[Cleaning Makeup Sponges Brushes
Amancio Mccrae
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Warm water and either gentle soap or a makeup cleanser are still the best tools for the job when it comes to cleaning makeup sponges. If you want to get a little fancier, try mixing a spot of gentle soap with a blob of baby shampoo and a dash of olive oil or baby oil to give your makeup sponge a nourishing soak.
Whether you prefer using brushes or sponges to apply your makeup, make sure that you stick to a regular cleaning routine to make sure that you get the best out of your makeup tools without creating any problems for your skin!
If your make-up brushes and sponges are past their best, why not shop the range available at Beauty Base? Browse our collections of makeup brushes to find options from leading beauty brands such as Brush Works. Then explore our makeup sponges for more options to add to your beauty bag.
We sweep our faces with these brushes almost every day, but we can't always say the same thing about how frequently we clean them. For starters, giving them a thorough washing every month or so is not enough. According to dermatologists and makeup artists, we should be sudsing up our tools far more often to prevent bacteria buildup, which can lead to breakouts.
"At least a few times a year I'm able to track down a new breakout to a patient's old makeup. But there is always the question of how much the makeup brush may have had to do with the problem," says Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist. "When that makeup gets old it may start to harbor bacteria, and the bacteria can overgrow on the surface of the makeup brushes which don't have any antibacterial or antifungal protection. In fact, we know that makeup brushes do grow bacteria and fungus but we don't know how common this is in our own home [if] we're washing them regularly."
There's no one answer for when exactly you must clean makeup brushes, but makeup artists and dermatologists generally agree that the answer is: often. "I recommend washing makeup brushes at least every two weeks or more if you start to see that there is any makeup visible on the brush," says Dr. Ciraldo.
Legendary makeup artist Bobbi Brown is even more conservative, choosing to wash her brushes once per week. Because these brushes are used on your face, the cleaner they are the better, she says. She's a little more lenient with eye shadow and liner brushes, however. "Brushes that are used around the eyes should be cleaned at least twice a month," she says.
Houston-based makeup artist Kat Sketch, who has more than 200 brushes she can rotate through, washes them about every two weeks. But if you don't have a full makeup artist's kit at your disposal, she'd prefer you wash even more often. "I suggest most people wash their brushes every week," she says. "Makeup brushes can build bacteria very fast, especially ones used around your eye."
Frequent cleansings don't just help keep your skin cleaner. According to makeup artist Ashleigh Ciucci, soaping up your makeup brushes regularly can extend the life of the bristles and make for better product application. "Brush hairs and sponges are porous, so they hold onto oils, debris, and bacteria," she says. "If your brushes are dirty, your application will be spotty and blending will be difficult."
The best and most thorough method for cleaning your tools requires water and either a gentle soap (regular soaps and rubbing alcohol can dry out the bristles, especially if they are made of natural hair) or a brush cleanser. Easy peasy.
There are dozens of makeup brush cleaners, but makeup artist Benjamin Puckey is an especially big fan of Parian Spirit Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner, which is made from food-grade solvents to gently dissolve powder-, liquid-, and wax-based makeup. If you'd prefer not to buy a cleanser specifically for your brushes, though, your favorite face wash may be all you need. Kim Kardashian's go-to makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic famously uses Philosophy Purity Made Simple facial cleanser because, he theorizes that if it does such a thorough yet gentle job on your face, it will do the same for your brushes.
For dense and especially dirty brushes that require heartier fare, Sketch is a fan of Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleanser. "This one specifically cleans, disinfects, and leaves your makeup brush dry in one to two minutes flat," she says.
And some dishwashing liquids are good for cleaning, too. Makeup artists like Camara Aunique, Allan Avendao, and Dominique Lerma all look to the gentle soaps they use on their dishes and silverware for their brushes, with Lerma specifically recommending Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap. Dr. Ciraldo even prefers shampoo: "I like sulfate-free shampoo," she says. "It's good to avoid sulfates that may possibly leave a residue on the brush and lead to some irritation or pore-clogging." For Sketch, dense and especially dirty brushes require heartier fare; she's a fan of Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleanser. "This one specifically cleans, disinfects, and leaves your makeup brush dry in one to two minutes flat," she says.
And some dishwashing liquids are good for cleaning, too. Makeup artists like Camara Aunique, Allan Avendao, and Dominique Lerma all look to the gentle soaps they use on their dishes and silverware for their brushes, with Lerma specifically recommending Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dish Soap. Dr. Ciraldo even prefers shampoo: "I like sulfate-free shampoo," she says. "It's good to avoid sulfates that may possibly leave a residue on the brush and lead to some irritation or pore-clogging."
Mid-wash, be sure to keep the base of the brush head (where it connects to the handle) away from soap and water. The bristles are glued to the base, and water and detergent can cause the glue to disintegrate and the bristles to come loose and shed.
After cleaning, the best and quickest way to let the brush dry quickly is to lay them flat with the bristles hanging off the edge of a counter and let them air-dry according to Seropian. This allows them to dry in the correct shape. The pro also recommends drying them on a rack with a towel underneath to catch any dripping water.
As with makeup brushes, make sure to clean your Beautyblenders at least once a week, as the sponges can become filled with skin cells, and bacteria can overgrow, according to Ava Shamban, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills.
Although frequent cleansing can help extend the life of your brushes, there are signs you shouldn't ignore when it comes to determining that they're no longer capable of being the best makeup brush possible.
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Rinse the tips of your brushes under lukewarm, running water to remove residual makeup. Only rinse the tip, as submerging the whole brush head will eventually dissolve the glue that connects the brush head to the handle.
Lay your brushes flat to dry on a towel with the tips hanging off the edge of the counter. Do not dry your brushes upright in a container, as this will cause the water to run down the brushes, loosening the glue that connects the brush head with the handle.
Run your brushes under slightly warm water to clear out some of the makeup and oil. Gently massage the bristles of your brush or gently squeeze your beauty blender to saturate the entire applicator with water.
There are a number of drying racks you can buy that are especially made for makeup brushes, but beauty gurus have been hacking their own for years, with everything from pool noodles to folded towels. Whatever you use to dry your brushes, just make sure your bristles are facing down and not drying directly on a surface.
I have a confession to make: Before writing this, I couldn't remember the last time I cleaned a makeup sponge. Once it starts looking used or there are little tears in the foam, I usually just toss it. I'm aware this is neither eco-friendly nor hygienically sound, which is why I've made a commitment to change my ways.
Laziness is partially to blame (I struggle to go through my own skincare regimen these days, and you expect me to give my sponge a bath?), and the fact that I haven't really known how to clean a makeup sponge has also been a contributing factor.
If you, like me, have neglected to clean your makeup sponge on a regular basis, here's some incentive for you: Sponges are porous, meaning they soak up and retain liquids. Ergo, even after a single use, makeup sponges hold on to foundation, concealer, and oils, becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and microorganisms, explains Dr. Stacy Chimento, a board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami.
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