If you want makeup to do what you expect it to, bring out your skin's natural beauty, brighten your eyes, lift your cheekbones, apply your technique, and, more importantly, your brushes often make the difference. A dome-shaped powder brush, for example, will smooth particles evenly across your complexion without noticeable streaks; meanwhile, a tapered eyeliner brush will enhance your eyes rather than transfer dark pigment under your eyelashes and make you look tired.
Most people don't prefer cleaning their makeup brushes and keep putting them off until the last minute. But sanitizing your tools with a makeup brush cleaner is as important as washing your face before bed. You may hate to hear this, but dirty makeup brushes and sponges serve as a breeding ground for bacteria and a dumping ground for dirt and oil that lead to clogged pores and acne. Studies have shown that up to 90% of makeup has bacteria like E. bacteria and fungi.
For the health of your skin and optimum effectiveness of your brushes, it's essential to keep them in good condition. When your brushes and sponges are dirty, they can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria, oil, dead skin cells, and other grime, which gets transferred onto your face (and into your products). Clean brushes perform better than dirty ones.
Dirty brushes can also leave ugly streaks on the face and eyelids and make you cringe when you learn about bacteria on your makeup and tools. To prevent product and bacteria build-up, dermatologists regularly recommend cleaning your makeup tools, especially foundation and concealer brushes. Makeup brushes and applicators are for the delicate skin on our faces, so the cleaner they are, the better.
You should clean your brushes whether you wear makeup daily or occasionally apply eye shadow to your eyes. It's easy to overlook the importance of properly maintaining your makeup brushes. Still, it can mean the difference between buying brand new brushes every year or keeping the same for many years—Isabel Rosado, an editorial makeup artist, has had some of her brushes for a decade. Brushes that are well-maintained perform better—product left on the bristles can ruin the integrity of the brush, reducing its longevity, and dirty brushes are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria that can cause breakouts and infections.
7 Top-Rated Makeup Cleaners
You can clean your makeup brushes and tools with a variety of products. However, if you seek to spend more on a cleaning mat or machine that will make your tools cleaner and the process efficient, this is the perfect place.
The best soaps and cleansers recommended by experts will help you keep your favorite brushes and beauty sponges dirt and bacteria-free.
1. EcoTools Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner and Beauty Blender Dissolving Sheets with Textured Mat, Plastic-Free Recyclable Packaging, Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Travel Size, Add Water, 30 Sheet Count
The EcoTools Makeup Brush Shampoo washes away your brushes' makeup, oil, and impurities to improve their performance and give you a smoother makeup application. The brush cleaner is dermatologically tested and safe for sensitive skin. These brushes are free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and petroleum-based ingredients. The shampoo is hypoallergenic and made with clean ingredients for clean, soft, and healthy bristles. Weekly usage of these products extends the life of your brushes and sponges.
These EcoTools Professional Makeup Brush Cleaners are effective self-care products from recycled and renewable materials. Their pure plastic packaging, and vegan-friendly, cruelty-free characteristics, make them the perfect combination of stylish and environmentally friendly makeup cleaners.
Photo source: amazon.com
2. EcoTools Professional Makeup Cleaner for Makeup Brushes, Brush, and Makeup Beauty Sponge Cleansing Shampoo, Fragrance-Free, Hypoallergenic, Paraben Free, 6 fl.oz./ 177 ml Bottle
Washing your brushes with the EcoTools Makeup Brush and Sponge Shampoo will eliminate makeup, oil, and impurities, enabling them to perform better and help you apply makeup more smoothly. They have plant-based ingredients. These cleaners are ranked number 1 by the XAOC data, and are easy to use and durable. Dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic, the shampoo leaves brushes clean, soft, and healthy without parabens, phthalates, and petroleum-based ingredients.
Brush cleaner is a convenient and long-lasting product that will clean your brushes & sponges while gently conditioning them, returning them to their original form. However, after using it, it leaves no oily residue on makeup brushes, applicators, and makeup sponges.
Photo source: amazon.com
3. Brush Cleaning Mat, Silicone Makeup Cleaning Brush Scrubber Mat Portable Washing Tool Cosmetic Brush Cleaner with Suction Cup for Valentine’s Day
Silicone Makeup Brush Scrubber mats are non-toxic, long-lasting silicone, and you can use them multiple times. It features two different screw thread designs on the surface of the silicone brush cleaning mat, enabling it to thoroughly clean brushes. It is suitable for cleaning various makeup brushes, such as facial and eye brushes. The cosmetic brush cleaning mat is designed with a suction cup on the back, offering strong absorption to free your hands and keep it stable while you clean. It helps clean the bristles of your brushes thoroughly.
