We polled professional makeup artists and editors to find the best makeup brush cleaners. These are the soaps, cleansers, mats, and sprays that the pros use.
There’s a crucial component that might be missing from your makeup routine: A makeup brush cleaner. 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. 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 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. 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 . 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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