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We hate to break it to you, but you really should be using a makeup brush cleaner at least once every two weeks. “Makeup brushes can harbor dirt and bacteria, so washing them is not only important for maintaining them, but it’s also key for good hygiene,” says Brielle Pollara, a New Jersey-based makeup artist. Dermatologists also recommend washing your brushes to help minimize pimples, especially if you have acne-prone skin. So, what exactly is the best type of brush cleaner to go with? We polled professional makeup artists and beauty editors to find out what they use to keep their brushes clean, and put those tools—soaps, cleansers, mats, and even sprays—to the test.
The best makeup brush cleaners, at a glance
Your makeup brush cleaner questions, answered
What makeup cleaners to professionals use?
Makeup pros typically spot-clean with sprays to quickly sanitize their brushes in between each client, says Jonet Williamson, a NYC-based makeup artist. The Sephora Daily Makeup Brush Cleaner Spray is a favorite amongst the artists for this reason, or the Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner in a spray bottle. For quick drying, makeup artists recommend using a paper towel or reusable cleaning pads that can be thrown out or washed in between uses. “At the end of the day, we deep clean all of our makeup brushes with an antibacterial soap,” she adds, which is where a deep-cleaning formula comes handy like Dawn Dish Soap, or the Johnson & Johnson Baby Body Wash. Ultimately, the best makeup brush cleaners are the ones you actually use.
What should you not clean makeup brushes with?
You should avoid using alcohol or any harsh chemicals that may break down the glue that bonds the bristles to the brush. “Alcohol can dry out and damage brush hairs, and similar to your hair, most makeup brushes are made of natural hairs that need to be nourished,” says Williamson.
Makeup artists also recommend not to soak brushes completely in water, as this might trap moisture in tiny areas where the bristles meet the handle. “These things can damage the bonding in the base of the brush and cause hairs to shed, or even cause the entire brush head to fall off," says Randall Intrabartola, a California-based makeup artist. She also recommends always air-drying brushes and sponges on a flat surface.
How often should you clean makeup brushes?
While pro artists clean their brushes in between every client, they recommend that the everyday makeup user should use cleaning tools or cleansers on makeup brushes and sponges every one to two weeks. If you struggle with acne, try cleaning them once a week to see if this helps minimize breakouts.
“We know that makeup brushes grow bacteria and fungus,’ says Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta skin care previously told Glamour. That bacteria paired with any dirt, oil, or residue on your face can lead to breakouts and even dermatitis in some cases.
Best Overall: Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner
Three of the artists I spoke to recommended this cleanser because “It has antimicrobial disinfectant, which is super important when working with clients,” Pollaras says. Kat Dorn, makeup artist at LRN Beauty recommends mixing this cleaning solution with a little lukewarm water and patting the brushes dry with a paper towel. A little goes a long way with this one, as it can break the bristles down if you use it too much. Glamour reviewer Heather Cissel says this cleaner is quick-drying, and she's noticed fewer breakouts since she started using it.
- Pros: Recommended by multiple makeup professionals
- Cons: Very strong, experts warn not to use this every day
- Type: Liquid
- Use if: You have acne and want to disinfect your makeup brushes
- Skip if: You don’t wear a ton of makeup
Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Beauty Makeup Brush Shampoo
Original video by Glamour tester Alanna Kilkeary, cleaning her makeup brush with the e.l.f. Beauty Makeup Brush Shampoo.
Dorn recommends this affordable brush shampoo that you can snag on Amazon for just $5. “It cleans and conditions really well,” she says, and it’s effective on even the toughest makeup brush stains (read: foundation and concealer buildup). It’s vegan and cruelty-free, and a favorite amongst reviewers, too. Glamour reviewer B.Mie has been using this brush soap formula for a decade, and loves the size (it’s not too big or too small) and gel-like texture, which doesn't make it too heavy on bristles.
I tested this one, and although it easily lathered up onto the brush, it took a while to fully wash out the soap. I thought I was finished washing, but there would be a few bubbles that needed more scrubbing out. Let my experience forewarn you: use a very tiny amount of this one and don’t overdo it.
- Pros: Available at drugstores; affordable
- Cons: Mixed reviews; some customers reporting great results while others say it doesn’t fully clean brushes
- Type: Liquid
- Use if: You’re on a budget
- Skip if: You don’t have a ton of time to wash your brushes
Best Solid Cleaner: Beauty Blender Solid Charcoal Makeup Cleanser
Original video by Glamour tester Alanna Kilkeary, cleaning her makeup brush with the Beauty Blender Solid Charcoal Makeup Cleanser.