These cosmetic brush cleaner mats contain quality silicone and are easy to use, lightweight, and secure. They are ideal for traveling and daily home use. There is a cleaning brush scrubber mat of the right size, measuring 3.93 inches/ 10 cm in diameter and about 1.18 inch/ 3 cm in height.
Photo source: amazon.com
4. Premium Makeup Brush Cleaner Dryer Super-Fast Electric Brush Cleaner Machine Automatic Brush Cleaner Spinner Makeup Brush Tools (Black)
Made of premium materials for long-lasting service, accuracy, and safety, This Makeup Brush Cleaner Dryer Super-Fast Electric Brush Cleaner works efficiently to remove makeup without any hassles. The electric makeup brush cleaner cleans brushes to 99% so that you can apply makeup more effectively. You can clean and dry makeup brushes perfectly with the automatic makeup brush cleaner in less than one minute. As a result, your makeup application will become much faster and easier. If you are running late to work, don't be surprised if you have time to grab a cup of coffee before leaving. It's a great cleaning tool.
The premium makeup brush cleaner has an ergonomic electric switch that makes it easy to operate. All parts of the kit are precision-crafted for a tight, leakproof fit. Plastic bowls are hygienic and unlikely to break when dropped. You can clean your makeup brushes using an automatic brush dryer. Products like these make wonderful birthday, holiday, or anniversary gifts. They can also make excellent presents for friends, family, and colleagues.
Photo source: amazon.com
5. Sunbow Upgraded Makeup Brush Cleaner and Dryer Machine, Electric Cosmetic Automatic Brush Spinner with 8 Size Rubber Collars, Wash and Dry in Seconds, Deep Cosmetic Brush Spinner for Brushes
The Sunbow Upgraded Makeup Brush Cleaner removes dirt and oil from your brushes, keeping your skin young, healthy, and clean. Professional dermatologists suggest cleaning brushes every two to four weeks for optimal results. This makeup kit ensures that your brush stays in good shape, beautifying you and maintaining your beauty. Its effectiveness and efficiency make it ideal for removing cosmetics, dirt, oil, and other impurities from makeup brushes.
Moreover, it helps keep makeup brushes soft, nice, and longer-lasting. It ultimately saves both time and effort. By using the electric makeup brush cleaner, which achieves 98% cleanliness, you can maintain the health of your skin and the quality of your makeup. Furthermore, these are available in 8 different sizes of rubber holders, and you can use them for cleaning a variety of brushes.
Photo source: amazon.com
6. TailaiMei Color Removal Cleaner Sponge, Quickly & Easily Clean Makeup Brushes Without Water or Chemical Solutions Eliminating Drying Time – Switch Eyeshadow Colored Immediately
With the TalaiMei magic sponge, you can easily change your eyeshadow colors without water or drying time! It only takes 3 seconds to remove the color from your brush! It is reusable and straightforward to clean! Run under warm water with a bit of soap and allow to dry. It needs cleaning about a week after that. You can use this for your home or travel. The container is quality metal with a rust-resistant coating.
Furthermore, it is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry. The black sponge is usable on both sides, so flip the sponge over and use both sides before washing! Scrub your brush on the sponge gently back and forth a couple of times. Your eyeshadow brushes will be effectively and quickly cleaned with the anti-carbon sponge.
Photo source: amazon.com
7. Luxe Makeup Brush Cleaner – 5oz Brush Cleaning Solution Included – USB Charging Station – 3 Adjustable Speeds – Instantly Wash and Dry Your Makeup Brushes
Manually cleaning makeup brushes takes a significant amount of time, focused solely on the task at hand. It's incredibly tedious with limited results. You can now easily clean your makeup brush right before or during your beauty routine with Luxe makeup brush cleaner. Dirty brushes can harbor germs that lead to breakouts, rashes, and other skin conditions. Your skin will be flawless when you clean your makeup brushes regularly with the electric brush cleaner!
The luxury lifestyle gives a different perspective on the world, seeing it for what it is and could be. Luxe reveals a new way of seeing beauty and style, transforming your makeup routine. While the traditional makeup cleaners are also quick and efficient, they leave your brushes with a hard texture. On the other hand, Luxe brush cleaner maintains the softness of your brushes with its high-speed momentum spinner.
Photo source: amazon.com
What Happens When You Don't Clean Your Makeup Brush?
It might be hectic to wash your makeup brushes, but it is essential for maintaining healthy skin and keeping your makeup products in good condition. Are you still skeptical? Here are seven insanely dreadful things that can happen to your makeup brushes if you don't clean them. When you finish reading this list, you'll be rushing to the bathroom with your makeup brushes and favorite brush cleaner in hand.
