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Consider this a PSA! It’s time to wash your makeup brushes. Don’t worry, dear reader; it’s just as much a reminder for me as it is for you. As a beauty editor, I’m the first to admit that I could be more diligent about cleaning the tools that touch my face every day.
Celebrity makeup artist Lila Childs reminds me that there are two main reasons to clean your brushes consistently. First, it allows for smooth, seamless makeup application. (After all, if your brushes are gunked up with old foundation, concealer, and powder, it can lead to streaks, smears, pilling… You name it.) The second is hygiene. Makeup brushes can harbor bacteria, including pore-clogging bacteria, which is why dirty tools can lead to breakouts (or worse).
Since makeup artists are constantly cleaning their tools (they do so after every client), I decided to DM Childs to ask for her product recs. Ahead, see the professional brush cleaners that will sanitize, soften, and condition every bristle.
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Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner Starter Kit
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Makeup Brush Cleaner Pro Starter Kit
This cult-loved makeup brush cleaner is one of Childs’s top picks. It’s a longtime industry favorite because it lets makeup artists clean brushes quickly, easily, and without water. As such, it’s often used backstage at fashion shows and photo shoots. Childs says it’s perfect for everyday or on-the-go cleaning.
To use it, pour some of the cleanser into the tin container. You need just enough to dip the brush a quarter of the way up the bristles. Dip the brush and remove it quickly to avoid oversaturation. The bristles will draw the liquid up the brush and dissolve makeup residue and debris. Wipe the brush clean on an absorbent cloth or paper towel, and shape the bristles with your hand. Allow it to air-dry, and repeat as necessary. That’s it. There’s no water needed, but you’ll be shocked at what you’ll see come off the bristles. As one reviewer put it, “This brush cleaner cleaned off more than a year’s worth of buildup on my foundation brush.”
Beautyblender Blendercleanser Tool Scrub Solid Soap
Beautyblender
Blendercleanser Tool Scrub Exfoliating Solid Soap
Next, Childs recommends this cleanser, which works on both makeup brushes and sponges, like the cult-classic Beautyblender Makeup Sponge ($20). The solid cleanser removes the need for a scrub pad thanks to a natural exfoliating ingredient, cellulose, that physically lifts makeup residue and other debris from bristles. Aloe and lavender condition the bristles to keep them soft, strong, and smooth (and the latter lends it a soothing scent).
Childs recommends using it in instances when you haven’t cleaned your brushes in a hot minute and there’s a lot of heavy lifting to do as far as removing built-up dirt and debris. To use it, wet your makeup sponge or brush, and swirl it directly onto the solid cleanser, working it into a lather. Rinse, blot the tool, and allow it to dry in a clean, well-ventilated area. Your tools will look and feel like new.
Kraum Brush Soap
Who knew a makeup brush cleaner could be so chic? Childs also recommends Kraum’s Brush Cleaner because it “yields a like-new feeling,” leaving the bristles soft and fluffy, and, like the Beautyblender pick, does a good job of removing built-up makeup residue.
The proprietary formula deeply cleans makeup brushes with saponified tallow and tiny exfoliating grains, which break down waxes, creams, powders, and pigments embedded in the bristles. Additionally, conditioning ingredients protect expensive brushes and keep the bristles soft, strong, and shiny.
To use, wet the bristles with warm water, which will help soften stubborn, dried residue. Then, swirl the bristles on the surface of the soap to create a lather. If the brush is really dirty, let the soap soak on the bristles for a few minutes before rinsing. Then, rinse with running water and gently squeeze excess water from the bristles before molding it back into its original shape. Lay the brush down horizontally to dry. Meanwhile, rinse makeup residue and excess lather from the soap surface and container, and let it dry before replacing the lid. It comes with a handy instruction sheet (photos included) so you don’t have to memorize each step.
Ogee Solid Makeup Brush Cleanser
Ogee
Solid Makeup Brush Cleanser
Here’s another solid cleanser worth investing in. Its gentle formula includes grapefruit essential oil to break down buildup, glycerin to soften bristles, and natural soap to cleanse without stripping. Simply swirl a damp makeup brush directly onto the surface of the soap, and it will rinse away foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer, and powders in a gross (but satisfying) way.
MAC Cosmetics Makeup Brush Cleanser
MAC Cosmetics
Makeup Brush Cleanser
The MAC Cosmetics Makeup Brush Cleanser is another highly rated, no-rinse option. It fully disinfects bristles and is designed to extend the life of high-quality brushes—preserving your tools and your bank account as a result. Simply apply the cleanser directly to the brush, run it along a towel until it no longer distributes makeup debris, and let it dry.
Sigma Beauty Spa Express Brush Cleaning Mat
SIGMA BEAUTY
Spa Express Brush Cleaning Mat
While cleaning mats aren’t totally necessary, they can come in handy if it’s been a minute since you washed your makeup brushes and they’re really stiff and gunked up with product. Wet the brush, apply your cleaner of choice—I’d be remiss not to mention Sigma’s ultra-foamy Simagic Brushampoo ($17)—and gently massage the bristles into the mat. The key word is “gently.” Scrubbing too hard or applying too much pressure will damage the brush. Work slowly and evenly, and the mat’s different textures will help remove buildup for squeaky-clean bristles.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best brush cleaners for this roundup, we leaned heavily on original testing and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also consulted a top celebrity makeup artist, Lila Childs, for her recommendations. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we’d truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
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