Can You Use Face Wash to Clean Your Brushes?
Yes, using a gentle facial cleanser is a recommended method for cleaning makeup brushes.
Many experts suggest that products designed for the face can also be effective and gentle enough for cleaning the bristles of your makeup brushes. This is because cosmetic brushes often come into direct contact with your skin, and using a mild cleanser helps remove makeup residue, oils, and bacteria without damaging the brush fibers or leaving harsh residues that could irritate your skin.
According to one recommendation, opting for a gentle facial cleanser is advised. The reasoning is that such cleansers can be highly effective. For example, baby shampoo also works brilliantly for cleaning brushes.
Recommended Cleansers
Based on expert recommendations, gentle options are preferred:
- Gentle Facial Cleanser: Look for formulas free from harsh sulfates, fragrances, or strong chemicals that could potentially strip natural oils from bristles or cause irritation.
- Baby Shampoo: Known for its mildness, making it a suitable alternative that is effective at breaking down makeup.
| Recommended Type | Key Benefit |
|---|---|
| Gentle Facial Cleanser | Effective & Skin-Safe |
| Baby Shampoo | Gentle & Effective |
How to Clean Your Brushes with Face Wash
Cleaning your makeup brushes using a gentle face wash or baby shampoo is a simple process:
- Wet the Bristles: Hold your brush bristles-down under lukewarm running water. Avoid getting water into the ferrule (the metal part connecting the bristles to the handle), as this can weaken the glue.
- Apply Cleanser: Squeeze a pea-size amount of gentle facial cleanser or baby shampoo into your palm or onto a cleaning mat.
- Lather and Massage: Gently massage the shampoo/cleanser onto the bristles with your fingertips or against the cleaning surface. Continue until it makes a lather and you see the makeup residue washing out.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the bristles again under lukewarm running water, ensuring all soap residue is completely removed. The water should run clear.
- Reshape and Dry: Gently squeeze out excess water from the bristles. Reshape the brush head to its original form. Lay the brushes flat on a clean towel or drying rack with the bristles hanging off the edge of a counter to allow air circulation and prevent water from seeping into the ferrule.
Regular cleaning helps maintain brush hygiene, prolongs the life of your tools, and ensures smoother makeup application.
