How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes Naturally

Why Clean Makeup Brushes?

Cleaning makeup brushes isn’t usually the first thing on our to-do lists… if it’s ever on there at all. But it’s undeniable that brushes can harbor all types of unsavory bacteria that cause breakouts and other problems.

Thankfully, there are natural, easy ways to clean makeup brushes which make it simple and easy to get the job done. Clean makeup brushes last longer, as the bristles degrade more quickly if they’re not kept clean. For those who are spending some nice coin on pricier, high quality brushes #guilty, it makes financial sense to keep them for as long as possible.

Makeup residue builds up in the brushes, decreasing their performance and shortening the life of the brush. It can also prevent them from distributing powders properly.

Protecting the Skin

Research shows that a dirty makeup brush can clog pores and lead to skin irritation and/or nasty breakouts. People have even reported getting pinkeye from bacteria on makeup brushes.

Remember, clean makeup brushes may be almost as important as washing your face!

Some experts even recommend washing them after every use, while others say it’s ok to slide by on once a month. It really depends on how often makeup is applied, how many products are used, and what your makeup routine is.

I clean mine every week or so since I’m the only one who uses them and this seems to work best for me.

How to Clean Makeup Brushes?

There’s two popular answers to that question. On one side people seem to like just soap and water, while on the other people think they need to be washed in an alcohol-based solution. Some feel that the soap and water method can sometimes leave behind a stinky brush if not dried correctly. No Bueno! However, that may also be because synthetic makeup is being used. If you want a super-simple option, I’ve found that unscented baby/mild liquid castile soap works pretty well as long as the brushes dry quickly.

Some alcohol-based cleaners rely on ingredients I don’t feel comfortable using, especially not on anything that touches my face, and I’m not sure how effective they’d be if the toxic components were replaced.

My makeup brush cleaner recipe uses a simple natural castile soap to break up the dirt, grease and grime that can accumulate. The alcohol is a natural disinfectant, and it also makes the solution dry faster. I’ve also added a bit of oil to the blend to keep bristles soft and conditioned, a major key for preserving the life of your brushes. Both the alcohol and the oil can be omitted if you’re not comfortable using them and just a natural cleaner will work on it’s own. I def recommend skipping the alcohol with natural bristle brushes though and skipping the oil on synthetic brushes. Witch hazel is also my favorite sub for the alcohol in this recipe.

One of my secret + most favorite brush cleaning tips: Simply rub your wet brushes over a bar of my Buttermilk Calendula soap. Lather it up until the water runs clear!

The buttermilk + my three butter blend will moisturize the bristles (natural bristles only for this tip) while the lemongrass essential oil disinfects and adds a zesty clean scent to your brushes that’ll linger and make you happy every time you apply your make up!

The Recipe: Natural Makeup Brush Cleaner

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup distilled water

• 2 TBSP vodka or rubbing alcohol (you can also sub witch hazel)

• ½ tsp sweet almond or olive oil (for real hair brushes only)

• 2 tsp castile soap

• 20 drops tea tree essential oil

• 8 oz glass bottle

1. Pour all of the ingredients, except the water, into the glass bottle. Swirl the mixture to combine everything.

2. Add the distilled water to the bottle until it’s almost full, leaving about ½ inch of headspace. Shake well to combine.

3. If you put the mixture in a glass spray bottle (like this one), this mixture can be used to spritz and rinse brushes after each use for an easier clean.

Additional Tips

• Don’t ever prop the brushes up to dry, as the water can drip into the glue on the handle. (I had to learn the hard way!)

• The brushes should never be soaked, as this can degrade the glue and loosen the bristles.

• Since this brush cleaning solution is mostly water, it won’t have a very long shelf life. I make a new solution once a month and keep it in my fridge to extend the life of the solution.

• Lay the brush flat on a clean towel to dry.

  
  Wash your brushes!

  I encourage you to find a schedule that works best for your brushes and skin type and stick to it! Happy sudsing :)