Skincare Week : Cleaning Makeup Brushes

The final instalment of this Skincare Week shall be dedicated to the monotonous task of washing your makeup tools; something we all avoid by buying Boots out of their stock of eye shadow brushes (or is that just me?). As boring as this simple task can be, regularly cleaning your brushes is essential for good skincare and a clear complexion. 

Bacteria on your skin transfers onto your brush and sets up camp alongside the makeup left behind that you were applying, this stays firmly rooted in your bristles until washed away. A fresh layer of bacteria and makeup is then added every time you use that brush, see where I'm heading here? There are two ways to wash your makeup brushes, both have their role in keeping your tools bacteria free and your skin clear. 

1. Spot Cleaning

This is a quick cleanse of your makeup brushes in-between uses. Spot cleaning is like swiping an anti-bacterial wipe over your brush to remove previous bacteria build up before you use it that day. This is how it can be used for foundation applicators, or it can also be used to quickly remove product from an eyeshadow brush so that you have a clean tool to apply a new colour with. 

I currently love using the inexpensive yet effective No7 Brush Cleaner. I simply squirt a couple pumps onto either a cotton wool pad or a clean muslin cloth. I then swirl my brush around in circles until the majority of the product has been removed. I leave the brush for 5-10 minutes, depending on it's size, till it has dried before using it. This is the perfect quick-fix in-between deep cleaning your brushes to prevent product and bacteria build up. 

2. Deep Cleaning

This is a thorough cleanse of your makeup brushes and should be done once a month to ensure all trace of bacteria and product is regularly removed. This is also important for the care of your brushes; makeup tools can be expensive and should be looked after so that the bristles stay of a high quality for as long as possible. 

When soaking your brushes be sure to only ever use a gentle shampoo as to not damage the bristles and to keep them soft. You can either buy a specific brush shampoo, or a cheaper alternative is using an unscented baby shampoo. I am currently using the Dr Organic Virgin Olive Oil Shampoo, this is paraben free and so will not damage the brushes. Also, the olive oil makes this intensely moisturising so that the bristles are left feeling especially soft.

To deep clean my brushes I run lukewarm water and squeeze a small drop of the shampoo into my hand. I then wet my brush under the tap and swirl it around in the shampoo in my palm. I then squeeze the water from my brush and repeat this process until the water runs clean. 

To make sure you take the best care of your brushes always hold them by the handle so that the water runs from the bristles down and not from the hairs back into the handle. The water will damage the glue holding the hairs in place, causing them to fall out.

Once you have finished washing your brush lay it down on a towel to dry. The brush head should be hanging over the edge of a counter so that, as it dries, it doesn’t become misshaped from being pushed flat against the side. Leave them to dry overnight and by morning they should be clean and ready to use.

I hope you found this helpful and a gentle reminder of the importance of clean brushes for a clear complexion; especially if you already suffer with acne. If the bacteria that transfers from your blemishes onto your brushes is not removed, then this can make your breakouts worse the next time you use them. I would love to hear what you think in the comments below as I read and appreciate all of your messages.

I hope you all enjoyed this Skincare Week series and that there was something helpful for everyone. If you missed any posts then be sure to go back and read my current cleansing routine, my Acne Do’s and Don’ts or my top tips for using makeup to conceal your spots. There is also a post on my favourite face masks and reviews on the Tropic Tamanu Healing Balm and Face Smooth.

Devon

xoxo

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