When was the last time you cleaned your cosmetic tools? Makeup brushes and sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria. Studies show most are contaminated with E. coli, staphylococcus, mold, and other risky germs that can cause acne, rashes and fungal infections! ? Keep reading to find out why and how to clean your makeup, brushes and sponges.
Most of us don’t clean our cosmetic tools nearly as often as we should. Yet it doesn’t take long for dirt, dust, dead skin cells, and bacteria to collect on bristles and sponges. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), “it’s a good idea to wash your brushes every 7 to 10 days.” And a blending sponge should be washed daily!
In This Post
- Why Clean Your Makeup Brushes & Sponges – You won’t believe your eyes!
- How to Properly Clean & Dry Your Makeup Brushes and Sponges
- Storage Suggestions to Keep Cosmetic Tools Clean
- How to Clean Your Makeup & Tips to Keep It Clean
- Reminders
Why Clean Your Makeup Brushes & Sponges
The AAD says, “In addition to collecting product residue, dirt and oil, makeup brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria. This could compromise your complexion — in the form of acne breakouts and rashes — as well as your health. Dirty makeup brushes can cause an infection, such as a fungal infection, E. coli, or a staph infection, which can be very serious.”
A 2022 study conducted by Aventus Clinic revealed our cosmetic tools are dirtier than a toilet seat! The photos below show the most contaminated items next to their mold/yeast and bacteria colony results. ?
Photo Credit: Jam Press
I was shocked to learn the eyeshadow brush was the dirtiest of them all, developing the most mold/yeast. Also startling, but less surprising, was the amount of bacteria on the blush brush. And I might stop using lipgloss altogether.
If that doesn’t convince you to regularly clean your makeup brushes and sponges, US Today reported on research done at Aston University in the UK. Their testing “found that an overwhelming majority of cosmetics are contaminated with E. coli, staphylococcus and other risky germs … because of inadequate cleaning and being kept past their shelf life – and because they tend to be applied in the bathroom.” Adding, “Although specialized cleaners do exist for these products, research also found that 93% of beauty blenders had not been cleaned, even though 64% had been dropped on the floor.” Yuck!
The findings are frightening and prove why it is SO important to regularly clean our applicators AND makeup. Be sure to read How To Clean Your Makeup below.
How to Clean & Dry Your Makeup Brushes & Sponges
Cleaning your cosmetic tools is simple and sorta satisfying. There’s something about watching all the makeup colors wash out that is genuinely pleasing. You may already have most of what you need to get started. If not, you can buy a couple of inexpensive items to make the task even easier.
Drying is just as important as cleaning. The longer a makeup brush or sponge stays wet, the more likely it is to grow mold. Furthermore, brushes should not be dried upright, which causes any remaining water to run down to the base of the bristles. Over time, this will loosen the glue that connects the bristles to the handle – more on proper drying techniques below.
1. Choose a Cleanser
I use EcoTools Makeup Brush and Sponge Shampoo because it’s formulated specifically for makeup applicators and it’s fragrance-free. Other options are Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, Beautyblender’s BeautyCleanser Solid or DUcare Makeup Brush Solid – all are pictured below. If you use a blending sponge or foundation brush to apply a heavy foundation, concealer or cream cosmetics, opt for a degreaser like Dawn Liquid Dish Soap, which will cut through the oils and silicones often found in cosmetics.
2. Wash – Rinse, Lather, Repeat & Disinfect
Wet cosmetic tools with warm water, not hot, which can ruin brushes. Then pour a small amount of liquid cleanser on the bristles or sponge or rub it on a solid bar of soap until it lathers.
Washing Makeup Sponges
To clean your makeup sponge, really squeeze and massage the foam to get deep into the sponge to remove as much product as possible. Rinse, lather and repeat the cleaning process until the water runs clear.
- To sterilize a makeup sponge after cleaning, place it in a bowl of water and heat it for two minutes on high in the microwave. This should be done once a week to kill any bacteria or fungi that remain after regular cleanings.
