Is a makeup brush cleaner worth it?

Definitely! Provided you use your brushes regularly, of course. If makeup brushes live in the back of a drawer and you bust them out on rare occasion, decided for yourself—but if you use one or more brushes on a daily , or even weekly basis, you'll be best served by owning brush cleaner.

What is the easiest way to clean makeup brushes?

For liquid makeup cleaners, Rebecca instructs users to massage the product "into the hair [of the brush], move it back and forth on the mat to really work the product into the brush, then rinse under water until it runs clear and there's nothing left to get out."

How often should you clean makeup brushes?

It's recommended that you clean your makeup brushes every two weeks , ideally. If you use your brushes less often, you can probably clean them monthly instead, without issue. You can also use a spray cleaner in between formal washings.

Can vinegar clean makeup brushes?

Vinegar may help remove some of the bacteria from makeup brushes. However, it might not do much to remove heavy buildup. It's often used as a single step in a multi-step brush cleaning process, for extra disinfecting.

The 16 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners of 2022

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Commerce Photo Composite — Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang

Makeup brushes are essential tools in almost every makeup routine. They do everything from blending, smoothing, and buffing anything from foundation to bronzer onto the skin. And if you're applying makeup daily—whether a full face or just a touch of it—that means your brushes are working hard.

Now, here's the no-so-fun part. Over time, your brushes and sponges become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, dead skin cells, oils, and dirt. All this buildup can begin to clog your pores and cause breakouts. Plus, dirty brushes don’t work as well as clean brushes do—makeup can end up looking streaky and uneven due to the gunky bristles. Grossed out yet? Don’t worry—it’s never too late to start getting your brushes in perfect shape.

From daily disinfecting to deep cleaning, we’ve rounded up the best makeup brush cleaners out there. We have options that include everything you need in a brush cleanser: they're gentle enough to not damage bristles, they have solvents to dissolve buildup, and they're easy to use.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

MAC Cosmetics Brush Cleanser at Nordstrom

This top pick is easy to use and super effective.

Best Antimicrobial:

Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner at Sephora

Not only is it quick-drying, but it’s 99.99% antimicrobial disinfectant, which effectively kills bacteria.

Best Budget:

e.l.f. Cosmetics Daily Brush Cleaner at Walmart

This affordable spray is small enough to take on the go and gentle enough to use every day.

Best Drugstore:

Real Techniques Brush Cleansing Gel at Amazon

This affordable gel cleanser is free of alcohol and lathers nicely to remove makeup, dirt, and grime from your brushes.

Best Spray:

Make Up For Ever Instant Brush Cleanser at Sephora

Fragrance-free, this spray is easy to use and can clean your brush with just one spritz.

Best for Sensitive Skin:

EcoTools Makeup Brush Cleansing Shampoo at Amazon

This cleansing shampoo is dermatologist-tested and formulated with plant-derived ingredients, great for sensitive skin.

Best Deep Cleaner:

Missha Deep Clean Brush Cleanser at Misshaus.com

This deep cleaning formula works to gently strip excess oil and makeup from bristles without damaging them.

Best Solid:

Japonesque Solid Brush Cleanser at Walgreens

This solid cleanser is easy to use, simply swirl the bristles onto it under running water and watch makeup go down the drain.

Best for Everyday:

Clinique Makeup Brush Cleanser at Nordstrom

This cleanser pick is great for everyday use—simply spray your brushes on both sides, wipe off dirt and debris, then let them dry.

Best Conditioning:

bareMinerals Well-Cared For Makeup Brush Cleaner at Nordstrom

This foaming cleanser not only gets every bristle squeaky clean but also conditions them at the same time.

View On Nordstrom

This pink bottle is a best-seller for a reason. Users love this cleanser for a number of reasons, including its ease of use. Simply apply the formula onto your brush or into a towel, then run the brush back and forth on the towel until clean.

View On Sephora

For makeup artists (or just about anyone), this liquid cleaner is a godsend. Not only is it quick-drying, but it’s 99.99% antimicrobial disinfectant, which effectively kills bacteria. Plus, it can be used on both natural and synthetic fibers.

View On Walmart

For a few bucks, you can have a brush cleaner wherever you go. Small, but mighty, you’re able to tote this spray almost anywhere, including your carry-on. The formula is gentle enough for everyday use, so if you’re a total clean freak, you can spritz this on at the end of each day. Just make sure your brushes are fully dry before using the next morning.

View On Amazon

I’ve been using this cleanser gel for years. It’s convenient to purchase—find it at any drugstore—and it successfully gets the ick out of my brushes. It’s also free of alcohol and lathers quite nicely. Pair it with our favorite mats below for major cleaning power.

View On Sephora

Get instant purification with one spritz. Spray directly onto your brush, then rub in circular motions over a tissue or paper towel to remove debris. Bonus: This spray has no fragrance for those with a sensitive nose.

