How To Clean Makeup Brushes + The All-Time Best Tips From The Pros

For me, Sunday evenings call for cleaning the house and self-care. This means picking up my space, throwing on a face mask, and mentally preparing for the week ahead. One chore I try to never miss: cleaning my makeup brushes. 

This may not be the answer you're hoping for, but it's the honest one: Both Patinkin and King agree—you should be washing your makeup brushes at least once a week. Patinkin notes this may not be realistic for some, but if you use your makeup brushes often, it's definitely best practice. 

If you don't wash them regularly, there are a few risks you're taking. First, you could be spreading bacteria around your face. "Dirty brushes can become breeding grounds for bacteria, which then when used again on your face can lead to breakouts or skin irritations," King explained. What's more, dirty brushes can also spread viral infections around the face like pink eye or herpes. 

When it comes to choosing a makeup brush cleanser, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First, avoid using something potent like sulfate-based dish soap. "Regular soap can dry out brushes made of natural hair," King said. So while dish soap may technically clean the bristles, it's not going to help your brushes last. 

Next, not just any shampoo will do. "Some simple shampoos will get the job done but might contain artificial fragrances that can be triggering to sensitive skin or detergents that are hard to fully rinse or that get rinsed into our waterways," Patinkin explained. "Really rich shampoos can leave a coating on the surface of your brushes, which will weigh down the bristles and impact how your makeup blends." 

As a rule of thumb, look for something specifically designed to clean your makeup brushes or an extra-gentle, fragrance-free soap or shampoo. Our top pick was created by Patinkin herself: The Luxury Vegan Makeup Brush Soap. "I developed my soap very specifically to be quick and efficient to use while also doing no harm to the planet. It gets your brushes clean very quickly and rinses away without the time and effort other soaps and cleansers require," Patinkin said. 

If you choose to use a solid brush cleaner (like the Jenny Patinkin wash), then you'll want to swirl the brush around the soap pan, rinse, and repeat. Do this until you get a good foam going. If you're using another wash, then apply a drop of the soap to the damp bristles. 

You can take a clean towel to your bristles and gently press to soak up excess water. Lastly, lay your brushes on the counter with the bristles off the edge. This way, your brush can air-dry on all sides. Some brushes may take longer to dry than others, so it might be a good idea to wash your brushes at night so they have time to fully dry before the next use. 

As we said earlier, brushes made of natural hair can be easily dried out with an astringent soap. So if you use a brush with natural bristles, it's especially important to opt for something gentle. 

In order to make sure these brushes are fully clean, pay close attention to the amount of pigment coming from the bristles. Once the water rinses clean and your brush feels soft again, you should be good to go. 

While it may be a slightly tedious task, cleaning your makeup brushes weekly will significantly help combat the spread of bacteria on your face, which can lead to breakouts and skin irritation. Plus, this weekly ritual will help your brushes last even longer, giving you more bang for your buck.

Remember to use a brush cleaner or gentle soap, reshape the bristles when you're done, and let your brushes dry in a clean, dry environment. If your brushes are still stiff, shedding, or misshapen, it may be time to trade them out. The same goes for cleaning makeup sponges, as those can build up bacteria as well.