I have been skin brushing off and on for the past year or two, and found that I have a hard time tolerating the Yerba Prima skin brushes that I've bought in the health food store - even the lightest brushing with those things leaves major scratch tracks in my skin, I don't think that can be good. I bought a natural bristle body brush at a drug store that is about 50% softer - it seems to do the job without the scratches. (I picked up one for my boyfriend, since he won't brush because "it hurts." What a baby - this is the Aikido black belt saying this! Ha ha!) I thought I could graduate up to the harder brush, but I think my skin is just too thin or something. I'm not one of those hardy types!