4 Ways to De-gunk Your Beauty Brushes
Kandi Neal
It’s easy to keep a routine when it comes to taking a shower, brushing your teeth, or cleaning the house. But when it comes to cleaning makeup brushes, most of us are not so diligent. It’s important to keep those bristles clean, though—they touch your face every day! The good news is that you don’t need any fancy equipment or expensive products to get the job done. Read on for our non-toxic approach to taking care of your makeup brushes.
Castile Soap
Castile soap has been a trusted product for years, and there’s a reason for that. The formula contains only natural ingredients and the all-in-one approach makes it the perfect product for body, face, hair, and even cleaning around the house!
The pure, organic ingredients in a quality castile soap, along with the mild formula, also makes it a great choice for cleaning your makeup brushes. Gently run the brushes under hot water and gently work the liquid through the bristles until the water runs clear. Tap out any excess water, then lay them flat on a hand towel to dry for brushes that look brand new.
Baby Shampoo and Hydrogen Peroxide
Baby shampoo is an excellent choice for sudsing up your dirty brushes. Designed for precious little humans, it’s generally free of sulfates, parabens, and dyes. When you pair it with hydrogen peroxide, which has antibacterial properties as well as natural whitening agents, you’re creating an effective, non-toxic cleaning solution.
Combine several drops of baby shampoo with a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide in a bowl of warm water. Let your brushes soak for 10 minutes before swirling them around in the bowl. After that, set them on a towel to dry.
Hot Water and Distilled White Vinegar
Vinegar can be used for a variety of purposes, from making salad dressing to a cleaning agent for spot-free dishes. It’s a versatile product that’s affordable and often found right in our kitchens. And you guessed it—it can be used to clean makeup brushes too.
To use vinegar for cleaning your brushes, boil a cup of hot water and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Next, add two teaspoons of vinegar and stir. Gently swish your brushes against the bottom of the bowl and watch all that makeup just melt off. Rinse in cool water, dry flat on a towel, then re-shape them if necessary.
Use a Plant-Based Product
If DIY is not your thing, there are plenty of organic products on the market to choose from. However, not all makeup brush cleaners are created equal, so check the ingredients closely. If you wouldn’t put it on your face, you won’t want to saturate your brush with it. Use something unscented, free of phthalates, and that includes a cleaning mat.
If you go this route, you’ll pour the cleanser directly onto the brush, roll it around on the mat, then rinse and lay your brushes out to dry. As always, keep them flat to ensure that excess water won’t seep into the brush and start to deteriorate the glue.
It’s normal to overlook the importance of cleaning our cosmetic brushes, but the best way to get into this healthy habit is to make it a weekly ritual. After you wash and dry them, put a reminder on your calendar to keep it up. Soon, it will become second nature and something you do to keep your skin healthy, just like a face mask or peel.