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If you’re a makeup artist or someone who uses makeup daily, keeping your brushes clean is a nonnegotiable. Product buildup, bacteria and more can be caked between the bristles. To protect your skin and ensure your makeup goes on smoothly, here are the best ways to clean your makeup brushes.

Why Is It Important to Clean Your Makeup Brushes?

If you care about your skin health, cleaning your makeup brushes is essential. No matter what your makeup routine looks like, dirty tools can be the cause of deeper issues.

Debra Jaliman MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, says that brushes can harbor makeup, bacteria, oil and dead skin.

“I would not recommend using dirty brushes,” Jaliman says. “They can aggravate acne, and irritate sensitive skin.”

Jaliman adds that you should never share brushes. Always use your own tools to avoid spreading bacteria between friends.

Katelyn Fitzgerald, founder and CEO of Luminous Skin Lab, says that dirty makeup brushes often sabotage your skin health.

“A client comes in with congestion along the cheeks and jaw, certain it’s their moisturizer or hormones,” Fitzgerald says. “Then we go through the entire routine, nothing stands out, and then I ask about their brushes. Foundation brush, untouched for two months. That thing is carrying old product, dead skin and bacteria, and every application is pressing all of it straight back into the pores.”

Fitzgerald says congestion and irration can clear up in weeks just from cleaning your tools.

How to Clean Makeup Brushes at Home

Makeup brushes and sponges are the backbone of your beauty routine, so it’s crucial to take care of them. Sponges and brushes are porous, absorbing oils, dirt and makeup residue. Using them unwashed for weeks can lead to irritation, acne and other skin problems. 

Fortunately, cleaning them can be simple, and you don’t need any special products. Here are the pros’ best tips for cleaning your brushes.   

How to Clean Makeup Brushes Using Shampoo

Experts agree that shampoo is the best product to use for cleaning brushes. Shampoo is gentle, kills bacteria and removes debris without drying the tips, much like how it works on your hair. Plus, you already have it in your home, so you don’t need to buy anything new.

Here is a simple routine to make your brushes look as good as new.

Step 1: Soak With Shampoo in Lukewarm Water

All it takes is shampoo, a cup and water.

“It’s very easy to do,” Jaliman says. “Just put some lukewarm water in a cup with a mild shampoo. Let it sit for five minutes. Then rinse with running water.”

Rica Elysee, founder of BeautyLynk, notes that you should never use hot water, as it can loosen the ferrule, or glue that holds the brushes together.

Step 2: Rinse Out the Shampoo

Elysee recommends working the soap or shampoo into the brush with your palm or a textured mat, then rinse.

“Rinse with the bristles pointing down so water never runs up into the ferrule,” Elysee says. This will help extend the life of your brushes.

Step 3: Lay Flat to Dry

After washing, make sure your brushes dry completely before using them again.

“Reshape the head and dry flat with the bristles hanging off the edge of a counter,” Elysee says. “Never dry a brush upright in a cup.”

According to Fitzgerald, allowing brushes to lay flat prevents moisture from running down the handle, which can break it down over time.

Other Methods to Try

Aside from shampoo, you can use other products to clean your brushes. Any gentle soap, like body wash or facial cleanser, can also be effective. Whatever product you have on hand will work, as long as it’s something you would use on your skin and hair.

If you really want to disinfect your brushes, consider using an alcohol-based product.

Elysee says that in her makeup business, artists “spot-clean with an alcohol-based brush cleanser between every client, no exceptions.”

Washing and disinfecting your brushes can reduce the risk of contamination and skin problems when using them. This is especially crucial for makeup artists using the same tools on different clients.

Pour a small amount of alcohol into a bowl and swish the brushes around until they look clean. Try to avoid letting the handles get submerged. Again, always be sure to lay the brushes flat to dry.

How Often Should You Clean Makeup Brushes?

Washing your makeup brushes once a week ensures they are always safe and clean.

Elysee says you can also determine the frequency based on what the brushes are used for.

“For everyday users, once a week for anything that touches liquid or cream product (foundation, concealer, cream blush), [and] every two weeks for powder brushes,” Elysee advises.

A weekly cleaning routine may sound like a lot, but your skin will seriously thank you. Set a reminder to wash them every 7-14 days, and find a time that feels convenient.

For example, if you already have a schedule for cleaning your bathroom, consider adding makeup brushes to the routine. Before you start scrubbing the shower, put your brushes in a cup of water with shampoo. By the time you finish the other task, they’ll be ready to rinse and lay out to dry.

It might also help to clean them in the evening so they can dry overnight and be ready to use the next morning.

Clean Makeup Brushes, Happy Skin

Cleaning your makeup brushes is easier than you think, and the benefits are evident. These simple tips from experts will ensure your tools stay fresh. With a quick clean every week or two, you’ll be on your way to clearer skin and flawless makeup.

Originally Published 11/8/2023 – Updated 9/23/2026