There’s a crucial component that might be missing from your makeup routine: the best makeup brush cleaners. Just as you wouldn’t wipe a freshly cleansed face with a dirty towel, you shouldn’t be using a makeup brush with weeks of makeup caked into it. “Makeup brushes can harbor dirt and bacteria, so washing them is not only important for maintaining them, but it’s also key for good hygiene,” says Brielle Pollara, a New Jersey-based makeup artist. Dermatologists also recommend washing your brushes to help minimize pimples, especially if you have acne-prone skin. So, what is the best type of brush cleaner to go with? We polled professional makeup artists and beauty editors to find out what they use to keep their brushes clean, and put those tools—soaps, cleansers, mats, and even sprays—to the test.
Our top pick is Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner. We love that it’s easy to use, quick drying, and that a little goes a long way. Simply pour, dip, swish, and wipe and you’re not only getting a deep clean, but you’re getting rid of any bacteria buildup while keeping the brush hair bristles intact. We also found highly-rated options of different formats and price points that experts love.
The best makeup brush cleaners, at a glance
- Best Overall: Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner, $24
- Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Beauty Makeup Brush Shampoo, $6
- Best Solid Cleaner: Beauty Blender Solid Charcoal Makeup Cleanser, $20
- Best Liquid: MAC Cosmetics Brush Cleanser, $20
- Best Soap: Jenny Patinkin Luxury Vegan Makeup Brush Soap, $19
- Best Machine: Ricris Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner and Dryer Machine, $24
- Best Mat: Golikee Makeup Brush Cleaner Mat 3 in 1 Silicone Makeup Brush Cleaner Bowl, $15
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Clinique Makeup Brush Cleanser, $26
- Best for Sensitive Skin: EcoTools Daily Makeup Brush Cleanser Spray, $7
- What makeup cleaners do professionals use?
- How can you clean your makeup brushes without ruining them?
- How long do makeup brushes need to dry after washing them?
- What should you not clean makeup brushes with?
- How often should you clean makeup brushes?
- Should you dry makeup brushes up or down?
- How we tested
Best Overall: Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner
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- Pros: Recommended by multiple makeup professionals
- Cons: Very strong, experts warn not to use this every day
Earning the top spot because it’s everything a makeup brush cleanser should be, it’s easy to use, deeply cleanses, quick drying, and keeps brushes intact. Makeup artists recommend this cleanser because “it has antimicrobial disinfectant, which is super important when working with clients,” Pollara says. Kat Dorn, a makeup artist at LRN Beauty, recommends mixing this cleaning solution with a little lukewarm water and patting the brushes dry with a paper towel. A little goes a long way, as it can break the bristles down if you use it too much. Glamour reviewer Heather Cissel says this cleaner is quick drying, and she’s noticed fewer breakouts since she started using it.
Fast facts:
- Type: Liquid
- Use if: You have acne and want to disinfect your makeup brushes
- Skip if: You don’t wear a ton of makeup
Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Beauty Makeup Brush Shampoo
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- Pros: Available at drugstores. Affordable
- Cons: Mixed reviews—some customers report great results while others say it doesn’t fully clean brushes
Dorn recommends this affordable brush shampoo that you can snag for just $6. “It cleans and conditions really well,” she says, and it’s effective on even the toughest makeup brush stains (read: foundation and concealer buildup). It’s vegan and cruelty-free, and a favorite among reviewers, too. Glamour reviewer B.Mie has been using this brush-soap formula for a decade, and loves the size (it’s not too big or too small) and gel-like texture, which doesn’t make it too heavy on bristles.
“Although it easily lathered up onto the brush, it took a while to fully wash out the soap. I thought I was finished washing, but there would be a few bubbles that needed more scrubbing out. Use a very tiny amount and don’t overdo it,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary.
Fast facts:
- Type: Liquid
- Use if: You’re on a budget
- Skip if: You don’t have a ton of time to wash your brushes
Best Solid Cleaner: Beauty Blender Solid Charcoal Makeup Cleanser
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- Pros: Vegan and cruelty-free
- Cons: You can’t clean multiple brushes or sponges at once like you can with a liquid formula
“This charcoal makeup cleanser is my favorite for deep cleaning, and it lasts forever,” says Jonet Williamson, a NYC-based makeup artist. Simply swirl a wet brush or sponge onto the soap and lather for a deep clean. The cleanser itself contains aloe and coconut oil, which will leave bristles soft and flexible. Glamour reviewer Elismary Valle says that this cleanser is fast and tough, and brushes and makeup sponges are left as good as new after cleansing with it. Pro tip: Try the Beauty Blender Blendercleanser Solid if you’re looking to deep clean makeup sponges or a beauty blender.
