How to clean makeup brushes and sponges

Brushes and sponges are the champions of your makeup bag. They add that professional something, whether you’re touching up foundation or reapplying blush. And you probably use them every time you put on a fresh face. But do you know how to clean them to keep them?

The truth is, you should probably give your makeup tools a wash more often. “Think about how cautious we usually are with anything touching our faces,” says dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD,¹ a dermatologist and professor at Yale School of Medicine. “It’s easy to forget this when putting on blush.” A buildup of oil and dead skin on a brush or sponge can create a breeding ground for acne and harmful bacteria.

So how often should you clean your beauty tools, and where do you begin? Here’s some advice on how to wash them right way.

In this article:

• How to clean makeup brushes?
• How to clean makeup sponges?
• How often should your wash your makeup brushes?
• Best makeup brush cleaners

How to clean makeup brushes?

Besides the health of your skin, cleaning makeup brushes and sponges is also vital for the longevity of your tools, says New York City based fashion and beauty makeup artist Ashleigh Ciucci.² “If you care for them, brushes can last a lifetime,” she says. In her own work, Ciucci uses a liquid brush cleanser for day-to-day cleaning and she shampoos her tools once a month.

Here’s a step-by-step plan for your own makeup drawer:

Step 1: Rinse the brush

Under warm, running water, rinse off excess product from the tips of your brush.

Step 2: Create the solution

Fill a large bowl with water and add a tablespoon of makeup brush cleaner. Alternatively, you can use gentle or clarifying shampoo. A good rule of thumb is to never use any soap on your brushes that you wouldn’t use on your face. (Note that harsher soaps can dry out the bristles.)³

Step 3: Work the solution in

Place the brush tips in the bowl and rub away the built-up makeup. You can use the palm of your hand to help with motion and lathering.

Step 4: Rinse and dry

Rinse brush tips once again in warm, running water and let them air dry on a towel until completely dry. If you’re in a rush, Dr. Gohara notes you can use a cool blow dryer to dry your brushes. “Spread the bristles to make sure that it doesn’t remain moist at the core,” she says.

How to clean makeup sponges?

Many of the same steps and products from cleaning brushes apply when you’re cleaning sponges or blenders.

Step 1: Rinse and prepare solution

Wet the makeup sponge and work with the cleansers noted above: a gentle or clarifying shampoo or makeup brush cleaner. Ciucci advises using warm to medium-hot water to foam up the sponge. “When I’m forced to use cold water, I find that the sponge doesn’t expand enough. That the soap doesn’t saturate the sponge and that it’s hard to rinse,” she says.

Step 2: Work the solution in

Continuously rub and rinse the sponge until all the soap residue and makeup buildup is gone. This may take some time depending on how long it’s been between washes.

Step 3: Dry

Dry the sponge with a paper towel and let air dry until completely free of moisture. Ciucci notes that it’s important to dry sponges out in the open air. “Drying in a drawer or medicine cabinet can encourage mold growth,” she says.

Dr. Gohara agrees and adds that it’s important to ring out the sponge multiple times to make sure that the suds, along with the grime and bacteria, are gone. “Dry in a cool environment. A humid bathroom counter will undo all of your hard work,” she says.

How often should you wash your makeup brushes?

For optimal results, the American Academy of Dermatology⁴ recommends washing makeup brushes every 7 to 10 days. The organization also advises consumers not to let anyone else ever use your makeup brushes — so in this case, sharing is not caring.

Dr. Gohara advises washing makeup brushes twice a month, “or if you see a lot of product buildup on the brush.” For sponges, she recommends cleaning them “ideally after every use — but that is a big ask, so aim for at least once a week.”

To help you remember to get your wash on, consider setting a reminder on your phone or schedule it in a planner as part of your weekly self-care routine.

And finally, make sure to check your stash for when it may be time to buy new makeup brushes. If they start shedding bristles or aren’t performing well with application, that’s a good sign it’s time to invest in a new start.

Best makeup brush cleaners

So now that we’ve covered the why, how and how often of cleaning, here are some suggestions on the “with what.” Dr. Gohara prefers any gentle non-soap cleanser for use on your face, such as the Dove Beauty Bar. If using a bar soap, “wet your brush with warm water and swirl onto the bar of soap. Gently massage, rinse, squeeze gently and lay flat to dry on a towel,” she says.

You can also choose a bar or liquid soap that isn’t extra sudsy. “Dish soap sounds like a good choice, but it foams too much and takes forever to rinse out of the sponge,” Ciucci explains.

Sometimes it’s just time to retire the tool. If that leaves you needing new brushes, consider Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Kit, which includes much of what you need to create a professional makeup look on the daily. And for new makeup sponges, the Wet n Wild ones can do the trick and fit most budgets.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult with your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.