The Ultimate Guide to Clean Makeup Brushes
Tips, Benefits, and DIY Cleanser Recipes
So many people are looking for the best clean alternatives to skincare products. We’re learning more and more all the time how important it is to pay attention to ingredients. But how often do you wash the makeup brush you use to apply those great products? Keeping your brushes clean is just as important as choosing safe, natural products.
You can buy all the natural products you can find with the best ingredients, but it’s no good if you’re applying them with a dirty makeup brush.
Why should you clean your makeup brushes?
Dirty makeup brushes can cause damage to your skin. Over time, you get a buildup of makeup, oil, dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria on your makeup brushes. If you leave them out in the open, they also get ahold of anything else that may be in the air, such as hairspray, perfumes, or germs from other people. All of it then gets on your skin as you apply your makeup. This leads to more breakouts, clogged pores, and skin irritation.
Bacteria from makeup brushes can also cause serious health problems, such as conjunctivitis, staph infections, and fungal infections. The bacteria also get into your makeup when you dip your brushes in it, so your risk of problems increases. Going too long without cleaning your brushes is never worth the risk.
Another reason to clean your makeup brushes is that it helps your makeup look great on your skin. Some people wonder why their expensive brushes don’t work as well over time, and it’s because they’re not keeping them clean. Clean brushes hold on to makeup and blend it well so you can get the exact look you want.
Regular cleaning also makes your brushes last longer. Brushes can easily lose their shape, and the bristles can become brittle when they get dirty. Why spend your money on high-quality brushes if you don’t take care of them? If you want them to last, you have to spend time cleaning them.
How often should you clean your makeup brushes?
After each use, you should at least wipe down your makeup brushes. Daily maintenance can make a big difference. You should then do a deep clean about once a week for the best results, but you can get away with cleaning them every other week if you don’t wear makeup daily. If you have sensitive skin or experience breakouts easily, you may benefit from cleaning them even more often.
Cleaning products:
This vegan cleanser gets between every bristle to give your brush a deep clean. Ingredients like aloe and glycerin leave your brush soft and soothe your skin. It’s also great if you need something to take on the go.
This shampoo used plant-based ingredients to get all the dirt, oil, and old makeup out of your brushes, and it’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. So many customers say they notice a huge difference after using it just one time.
This cleaner keeps things simple with just a few ingredients, such as jojoba oil, sea salt, and coconut oil. It hydrates and conditions, and it has antibacterial properties. When you’re done with it, you can send your empty jar back for rewards!
Make your own cleanser
For those who prefer making their own cleansers at home, it’s nice to know it doesn’t take much, and you may have all the ingredients at home already.
You can even make this recipe your own. The olive oil and tea tree oil are optional, but both are beneficial. Olive oil works as a conditioner to keep the bristles soft. Tea tree oil is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, so which is exactly what you want for something you use on your face. Some people use rubbing alcohol or vodka instead of witch hazel.
Ingredients:
1 ½ cup water
2 tbsp. witch hazel
2 tsp. castile soap
½ tsp. olive oil (optional)
10-20 drops of tea tree oil (optional)
To make the cleanser:
1. Pour everything except the water in a bottle (a 16 oz bottle would be best) and swirl it around to combine them.
2. Add the water and shake.
To clean your brush:
1. Pour some of the cleanser into a small bowl (just enough to cover the brush bristles).
2. Swirl your brush around in the cleanser. You can use your hands to gently push the bristles around to ensure a deeper clean.
3. Rinse your brush in water until all the cleanser is rinsed out.
4. Let your brush air dry on a clean table.
Alternatively, you can keep things simple by just using vinegar or baking soda. When using vinegar, mix two parts water with one part vinegar, swirl your brush around, and rinse. If you prefer baking soda, mix two tablespoons with enough water to form a paste. Work this paste into all the bristles, then rinse with water.