Why and How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes
Cleaning your makeup brushes is super important and should be done regularly. If your brushes are covered in old makeup residue, they are most likely filled with bacteria which can actually contribute to acne, blackheads and irritation! In this blog, we will discuss ways to properly clean your makeup brushes and share our top tips & tricks to make the dreading task super easy!
Why should I clean my makeup brushes?
Dirty makeup brushes collect so much bacteria over time, and think about it, if you’re continuously applying makeup every day using the same brush, that bacteria is going to spread to your face. This essentially means you are applying a layer of bacteria, dirt, oil and dead skin back onto your face, which can cause acne, blackheads and even dermatitis and skin complications.
How often should you clean your makeup brushes?
You should clean your makeup brushes every 7 to 10 days to keep bacteria at bay. Not only is this better and safer for your skin, but it also enhances the longevity of your brushes. Clogged brushes don’t tend to last as long as brushes that are kept in good condition. So this way it’s a win win – your skin will be better and your makeup brushes will last longer!
Do you wash makeup brushes after every use?
If you’re a makeup artist, then you should be washing your brushes after every use on every client. However, if you’re only using your makeup brushes on yourself, then every 7 to 10 days is fine.

What should you clean makeup brushes with?
All you need to clean your makeup brushes is water and a gentle soap or face cleanser. A mild soap, baby shampoo, or face cleanser will effectively break down oils, makeup residue, and bacteria without damaging the bristles. You can use your hands but if you want to protect your fresh manicure then a great tool is a brush cleaner tray. The Brushworks Makeup Brush Cleaner Tray allows you to effectively buff your brushes effortlessly against the textured surface, loosening and dislodging product build up.

How to clean your makeup brushes
Here is our quick step by step on how to properly clean your makeup brushes:
1.Wet the bristles: Hold the brush under running lukewarm water to rinse the tips of the bristles.
2. Add your cleanser: Apply mild soap to the bristles.
3. Lather and massage: Swirl the makeup brush in the cleanser to create a lather and massage the product into the bristles.
4. Rinse thoroughly: Rinse until the water runs clear, and repeat if necessary.
5. Remove excess water: Gently squeeze out water from the bristles.
6. Reshape and dry: Reshape the bristles and lay the brushes angled downwards to dry overnight!
What not to do when cleaning makeup brushes
Cleaning your makeup brushes is so important, however it’s also important to note that how you clean them has an impact too. Here are our top mistakes to avoid:
- Submerging & soaking in water: Soaking the whole brush in water will damage and dissolve the glue holding the brush together. Instead, just wet the bristles, nothing else.
- Avoid very hot or boiling water: Hot water can damage the bristles and weaken the glue in the brush ferrule. Stick to lukewarm water.
- Drying incorrectly: Never leave your makeup brushes to dry with the bristles facing upwards. This can cause water to seep down and loosen the glue. Lay your brushes pointing downward.
Cleaning your makeup brushes might seem like a small detail in your beauty routine, but it makes a significant difference in your makeup application and your skin health. Consistency is key—try setting a specific day each week to clean your brushes! Shop Brushworks now for all things makeup brushes & cleansers!