PSA: It's Time to Clean Your Makeup Brushes—These Products Can Help (2024)

Friends, a reality check: we've all gone way too long without cleaning our makeup brushes. While tedious, a clean makeup brush helps products apply smoother and more evenly and reduces the risk of breakouts from festering bacteria. "You should clean your brushes every two weeks, especially if you have acne-prone skin," says Randall Intrabartola, makeup artist and esthetician. There are some fantastic makeup brush cleaners out there that make the job easy and feel less like a chore—so let's not put it off.

What to look for in a makeup brush cleaner

Here's the thing: while makeup artist Suzy Gerstein says you can use a homemade concoction of dish soap and a drop of olive oil, investing in a makeup brush cleaner will ensure your brushes are fully free of dirt, oil, and grime while keeping the bristles intact and soft. There are plenty of makeup brush cleansers out there, from liquid cleansers and bar soaps to scrubbing mats and quick-fix sprays. "I like to spray my synthetic brushes every couple of uses with a brush cleaning spray to get the color out so that it doesn’t set in and stain the bristles over time," says Gerstein. This in-between upkeep also allows Gerstein to go longer between deep cleans. That said, cleaning your brushes regularly helps preserve them. "I still have a couple of double-ended brushes in my kit from back when I used to freelance two decades ago," says Gerstein. Ahead, shop makeup brush cleansers that get the job done with ease.

The experts:

• Randall Intrabartola, makeup artist and esthetician based in California
• Suzy Gerstein, a makeup artist based in NYC

Getting a cleansing mat for your makeup brushes is an investment you won't regret. "These quickly break up powders and creams without ruining your brushes," says Intrabartola. When you swirl your brush on the mat with your favorite liquid or spray cleanser (this brand sells one separately), the flexible raised texture gets in between each and every bristle to remove dirt, oil, and product buildup. It also comes with a cotton towel so you don't have to worry about staining your own. "Just a quick swirl on this mat gave all of my brushes a much-needed deep clean without causing them to shed a bunch of bristles," says beauty director Kate Sandoval Box.

This brush cleaner is like a pro car wash: it'll clean your brushes effortlessly and make them look brand new. No powder, cream, liquid, or oil is too tough for this formula. The coolest part is that even though this is a liquid, it dries quickly. In fact, you don't need to rinse the brush at all. Simply spray this 99.99 percent antimicrobial disinfectant onto bristles and keep going.

If you're someone who often procrastinates cleaning their makeup brushes, Gerstein recommends trying this no-rinse solution that helps avoid major product buildup. We're also big fans. "It works like magic," says beauty editor Genesis Rivas. Spray your brush until it's saturated in the waterless, oil-free formula. Then, gently rub on a washcloth or towel until all remnants of makeup are gone. "The best part is your brush remains completely dry, so you can use it immediately post-cleanse," says Rivas.

Intrabartola loves this solid makeup brush cleaner because it's easy to travel with while Gerstein likes to use it every month for a deep clean. "I love the little scrubby mat it comes with for getting every last stitch of makeup out of the bristles," she says. To use, wet your brush or sponge and then rub it on the solid bar soap until it creates a lather. Gently squeeze out soap and rinse with water. Repeat until the brushes are clean.

For those with sensitive skin who are nervous about using a soap that may irritate, Intrabartola recommends this fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested option. It's a spray formula that quickly cleans brushes without needing to rinse or set out to dry. It now also comes in an XL size, so you can refill the small bottle, making it easier to travel.

You'll want to use this liquid formula on those days you're ready to do a deep clean on your brushes. The antimicrobial formula prevents the growth of bacteria for up to two weeks after use. Intrabartola especially likes it because it's alcohol-free, meaning it won't dry out the bristles. Rather, it keeps them soft thanks to coconut and palm oils.

This nifty spinning machine is perfect for cleaning brushes, stat. It cleanses and dries your brushes faster than you ever could by hand. When using it, attach your makeup brush to the flexible silicone connectors (it comes in eight different sizes), then pour water and soap into the bowl. Firmly hold onto the handle, then push the button to start spinning. After 10 to 20 seconds, your brush will be clean. To dry, while keeping the brush in the bowl, lift it from the water and let it spin for a few more seconds.

Our beauty team is dedicated to finding you the best of the best formulas. We spoke with makeup artists to learn about what to look for in a makeup brush cleaner and got their go-to recommendations. We also researched and tested top-rated and brand-new formulas that hit the market to help you find the best products out there.