With all the content available online these days, it can be hard to figure out what’s real and what’s hype. While we don’t always have the answers, we have a direct line to people who do — which is why we present to you our series The Internet Made Me Ask, where we have experts break down the truth about some of the buzziest trends on our timelines, like how often you should wash jeans.
Makeup brushes do a lot of work — namely sweeping foundation, blush, powder and other cosmetics onto your face day after day — yet many people rarely think about cleaning them. It’s an easy chore to put off, especially since freshly washed brushes can take up to 24 hours to dry. The only problem with that is that skipping regular cleanings can affect both how your makeup looks and the health of your skin.
“[Not cleaning makeup brushes] can lead to makeup buildup on the brush hairs, which can negatively affect the softness of the bristles over time and lead to a patchy or streaky application,” says Eric Vosburg, a New York City-based makeup artist. “And due to the high moisture content from liquid and cream products, bacteria can easily form and grow, which can cause the contaminated tools to spread bacteria around the skin, leading to acne.”
So, how often should you actually be washing them? I posed that very question to Vosburg and other professional makeup artists and got tips on the best way to actually wash them and recommendations on tools that can help you get the job done.
How often should you clean your makeup brushes?
How often you should wash your makeup brushes depends on how frequently you use them and what you use them for. As a general rule, Vosburg recommends cleaning them once a week to reduce product buildup and keep bristles in good condition. Brushes used with liquid or cream formulas, like foundation and concealer, tend to collect residue and moisture faster than those used with powders, so they need attention more frequently — you may be able to stretch wash time on powder brushes to every two weeks.
Certain situations also call for extra cleanings. If you’ve recently been sick, wash your brushes once you’ve recovered to avoid transferring germs back onto your skin or into your makeup products. And if you’re dealing with acne or breakouts, more frequent cleaning can help limit the spread of bacteria and fungus and prevent reinfection, says Zac Hart, a New York City-based hair and makeup artist.
Between deep cleanings, a quick-dry brush cleaner can be a convenient option, since it removes residue and sanitizes bristles without the long drying time. However, relying on these sprays too often can damage brushes over time and they can leave behind a residue of their own, says Hart. In other words, use them sparingly and only when you absolutely need a quick clean until you’re able to do a thorough one.
The best products to clean makeup brushes
To help you get your makeup brushes as clean as possible, I asked Vosburg and Hart what types of products can be helpful. I then sourced highly-rated options within the categories they recommended. All of the products below have at least a four-star average rating from more than a thousand shoppers.
Vosburg says a simple, mild bar soap is a great cleanser for makeup brushes because you can simply swirl your brush over it to work up a lather. This fragrance-free option from Cetaphil is designed for dry, sensitive skin, so it cleans gently and can help lift away makeup residue while being easy on both synthetic and natural bristles.
I’ve been using this cleanser on my makeup brushes for years. I like that it’s gentle enough for my most expensive brushes while still getting them super clean. The sulfate-free liquid formula lathers easily and cuts through stubborn foundation and concealer buildup. It works just as well on sponges, and its light lavender scent leaves tools smelling fresh.
I set this silicone bowl up next to my sink whenever I clean my brushes. The textured ridges inside help loosen makeup buildup as I swirl each brush through soap and water, making the process quicker and less messy. I also like that the bowl is collapsible, so it folds flat and tucks away easily for storage.
This rinse-free formula is good if you are in a pinch and don’t have time to dry your brushes. It cleans natural and synthetic bristles, dissolving foundation, powder, and color buildup while deodorizing and hydrating them. It also dries quickly, so brushes are ready to use again in moments.
This electric spinner takes almost all of the manual work out of cleaning makeup brushes. You attach a brush to the device using one of the included rubber collars, dip it into the bowl of soapy water and let it spin clean. Lifting it out of the water while spinning helps get rid of excess moisture, which can help speed up drying time.
NBC Selected senior editor Shalwah Evans started using this makeup brush cleaner earlier this year and says it works faster than any other cleaner she’s ever used. “I have the tin from the travel kit and I just pour the solution into the tin, dip my brush halfway and then watch all the dirty liquid just pour off of the brush and into the sink. It’s gross and fascinating at the same time,” she says. “I love that I don’t have to do a bunch of scrubbing like I do with bar soaps and the residue comes off when I rinse it under the faucet. The gnarly smell is definitely the one drawback, but it’s nothing one pump of hand soap can’t take away.”
How do you clean makeup brushes?
Before you start cleaning, it helps to know what your brushes are made of, since synthetic and natural bristles need slightly different care. Vosburg breaks down those two most common types of brushes below.