View On Amazon View On Ulta

Fussy skin? Like your makeup or skincare products, the cleanser for your brush shouldn’t irritate your skin either. Which is why we love this brush cleansing shampoo from EcoTools. It’s dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and formulated with plant-derived ingredients, so it’s safe and gentle for even the most sensitive skin types.

View On Misshaus.com

Plant extracts do the dirty work in this deep cleaning formula. It works to gently strip excess oil and makeup from bristles, without damaging them. Pair with a mat or simply use your palm—lather up with the brush, then rinse with water.

View On Walgreens

With ingredients like goat’s milk and coconut, this solid brush cleanser is a great alternative to its liquid counterparts. Simply swirl the bristles onto the actual product under running water and watch leftover makeup and residue go right down the drain.

View On Nordstrom

This cleanser pick is great for everyday use—simply spray your brushes on both sides, wipe off dirt and debris with a tissue or towel, then let dry. Air drying should take just a few minutes, and you’re ready to use your brushes.

bareMinerals Well-Cared For Brush Conditioning Shampoo

View On Nordstrom

This foaming cleanser not only gets every bristle squeaky clean but also conditions them at the same time. After drying, the end result is a soft, flexible finish.

Beauty Blender Instaclean™ Sponge and Brush Cleansing Spray

View On Sephora

Need a clean sponge immediately? This waterless spray eliminates surface stains quickly, even in the middle of applying a full face of makeup. To refresh your sponge, spray onto the sponge until it’s completely saturated, then wipe onto a tissue or towel to remove makeup.

View On Nordstrom

Transform your sink into the ultimate cleansing station. We love this large mat for when you have to clean every brush in your arsenal. With seven textures, it gets the grime out of all your brushes—whether it’s a dense contouring brush or a soft eyeshadow blender. Using your fave cleanser, swirl brushes into the mat and wash every speck of bacteria away.

View On Amazon

Want the power of a mat, but would rather keep it compact? This handheld version is for you. Whether you’re right or left-handed, the adjustable strap is able to conform to any hand shape and size. Not only does it fit right in the palm of your hand, but it’s also got three textures to clean every type of brush.

View On Bluemercury.com

Sure, this gorgeous bottle would elevate your vanity lineup, but it’s the formula inside that does all the work. It cleanses, disinfects, and conditions your makeup brushes for a smoother application and longer brush life. You need two sprays, one on either side of the brush, then tissue off, and air dry for up to two minutes.

View On Anisabeauty.com

This unique wash specifically targets powder-based makeup formulas, like pigmented blush or contour. With ingredients derived from amethyst and coconut, this foaming formula effectively gets rid of buildup, even deep within your brushes. Pro tip: Don’t add water until you’re ready to rinse your brushes off.

Sephora Collection The Cleanse: Daily Brush Cleaner

View On Sephora

No alcohol means no drying and no irritation. We recommend spraying onto a towel, saturating it, and then running the head of the brush against that wet surface until it’s clean. This can be on both natural and synthetic bristles.

What to Look For in a Makeup Brush Cleaner

Gentle, Non-Damaging Formula

With proper care, your makeup brushes should last for years. Byrdie writer and makeup artist Ashley Rebecca notes that "if you don't wash your brushes and take care of them, you will start to see over time that they become very stiff in texture, usually resulting in them just needing to be thrown out." Because it's so important to wash them regularly, you'll want to choose a formula gentle enough to not damage your brushes bristles.

Solvents

As much as you don't want to overdo it with harsh chemicals that will make your brushes lose bristles quickly, a cleaner should contain some type of solvent to help break down any buildup of product. You can even choose one that doesn't require any water.

Ease of Use

Ideally, you'll have plenty of time in front of a sink to do a thorough wash. But for those times you don't, a spray cleaner that air dries is a great bet. Choose a brush cleaner based on what your personal daily habits and beauty routines are, and how often you're in a place where you can do a thorough cleaning that involves a sink and running water.

FAQ

Is a makeup brush cleaner worth it?

Definitely! Provided you use your brushes regularly, of course. If makeup brushes live in the back of a drawer and you bust them out on rare occasion, decided for yourself—but if you use one or more brushes on a daily, or even weekly basis, you'll be best served by owning brush cleaner.
What is the easiest way to clean makeup brushes?

For liquid makeup cleaners, Rebecca instructs users to massage the product "into the hair [of the brush], move it back and forth on the mat to really work the product into the brush, then rinse under water until it runs clear and there's nothing left to get out."
How often should you clean makeup brushes?

It's recommended that you clean your makeup brushes every two weeks, ideally. If you use your brushes less often, you can probably clean them monthly instead, without issue. You can also use a spray cleaner in between formal washings.
Can vinegar clean makeup brushes?

Vinegar may help remove some of the bacteria from makeup brushes. However, it might not do much to remove heavy buildup. It's often used as a single step in a multi-step brush cleaning process, for extra disinfecting.