An alarming reminder to clean your dirty makeup brushes
Full disclosure: I consider myself to be pretty meticulous when it comes to cleaning my makeup brushes. In fact, I have a regular Snapchat series reminding friends to clean their brushes, too. While most laugh and share that it's been forever since they last cleaned their brushes, I consider my efforts a success if I can convince just one to make time for a deep clean. Overkill? Maybe...or so I thought.
As a passionate beauty consumer, I know how important it is to keep your brushes clean for flawless application and cleanliness. So, when Kaye wanted to experiment and put our makeup brushes and tools under blacklight, I was so game. So much so that I boasted about going two and a half weeks without washing my brushes to really let them sit in their filth. Surely after years of consistent cleaning, they wouldn't be that bad, right?
Wrong.
Experimental Conditions
I used my favourite VIEVE synthetic makeup brushes and Beauty Blender to test. For two and a half weeks, I applied makeup daily and did not wash any tools. This was especially hard for my Beauty Blender, as I wash this with cleanser daily before applying makeup. Remember when I said I was meticulous?
These are the tools I use for any makeup application - whether that be a quick 10-minute face or full glam, providing a fair sample size. On any day, I use a combination of liquid, cream, and powder products, which provide various textures and formulas to test. The brushes and Beauty Blender were stored in the open air on my makeup vanity upright and in their respective containers.
The Experiment
After not washing for two and a half weeks (and before my next facial,) I took my dirty makeup brushes and Beauty Blender to a dark room and laid them on a black backdrop. I then used a blacklight to see what bacteria may be present and was shocked by what I found.
The Results
The results speak for themselves. Even after only two and a half weeks of daily use, it's clear various bacteria were present on my makeup brushes and Beauty Blender. When I said I was horrified, I meant it! With each application, I was blending, packing, and pressing bacteria all over my skin.
Of the various brushes and sponges tested, it was clear that my face brushes (those used for foundation, contour, and blush) had more bacteria than those used on the eyelids alone. This discovery was not entirely surprising, as the face has larger pores than the eye area and is where the concentration of liquid and cream products are applied. Liquid or cream products leave makeup brushes damp, which can contribute to more rapid bacteria growth.
Common Bacteria Found On Makeup Brushes
Let's get into the dirty stuff.
Makeup brushes can collect a lot of contaminants, leading to skin and eye infections, acne, or other irritations. With regular use, makeup brushes collect dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and makeup residue, which provides a breeding ground for bacteria. Moisture, especially from wet products, can further encourage bacterial growth, like:
Staphylococcus (Staph): Found on the skin, can cause skin infections, acne, and sties.
Streptococcus: Also commonly found on the skin, can cause various infections.
E. coli: Found in the human digestive tract, can cause infections if transferred to the skin.
Pseudomonas: Found in contaminated soil, water, and hot tubs, can cause infections.
Not regularly cleaning your makeup brushes can cause skin and eye infections and allergic reactions.
How To Prevent Bacterial Growth
Clean Your Brushes Regularly
While you may be horrified by what bacteria may be lingering on your makeup brushes, the good news is there's a simple fix: clean them!
We provide a more in-depth look at our brush cleansing process here. To clean my brushes, I always double cleanse. Start with warm water and a gentle cleanser that contains a small amount of oil to help break down the makeup product on your brushes. My first cleanser of choice is Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap.
I avoid using silicone-based products where possible, so instead of using a makeup brush cleansing mat to scrub my brushes with, I opt for a stainless steel sieve that I can easily sanitize. Dampen the brush with water and dip it into a bowl of cleanser. Using gentle swirling motions, cleanse the brush fibres against the sieve until the product breaks down and the brush appears clean. Rinse well and set aside for the second cleanse.
Next, I go in with my favourite cleanser of all time - Starlight Skin Illuminating Gel Cleanser. I love this cleanser because it creates a luxurious lather and makes my brushes feel extra clean.
Just like you double cleanse your face, it's important to double cleanse your brushes to remove impurities and ensure any residue from the first cleanse does not come in contact with your face. While Dr. Bronner's is EWG verified, meaning it contains no hormone-disrupting or toxic ingredients, it does contain oil and fragrance, which can cause breakouts and other skin irritations.
By using a facial cleanser as a second cleanse for your brushes, you ensure your brushes will not cause acne when they inevitably come into contact with your face.
After cleansing, I gently squeeze any water the brush fibres may be holding on to, reshape, and lay on a clean towel to air dry overnight.
Other Tips To Prevent Bacteria From Growing On Your Brushes
Store brushes properly: Keep brushes in a clean, dry place away from moisture (aka the bathroom.)
Replace brushes: Replace brushes that are worn out, damaged, or show signs of bacterial growth (e.g., a lingering smell).
Replace beauty sponges: Replace your beauty sponge every 1-2 months, and cleanse before each use.
Don't share brushes: Sharing brushes can spread bacteria and other germs.
The Final Check
After cleansing my makeup brushes and sponge and letting them air dry overnight, I returned to a dark room with my blacklight. After cleaning all my tools, which didn't take more than 30 minutes, it was instantly clear that all traces of bacteria were gone. I could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The verdict: regularly cleaning your makeup brushes and sponges is the easiest way to ensure you're not packing harmful bacteria onto your skin with each use. I recommend you cleanse your brushes at least once a week and your Beauty Blender (or other beauty sponge) daily with a facial cleanser before use. You dampen your sponge before use, so you might as well take a minute to cleanse!
If you found these tips helpful, share this article with someone who needs to clean their brushes ASAP! This series will experiment with other surfaces and tools, so let us know what you want to see under blacklight next.
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