Irritation
Having acne-resistant skin does not mean that your skin cannot be contaminated. In addition to causing breakage, roughness, and redness, germs and dirt can irritate the skin. Therefore, you should make cleaning your brushes part of your routine if you want a flawless complexion.
Brush Damage
People have the misconception that cleaning their brushes is bad for them. In reality, it's quite the opposite. By cleaning your brushes regularly, you are keeping them in good condition as it will keep their bristles shiny and healthy. The strands of your brush will become clogged with grime and dirt if they accumulate on them. Synthetic fibers and natural fibers can become oily, leading to damage to the adhesives used to hold the fibers to the handle. Thus, to make sure your brushes stick around for a long time, keep them clean.
Several Bacteria
The bacteria on your face can still accumulate even if you apply the cream every morning. A fluffy powder brush takes longer to accumulate bacteria than a dense synthetic foundation or cream brush, which could be unfit after one use. Moist environments are ideal for bacteria growth. Whether using a foundation brush or a sponge-like Beauty Blender, you must wash them every night. Just wash them when you finish your nighttime skincare routine.
Bacteria and dirt accumulate on a brush when it sits untouched for a long time. Then, the bacteria enter the makeup as you dip your brush into your favorite blush or eyeshadow.
They are likely to grow quickly once introduced to makeup products because makeup storage places are dark, moist places ideal for bacteria growth. As a result, if you continue using that product, it is dangerous for your skin and likely to damage it more quickly.
Viral Illnesses
There's a common belief that you can never get the same cold twice because your immune system has built up antibodies against it. Still, because viruses can live for so long on your brush, they could mutate into a new virus that neither your body nor your immune system can recognize.
Your dirty brushes may be making you ill. The presence of bacteria doesn't just clog your pores and cause unsightly blemishes. The virus can enter your body through your pores and cause infections or the flu. So you should also change your makeup brush regularly, just like your dentist advises for toothbrushes. It reduces bacteria, so you're less likely to get sick.
Unhealthy Skin
Getting healthy glowing skin depends on many factors and your life habits. Washing your makeup appliances is as necessary as setting up expensive salon skin treatments. Unfortunately, your makeup brush's build-up of gunk and the germs it attracts don't stay hidden forever. You may develop breakouts on your face as a consequence, leading to nasty infections. Dermatologists recommend cleaning them weekly to prevent the build-up of bacteria and products on your makeup tools. The better your makeup brushes and applicators are for your skin since you use them on delicate parts of the face, the more your skin will be protected from harm.
Dirt from the brush clogs the pores on your face, causing spots that get infected with germs. Additionally, your hard work might go to waste when your brushes become dirty, resulting in a less-than-fabulous look.
Acne
Skin with acne can be pretty annoying. Though there are several causes of acne, the most common one can be not washing your makeup appliances. Your makeup brushes can be compared to time machines, taking you back to puberty by not washing them.
According to Tanzi, pores produce endless sebum and undergo continuous regeneration. The only way black and whiteheads can develop is if debris (makeup) or bacteria are getting in the way of that process. So if you wash your face to help prevent acne but use a dirty brush to apply makeup afterward, you've just clogged your pores with oil, bacteria, and old makeup.
Final Thoughts
Approximately 60% of women seldom wash their makeup brushes. You must clean your makeup brushes weekly to prevent germs from building up. You can't keep makeup gunk and the germs that come with it from building up on your brushes forever. Infections can result from breakouts on your face, increasing the risk of skin and health diseases.
As a result of the brush, dirt clogs the pores on your face, causing spots that germs can infect. Moreover, dirty brushes often lose their power, which means your makeup doesn't look quite as fabulous as it could. Finally, even though brush bacteria are not the most dangerous (they're on our bodies), leaving brushes untouched for months allows them to multiply rapidly.
Cleaning your brushes is more complicated than just running them underwater. Many ingredients used in makeup are insoluble in water, so they tend to stick to the skin. To address this problem, you'll need to take strategic action. If you wear makeup frequently, it is best to do a quick clean daily, followed by a deep cleaning at least once a week. Applying a short foundation layer does not require nearly as much de-contamination as a 10-step contouring routine involving multiple layers of product.
You can maintain your makeup brushes correctly and expect them to last for years. However, over time, if you don't wash and take care of your brushes, they will become stiff, and you will need to throw them out. To ensure that your brushes are properly cleaned, you should select a mild formula that will not harm the bristles. You should clean beauty blenders once a week, just as you do with your makeup brushes, because the sponges can fill up with skin cells, and bacteria can grow on them.