“This charcoal makeup cleanser is my favorite for deep cleaning, and it lasts forever,” says Williamson. Simply swirl a wet brush or sponge onto the soap and lather for a deep clean. The cleanser itself contains aloe and coconut oil which will leave bristles soft and flexible. Glamour reviewer Elismary Valle says that this cleanser is fast and tough, and brushes and makeup sponges are left as good as new after cleansing with it. Pro tip: try the Beauty Blender Blendercleanser Solid if you’re looking to deep clean makeup sponges or a beauty blender.
I was super impressed with how well it deep-cleaned my brushes with a few swirls and lathers. The charcoal soap is intense and left my brushes smelling fresh and feeling silky. I'll definitely use it again the next time my brushes need a wash.
- Pros: Vegan and cruelty-free
- Cons: You can’t clean multiple brushes or sponges at once like you can with a liquid formula
- Type: Solid
- Use if: You travel a lot, because it’s solid, compact, and easy to transport
- Skip if: You want to wash multiple brushes at once
Best Soap: Dawn Dishwashing Soap
We know what you’re thinking: dishwashing soap doesn’t exactly seem like an obvious choice when it comes to cleaning your makeup brushes, but the artists share that this is the best soap to break down buildup on foundation brushes, blush brushes, eyeshadow brushes, you name it. “After washing the brushes with soap, make sure to rinse with lukewarm water until there are no bubbles, and do your best to squeeze out all the water before you set them out to dry,” Pollara says.
As someone who has had to wash my makeup brushes in a pinch, I can attest that dishwashing soap has come in clutch for me. I would, however, recommend using very little and gently scrubbing out any excess soap before drying to ensure that no soap coloring (like this very blue formula) gets left behind.
- Pros: Available at your local drugstore; convenient
- Cons: Can take a while to wash all the soap out of the bristles, since it’s a bit thicker in consistency
- Type: Liquid
- Use if: All your brushes need a deep clean
- Skip if: You prefer the shorter process of using a brush cleaner versus regular soap
Best Liquid: MAC Cosmetics Brush Cleanser
Original video by Glamour tester Alanna Kilkeary, cleaning her makeup brush with the MAC Cosmetics Brush Cleanser.
This tried and true cleaner is a favorite amongst experts because it’s quick drying and very gentle on bristles. “Harsh chemicals may break down the bonding in the base of the brush,” says Randall Intrabartola, a California-based makeup artist. That’s why it’s important to look for cleaners with fewer ingredients that can still disinfect, like this pick. Glamour reviewer A. Houston shares that makeup pigment in brushes simply pours out when using this and that it’s especially effective on white-bristled brushes.
- Pros: Super gentle on brushes
- Cons: Some reviewers feel it’s a little pricey for the size and how quickly it runs out
- Type: Liquid
- Use if: You use a lot of colored makeup products that stain your brushes
- Skip if: You don’t want or need to disinfect your brushes
Best Machine: Brushdoc Makeup Brush Cleaner
Jonet Williamson, an NYC-based makeup artist is a fan of this electric brush cleaner tool that takes the guesswork out of cleaning your brushes altogether. Simply tip the brushes in, add water or soap—Williamson particularly loves the Brushdoc Cleansing Oil for this—and then let the machine take care of the rest. “After washing your brushes, be sure to lay them flat or hang them upside down so that they dry properly,” she says. Real talk: It's a bit pricey so if you’re unsure about investing in this machine cleaner just yet, we recommend opting for a similar one you can find on Amazon to test out how you like it. This Ricris Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner Machine has over 4 stars and is a third of the price.
- Pros: Quick and easy to use
- Cons: Definitely an investment, compared to other brush cleaners on the market
- Type: Machine
- Use if: You have no time to manually wash your brushes
- Skip if: You prefer not to spend money on a machine
Best for Sponges: Sephora Collection Deep Cleaning Brush and Sponge Shampoo
Both Pollara and Dorn recommend this makeup brush and sponge shampoo. “It’s deep cleaning, and works well if you need to remove excess product,” says Pollara—and it’s especially useful for cream formulas stuck on sponges, like cream blushes and highlighters. The formula itself contains plant extracts, olive oil, and centella asiatica to nourish your cleaning tools, so they're skin care-friendly. It doesn’t leave any residue behind, either, and Dorn recommends picking up the travel size for your next trip.
