How to clean your makeup brushes the right way, according to makeup artists | CNN Underscored (2025)

Makeup brushes are essential for getting a smooth and precise application during every step of your makeup routine. And even though they touch our faces every day, we probably aren’t cleaning our makeup brushes as often as we should. “I’ve seen it all, from perfect skin wrecked by bacteria buildup to stunning makeup compromised by a dirty brush,” said Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, a celebrity makeup artist and beauty educator. “The truth is, clean tools are the foundation of great makeup.”

Thankfully, you can avoid streaky application and grimy bristles by regularly cleaning your makeup brushes. We’ve tapped professional makeup artists and a dermatologist to give you all the info you need to properly clean and care for your makeup brushes at home.

How to clean makeup brushes

Step 1: Grab your cleanser

You’ll want to clean your makeup tools with a cleanser that’s effective enough to cut through product buildup and grime but still gentle enough not to strip or damage your most delicate brushes. According to D’Amelio Ventre, this means avoiding any harsh detergents or alcohol-based cleansers for your brushes.

Celebrity makeup artist Michael Anthony added that it’s important to identify what hair or fiber your brushes are made of. “Different brushes need slightly different care. The natural-hair brushes tend to want more delicate treatment, whereas synthetic brushes can handle a bit tougher of a wash,” Anthony said.

Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Lavender Liquid Soap

This multipurpose soap, which comes in a variety of scents in addition to lavender, makes for a great makeup brush cleaner, according to Anthony. It’s made from plant-based ingredients and safe for sensitive skin, so it’s a good option for those who are conscious of using clean formulas.

From $10 at Amazon

$13 $12 at Target

$12 at Walmart

Beautyblender Blendercleanser Solid Makeup Sponge and Brush Cleanser

Almost all the makeup artists we spoke with had this solid cleanser at the top of their lists, so you know it’s good. The pros love it because of its antibacterial and conditioning properties, and for its travel-friendly solid format that works for Beautyblender sponges and makeup brushes alike. "It’s gentle and lasts forever, and the included scrubbing pad helps get into every crease," D’Amelio Ventre said.

From $9 at Beautyblender

$18 $15 at Amazon

$18 at Ulta

$18 at Bloomingdale's

Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner Spray

"This is my holy grail for quick-drying [and] deep-cleaning," D’Amelio Ventre said. "It sanitizes instantly and leaves brushes fresh and ready to use in minutes — ideal for pros or anyone in a rush." Anthony is also a fan of this no-rinse cleanser, which also comes in a larger liquid variety, as is CNN Underscored fashion and beauty editor Sophie Shaw, who appreciates the convenience this spray offers for her at-home cleaning routine.

Read our review

From $15 at Amazon

Step 2: Use a cleaning mat to break up pigment

Though there are plenty of fancy gadgets out there, you can easily clean your makeup brushes by hand in just a few minutes using some cleanser and water. Many of the makeup artists we spoke to also recommended using a cleaning mat to help break up pigment and caked-on products. “I apply the soap directly in the center of the mat and swirl the brush around,” makeup artist and esthetician Brielle Pollara said. Using gentle swirling motions and lukewarm water, work up a healthy lather with the brush and soap. Rinse the brush off and repeat this process until the water from the brush runs clear.

If you don’t have a cleaning mat for your brushes, celebrity makeup artist and founder of her namesake beauty brand Monika Blunder said you can replicate this process by swirling the brushes in the palm of your hand instead.

Editor Favorite

Minthe Makeup Brush Cleaner Mat, 2-Pack

I cleaned my brushes using just my hands for years before I got this Minthe mat. While I still use a combination of this mat and my hands to deep-clean my brushes, it's so satisfying seeing the tiny knobs on this mat knock the grime out of my filthiest brushes, leaving me with softer and safer brushes to use on my skin. It's small and comfortable enough to hold in one hand, and this pack comes with two silicone cleaners, so you can gift one to your makeup-loving bestie who could use some help sticking to their cleaning routine.

$6 From $4 at Amazon

Sigma Spa Express Silicone Makeup Brush Cleaning Mat

D’Amelio Ventre said this Sigma mat, which comes in two sizes, is one of her tried-and-true brush-cleaning tools. "Using this is the most effective way to deep-clean your brushes without damaging them over time," she said. This mat has seven different textures across its surface, designed to help clean everything from large powder and foundation brushes to smaller and more precise concealer, eyeliner and lip brushes too.

From $20 at Amazon

$38 at Nordstrom

$38 at Revolve

$38 at Bloomingdale's

Stylideas StylPro Original Makeup Brush Cleaner and Dryer

If you hate waiting hours for your fluffiest brushes to fully air-dry, D’Amelio Ventre said this two-in-one tool will clean and dry your brushes in seconds. It's a great tool for keeping in rotation in your personal kit, as long as you don't mind doing a few extra steps to set it up.

$29 at Amazon

Step 3: Dry and store your brushes properly

Before you set your brush aside to dry, make sure you’ve gotten all the cleanser out of the brush fibers. “It’s easy for soap to get trapped at the base of the bristles, especially in a dense foundation brush,” Pollara said. “Really taking the time to continue to rinse it and squeeze out any soap is super important for the longevity of your brushes.”

Following the final rinse, gently press any excess moisture out of the brushes using a clean towel, reshape the bristles and set them to air-dry in a spot with good ventilation. Blunder said the edge of a sink works, with the head of the brush over the bowl. “Never turn the brush upside-down, so water can’t travel down into the part of the brush [where the bristles are] glued to the handle,” Anthony said. “They can rot easily if water gets inside, which causes them to fall apart.”

