I love using my favorite cream blush, homemade eye shadow, and other products from my natural makeup routine, all of which work best with a brush. Keeping my makeup brushes clean is just as important to me as choosing non-toxic makeup. Cleaning them might not be the first thing we think of, but it’s crucial because brushes can gather bacteria that cause breakouts and other skin issues.
Thankfully, there are natural methods for cleaning makeup brushes that are simple and effective. It’s easy to forget about cleaning your brushes with everything else on your plate. However, maintaining clean brushes helps them last longer, as dirt wears down the bristles faster. If you’ve invested in expensive, high-quality brushes, it makes sense to take care of them so they go the distance. Even though I use a budget-friendly set since I don’t wear makeup often, I still want them to stay in good condition for as long as possible.
Makeup build-up on brushes can affect their performance and reduce their lifespan, preventing them from applying powders well. When I bother to apply makeup, I want to do a decent job, not struggle with dirty tools. Studies suggest that using unclean brushes might clog pores and irritate the skin. Over time, brushes gather oil, dirt, and bacteria, which then get transferred to your face. In severe cases, dirty brushes have been linked to infections like staph or pinkeye.
Using clean makeup brushes could be almost as crucial as washing your face from a hygienic perspective! It’s surprising how much debate there is about something as simple as cleaning makeup brushes. Some experts advise cleaning them after every use, while others say once a month is fine. The frequency depends on how often you apply makeup, the number of products you use, and your routine. I find cleaning mine every week or two works for me since I’m the only one using them.
There are two popular methods for cleaning makeup brushes. One involves washing with soap and water, and the other uses an alcohol-based solution. The soap and water method might leave brushes smelling bad if not dried properly, potentially due to synthetic makeup. For a straightforward solution, unscented baby or mild liquid castile soap works well if the brushes dry quickly. I also use Branch Basics Concentrate, which is a versatile natural cleaner around my home.
I prefer to avoid some alcohol-based cleaners due to questionable ingredients, and their effectiveness might decrease if those elements are replaced. My makeup brush cleaner recipe uses natural castile soap to remove dirt and grease. Alcohol acts as a disinfectant and helps the solution dry faster. I’ve added oil to keep the bristles soft, though you can omit both the alcohol and oil if you prefer. For natural bristle brushes, avoid alcohol, and for synthetic ones, skip the oil. Witch hazel is a good substitute for alcohol.
To really get your brushes clean, you need to remove dirt and oil, then disinfect to kill bacteria. My go-to recipe tackles both. If your brushes are very dirty or haven’t been cleaned in a while, start by rubbing a little warm olive or almond oil onto them to dissolve stuck-on oils. Then, work in a natural soap to get a deep clean, followed by my cleaner recipe for disinfection.
If your brushes are especially greasy, you might need a stronger method. Hopefully, these tips make cleaning your makeup brushes easier and healthier.
How often do you clean your makeup brushes? Do you have a favorite method that works well for you? Feel free to share!