Say goodbye to brushes filled with gunk and built-up makeup!
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Raise your hand if you currently have several dirty makeup brushes sitting on your vanity right now. Most of us would agree that cleaning your makeup brushes is an essential part of your beauty routine. If you're struggling to keep your brushes clean, whether that's because you don't know where to start or you just don't have the time, then we've got the solution with our list of the best makeup brush cleaners for every kind of brush and budget.
To find the best brush cleaners, we consulted Erica Whelan, a background makeup artist who has worked on Succession, And Just Like That and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, considered recommendations from GH editors and product reviewers and asked Sabina Wizemann, a senior chemist in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab for her insights. "Ideally, the brushes should be cleaned every time you use them," Wizemann says. Even sponges — including your beloved BeautyBlender! — "should be washed after every use; they can harbor bacteria much easier than brushes," she notes.
Our top picks work on foundation brushes as well as your favorite makeup sponges (which we know can be stubborn with stains). We have included high-end cleaners, drugstore options and tons of selections that work well for natural and synthetic bristles. Plus, you can count on solid cleansers and liquid soaps to make cleaning your makeup sponges a breeze. Even those of us who may have a lazy day can count on cleaners that dry quickly or do most of the work for you (see: electric makeup brush cleaner and cleaner and dryer machine).
Touted for removing tough stains and pigment, this makeup brush cleaner goes beyond the surface. One reviewer hailed this product for keeping the softness and shape of the brush bristles intact. Whelan notes it's a "good option for people who have sensitive or acne-prone skin." Though, she added that anyone who has a nut allergy will want to be aware that coconut oil is a main ingredient in this cleansing foam.
You have those days when you want to experiment with color and pigment and this color removal sponge is great for just that! Dust off your brushes in between colors to keep your eyeshadows from looking muddy upon application. Even better, both sides of the black sponge can be used for makeup removal; just flip over to the clean side for added use.
When you're in a rush, you'll want your brushes to be squeaky clean and ready to use in minutes. That's where this cleaner comes in. Not only is it a 99.99% antimicrobial disinfectant, but it also dries quickly. Whelan recommends using the spray bottle version of this cleaner and applying it to a paper towel, then swirling your brush into the solution. "Using this method I find that I can remove all the makeup with the least amount of brush cleaner and preserve the quality of my natural hair makeup brushes," she says.
This cleaner is a solid option for anyone who has sensitive skin. The goat milk makes it soothing and calming for skin, but it also works hard to remove all types of makeup, according to Wehlan.
This as-seen-on-TikTok option is great for all of the lazy girls out there. If cleaning your brushes typically gives you pause for simply not wanting to dedicate more than a few minutes to the process, this is the cleaner for you. It lets you clean multiple brushes at once (similar to this more expensive option) and doesn't require swapping out batteries. Though this machine may save time, Whelan warns that "the quick swirling motion of [machines like this] can break down and ruin your brushes over time."
Solid brush soap can be just as effective as the sprays and shampoos. This recommendation from Wizemann is "gentle on bristles and dissolves makeup quickly."
So, your brushes are in need of a little extra love. Wehlan notes that in order to help remove makeup from brushes, she often uses "a silicone mat when using the solid cleanser." It is easy to clean up and helps you avoid rubbing the soapy bristles with your hand or onto a cloth that may stain. Note: The cleaning solution is sold separately.
A Good Housekeeping Staff Writer was gifted this machine a few Christmases ago and says "it has been my go-to ever since." She adds that she loves "that it works for several brush sizes and it is also great at drying so I can clean and use my brushes in the same day." You should take into account, however, that cleaning the water between brushes is a must. "I don’t think it is very clean to dip brushes into dirty soapy water," Whelan says. Note that the machine requires two AAA batteries.
Over 5K Amazon reviewers would agree that this shampoo will make your brushes "look like new." One reviewer said that it helped to remove heavier products such as cream foundation. "Used this to clean my makeup brushes, some that have had cream foundation on them for months," they said. "And it worked like a dream! I forgot the bristles were once white! Will totally buy again!"
Even when you're traveling, you deserve to have clean brushes. These wipes are perfect for when you don't have immediate access to a sink or water and want to quickly sanitize your brushes before use.
A Good Housekeeping Staff Writer recommends this cleaner as a staple in your beauty routine. The e.l.f Daily Brush Cleaner "is great for refreshing brushes and leaves them with a fresh, clean scent," she says. "It does take a while to dry so I would not recommend using your brushes immediately after applying this spray."
With more than 40K five-star Amazon reviews, we couldn't let you miss out on the hype. Not only does it work on brushes, but it also does wonders for your makeup sponges. Reviewers also say that when it comes to this unscented formula a little goes a long way.
The gentle formula makes this cleanser a winner for both synthetic and natural brushes. One reviewer raved that it "works fast" and "will get out absolutely any leftover makeup on any brush."
Your BeautyBlender has probably seen better days, but this solid cleanser is here to help. Simply run your wet sponge or brush over this soap, which is infused with charcoal. According to Whelan, silicone mats are best used for brushes, but when it comes to your BeautyBlender sponge you'll want to use caution. A BeautyBlender spokesperson told GH that it is best to avoid grinding the sponge into the mat and to use enough cleanser to ensure that it can glide without causing tearing.
Not quite your typical brush cleaner, but it gets the job done all the same. Wizemann says that she has personally used the soap for a while and can confirm that "it works great to remove even the most stubborn makeup."
Taking into account market research, recommendations from professional makeup artists, GH Beauty Lab pros and GH staffers who have tried these products for themselves, our editors were able to curate this selection of makeup brush cleaners. While the Beauty Lab hasn't formally tested each product listed above, we relied on industry standards and consumer reviews when selecting top picks.
Sabina Wizemann, GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist, has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She provided expert insight on topics including the best foundation brushes and how to clean makeup brushes for this article. She also evaluates products for the GH Beauty Awards, as well as the GH Seal and Sustainability Awards programs.
Cameron Jenkins, GH Staff Writer, collaborated with GH Beauty Lab pros and professional makeup artist Erica Whelan in order to share vetted recommendations. She also scoured the internet to see what makeup cleaners are the most talked about and reviewed, while including some of her personal favorite picks. She has also contributed to several beauty stories, providing her unfiltered opinions on makeup products, including blushes and highlighters.
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
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