Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.
General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.
Clean the brushes you use with liquid or cream products, like foundation and concealer, after every one or two uses. Powder and eyeshadow brushes need a wash every week or two, and lip brushes after every use. Brushes collect bacteria, oil and old product over time, and that build-up can end up back on your skin.
On humid Gold Coast days, when sweat, sunscreen and makeup all mix on your face, clean tools are one less thing to worry about. Here’s the routine our beauty team at Pacific Fair recommends, from washing and drying to knowing when a tool is past saving.
How often should you clean makeup brushes and sponges?
Here’s the schedule our beauty team suggests, plus a thorough deep clean of everything at least once a month.
| Tool | How often to clean it |
|---|---|
| Foundation and concealer brushes | After every one or two uses |
| Cream eyeshadow and eyeliner brushes | More often than powder eye brushes |
| Powder eyeshadow brushes | Once a week |
| Powder, blush and bronzer brushes | Every one to two weeks, or sooner if colours start to mix |
| Lip brushes | After every use |
| Sponges used with liquid or cream products | Ideally after every use |
Anything that touches liquids and creams needs the most frequent washing.
Why does cleaning makeup brushes matter?
- Your skin. Brushes collect bacteria, oils and old product over time, and that build-up may contribute to clogged pores, irritation and breakouts when it’s transferred back to your skin. If you’re prone to breakouts, healthdirect also suggests choosing oil-free makeup and removing it every night with a cleanser or micellar water. Our guide to acne treatment at the pharmacy has more.
- Your eyes. healthdirect advises against sharing makeup, towels or face washers, because this may spread an eye infection. If you do have an eye infection, healthdirect says not to use products that irritate your eyes, like eye makeup.
- Your makeup. Clean brushes apply makeup more evenly and keep colours true.
How do you clean makeup brushes, step by step?
- Wet the bristles under lukewarm water, with the tips pointing down towards the drain.
- Put a small amount of brush cleanser in your palm or on a silicone cleaning mat.
- Swirl the bristles through the cleanser in small circles.
- Rinse under lukewarm water until the water runs clear and there’s no lather left.
- Squeeze out excess water, working from the base towards the tips. Don’t wring or twist the brush.
- Reshape the brush head and lay the brush flat to dry.
Should you use brush cleaner or shampoo?
A cleanser made for makeup brushes does the job best. A gentle, sulfate-free shampoo works as an alternative, and baby shampoo is often suggested for natural-hair brushes because it’s gentle. Skip dishwashing liquid: it may strip and dry out natural bristles over repeated use. You can browse makeup brush cleaners on priceline.com.au or ask our team in store.
How do you dry makeup brushes properly?
Drying is where good brushes get ruined.
- Lie them flat or hang them bristles down. Use a clean towel or a drying rack. Never stand a wet brush upright in a cup: water pools in the ferrule (the metal band) and softens the glue, which leads to shedding.
- Skip the hairdryer. Concentrated heat also softens the glue inside the ferrule.
- Give them time. Dense face brushes, such as powder and foundation brushes, can take 6 to 8 hours to dry completely, while smaller eye brushes take a few hours. Washing them in the evening means they’re ready by morning.
- Allow extra time when it’s humid. On muggy summer days, choose a spot with good airflow and check the base of the bristles is dry before you use or store them.
How do you clean a makeup sponge?
Our beauty team’s routine:
- Run the sponge under warm water until it’s fully damp and expanded.
- Work a little brush cleanser or gentle soap into it until it lathers.
- Squeeze and rinse, repeating until the water runs clear.
- Squeeze out as much water as you can, then pat it with a clean towel.
- Let it air-dry completely in an open spot, not in a closed bag or container.
What about tweezers and eyelash curlers?
- Wipe tweezers and eyelash curlers with soapy water or an alcohol wipe regularly, and dry them well before putting them away.
- Replace the rubber pad on your eyelash curler when it’s cracked or flattened.
- Don’t share tools that touch your eyes or skin.
- Itchy, red eyelids? DermNet lists eyelash curlers and tweezers among the possible sources of nickel, a known trigger of eyelid contact dermatitis. Eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara can irritate eyelids too. DermNet advises avoiding eyelid cosmetics while the dermatitis is active and arranging patch tests to find the trigger.
When should you replace brushes, sponges and tools?
These are the signs our team looks for:
- Brushes: bristles that shed, splay or won’t hold their shape, a loose ferrule, or a smell that doesn’t wash out.
- Sponges: tears, crumbling edges, stains that won’t wash out or a musty smell.
- Eyelash curlers and tweezers: rust, misaligned tips or a worn pad.
- After an eye infection: healthdirect advises throwing out any eye makeup or eyelash extensions used right before or during the infection. Wash or replace the brushes you used with them too.
Products wear out as well as tools. Our guide to makeup expiry dates explains how long mascara, foundation and lipstick last.
How our beauty team can help
Our beauty advisors can help you choose brushes, sponges and cleaners that suit the way you do your makeup, and show you how to care for them. Ask about our makeup and fragrance advice next time you’re at Pacific Fair.
When to see a pharmacist or GP
Talk to a pharmacist if you’re getting breakouts, a rash or itchy skin where you apply makeup. See a pharmacist, optometrist or GP (our in-store Help Medical GPs are one option) if:
- your eyes are red, sticky or watery and aren’t improving after a few days
- you have eye pain, any loss of vision or new sensitivity to light: get help urgently
- your eyelids stay red, itchy or swollen even after you stop wearing eye makeup
- breakouts are painful, leaving marks or not improving with pharmacy treatment
Sources
This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.
Talk to our pharmacists at Pacific Fair
Pop in, no appointment needed. We’re on the ground floor of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach, open 7 days and until 9pm on Thursdays.