With all the content available online these days, it can be hard to figure out what’s real and what’s hype.
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what → figure → content
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.
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you → have → 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.
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people → sweep → them
It’s an easy chore to put off, especially since freshly washed brushes can take up to 24 hours to dry.
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brushes → ’ → hours
The only problem with that is that skipping regular cleanings can affect both how your makeup looks and the health of your skin.
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makeup → skip → 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.
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Vosburg → clean → application
“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.
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tools → form → acne
So, how often should you actually be washing them?
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you → wash → 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.
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job → pose → tools
How often should you clean your makeup brushes?
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you → clean → brushes
How often you should wash your makeup brushes depends on how frequently you use them and what you use them for.
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you → wash → them
As a general rule, Vosburg recommends cleaning them once a week to reduce product buildup and keep bristles in good condition.
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Vosburg → recommend → 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.
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you → use → weeks
Certain situations also call for extra cleanings.
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situations → call → 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.
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you → wash → 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.
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Hart → deal → reinfection
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.
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it → dry → 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.
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Hart → rely → own
In other words, use them sparingly and only when you absolutely need a quick clean until you’re able to do a thorough one.
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you → use → 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.
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types → clean → products
I then sourced highly-rated options within the categories they recommended.
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they → source → categories
All of the products below have at least a four-star average rating from more than a thousand shoppers.
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All → have → 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.
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you → say → 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.
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it → design → bristles
I’ve been using this cleanser on my makeup brushes for years.
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I → use → years
I like that it’s gentle enough for my most expensive brushes while still getting them super clean.
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them → like → brushes
The sulfate-free liquid formula lathers easily and cuts through stubborn foundation and concealer buildup.
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formula → lather → buildup
It works just as well on sponges, and its light lavender scent leaves tools smelling fresh.
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scent → work → tools
I set this silicone bowl up next to my sink whenever I clean my brushes.
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I → set → 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.
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process → help → soap
I also like that the bowl is collapsible, so it folds flat and tucks away easily for storage.
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it → like → storage
This rinse-free formula is good if you are in a pinch and don’t have time to dry your brushes.
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you → have → brushes
It cleans natural and synthetic bristles, dissolving foundation, powder, and color buildup while deodorizing and hydrating them.
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It → clean → them
It also dries quickly, so brushes are ready to use again in moments.
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brushes → dry → moments
This electric spinner takes almost all of the manual work out of cleaning makeup brushes.
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spinner → take → 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.
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it → attach → water
Lifting it out of the water while spinning helps get rid of excess moisture, which can help speed up drying time.
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which → lift → 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.
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she → start → cleaner
“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.
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liquid → have → sink
It’s gross and fascinating at the same time,” she says.
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she → ’ → time
…and 46 more, not listed.
The Aporia
