How to Clean and Care for Your Makeup Brushes Properly
By Honest Baby and Beauty Company | The Honest Company | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: Tips & Care
Learn the correct way to clean makeup brushes to remove bacteria, oil, and product buildup. This step-by-step guide covers frequency, gentle methods, and drying tips for longer brush life.
Quick answer
Clean your makeup brushes every 1–2 weeks using a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water. Focus on the bristles only, reshape them, and dry flat to prevent water from loosening the handle glue. A consistent routine keeps brushes soft, extends their life, and prevents breakouts.
Why regular brush cleaning matters
Makeup brushes collect oil, dead skin, and product residue every time you use them. Left uncleaned, they become a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause clogged pores, breakouts, and even eye infections. Dirty brushes also apply makeup unevenly and lose their softness over time.
A simple weekly cleaning removes buildup and restores bristle performance. The goal is to clean thoroughly without damaging the ferrule (the metal band) or the glue that holds the bristles. Using the right technique makes all the difference.
Step-by-step brush cleaning routine
- Step 1: Wet the bristles only: Hold each brush under lukewarm running water with the bristles pointing downward. Wet only the bristles — never submerge the ferrule or handle, as water can loosen the glue over time. Common mistake: soaking the entire brush head. This causes the handle to swell and bristles to shed.
- Step 2: Apply a gentle cleanser: Squeeze a pea-sized amount of a mild cleanser (like a gentle gel face wash) into the palm of your hand. Swirl the damp brush in the cleanser until it lathers. For synthetic brushes, a drop of dish soap also works well. Checkpoint: if the lather is still tinted after 30 seconds, rinse and repeat once more.
- Step 3: Rinse and squeeze: Rinse the bristles under running water until the water runs clear. Gently squeeze the bristles from base to tip with your fingers. Do not twist or pull on the bristles. Common mistake: rubbing bristles against the sink or a towel — this frays and breaks the fibers.
- Step 4: Reshape and dry flat: Gently reshape the brush head with your fingers. Lay the brushes flat on a clean towel with the bristles hanging slightly off the edge of a counter so air circulates. Never dry them upright in a cup — water can seep into the ferrule. Checkpoint: brushes may take 6–12 hours to dry fully. Do not use a hair dryer — heat damages bristles.
- Step 5: Sanitize monthly: For an extra layer of cleanliness, spray the bristles with a 70% isopropyl alcohol mist once a month. Let them air dry for 1–2 minutes before use. This step is especially useful if you share brushes or have acne-prone skin. Common mistake: using higher-concentration alcohol (90%+) evaporates too quickly to kill bacteria effectively.
Products that support your brush care routine
- The Icons Skincare Trio: The Icons Skincare Trio includes a Gentle Gel Cleanser with Chamomile and Calendula extracts to help calm skin as it removes makeup and impurities without overdrying. This same gentle gel cleanser can double as a brush cleaner for sensitive skin types. It removes makeup residue from bristles without stripping natural oils, making it a safe two-in-one option.
- Extreme Volume Clean Mascara + Bold Lash Primer: Extreme Volume Clean Mascara + Bold Lash Primer is a dual-sided volume-boosting primer and mascara formulated with three lengths of natural fibers and nourishing castor oil. It is non-smudge and non-clumping. Because this mascara is designed to be long-wearing and buildable, it can leave more residue on your wand and bristles. Regular cleaning prevents clumps from transferring back onto your lashes and keeps the formula performing as intended.
