No one enjoys cleaning their makeup brushes, and it’s not the most exciting task to do! However, it’s something that can be pretty important.

According to a Huffington Post survey[SV1] , about 61% of women clean their makeup brushes once a month, if at all! That’s 2/3 of participants who clean their brushes only once a month; however, makeup brushes should be cleaned more often.

In this article, we take a look at why it’s essential to clean your makeup brushes and then how to effectively clean makeup brushes. Let’s get started!

Why is It Important to Clean Your Makeup Brushes?

Here are some reasons why it’s so important to keep your makeup brushes clean.

1. Skin Damage & Other Issues

When you use makeup brushes every day, they eventually build up sebum, impurities, dust, bacteria (such as staphylococcus and others), dead skin cells, and more. Yuck! Who would want to use a makeup brush with all that gunk on it?

2. Not Cleaning Makeup Brushes Affects the Quality of Makeup Application & Blending

Not cleaning your brushes means plenty of product builds up on the brushes. This can affect the shape of the brush, its ability to pick up and lay down pigment, and even affect the brush’s ability to blend makeup properly.

However, with regular cleaning, your brushes can make it easier to apply makeup with precision and achieve the flawless look you want.

3. Extend the Lifetime of Brushes & Protect the Investment

Makeup brushes can be a big investment, especially if you buy the more expensive brush sets. The key to prolonging the useful life of your makeup brushes is to keep them clean.

When makeup brushes become filled with dirt and bacteria, the bristles can be hard and brittle. Over time, the bristles become damaged and impossible to use. The effect of putting on makeup is not effective, and it’s impossible to achieve a stunning appearance with dirty, broken brushes.

4. Cross-Contamination

Dirty makeup brushes can also contaminate various makeup products. You may use one brush in your powder blush and then use it in your powder. If the brush contains bacteria, using it in the blush and then in the powder means spreading the bacteria to the powder. Yuck!

5. Cleaning Brushes Means Better Skin

When makeup brushes are kept clean, you’ll find that your skin is also in better shape. You’ll have fewer breakouts, skin allergies, and other problems.

Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Makeup Brushes

Here are some mistakes to avoid when cleaning your makeup brushes and keeping them clean!

Don’t Submerge in Water

Soaking/submerging the handles in water causes damage and dissolves the glue used between the bristles and the brush handle. This can cause the brush to lose its bristles.

Don’t Use Boiling or Very Hot Water

Another problem to avoid is putting your makeup brushes into boiling or very hot water. The same problem can happen (as above). The hot water can dissolve the glue holding the handle and the bristles together, causing the brush to shed.

Drying Makeup Brushes Incorrectly

Using hot hair dryers can cause problems with makeup brushes. This can also cause the glue to melt and lead to the brush shedding.

Not Cleaning Brushes Regularly

Not cleaning your makeup brushes can cause all types of problems. So, it’s best to have a regular routine to clean them. The optimal routine is to clean the brushes every 3-4 days or at least once a week.

When you clean makeup brushes more often, it’s easier to remove dirt and gunk, and they’re faster to clean!

How to Clean Makeup Brushes the Right Way

Now, we’re ready to learn how to clean makeup brushes the right way! We’ve seen that cleaning makeup brushes is essential for hygiene and keeping bacteria away.

Clean Makeup Brushes Weekly

Makeup brushes need to be cleaned at least once a week, though they may need to be washed more often if you change colours regularly.

What to Use to Keep Makeup Brushes Clean?

First, avoid cleansers that have high amounts of alcohol or harsh solvents. These can loosen the glue that holds the handle and brush together. They can also damage brush bristles.

You can use a soap such as Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile soap or baby shampoo. These cleaners are both gentle on the handles and brush bristles.

Correct Method for Washing Makeup Brushes

1. Start by rinsing the brush bristles in lukewarm water. Try to avoid soaking the bristles or the metal part of the brush (that holds the handle and bristles) to avoid dissolving the glue.
2. In a bowl, pour a small amount of soap.
3. Swirl each brush in the cleanser, then massage the bristles in the palm of your hand.
4. Rinse the bristles again.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the water runs clear.
6. Gently squeeze out the remaining water and reshape the brush as you go.
7. Dry the brushes with the bristles pointing downward or hanging over the edge of the counter. Never allow makeup brushes to dry on a towel, as they could develop mould or mildew. Water can also seep under the metal band that holds the brush and handle together, causing mould and dissolving the glue.

When is It Time to Get New Brushes?

That’s a great question. It’s hard to give up a brush that’s one of your favourites. But there comes a time in the life of every brush when it’s no longer usable. When a brush becomes coarse, it’s time to replace it. And if a brush has lost its shape or has begun fraying, this is the right time to replace the makeup brush.

What about makeup sponges? Makeup sponges should be replaced about every three months. The reason is that they become saturated with dirt and bacteria pretty quickly. And they’re very difficult to get clean after that amount of time.

Summing It Up

So, there you have it! Makeup brushes need to be cleaned regularly. Most experts recommend cleaning them once a week, though more often may be needed.

Keeping your makeup brushes clean is the best way to also keep them in good shape and extend their longevity! It’s also the best way to avoid developing skin issues, such as skin infections, breakouts, and other problems.