm and slightly flushed from brushing.
- Clean the brush and repeat 2–3 times weekly: Shake out loose flakes, then wipe the bristles with a dry cloth. Once a week, wash bristles with mild soap and warm water, rinse well, and air dry completely before storing. Aim for two or three sessions per week, adjusting based on how your skin feels. Next step: If you also use a body scrub, alternate days so you never exfoliate twice in one session.
Products that support this routine
- Ursa Major Dry Brush: Made with natural beech wood and sisal bristles, this body tool buffs away dryness and detoxes skin—so things feel soft, smooth, and re-energized from the neck down. The firm sisal bristles provide the friction needed for effective dry exfoliation, while the beech wood handle gives you control for upward strokes on legs, arms, and back.
- Golden Hour Body Serum: Golden Hour Body Serum is a deeply rejuvenating body treatment packed with skincare-worthy actives to help firm, smooth, and support a youthful glow. Available in a 5 FL OZ size. Applying this serum right after dry brushing lets its concentrated actives absorb into freshly exfoliated skin, maximizing the smoothing and firming benefits without needing a heavy lotion.
