Make-up brushes: do you clean them often enough and correctly?

Frequently cleaning of make-up brushes is vital for good hygiene. Powder residue, fluids, dead skin cells and sebum (oil) build up on these brushes and can affect the health of your skin.

Dirty make-up brushes can cause irritations, rashes, and even chalazions (a chalazion is a small bump in the eyelid caused by a blockage of a tiny oil gland). So, how can make-up brushes be cleaned easily and effectively?

The method for cleaning brushes recommended by dermatologists

Freepik

If you use your make-up brushes frequently, wait no longer than a week or 10 days before washing them. So, how is this done? Well, here's how dermatologists recommend doing it:

1.Start by rinsing the brushes under warm running water: this serves to remove the bulk of the make-up residue. You just need to put the tips of the bristles under the water, trying not to get the base too wet too (as you could damage the glue that holds the bristles).

2. Now, get a medium-sized bowl, and fill it with warm water.

3. Add a spoonful of delicate shampoo to the water. Other soaps are not recommended - except for emergencies - as they can dry out the bristles.

4. Mix in the shampoo and then dip the tip of the brush into the bowl, moving it around in the water.

5. To get the shampoo to penetrate better between the bristles, you can rub them gently against the palm of your hand (or on a silicone mat).

6. Rinse off again under running water.

7. Repeat steps 4 to 6 until the water coming off the brush runs clear.

8. Dry by pressing the bristles gently between two layers of clean, dry paper towels.

9. Finish drying the brushes by placing them flat on a dry towel and making sure that the bristles stick out over the edge the surface they are on (like a table, for example). If instead you dry the brushes standing vertically in a container, the water will penetrate the bristle glue, causing damage. 

An alternative method for cleaning make-up brushes

fabrikasimf/Freepik

Since shampoo is usually considered better than regular soap for washing make-up brushes, you can prepare a DIY long-lasting soap by using solid shampoo bars.

Grate one or two tablespoons of solid shampoo into a microwave-safe bowl. Add a spoonful of hot water and then melt the mix over medium-low heat (just like you do to melt butter). You could also a bain-marie for this.

Once done, pour the mix into a glass jar which has a mouth large enough for you biggest brushes.

Allow to solidify and every time you need to clean your brushes, just wet the bristles in warm water, and rub on your DIY cleaner. Rinse off with warm, running water.