Whenever you apply makeup, the natural oils on your skin transfer to the bristles and will remain there if you don’t wash it off. The bristles hold on to the grime, which can make the brush deteriorate if left for a long time. Dirty makeup brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria. According to a study, 90% of beauty products contain bacteria.

If you use liquid foundation, you should clean your brushes every couple of weeks. For the brushes that you use with powder, you need to give them a clean every month. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, you should wash your brushes every 7 to 10 days.

Cleaning your makeup brushes regularly will protect your skin from breakouts. Clean brushes also help you apply flawless makeup. The process is simple, and you’ll only need to follow a few simple steps. Here are 4 simple steps to give your makeup brushes a thorough clean.

 What you’ll need

The only things you’ll need to clean your makeup brush are gentle shampoo and lukewarm water.

Steps to cleaning your makeup brushes

Here are the steps to follow when cleaning your brushes.

Step 1: Wet the bristles

The first step is to wet the brush bristles. Run the bristles under lukewarm water while avoiding the ferrule. The ferrule is the metal part of a makeup brush between the handle and the bristles. The ferrule should not be wet to avoid the glue connecting the handle and the head from coming loose. Never submerge your brushes in water.

Step 2: Wash with a gentle cleanser

In a bowl of lukewarm water, add a tablespoon of gentle shampoo. Never use dish soap as it will be too harsh on the makeup brush bristles. Put a small amount of shampoo on the bristles and swirl it on your hand. Massage the brushes for a few minutes until they look clean. In case you are using a solid cleanser, massage your brush on the top until it foams lather.

Step 3: Rinse thoroughly

Now that all the harmful bacteria are gone, you need to give your brushes a thorough rinse. Run the bristles on lukewarm water. Only rinse the head and not the whole head to avoid the ferrule getting loose. If your brush still has some residue, you can give it another round. Repeat the above steps for maximum clean.

Step 4: Leave to dry

It’s important to properly dry your makeup brushes. Once you have rinsed the brushes, squeeze the bristles gently to remove excess water. Dab the bristles with a microfibre towel until dry. Lay the brush on a flat surface and allow it to air dry. You can hang the brush on the edge of the flat surface to allow for air circulation. Leave your brushes to dry for 6 to 12 hours, but if possible overnight. Make sure you wash the brushes on time before you’ll need them to apply your makeup.

As you can see, cleaning your makeup brushes is simple. So you don’t have any excuse to use dirty makeup brushes. Your skin will also thank you for using clean makeup brushes. You don’t have to postpone cleaning your brushes, it will only take you a few minutes to have clean brushes.

When it comes to cleaning your makeup brushes, there is no shortcut. You cannot put them in the washing machine. You have to stick to the above steps. It may seem like a chore, but cleaning your makeup brushes will pay off in the end. Your skin will improve since you won’t have any breakouts.