Despite being a crucial step in the makeup routine, brush cleaning is often overlooked. However, using dirty brushes can lead to the emergence of numerous skin imperfections. How often should you clean your brushes? What products should you use? And how should you go about it? Answers to follow immediately.
How to clean your makeup brushes?
Published on January 10, 2022, updated on October 4, 2024, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 2 min of reading
Makeup Brushes: Why Clean Them?
Over time, brushes can accumulate dust and bacteria. This is especially true when they are stored in a humid environment such as the bathroom. Therefore, if your brushes are not cleaned regularly, the dust and bacteria are deposited directly onto your skin, clog the pores, and can cause the appearance of blemishes such as acne or blackheads.
Other inconveniences: Dirty brushes hinder the uniform application of skincare products, and can also alter the desired effect. For instance, an eyeshadow will inevitably change color if you apply it with a brush that's saturated with other pigments.
Finally, dirty brushes can become irritating, as the bristles lose their softness and flexibility.
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When should you clean your brushes?
Naturally, the recommended frequency depends on the type of brushes. Those used for foundation, under-eye treatments, and blush should be cleaned at least once a week, as they can become breeding grounds for bacterial proliferation. Also, if you wear makeup every day, don't forget to wash them after each use, or at least several times a week.
The same goes for brushes used for eye makeup: cleaning after each use is recommended. This way, you avoid mixing the shades of your eyeshadows.
Makeup sponges, on the other hand, require a minimum of two cleanings per week.
