Cleaning make-up brushes can help prevent skin infections. These step-by-step instructions and products will help you thoroughly clean your dirtyest make-up brush.
Cleaning your makeup
Makeup sponges and brushes are popular tools for applying make-up on the skin. This is particularly true of liquid or creamy make-ups, such as concealer and foundation. Brushes can give you a more even finish than using your hands and are more hygienic, as long as they’re cleaned properly.
Researchers asked 1,113 women about their makeup habits in a Harris Ballot online survey conducted for Anisa Worldwide. Anisa is a global company that designs beauty tools and solutions. Over half of the girls said they used make-up brush frequently.
Nearly two thirds of those surveyed admitted that they clean their brushes anywhere between less than once a month to never. Enter: skin infections.
Infections caused by soiled makeup brushes
Make-up brushes are one of the most common causes of skin infections and illnesses. This is because people don’t clean them often enough, says Susan Bard MD, dermatologist and medical instructor at Mount Sinai Medical Middle, New York City.
The dermatologists are often told that make-up is not a good idea.
What kind of infections are we talking about? Dr. Bard claims that makeup brushes are a breeding ground for microbes. This includes micro organisms, viruses and even fungi.
The bristles can become clogged with old make-up and oils. This creates a warm, moist environment that is perfect for germs. Here’s some information about using expired beauty merchandise.
What science says
According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, the overwhelming majority of makeup products and tools, including sponges and brushes are contaminated by superbugs that could be life-threatening.
Around 80-90 % of all the items examined were positive for Staphylococcus Aureus (staph), Citrobacter Freundii or Escherichia coli. These microorganisms can cause harmful infections and even be deadly for people with compromised immune systems.
Make-up tools can also harbour impetigo (ringworm), and other contagious bacteria.
Dr. Bard says that soiled makeup brushes can also increase your risk of less serious (but still annoying) skin conditions like pimples and clogged pores.
She says that individuals should clean any product they use on their faces. She says that this includes not only make-up brushes, but also sponges, acne extraction tools, electrical cleaning brushes and razors.
Here’s the reason why you should avoid sleeping with makeup.
How to clean makeup brushes easily
Wash your brushes according to how often you use them. According to Dr. Bard’s advice, you should clean your make-up brushes every two to four weeks if they are used frivolously, or once a week if you use them daily.
Avoid storing your toiletries in the bathroom.
Here’s an easy step-by-step guide on how to wash your makeup brushes:
Step 1: Wet them completely. It is not necessary to purchase special cleaning products for makeup brushes.
Step 2: Cleanse the handles using cleaning soap. Although the bristles may appear to be the dirtiest, the handles will be the part you are touching with your (apparently) dirty hands.
Step 3: Add detergent to the bristles. Dr. Bard suggests using a mild shampoo or gentle soap without added dyes or fragrances that could irritate the skin. You can use child cleaning soap or buy a cleaning soap that is specifically formulated for make-up brushes.
Rub the bristles gently. Make-up brushes can be costly, so treat them with care. Rub them with your hands, a washcloth or a rubber brush cleaning mat for 60 seconds or until you can no longer see any make-up residue.
Step 5: Rinse thoroughly with clear water.
Step 6: Let the brushes air dry until they are completely dry. Do not store damp makeup brushes in storage containers or drawers as this may cause mould to grow.
You can also sterilize certain make-up or skin tools by using a UV light box, or soaking them in alcohol. However, this may damage some brushes.
Here are some tips from dermatologists to get younger looking skin.
The best products to clean make-up brushes
Cleaning your makeup brushes does not have to be complicated, but it can be time consuming. There are some products that can make the process a little easier, faster, and smoother.
Here are some of the best products to use to clean and disinfect your brushes.
The RICRIS Premium Makeup Brush Cleaner & Dryer
$22
Store Now
The RICRIS brush cleaner is an automated machine that will clean your brush and spin it to dry in under one minute. This model has been praised by hundreds of professionals and makeup novices. It also comes with eight collars to hold all the sizes of make-up brushes in your beauty arsenal.
Norate Brush Cleansing Mat
$5
Store Now
Rub your brushes on this Norate silicone mat to remove all the gunk. This mat suctions to the bottom of your sink, allowing you to deep clean in seconds. This brush cleaning mat also includes four different textures for cleansing various make-up brushes including facial and eye brushes.
Ecotools Makeup Brush Shampoo
$6
Now is the time to buy
Ecotools make up brush shampoo is an alternative to regular cleaning soap. It was designed to remove make-up without damaging the bristles. The company recommends using it weekly, with a gentle massage or brush cleaning mat.
They’re cruelty-free (PETA-certified) and vegan for the environmentally-conscious. Want extra reassurance? Amazon’s bestseller has more than 27,000 reviews and a score of 4.7 stars.
Here’s the truth about vegan skin care products.
BeautySoClean Conditioning Brush Cleaner Spray
$17
Store Now
BeautySoClean’s make-up spray is dermatologist tested and will kill microorganisms and germs to prevent infections. The fast-drying ingredients contain a combination of alcohol and moisturizing emollients, so that your brushes feel comfortable and are dry within 10 seconds.
If you are a frequent make-up user, spray on the cleaner and then use a paper to wipe the comb.
Bonus: It is cruelty-free, vegan and organic.
N/P Brush Cleaning Mat
$7
Store Now
After you have cleaned your brushes, there is no need to let them dry on a dirty floor. The N/P drying rack allows you to store your brushes upright, allowing for a faster and more hygienic dry.
The makeup cleansing pad has 4 different textures to deep cleanse and accommodate brushes of all sizes.
These “wholesome” habits of hygiene may be harmful to you.
HoMedics Moveable Ultraviolet Gentle Sanitizer
$55
Now is the time to buy
No water or soap is needed to kill germs. To sterilize your brushes after washing and drying them, place them in this HoMedics field.
According to the manufacturer, this model uses ultraviolet-C light LED technology that kills 99.9% of microorganisms and viruses at the DNA level.
Watpot Acrylic Makeup Brush Holder
$7
Store Now
This simple brush organizer by Watpot will keep your clean brushes away from soiled surfaces and display them in a place where you can easily see them. This brush organizer has three slots for storing make-up brushes as well as other beauty tools like lipsticks and eyelash brushes.
Here are some of the best trade secrets you should know.
How to Clean Makeup Brushes
The things about Expired Magnificence Products
What Is the Health Risk of Sleeping in Makeup?
Sources
Susan Bard, MD is a dermatologist and medical teacher at Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City.
Businesswire: Anisa Worldwide, “61 % of Girls Who Use Makeup Brushes Clean Them Less Than Once a Month or Never”
Journal of Utilized Microbiology : “Microbiological examination of used beauty products: highlighting possible influence on client health”