- Cosmetic tools used to apply and blend liquid cosmetics retain more dirt and oil than their powder counterparts. As such, they are more susceptible to bacteria, which thrive in a moist environment. So sponges (and brushes) used to apply foundation, concealer and cream cosmetics should be cleaned after each use and disinfected weekly.
- Experts recommend makeup sponges be replaced every three months, when they start to show signs of wear (such as breakage or missing pieces) or, better still, using disposable makeup wedges.
Washing Makeup Brushes
To clean my makeup brushes, I like to use a silicone brush cleaning mat with different textures to get deep inside the bristles. Or you can swirl the brush on your palm and massage the bristles with your fingers.
Keep bristles angled downward so dirt, cleanser and water don’t run into the ferrule (the metal part of the brush that holds the bristles and connects them to the handle). Don’t grind or rub bristles too vigorously to avoid damaging them. Rinse, lather and repeat the cleaning process until the water runs clear.
- To disinfect a natural bristle makeup brush after cleaning, spray 70% isopropyl alcohol on a microfiber cloth and brush bristles on the cloth, rinse thoroughly and squeeze out excess water. Natural bristle brushes should be treated like the hair on your head, which you would never soak in rubbing alcohol.*
- To disinfect a synthetic makeup brush after cleaning, soak the bristles in 70% isopropyl alcohol for 20 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and squeeze out excess water.*
Lash curlers and brow brushes need to be cleaned too! Wipe lash curlers with an alcohol pad and allow time to dry before using. Wash brow brushes with your other makeup brushes. Or opt for disposable spoolies (I love them).
* A test published in the National Library of Medicine showed alcohol “eliminated 100% of bacterial growth. Disinfection was more effective on applicators used for dry products (natural brush) than for wet products (sponge, synthetic brush).” 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol works best to kill bacteria and viruses because alcohol at higher concentrations evaporates too quickly to be effective.
3. Dry
Drying is just as important as washing. Improperly drying your cosmetic tools can lead to a moldy makeup sponge and brush bristles falling out.
Drying Sponges
Squeeze excess water from the sponge with your hand. Then squeeze it in a clean, dry paper towel or microfiber cloth to remove as much moisture as possible.
Set the sponge to dry in a wire sponge holder like the one below, which allows for ample airflow. If you use multiple makeup sponges, click here for highly-rated sets of two and three wire holders.
Drying Brushes
- After squeezing any excess water from the bristles, give the brush a wrist flick or two into the sink – like you would to splatter paint. This will help remove any water that may have seeped down into the ferrule (the metal part of the brush). Then squeeze the bristles a with clean, dry paper towel or microfiber cloth to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Reshape the bristles and set the brush to dry off the edge of the counter (as pictured below) or inverted in a brush stand, which is what I do. Leave them out to air dry, which will take several hours.
- If water runs down the bristles into the ferrule, the moisture can weaken the glue, causing bristles to fall out and ruin your makeup brush.
Quick Cleaning in a Pinch
Occasionally, we all need to do a quick brush cleaning. Maybe you dropped a brush on the floor mid-makeup. Or, your brushes won’t have enough time to dry before your next makeup application if you give them a deep cleaning.
Here are a few things you can do in a pinch:
- Spray with makeup brush cleaner and wipe on a towel or cloth to remove makeup. Then just give the brush a couple of minutes to air dry. I use Clinique’s Makeup Brush Cleaner when I need a quick fix.
- Spray with 70% isopropyl alcohol, wipe and dry as above.
- Use brush-cleaning wipes, like the ones below from ColorScience.
Storage Suggestions to Keep Cosmetic Tools Clean
The way you store your cosmetic tools at home and when traveling contributes to how clean they stay. Never leave makeup brushes or sponges unprotected in your makeup bag, on a counter or in an open container collecting dust.
Everyone has varying amounts of makeup and different preferences on how they like it organized, so I’ve included several highly rated options below…all of which will help keep your makeup tools free of dirt and dust. Personally, I use a roll for my makeup brushes and a bag for my cosmetics. My daughters each have the clear acrylic brush holder and protective silicone brush covers and sponge holder pictured below in addition to makeup bags. Click on any of the images below to view that product.
