How To Clean Makeup Brushes With A Spray

We Researched the All-time Makeup Castor Cleaners—These Are Our Favorites

We searched for cleansers that volition make your brushes sparkle

Nosotros independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—larn more nearly our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang

Makeup brushes are essential tools in almost every makeup routine. They exercise everything from blending, smoothing, and buffing anything from foundation to bronzer onto the skin. And if you're applying makeup daily—whether a full face up or just a touch of information technology—that means your brushes are working hard.

Now, hither's the no-so-fun role. Over time, your brushes and sponges become the perfect convenance footing for bacteria, expressionless skin cells, oils, and dirt. All this buildup tin can begin to clog your pores and cause breakouts. Plus, dirty brushes don't piece of work likewise as clean brushes exercise—makeup can end up looking streaky and uneven due to the gunky beard. Grossed out however? Don't worry—it'due south never likewise belatedly to get-go getting your brushes in perfect shape.

From daily disinfecting to deep cleaning, nosotros've rounded up the all-time makeup castor cleaners out at that place. Nosotros have options that include everything you need in a brush cleanser: they're gentle plenty to non damage beard, they accept solvents to dissolve buildup, and they're easy to use.

What Nosotros Like

Pretty packaging
Works rapidly
Keeps brushes soft

What Nosotros Don't Like

Not for deep cleaning

This pink bottle is a best-seller for a reason. Users love this cleanser for a number of reasons, including its ease of utilize. Simply apply the formula onto your brush or into a towel, then run the brush back and forth on the towel until make clean.

Active Ingredients: Sodium trideceth sulfate, hydrolyzed wheat protein | Size: 7.9 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Complimentary: No | Byrdie Clean: No

What Nosotros Like

Dries quickly
No rinsing required
Smells nice

What We Don't Similar

Contains parabens

For makeup artists (or just about anyone), this liquid cleaner is a godsend. Not just is information technology quick-drying, but it's 99.99% antimicrobial disinfectant, which effectively kills bacteria. Plus, it tin be used on both natural and synthetic fibers.

Agile Ingredients: Isoparaffin hydrocarbon, hydrotreated heavy naptha | Size: 8 / 32 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yeah | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

Portable, travel-friendly size
Tin can be used daily
Dries speedily

What We Don't Like

Doesn't come in a larger size

For a few bucks, you tin take a brush cleaner wherever yous become. Pocket-sized, but mighty, you're able to tote this spray about anywhere, including your comport-on. The formula is gentle enough for everyday use, so if you're a full make clean freak, you lot tin spritz this on at the end of each day. Just brand sure your brushes are fully dry out before using the next morning time.

Agile Ingredients: Alcohol denat. | Size: ii fl. oz. | Cruelty-Costless: Yeah | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

Lathers well
Lightweight gel texture
Removes powder rest well

What We Don't Like

Contains parabens

I've been using this cleanser gel for years. It's convenient to purchase—detect it at any drugstore—and it successfully gets the ick out of my brushes. It's besides free of booze and lathers quite nicely. Pair information technology with our favorite mats below for major cleaning power.

Agile Ingredients: Sodium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine | Size: 5.1 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Gratuitous: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

Fragrance-free
Won't dry out out brushes
Strong, effective formula

What We Don't Similar

Value could exist better

Become instant purification with 1 spritz. Spray straight onto your brush, and then rub in circular motions over a tissue or paper towel to remove debris. Bonus: This spray has no fragrance for those with a sensitive nose.

Size: 4.7 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Gratuitous: No

What We Like

Gentle formula
Inexpensive for a large canteen
A petty goes a long way

What We Don't Similar

Can exit a slight residue

Fussy skin? Like your makeup or skincare products, the cleanser for your brush shouldn't irritate your skin either. Which is why nosotros dearest this brush cleansing shampoo from EcoTools. It's dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and formulated with plant-derived ingredients, and then information technology's safe and gentle for even the most sensitive skin types.

Active Ingredients: Decyl glucoside, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate | Size: 6 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Gratuitous: Yes | Byrdie Make clean: Yep

Plant extracts do the dirty work in this deep cleaning formula. It works to gently strip excess oil and makeup from beard, without dissentious them. Pair with a mat or but employ your palm—lather up with the brush, then rinse with water.

What We Like

Easy to use
Comes in a diverseness of scents
Works on sponges

What We Don't Like

Not vegan

With ingredients like goat's milk and coconut, this solid brush cleanser is a neat culling to its liquid counterparts. Simply swirl the bristles onto the bodily product under running water and spotter leftover makeup and residuum go right down the drain.

Active Ingredients: Goat's milk | Size: 2 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Aye

What We Like

Easy to use
Works quickly
Large bottle

What We Don't Similar

Takes a lot of product to clean brushes

This cleanser pick is cracking for everyday apply—merely spray your brushes on both sides, wipe off dirt and debris with a tissue or towel, so let dry. Air drying should take merely a few minutes, and you're ready to use your brushes.

Active Ingredients: Sodium trideceth sulfate, hydrolyzed wheat protein | Size: 8 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Gratis: No | Byrdie Clean: No

What Nosotros Similar

Lathers well
Keeps brushes soft
A little goes a long mode

What We Don't Like

Contains a formaldehyde-releasing amanuensis

This foaming cleanser not only gets every bristle squeaky clean but besides conditions them at the same time. After drying, the end result is a soft, flexible terminate.