- Synthetic brushes: Many makeup brushes, especially foundation and lip brushes, are made with synthetic fibers. Because they’re typically used with liquid and cream products, they can hold onto oily buildup that’s tough to remove. A simple soap works well here, since it breaks down oils quickly and gets synthetic bristles clean without much effort.
- Natural hair brushes: Powder and eyeshadow brushes are often made with natural hair. These bristles are prone to staining from pigmented products like blush, but discoloration is normal and doesn’t mean the brush isn’t clean. Because natural hair can dry out over time, use a moisturizing soap (like a bar soap you may use on your body) or cleaner to keep the bristles soft and healthy.
Once you know what you’re working with, follow these steps:
- Choose your soap. Liquid dish soap or shampoo both work, but Vosburg prefers bar soap for natural hair brushes because it’s effective, non-drying and easy to use. “When cleaning with a bar of soap, I will simply wet the tips of the brush hairs with a bit of lukewarm water and then swirl the brush a few times on the bar of soap.” There are also plenty of effective cleansers on the market made specifically for makeup brushes.
- Work the soap into a lather. After swirling the brush on the bar or adding soap to the bristles, move it to the palm of your hand or on a silicone cleaning pad and continue swirling until it lathers. If you’re using liquid soap, a pea-size amount in your palm is enough for any size brush since it’s concentrated, says Hart. Gently wipe the brush back and forth through the soap, taking care not to press or bend the bristles too hard.
- Rinse. Hold the brush with the bristles pointing down and run only the brush hairs under lukewarm water. Hot water can damage the hair and loosen the glue that holds the bristles in place, says Hart. Try to keep water away from the ferrule, the metal piece that connects the bristles to the handle, since that’s where the glue and binders are. Not dunking or soaking your brushes will help reduce shedding and help them last longer, according to Vosburg.
- Repeat as needed. Continue lathering and rinsing until the water runs clear and the brush is free of makeup.
- Remove excess water and dry. Gently squeeze the bristles with a microfiber towel to remove excess water, then lay the brush flat to air dry.
Frequently asked questions
With proper cleaning and care, high quality makeup brushes can last for decades, so you shouldn’t need to replace them often, according to Hart. Still, there are a few signs that it’s time for a replacement. If the glue holding the bristles to the handle starts to loosen, the brush will shed excessively, says Hart. Bristles can also flatten and fray over time, especially if you press too hard on your skin when applying makeup. Either issue means the brush should be replaced.
It’s also worth watching for bristles that break in half, which can signal that the hairs have become damaged from dehydration or overuse, according to Vosburg. Broken bristles can lead to a scratchy or uneven application, so that’s another sign it’s time to swap in a new brush.
Makeup sponges can be cleaned much like brushes, according to Hart. Start by wetting the sponge until it’s fully saturated, then swirl it on a bar of soap until it’s coated and work it into a lather in the palm of your hand, says Vosburg. Give it a few squeezes, then rinse it under warm water until no soap remains. Sponges tend to hold onto a lot of product, so you may need to repeat the lathering and rinsing several times before the water runs clear.
Once it’s clean, squeeze out any excess water and let the sponge air dry completely. Avoid storing sponges in a sealed bag or anywhere without steady airflow, since they retain moisture and can grow bacteria and mold if they can’t dry out, says Hart. “I keep my sponges and puffs in a mesh bag, so they’re constantly being aired out while in storage,” he says.
Powder puffs need to be cleaned just as often as your sponges and brushes to keep bacteria and germs from building up, says Hart.
Start by soaking the puff in warm water, then lather it with bar soap or a makeup brush cleanser. With bar soap, you can swirl the puff on the bar and work it into a lather just as you would a sponge or brush. With liquid soap, place a small amount in the center of the puff, fold it in half like a taco and rub the two sides together, according to Vosburg. Squeeze and rinse the puff under warm water, repeating as needed until it’s clean.
To dry, squeeze out the excess water and lay the puff flat. For even better airflow, set it on a kitchen drying rack or something similar so air can circulate all the way around it, says Hart.
Related
Meet our makeup experts
At NBC Selected, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Zac Hart is a New York City-based hair and makeup artist who works on celebrity clients, campaigns and more.
- Eric Vosburg is a New York City-based makeup artist who works on celebrity clients, campaigns, editorial work and more.
Why trust NBC Selected?
I am a commerce editor at NBC Selected and a journalist who regularly covers wellness, beauty, home and lifestyle. I have written about the best tranexamic acid serums, honey skin care and more. For this story, I interviewed two makeup artists on how often you should clean your makeup brushes, which products do it best, and tips for the process.
Catch up on NBC Selected’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok to stay up to date.
