You’re Overdue on Washing Your Makeup Brushes

You have four shadows to crush a new eye look this season, and there are six blushes you’re raring to try. But before you dive in, the best makeup brush cleansers are a necessary buy. Consistently cleansing your makeup brushes will help preserve the functionality and longevity of the tools. Not to mention, a clean makeup brush is infinitely more sanguine for the complexion (unless, of course, you like a little bacteria with your blush).

And while household items may work in a pinch, investing in one of the best cleansers specifically designed for makeup brushes or sponges will pay off in the long run. “You can use regular soap or dish detergent, but over time, it could compromise the quality of the brushes,” says makeup artist Fiona Stiles. “The conditioning ingredients in brush soaps help to keep the bristles soft and healthy.” So, do your brushes a favor: Browse the makeup-artist-approved list below to find a cleanser that’s right for your tool collection.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner Pro Starter Set

Why it’s worth it: “This is the most popular brush cleaner among beauty lovers of all kinds, from everyday makeup girlies up to the professional artists,” says makeup artist Camille Ariane. Ticking off the reasons she loves the hallowed cleanser, Ariane notes that it can be used without water, dries down quickly, and effectively rids the bristles of even the most stubborn product residue. “I also love that they have travel sizes available in this product,” she says. Another ringing endorsement comes from makeup artist Kasey Spickard. “It’s not oily like a lot of other liquid brush cleaners,” he says. “You just dip your brush into the solution, wipe with a paper towel, and repeat the process until the brush is clean.”

Best for Deep-Cleaning: Beautyblender Solid Unscented + Silicone Scrub Mat

Why it’s worth it: “This is a great soap bar-cleanser for your brushes and sponges,” says Ariane. “It also comes with a cleansing pad to make cleaning easy and efficient.” Spickard seconds the recommendation. “Beautyblender Solid Brush Cleaner is also a go-to for deep-cleaning brushes,” he says. “This breaks down foundation and concealer with ease, unlike a lot of other makeup brush cleaners.”

Best for Sensitive Skin: EcoTools Makeup Brush + Sponge Shampoo

Why it’s worth it: “If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly cleanser for your brushes, this liquid formula is your answer,” says Ariane. “Fragrance-free, cruelty-free, and vegan, this is amazing to use if you have sensitive skin or are allergy-prone.” The plant-based shampoo—designed to clean both brushes and sponges—is also dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic. Plus, it’s made without parabens, phthalates, and sulfates, which may irritate some skin types.

Best for a Quick Dry Time: Jenny Patinkin Spray Away Instant Makeup Brush Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: “Densely packed makeup brushes blend makeup seamlessly but are really hard to clean,” says Stiles, noting that cream and liquid formulas are notorious for getting deeply lodged within brush bristles. Enter Jenny Patinkin Spray Away Instant Makeup Brush Cleanser. “This spray quickly gets out all the makeup with an almost instantaneous dry time,” Stiles says. “It’s especially handy for those incredibly busy weeks that we pro makeup artists face.”

Best for Cleansing On-The-Go: MAC Makeup Brush Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: New York City-based makeup artist Tommy relies on MAC’s Makeup Brush Cleanser when he’s in on-the-go mode. “I always keep this one in my kit for any instant cleaning I need to be done,” he tells Allure. So, how easy is it to use this, exactly? You can apply the cleanser straight to the brush, then run the brush along a white towel until it leaves no makeup behind.

Best for Sponges: Sigma Sigmagic Brushampoo Liquid

Why it’s worth it: Billed as an all-natural cleanser that cleans and conditions tools, Sigma Beauty’s liquid cleanser is particularly well-suited for fluffy brushes and sponges. Formulated with coconut and palm oils, the formula not only cleans but also helps ward off future bacterial growth. What’s more, the hypoallergenic formula is gentle on the hands.

Best for Brushes: Clinique Makeup Brush Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: Designed to keep brushes in tip-top shape, Clinique’s petal-pink cleanser has hydrolyzed wheat protein that strengthens the bristles. To use it, spray each side of a makeup brush with the solution once. Then, take a tissue to wipe off excess makeup residue and let the brushes air-dry for just a couple of minutes—after that, they’re squeaky clean and ready to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to clean makeup brushes and sponges?

Stiles recommends using a soapy cleanser and hot or warm water to deep-clean brushes. “Swirl the brush onto the bar of soap, and repeat until there isn’t any makeup showing up on the soap,” she says. Alternatively, if using a liquid-soap solution, you could swirl the brush onto a towel until no more makeup shows up there. “The next step is to squeeze out the excess water; this will help the brushes dry faster and protect the glue that holds the bristles in the ferrule,” Stiles says. She adds that laying the brushes flat to dry is important for preserving the integrity of the brush. “Laying them with the tip of the brush over the edge of a counter will increase airflow and help the brushes dry faster,” she says. In terms of drying time, Stiles says that smaller brushes dry within about 12 hours, while bigger, fluffier brushes may require up to 24 hours to dry.

In terms of makeup sponges, “These are prone to bacterial growth due to their damp environment, so it’s important to deep-clean and sanitize them regularly,” Spickard says. After washing his sponges using hot water and soap, he massages and squeezes the sponge under hot water until the liquid runs clear. “I finish by spritzing the sponge with 70% isopropyl alcohol to sanitize and kill lingering bacteria,” Spickard says. He lets the sponge air-dry on a clean bathroom towel or paper towel.