Clean cosmetic containers each time you wash your tools. Machine wash or wipe down makeup bags, brush rolls, sponge holders, and other containers with 70% isopropyl alcohol when you clean your cosmetic tools. Putting clean tools next to dirty ones or back into dirty containers will recontaminate them with the bacteria and funky stuff you just washed off.
How To Clean Your Makeup & Keep It Clean
How To Clean and Disinfect Your Makeup
Makeup used regularly should be cleaned as often as you clean your cosmetic tools.
- Balms and cream cosmetics, such as lipstick and rouge – Remove the top layer of product with a paper towel, then spray with 70% isopropyl alcohol* a few times, and leave open to dry or wipe dry after a minute with a soft lint-free esthetic wipe, like the ones pictured below.
- Lip liner, eyeliner, stick shadows, etc. – Remove the top layer of the product with a paper towel and then either remove the outer layer with a cosmetic pencil sharpener that has been sprayed with alcohol first. Or wipe with an alcohol pad or spray with 70% isopropyl alcohol* and wipe with a soft lint-free esthetic wipe, like the ones pictured below. Be sure to let the alcohol dry completely before using makeup by your eyes.
- Pressed powders, such as blush and eye shadow – Carefully remove the top layer of product with a tissue or paper towel, then mist a few times with 70% isopropyl alcohol* and leave open to air dry.
- Mascara and liquid eyeliner applicators can not be disinfected so those products should be replaced every three to six months since they are exposed to microorganisms each time you use them.
- Lip gloss applicators can not be disinfected. The only way to keep lipgloss free of bacteria is to use a sterilized lip brush to remove and apply the product.
* Make Your Alcohol Mister
If you don’t want to pay for the convenience of prefilled 70% isopropyl alcohol spray bottles, make your own. Buy a bottle of 70% isopropyl alcohol and a refillable misting bottle. Look for a spray bottle that mists or sprays gently since you don’t want forceful streams of rubbing alcohol saturating your pressed powder or breaking apart palates. I ordered the very highly rated (4.6 stars from over 94,200 reviews!) ultra-fine mister below from BeautifyBeauties on Amazon.
Tips To Keep Makeup Clean
- Always wash your hands before handling and applying makeup.
- Put liquid and cream cosmetics on the back of a clean hand before applying. Avoid sticking even clean fingers in products, which adds bacteria and fungi.
- Dispose of old and expired makeup. Cosmetic ingredients degrade over time, preservatives break down allowing bacteria and fungi to grow. Even unopened makeup should be tossed after three years.
- Powder products can be used for one to two years, especially if regularly sanitized with a spray of 70% isopropyl alcohol.
- Eye products have the shortest shelf life. The FDA reports “Manufacturers usually recommend discarding mascara two to four months after purchase. That’s because each time a person uses mascara, it’s exposed to bacteria and fungi.”
- Do not keep cosmetics in the car, as heat can degrade preservative ingredients.
- Avoid storing makeup in the bathroom if it gets hot and steamy. Heat and moisture make it easier for bacteria and fungi to grow.
- Never share your make or cosmetic tools with anyone.
Reminders
- Wash blending sponges and foundation brushes used for liquid and cream cosmetics daily and disinfect weekly.
- Replace sponges every three months or use disposable makeup wedges.
- Clean makeup, brushes and containers every 7 to 14 days.
- Disinfect brushes monthly and after you’ve been sick or traveling.
- Keep brushes and sponges in clean containers. Never leave them unprotected in your makeup bag, on the counter, or in an open container collecting dust (see covered options above).
- Never share your makeup or cosmetic tools with anyone.
- Regularly clean your cosmetic products, see the How To Clean and Disinfect Your Makeup above.
- Dispose of old and expired makeup. Cosmetic ingredients degrade over time. Even unopened makeup should be tossed after three years.
Stay Safe
In addition to saving you from breakouts and infections, keeping your makeup, cosmetic tools and containers clean will ensure their longevity and maintain their performance.
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This is such helpful guidance! I’m so bad at cleaning my makeup brushes regularly, this has inspired me to do so!
It inspired me too!