Tester notes:
“I was super impressed with how well it deep-cleaned my brushes with a few swirls and lathers. The charcoal soap is intense and left my brushes smelling fresh and feeling silky. I’ll definitely use it again the next time my brushes need a wash,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Fast facts:
- Type: Solid
- Use if: You travel a lot, because it’s solid, compact, and easy to transport
- Skip if: You want to wash multiple brushes at once
Best Liquid: MAC Cosmetics Brush Cleanser
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- Pros: Super gentle on brushes
- Cons: Some reviewers feel it’s a little pricey for the size and how quickly it runs out
This tried-and-true cleaner is a favorite among experts because it’s quick drying and very gentle on bristles. “Harsh chemicals may break down the bonding in the base of the brush,” says Randall Intrabartola, a California-based makeup artist. That’s why it’s important to look for cleaners with fewer ingredients that can still disinfect, like this pick. Glamour reviewer A. Houston shares that makeup pigment in brushes simply pours out when using this and that it’s especially effective on white-bristled brushes.
Fast facts:
- Type: Liquid
- Use if: You use a lot of colored makeup products that stain your brushes
- Skip if: You don’t need to disinfect your brushes
Best Soap: Jenny Patinkin Luxury Vegan Makeup Brush Soap
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- Pros: Fragrance-free, antibacterial, and antimicrobial
- Cons: You can’t clean multiple brushes at once
New York City-based makeup artist Lynda Esparza recommends this one because of how well it leaves your makeup brushes ready for flawless application. This vegan cleanser truly makes cleaning your makeup brushes a breeze: Simply wet your brush with warm water and swirl it on the surface of the soap until a lather forms. Esparza says that this gentle, sulfate-free cleanser removes oils and pigments without stripping bristles. We also love that this soap is great on either natural or synthetic bristles and that it gently hydrates while also getting rid of makeup buildup.
Fast facts:
- Type: Liquid
- Use if: All your brushes need a deep clean
- Skip if: You prefer the shorter process of using a brush cleaner versus regular soap
Best Machine: Ricris Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner and Dryer Machine
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- Pros: The accessibility is unmatched; it’s very easy to use
- Cons: You can’t wash sponges
Williamson is a fan of electric brush cleaner tools, like this machine that takes the guesswork out of cleaning your brushes altogether. This machine brush cleaner uses flexible silicone connectors to help hold the brushes in place as it spins bristles in a solution of water and soap. Simply hold the brush in place, and sit back as the machine thoroughly washes and dries your bristles within thirty seconds. This cleaner has over 4 stars on Amazon and is a third of the price compared to other, more expensive brush cleaning machines on the market. Glamour reviewer Anique shares that you can use your brushes immediately after using this machine— there’s no waiting around for the bristles to dry.
Specs
- Type: Machine
- Use if: You have no time to manually wash your brushes and you want them to dry quickly
- Skip if: You prefer not to invest in a machine, and prefer a brush cleaner that’s easier to store
Best Mat: Golikee Makeup Brush Cleaner Mat and Bowl
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- Pros: Multitasking cleaning system; affordable
- Cons: Some holes are too small to allow for all types of makeup brushes; silicone mat needs to also be cleaned; cleanser not included
Beyond this brush cleaner being a mat, it multitasks for drying and storage for your brushes. The bowl has four different kinds of silicone mat textures to clean different types and sizes of makeup brushes and sponges. Think of this mat as a full-service cleaning bowl: pour some water and cleaning solution into the bowl, gently scrub your brushes into your choice texture on the mat, and once you’re finished, empty the bowl, turn it upside down and place your brushes upside down in the slots to dry. We love how it allows your brushes to dry properly while keeping the bristles intact.
