Are dirty makeup brushes really bad for your skin?
Applying makeup can be a mindless and even self-indulgent task. You organize your makeup bag, thinking maybe you can apply a few products here or there today. But what about your makeup brushes and how to care for them? It’s easy to forget about this completely.
You probably won’t notice how dirty your brushes have become until they’re no longer so good, and unfortunately, by then, they’re too gross to be safe. We spoke to two dermatologists about the dangers of dirty makeup brushes and the effects they can have on your skin. We’re sure that after reading this article, you’ll be cleaning them more often.
Worrying about dirty makeup brushes
Unfortunately, dirty makeup brushes can do more than just hold some product. “I can’t stress enough how important keeping your makeup brushes clean is to keeping your skin healthy,” says Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a board-certified dermatologist and host of the Derm Club podcast. “Makeup brushes provide a fertile breeding ground for bacteria, from sources ranging from your skin to the environment around you,” explains Dr. Donald B. Yoo is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon and the medical director of HALO Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery and MedSpa.
He tells us, “Everything from common skin flora like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus to intestinal bacteria like E. coli, faucet and hot tub bacteria like Pseudomonas, and even fungi can get onto makeup brushes and multiply quickly.”
Once these bacteria are there, they continue to grow. “It’s shocking how easily these microbes can multiply on brushes, especially when they’re stored in a humid environment or used frequently without cleaning,” explains Kopelman.
Common Skin Problems Caused by Dirty Makeup Brushes
Acne
It should come as no surprise to anyone that nasty organisms on brushes can transfer to your skin with continued use. “The transfer of bacteria, oils, and other residue from dirty makeup brushes can promote the clogging of pores and sebaceous ducts and exacerbate the inflammatory process that leads to acne breakouts,” says Yoo. Kopelman notes that “the combination of oils, dead skin cells, and bacteria on brushes creates the perfect environment for acne bacteria to thrive,” adding that “this is particularly concerning for patients with sensitive or acne-prone skin — using dirty brushes can make these conditions worse.”
General irritation
You may have noticed that dirty makeup brushes feel different on your skin than clean ones. “I’ve also noticed that dirty brushes not only contribute to acne, but they can also be extremely irritating to the skin,” Kopelman tells us. That’s because “sebaceous glands are located along follicles throughout the skin and secrete sebum as a protective barrier to keep the skin hydrated and soft,” Yoo says. Dirty makeup brushes clog the sebaceous ducts, which interrupts the process of sebum secretion, leading to inflammation and skin damage, which gets worse the longer you leave it alone.” “Over time, I’ve found that using dirty brushes weakens the skin’s natural barrier, making it more susceptible to irritation and infection,” Kopelman says.
How Often Should You Clean Your Makeup Brushes?
Now you might be worried that cleaning your brushes often isn’t enough. If you’re like most people, that’s totally true. Both experts agree that you should clean your makeup brushes once a week. “Regular cleaning is key to preventing skin issues and ensuring your brushes work as they should,” Kopelman says, noting that “when my patients keep their brushes clean, they tell me their makeup is improving. It can be applied more evenly and smoothly, which makes a big difference in the overall look.”
Cleaning them will also make them last longer. “Cleaning your brushes has a positive impact on their function,” Kopelman says. “It keeps the bristles soft and flexible, which is essential for proper makeup application.” She adds a word of caution, though. “I always advise my patients to clean them carefully. If the bristles are deformed by improper cleaning or drying, it will affect their performance.” To clean your brushes, Yoo recommends using warm water and baby shampoo, then laying them flat to dry to increase their longevity and function.
When should you throw away your brush or sponge?
No matter how well you care for your brushes (and we hope you’re more motivated to do so now), they won’t last forever. “Regular cleaning will extend their life, but if a brush stops working, I think it’s best to invest in a new one,” Kopelman says. “If, despite cleaning, excess residue remains or the bristles have lost their original flexibility and shape, you should throw your makeup brushes away,” advises Yoo. Kopelman advises “paying attention to the condition of your brushes. If you notice that the bristles are frayed, falling out, or losing their shape, it’s time to replace them.”
Conclusion
Dirty makeup brushes can be harmful to your skin. They can harbor everything from E. coli to fungi, picking up bacteria and flora from their environment and the skin itself. In turn, they can cause acne, irritate, and weaken the skin’s natural barrier. Fortunately, this is easy to avoid. You only need to clean them once a week. Clean brushes work better and last longer. At some point, they need to be replaced with a good, affordable brush set, but the better you take care of them, the better it will be in the long run.
