How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes

How to clean your makeup brushes is one of the most important yet overlooked steps in any beauty routine, especially if you care about skin health, flawless makeup, and long-lasting tools. Dirty makeup brushes can harbour bacteria, oil, dead skin cells, and old makeup, all of which can contribute to breakouts, irritation, dull skin, and uneven application.

At Adorn Cosmetics, we believe beauty starts with care. Caring for your skin and caring for your tools go hand in hand. When your brushes are clean, your makeup applies better, your skin stays calmer, and your investment in quality brushes lasts longer.

This guide walks you through exactly how to clean your makeup brushes, how often to do it, why it matters for skin health, and how to make brush hygiene simple and sustainable using gentle, effective products.

Watch our tutorial on how to correctly clean your brushes: 

Why Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes Matters for Skin Health

Makeup brushes touch your skin every day. Over time, they collect foundation, concealer, powder, oils, sweat, and environmental debris. When those brushes aren’t cleaned regularly, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Using dirty brushes can lead to

• Breakouts and congestion
• Redness and irritation
• Flare-ups of sensitive skin conditions
• Patchy or muddy makeup application
• Faster brush wear and shedding

For women with sensitive, mature, or acne-prone skin, brush hygiene becomes even more important. Clean brushes support your skin barrier rather than working against it.

How Often Should You Clean Your Makeup Brushes

A common question we hear is how often brushes really need to be cleaned. The answer depends on how you use them, but there are some simple guidelines that work for most people.

Daily hygiene

For brushes used with liquid or cream products such as foundation and concealer, a quick daily clean is ideal. This prevents bacteria buildup between full washes.

Lightly spritz your brush with Adorn’s Natural Makeup Brush Cleaner and wipe it over a clean tissue after each use. This keeps brushes fresh and ready to use without water or drying time.

Weekly deep clean

For optimal skin health, thoroughly wash your brushes with lukewarm water and a gentle soap every 7 to 10 days, or sooner if they look visibly dirty. This applies to powder brushes, blush brushes, eyeshadow brushes, and kabuki brushes.

This balance of daily hygiene plus weekly washing is the most effective way to protect your skin and your brushes.

How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes Step by Step

If you’re wondering exactly how to clean your makeup brushes properly, follow these simple steps.

Step 1

Wet the bristles with lukewarm water. Keep the handle angled downward to prevent water from loosening the glue inside the brush.

Step 2

Apply a small amount of gentle soap to your palm or directly onto the bristles. Avoid harsh detergents as they can dry out natural or vegan fibres.

Step 3

Gently swirl the brush in circular motions to release makeup and impurities. Do not twist or pull the bristles.

Step 4

Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.

Step 5

Gently squeeze out excess water with a clean towel and reshape the brush head.

Step 6

Lay brushes flat or slightly angled to air dry. Never dry brushes upright while wet, as moisture can travel into the handle and weaken the brush over time.

This method ensures a deep clean without damaging your brushes.

A Faster Way to Clean Brushes Between Uses

Life gets busy, and washing brushes with water every time isn’t always realistic. That’s where a dry brush cleaner becomes essential.

Natural Makeup Brush Cleaner

Adorn’s Natural Makeup Brush Cleaner is designed for fast, effective daily hygiene. It kills bacteria on contact, helping prevent breakouts and skin congestion, while keeping your brushes ready to use in seconds.

Because it’s a dry brush cleaner, there’s no rinsing required. Simply spritz and wipe, and your brush is clean and dry almost instantly.

Key benefits

• Instantly kills bacteria and helps prevent breakouts
  
• Quick-drying formula so brushes can be reused straight away
  
• Removes makeup residue and impurities
  
• Gentle on bristles, maintaining softness and shape
• Made from natural ingredients
• Refillable, eco-friendly packaging

Daily hygiene tip
Wipe your makeup brushes over a tissue spritzed with the Natural Makeup Brush Cleaner after each use.

This simple habit dramatically improves skin clarity and brush performance over time.

How Dirty Brushes Affect Makeup Application

Even the best makeup formulas can’t perform properly with dirty tools. When brushes are clogged with old product, they don’t blend evenly and can deposit colour unevenly across the skin.

Clean brushes help

• Foundation sit more smoothly
• Powder apply evenly without patchiness
• Blush and bronzer blend seamlessly
• Eyeshadow colours appear truer
• Makeup last longer throughout the day

If your makeup suddenly looks dull or streaky, your brushes are often the culprit.

How to Clean Different Types of Makeup Brushes

Foundation and concealer brushes

These brushes hold the most oil and product, so they benefit from daily dry cleaning and weekly washing.

Powder brushes

Loose powder brushes should be washed every 7 to 10 days to prevent product buildup that can irritate skin.

Eye brushes

Eye brushes should be cleaned more frequently, especially if you have sensitive eyes. Weekly washing is ideal, with daily spritzing if used often.

Kabuki brushes

Because kabuki brushes are dense, they trap more product. Take extra care when rinsing and allow extra drying time to prevent moisture buildup.

Common Mistakes When Cleaning Makeup Brushes

Avoid these mistakes to protect both your skin and your tools.

• Using hot water which damages bristles
• Soaking brushes fully in water
• Using harsh cleansers or alcohol-heavy products
• Drying brushes upright while wet
• Skipping regular cleaning altogether

Gentle, consistent care is always better than aggressive cleaning done infrequently.

Why Clean Brushes Help Prevent Breakouts

One of the biggest skin benefits of learning how to clean your makeup brushes is clearer skin. Every time a dirty brush touches your face, bacteria and oil are transferred back onto the skin.

Regular cleaning

• Reduces acne-causing bacteria
• Prevents clogged pores
• Minimises inflammation
• Supports a healthy skin barrier

For anyone prone to congestion, hormonal breakouts, or sensitivity, clean brushes are a non-negotiable part of skincare.

Sustainability and Brush Care

At Adorn, sustainability matters. Cleaning and caring for your brushes properly extends their lifespan, meaning fewer replacements and less waste.

Using a refillable brush cleaner reduces plastic waste and supports a more planet-friendly beauty routine without compromising hygiene or performance.

Looking after what you already own is one of the most sustainable beauty choices you can make.

How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes Without Damaging Them

The key is gentleness. Brushes are tools, but they’re also finely crafted. Avoid scrubbing aggressively or pulling at the bristles.

Use lukewarm water, mild soap, and gentle motions. Allow proper drying time and store brushes in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight.

This approach keeps brushes soft, fluffy, and performing like new for years.

How often should you clean makeup brushes?

Makeup brushes should be cleaned daily with a dry brush cleaner and washed thoroughly every 7 to 10 days for optimal skin health.

Can dirty makeup brushes cause breakouts?

Yes. Dirty brushes can harbour bacteria, oil, and old makeup, which can clog pores and cause breakouts and irritation.

What is the fastest way to clean makeup brushes?

Using a dry brush cleaner allows you to clean and reuse brushes instantly without water or drying time.

Learning how to clean your makeup brushes properly is one of the simplest ways to improve your skin, your makeup results, and the longevity of your tools. Clean brushes support clearer skin, smoother application, and a more enjoyable beauty routine overall.

By combining regular washing with daily hygiene using Adorn’s Natural Makeup Brush Cleaner, you protect your skin while caring for your brushes in a gentle, sustainable way. Because beautiful makeup always starts with clean tools and healthy skin.