Makeup brushes and sponges touch your face, products and the surrounding air every time you use them. Over days and weeks, they collect oils, pigment, dead skin and bacteria. If they’re never cleaned, they can contribute to clogged pores, breakouts and even infections.
How often you should clean depends on how often you use them and what products they touch. Foundation and concealer brushes/sponges, which handle creamy, liquid products, ideally need washing at least once a week. Eye brushes and powder-only brushes can sometimes stretch a bit longer, but not forever.
You don’t need fancy cleansers. A gentle soap or mild shampoo works well. Wet the brush bristles, apply a small amount of cleanser, and swirl on your palm or a cleaning mat until product residue lifts. Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear and reshape the bristles. Let them dry flat or with the head facing down so water doesn’t seep into the handle.
Sponges should be washed regularly and replaced periodically; they eventually wear out or become difficult to clean fully.
Clean tools give a smoother makeup application and are kinder to your skin. It’s a less glamorous part of beauty, but one that quietly prevents a lot of problems.