Active Ingredients: Cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium laureth sulfate | Size: iv fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

What Nosotros Like

Works rapidly
Inexpensive
No rinsing required

What Nosotros Don't Like

Small canteen

Need a clean sponge immediately? This waterless spray eliminates surface stains apace, fifty-fifty in the eye of applying a total face of makeup. To refresh your sponge, spray onto the sponge until it's completely saturated, then wipe onto a tissue or towel to remove makeup.

Active Ingredients: Isododecane, cyclopentasiloxane | Size: 2 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Make clean: No

What Nosotros Like

Removes grime
Cleans multiple brushes at once
Fun colour

What Nosotros Don't Like

Doesn't include a cleanser

Transform your sink into the ultimate cleansing station. We honey this large mat for when you have to clean every castor in your arsenal. With seven textures, information technology gets the grime out of all your brushes—whether it'south a dense contouring castor or a soft eyeshadow blender. Using your fave cleanser, swirl brushes into the mat and wash every speck of bacteria away.

What Nosotros Similar

Fits comfortably in hand
Has three textures
Removes grime

What We Don't Like

Doesn't include a cleanser

Want the ability of a mat, but would rather keep it meaty? This handheld version is for you. Whether y'all're right or left-handed, the adjustable strap is able to suit to whatsoever hand shape and size. Not but does information technology fit right in the palm of your hand, but information technology's likewise got iii textures to make clean every type of brush.

What We Like

Beautiful packaging
Dries quickly
Leaves a fresh scent behind

What We Don't Similar

Expensive

Certain, this gorgeous bottle would elevate your vanity lineup, but information technology's the formula inside that does all the work. Information technology cleanses, disinfects, and weather condition your makeup brushes for a smoother application and longer brush life. You need two sprays, one on either side of the brush, and so tissue off, and air dry for upwards to two minutes.

Agile Ingredients: Dimethicone, caffeine | Size: 5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Gratuitous: No | Byrdie Make clean: No

What We Like

Removes powder residue
Lathers well
Can be used on skin

What Nosotros Don't Like

Not for deep cleaning

This unique wash specifically targets powder-based makeup formulas, like pigmented blush or contour. With ingredients derived from amethyst and coconut, this foaming formula effectively gets rid of buildup, even deep within your brushes. Pro tip: Don't add h2o until you're set up to rinse your brushes off.

Active Ingredients: Coconut excerpt, probiotics | Size: 6.4 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Complimentary: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

Keeps brushes soft
Inexpensive
Available in multiple sizes

What We Don't Like

Can be messy

No booze means no drying and no irritation. We recommend spraying onto a towel, saturating it, and then running the head of the brush against that wet surface until it's make clean. This can exist on both natural and synthetic bristles.

Agile Ingredients: Isododecane, tea tree oil | Size: ii / 6.viii fl. oz. | Cruelty-Complimentary: No | Byrdie Clean: No

What to Look For in a Makeup Brush Cleaner

Gentle, Non-Damaging Formula

With proper intendance, your makeup brushes should last for years. Byrdie writer and makeup creative person Ashley Rebecca notes that "if you don't wash your brushes and take care of them, you volition first to run into over time that they become very potent in texture, usually resulting in them only needing to be thrown out." Considering information technology'south so important to wash them regularly, you'll want to cull a formula gentle plenty to non damage your brushes bristles.

Solvents

As much equally you lot don't want to overdo it with harsh chemicals that will brand your brushes lose bristles quickly, a cleaner should contain some blazon of solvent to help break down any buildup of product. Yous can even choose one that doesn't require any h2o.

Ease of Use

Ideally, you'll accept plenty of fourth dimension in front of a sink to do a thorough wash. Merely for those times you don't, a spray cleaner that air dries is a great bet. Choose a brush cleaner based on what your personal daily habits and dazzler routines are, and how often you lot're in a place where you tin can exercise a thorough cleaning that involves a sink and running water.

FAQ

Is a makeup brush cleaner worth it?

Definitely! Provided you use your brushes regularly, of class. If makeup brushes alive in the back of a drawer and you bosom them out on rare occasion, decided for yourself—merely if you use one or more brushes on a daily, or fifty-fifty weekly basis, you lot'll be best served by owning brush cleaner.
What is the easiest fashion to make clean makeup brushes?

For liquid makeup cleaners, Rebecca instructs users to massage the product "into the hair [of the castor], motility it back and along on the mat to actually piece of work the product into the brush, then rinse under water until it runs articulate and there's nothing left to get out."
How oftentimes should you clean makeup brushes?

Information technology's recommended that you clean your makeup brushes every two weeks, ideally. If y'all utilize your brushes less often, yous can probably clean them monthly instead, without upshot. You can also use a spray cleaner in between formal washings.
Tin can vinegar clean makeup brushes?

Vinegar may help remove some of the bacteria from makeup brushes. Withal, it might non exercise much to remove heavy buildup. It'due south ofttimes used as a single stride in a multi-step brush cleaning procedure, for extra disinfecting.