To prevent mold and bacteria growth, make sure your brushes are fully dried before you put them back in your makeup bag or brush holder. Pollara recommended storing dry brushes in a container where they can stand upright to best keep the shape and integrity of the bristles intact. While you can buy a designated case or stand for your brushes, Blunder and CNN Underscored home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel both like to upcycle empty candle jars into makeup brush holders.

Make Up For Ever Dany's Pouch Brushes and Accessories Case

“I love brush canisters for my kit and always carry them in my carry-on luggage when I travel to prevent damage in any way,” said Georgi Sandev, a professional makeup artist who’s worked with supermodels Alessandra Ambrosio and Candice Swanepoel. One of his standbys is this lightweight case from Make Up For Ever, but when he’s not taking brushes on the go, Sandev prefers to lay them flat.

$31 at Make Up For Ever

Briout 3-Tier Cooling Rack

You might already have a cooling rack, like this Briout one, stashed away in your kitchen. Pollara likes to set her brushes on this rack after cleaning, since it allows every side to dry and has plenty of space to hold her entire brush collection.

$17 $16 at Amazon

Beaky Makeup Brush Drying Rack

A brush drying rack, like this Beaky one, not only helps prevent water damage and keep the shape of your brushes intact but is a space-saving way to dry, hold and conveniently move your brushes around.

$10 at Amazon

Other makeup brush cleaning products we recommend

Narwey Travel Makeup Brush Holder

If you only have a small collection of brushes or want something that's easy to throw in your luggage, this Narwey brush case doubles as both a dust-resistant case and brush holder.

$10 at Amazon

Spectrum x Katie Jane Hughes 25-Piece Brush Set

Created by pro makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes, this brush set comes in a chic, green vegan leather canister. “I love this kit because I store the makeup brushes in the canister, brush side up between uses and they’re very easily accessible and great for travel,” said Dr. Shereene Idriss, founder of Idriss Dermatology in New York City.

$221 $169 at Allbeauty

$185 at Beauty Bay

$220 at Nordstrom

$221 at Cult Beauty

Johnson's Tear-Free Baby Shampoo

Though D’Amelio Ventre prefers to use professional formulas for brush cleaning, she said if you're in a pinch, a mild, fragrance-free baby shampoo can work too. This hypoallergenic Johnson's baby shampoo is designed to lather and deep-clean without irritating the skin's most delicate areas.

$7 $4 at Amazon

$5 $4 at Walmart

$6 at Target

MAC Cosmetics Brush Cleanser

Another rinse-free option that’s good for maintenance cleaning but not a deep wash, the MAC Brush Cleanser disinfects and conditions brushes so you can start fresh.

$20 at Nordstrom

$20 at Macy's

$20 at MAC Cosmetics

$20 at Dillard's

Ben Nye Brush Cleaner

An industry go-to for professional and stage makeup, Ben Nye’s Brush Cleaner is one of Sandev’s favorites for sanitizing. The alcohol-based cleaner disinfects brushes and effectively washes away oil-based makeup.

From $9 at Frends Beauty

From $9 at Camera Ready Cosmetics

Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner

Another industry favorite, D’Amelio Ventre said this Parian Spirit cleaner quickly cuts through wax, creams and stubborn pigments, leaving behind a citrus-fresh scent.

$22 at Amazon

Mykitco. My Brush Buddy

Anthony likes this case for storing brushes, since it has a closed cover to protect against dust and dividers to keep everything organized. Plus, the shoulder strap makes it easy to take all your brushes on the go too.

$69 at Beautylish

How often to clean makeup brushes

Without regular cleaning, makeup brushes hold on to bacteria and fungus. “Built-up foundation or powders on your makeup brushes is something you never really want to have,” Idriss said. While dirty makeup brushes could potentially spread serious infections like herpes, breakouts are more common and can affect anyone. “The biggest possible negative effect [of not washing makeup brushes] is acne flare-ups because of bacteria buildup and skin congestion,” Idriss said.

The general recommendation, according to the professionals we spoke to, is to wash your makeup brushes once a week. This will cleanse the brushes of oil and bacteria, and help your makeup tools perform their best.

“How often you should be washing your brushes directly correlates with how much makeup you’re wearing and how often you’re wearing it,” Idriss said. “I think a great rule of thumb is having a nice ritual once a week, where you cleanse and give the brushes the respect they deserve because they’re being applied to your face every single day.”

The type of makeup the brushes are used for can also impact how often you should wash them. Sandev advised that brushes used for liquid and cream makeup be cleaned more often than those used with powder products, as “bacteria is more prone to develop over time in a moist environment.”

Moreover, makeup brushes used around the eye area deserve some extra attention. “Any little bit of bacteria or gunk on those brushes can be transferred to your eyes, and an eye infection is something we just do not have time for,” Idriss said.

In addition to trapping excess product, oil, skin cells and environmental debris that create a breeding ground for bacteria, D’Amelio Ventre said dirty brushes can also compromise your makeup application. “Blending becomes patchy, colors appear muddy and the finish is far less refined,” she said.

According to Sandev, certain makeup formulas can also affect the hygiene of makeup brushes. “If you use mostly natural or organic makeup, you should wash your brushes more often,” he said. “Those products lack a lot of the preservatives that inhibit the development of bacteria.”

The professionals are also adamant about cleaning brushes between clients, or for those who might be sharing brushes at home, to prevent the risk of spreading bacteria and germs.

FAQs

The following FAQs have been answered by makeup artists Lauren D’Amelio Ventre and Brielle Pollara.

Meet our experts

For this article, we consulted the following makeup and skin care experts to gain their professional insights.

Why trust CNN Underscored

CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.

For this story, associate editor Jillian Tracy and fashion and beauty editor Sophie Shaw consulted five makeup artists and a dermatologist for tips on the best ways to clean makeup brushes. They also gathered insights on why cleaning your brushes regularly is essential for proper skin health and smooth makeup application.