Makeup has become a big part of people’s lives. From hiding blemishes to helping some people gain self-confidence, it plays a crucial role. Makeup brushes are an integral part of makeup. Although you need them often, people forget how important it is to clean them. Raise your hand if you’re someone who hardly ever cleans your brushes, and be honest about it! We all know we should clean your makeup brushes, but sometimes it seems almost impossible to find the time to do so. Imagine you start using makeup but end up getting a yeast infection. That’s right! Research has shown that your makeup brushes can be dirtier than your toilet seat.
A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science found that makeup accessories are subject to a lot of bacterial contamination due to their exposure to many surfaces. Makeup brushes are exposed to pollution, dead skin cells and dust, which can lead to various skin problems. Therefore, it is essential to disinfect the bacteria by cleaning them properly. So, how do you clean your makeup brushes?
Tips for properly cleaning your makeup brushes
1. To properly clean your brushes, you need a few things. You’ll need shampoo or soap, a brush cleanser, and a brush cleaning mat that will help you clean your makeup brushes and remove the bacteria that breed on them.
2. Spray a few drops of soap liquid onto a brush moisturizing mat and wet the bristles of the makeup brush with lukewarm water. Now use circular motions to clean the brush and remove all impurities.
3. If you don’t have a brush cleaning mat, fill a bowl with lukewarm water and twist the brush tip in to clean it.
4. Wash them until the water runs clear from the brush.
5. Gently squeeze the water from the bristles. Do not squeeze the brush too hard as the bristles may fall out.
6. Now lay the brushes flat on a towel and remove excess moisture with a clean and dry kitchen paper.
7. Let them air dry for a few hours or days and store them properly.
What happens if you don’t clean your makeup brushes?
If the tools you use to apply makeup are dirty, you may experience breakouts that don’t go away easily. Not just pimples, there are several skin problems that can occur if you don’t clean your makeup brushes. Research has shown that you are more likely to develop a staph infection, pink eye and even wrinkles. Dirty makeup brushes can lead to the buildup of dead skin cells, dirt, oil and unwanted bacteria, making your skin more susceptible to infections. And mind you, not cleaning your makeup brushes can even lead to bugs breeding on your brushes. So these should be reasons enough to get up and put those makeup brushes in lukewarm water.
It is extremely easy to clean your makeup brushes, but you need to make sure that you clean them regularly to avoid skin infections. Also avoid sharing your makeup brushes with anyone, especially during times or weather when skin infections are more common.