How to Clean Makeup Brushes

Today we will talk about how to clean makeup brushes. Cleaning your makeup brushes regularly is very important for two reasons. Firstly, clean makeup brushes keep your skin healthy and free from rashes, acne, breakouts and other issues. Secondly, when you clean makeup brushes regularly, you can prevent bacterial buildup in them. Even if you use makeup sparingly, it is a good idea to clean them thoroughly once a week.

Do you want to know to clean your makeup brushes the right way? You have come to the right place then. Here, we give you some tips, recommended by experts in the industry, to keep your makeup brushes clean and free from bacteria, oil, dirt and other residues.

Cleaning method as suggested by dermatologists

• First, clean the tip of your makeup brushes to ensure that you have removed the makeup residues, if any. Please remember to clean only the tips, as you don’t want water to enter inside the brushes.
• In a bowl, add some lukewarm water. Mix a few drops of gentle shampoo or baby shampoo into this. Please remember that using soap to clean your brushes frequently can cause them to get dry.
• Dip the brush tips in the bowl and swirl well in the shampoo solution. Ensure that the lather spreads well on the brushes.
• Rinse the brushes and their tips well under running water to get rid of the lather.
• Keep repeating the process of swirling in the shampoo solution & rinsing until you notice that the water is clean when washing off the brush tips.
• Squeeze the water from the brushes using a soft cloth or paper towel.
• Let the brushes air-dry thoroughly. For this purpose just place them on a towel with the tips hanging from the counter.
• Use them only when they are completely dry.

General cleaning tips to follow while cleaning makeup brushes

• If you use your makeup brushes to apply oil-based makeup products, you can add a couple of drops of olive oil or coconut oil to the warm water & shampoo solution (explained in the above section) and continue the steps mentioned there.
• Rinse your brushes very well after cleaning them in the soapy solution. Keep an eye on the water to see if it is clear or colored. If your brushes have large or thick residues or makeup left in them, it may take you several cycles of shampoo-washing and rinsing to get the brushes as clean as possible. If need be, replace the dirtied shampoo solution with a clean mixture.
• Before setting out the brushes to dry on a paper towel, remember to squeeze out the water well. This will ensure that the brushes get dried up quickly.
• Though it is recommended to clean your makeup brushes once a week, it is a good idea to spray rubbing alcohol on them after every single use. Wipe the brushes using a soft and clean cloth. Let them dry properly before you use them again.
• If you apply makeup regularly, you have to clean your brushes more than once a week. For this purpose, it is a good idea to invest in a makeup brush sterilizer. Place your brushes in the sterilizer to get rid of all the germs & bacteria accumulated in them.
• Your makeup brushes need to be in proper condition to get rid of the oil and dirt buildup in them. Your brushes tend to get softer and easier to apply over some time, if they are maintained well. However, sometimes, they need to be replaced quickly, if the bristles start coming off, or if the brushes look old.
• When using paper towels for drying off the brushes, always use plain, cotton ones. Don’t use any material that is prone to lint, as this may make your brushes look dirtier than they were.
• Here are some points to keep in mind to extend the lifespan of your makeup brushes:
  • Always use different brushes for applying light-colored and dark-colored makeup products. This will make it easier for you to clean the makeup brushes quickly and easily.
  • You may use some brushes more frequently than others. It is a good idea to buy more than one set of these brushes, so that you can replace one with the other at regular intervals. This will make your makeup brushes less prone to wear & tear issues.
  • Makeup brushes usually get dirty when they are exposed to moisture or direct sunlight. Never place your makeup brushes on the skin, next to the shower, or in direct exposure to the direct rays of the sun.
  • Store the makeup brushes properly when they are not in use. Storing these brushes in open vases, mugs or boxes will make them dirty quickly. This will require regular cleaning from you. So, it is always better to keep these brushes stored in closed boxes, to keep them away from dirt and oil buildup.
  • Your makeup brushes may be of different sizes and styles. It is a good idea to invest in a proper organizer to store these in the slots allotted to them. Keeping all the brushes together in one place may cause the dirt from one brush to contaminate the others as well, leading to lengthy cleaning routines for you.

Why is it important to clean your makeup brushes frequently?

Not cleaning makeup brushes regularly, and sharing these brushes with others can lead to skin infections and rashes. According to dermatologists, using dirty makeup brushes can lead to a serious type of fungal infection, E.coli. Using brushes with dirt and residues built up in them can also lead to pigmentation issues, acne breakouts, allergies, rashes, staph infections and other related problems. Deep cleaning them once every 7 or 10 days is very important to get rid of the bacteria that is accumulated in them. If you apply makeup regularly, you should gently clean your brushes every day, and still follow your deep-cleaning schedule once a week to be sure of using clean makeup brushes every time.