Fast facts:
- Type: Silicone mat
- Use if: You want a brush cleaner and holder
- Skip if: You don’t have space to hang or want to deal with cleaning the bowl
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Clinique Makeup Brush Cleanser
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- Pros: Allergy-tested and fragrance-free; can use on sponges
- Cons: Some users say that it doesn’t fully remove liquid makeup
One of the pricier formulations on the list, this super easy-to-use spray dries quickly and with no water needed. “Clinique’s formula is a gentle, dermatologist-friendly brush cleanser that’s also kind to sensitive or acne-prone skin,” Esparza says. To clean brushes, simply spray on each side of the brush and gently tissue off any makeup residue; your brushes are dry and ready to use after a few minutes.
Fast facts:
- Type: Liquid
- Use if: You have sensitive or acne-prone skin; you’re in a time pinch
- Skip if: You want to deep clean your brushes; wear a lot of makeup
Best for Sensitive Skin: EcoTools Daily Makeup Brush Cleanser Spray
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- Pros: Removes waterproof makeup; fragrance-free and dermatologist tested; suitable for all brush types
- Cons: Some users say that it left an oily residue on their brushes
Using a less-than-sanitary makeup brush on sensitive skin is a recipe for disaster but this one from EcoTools takes care of that conundrum quickly. This instant-dry formula allows for a quick daily spritz and wipe so you can keep your brushes clean of any residual makeup and bacteria buildup.
Fast facts:
- Type: Liquid
- Use if: You have sensitive or acne-prone skin
- Skip if: You are wanting a deep clean of your brushes
Frequently asked questions
What makeup cleaners do professionals use?
Makeup pros typically spot-clean with sprays to quickly sanitize their brushes in between each client, says Williamson. The Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner is a favorite among artists for this reason, or the EcoTools Daily Makeup Brush Cleanser Spray in a spray bottle. For quick drying, makeup artists recommend using a paper towel or reusable cleaning pads that can be thrown out or washed in between uses. “At the end of the day, we deep clean all of our makeup brushes with an antibacterial soap,” she adds, which is where a deep-cleaning formula comes handy like Dawn dish soap, or the Johnson & Johnson Baby Body Wash. Ultimately, the best makeup brush cleaners are the ones you actually use.
How can you clean your makeup brushes without ruining them?
Esparza recommends using lukewarm water and a mild cleanser and to use gentle circular motions as you wash your makeup brushes. “Avoid soaking the brush past the ferrule, rinse well, reshape the bristles, and let them air-dry,” she says.
How long do makeup brushes need to dry after washing them?
Most brushes need about six to twelve hours to dry depending on how dense they are, says Esparza. Washing them in the evening lets them fully dry by morning, allowing them to be ready to apply your makeup for the day.
What should you not clean makeup brushes with?
Avoid using alcohol or any harsh chemicals that may break down the glue that bonds the bristles to the brush. “Alcohol can dry out and damage brush hairs, and similar to your hair, most makeup brushes are made of natural hairs that need to be nourished,” says Williamson.
Makeup artists also recommend not to soak brushes completely in water, as this might trap moisture in tiny areas where the bristles meet the handle. “These things can damage the bonding in the base of the brush and cause hairs to shed, or even cause the entire brush head to fall off,” says Randall Intrabartola, a California-based makeup artist. She recommends always air-drying brushes and sponges on a flat surface.
How often should you clean makeup brushes?
While pro artists clean their brushes in between every client, they recommend that the everyday makeup user should use cleaning tools or cleansers on makeup brushes and sponges every one to two weeks. If you struggle with acne, try cleaning them once a week to see if this helps minimize breakouts.
“We know that makeup brushes grow bacteria and fungus,” Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta skin care, previously told Glamour. That bacteria paired with any dirt, oil, or residue on your face can lead to breakouts and even dermatitis in some cases.
Should you dry makeup brushes up or down?
Dry makeup brushes flat or angled downward to preserve their shape. Drying them upright can let water seep into the ferrule and weaken the glue, which can cause the brush to detach from the handle, says Esparza.
How we tested
We evaluated makeup-brush cleansers based on type, ingredients, ease of use, and how effective they were at ridding brushes of makeup while maintaining the integrity of brush bristles. The best ones were gentle and didn’t contain harsh ingredients like alcohol, had antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, cleaned brushes thoroughly, and didn’t dry out bristles. They were also quick and easy to use and lathered well.
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