Are Dirty Makeup Brushes Really That Bad for Your Skin?
Putting on makeup can be a mindless and even self-indulgent task. You sort through your makeup bag and think to yourself a swipe of product here or there might be in the cards for you today. But when it comes to your makeup brushes and their maintenance? That’s an easy thing to forget about completely.
You might not notice how dirty your brushes have gotten until they don’t work as well, and by then, we’re sorry to say, they’re way too gross to be safe. We spoke with two dermatologists about the dangers of dirty makeup brushes and what they can do to your skin. We’re confident that you’ll be cleaning them more often after reading.
The Concern With Dirty Makeup Brushes
Unfortunately, a dirty makeup brush can hold onto a lot more than just some leftover product. “When it comes to makeup brushes, I can’t stress enough how important it is to keep them clean for maintaining healthy skin,” says Hannah Kopelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and the host of the Derm Club podcast. “Makeup brushes provide a fertile breeding ground for bacteria, and the sources range from your skin to your immediate environment,” explains Donald B. Yoo, M.D. a board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon and the Medical Director of HALO Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery & MedSpa.
He tells us that ” everything from common skin flora such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species to those from the gut such as E. coli, from water faucets and hot tubs such as Pseudomonas, and even fungi, can find their way onto makeup brushes and divide rapidly.”
Once those bugs get there, they continue to grow. “It’s alarming how easily these microbes can multiply on brushes, especially when they’re stored in damp environments or used frequently without cleaning,” Kopelman explains.
Common Skin Concerns Caused by Dirty Makeup Brushes
Acne
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the nasty critters on your brushes are transferred onto your skin with continued use. “Transferring bacteria, oils, and other detritus from dirty makeup brushes promotes the clogging of pores and sebaceous ducts, amplifying the inflammatory processes leading to acne breakouts,” says Yoo. Kopelman notes that “the combination of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria on the brushes creates the perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria to thrive,” and adds that “this is particularly concerning for my patients with sensitive or acne-prone skin—using dirty brushes can make these conditions worse.”
General Irritation
You may have noticed that a dirty makeup brush doesn’t feel the same on your skin as a clean one. “I’ve also noticed that beyond acne, dirty brushes can be incredibly irritating to the skin,” Kopelman tells us. Yoo says that’s because “sebaceous glands found along hair follicles throughout the skin secrete sebum as a protective barrier to moisturize and lubricate the skin. Dirty makeup brushes interrupt this process of sebum secretion by blocking the sebaceous ducts, creating inflammation and damage to your complexion.” The longer you let things go, the worse they can get. “Over time, I’ve seen how using unclean brushes can weaken your skin’s natural barrier, making it more vulnerable to irritation and infection,” says Kopelman.
How Often Should You Clean Makeup Brushes?
By now, you might be worrying that however often you’ve been cleaning your brushes, it’s not enough. If you’re like most people, that’s completely true. Both experts agree that you should clean your makeup brushes once a week. “Regular cleaning is key to preventing skin issues and ensuring that your brushes do what they’re supposed to do,” says Kopelman, who notes that “when my patients keep their brushes clean, they tell me their makeup applies more evenly and smoothly, which makes a big difference in the overall look.”
Cleaning them will also make them last longer. “Cleaning your brushes positively impacts their functionality,” Kopelman says. “It keeps the bristles soft and flexible, which is crucial for proper makeup application.” She adds a word of caution though. “I always advise my patients to clean them carefully. If they’re not cleaned properly or are left to dry in a way that distorts the bristles, it can affect how well they perform.” To clean your brushes, Yoo recommends warm water and baby shampoo, then drying them flat, to enhance their longevity and functionality.
When Should You Just Throw Away a Brush or Sponge?
No matter how well you take care of your brushes, which we hope you’re more inspired to do now, they won’t last forever. “Regular cleaning will extend their lifespan, but once the brush stops performing well, I believe it’s best to invest in a new one,” Kopelman says. “Makeup brushes should be thrown away when excess residue remains despite cleaning, or the bristles have lost their original flexibility and shape,” suggests Yoo. Kopelman recommends, “paying attention to the condition of their brushes. If you notice that the bristles are fraying, shedding, or losing their shape, it’s a sign that it’s time to replace them.”
The Final Takeaway
Dirty makeup brushes can be harmful to your skin. They can harbor everything from E. coli to fungi, picking up bacteria and flora from the environment they’re stored in and your skin itself. In turn, they can give you acne, cause irritation, and weaken your skin’s natural barrier. Thankfully, this is easy to avoid. All you have to do is clean them once a week. A clean brush will work better and last longer. Eventually, they will need to be replaced with a high-quality, affordable brush set, but the better you take care of them the more beneficial it will be in the long run.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
