Dirty makeup brushes can be damaging for your skin. Makeup brushes collect bacteria, product residue, dirt and oil. This can compromise your complexion, manifesting in acne breakouts and rashes. If you’re not regularly washing your makeup brushes it can also affect your health. Dirty makeup brushes can cause fungal infections or staph infections, which can be very serious.
Be mindful of protecting your skin and killing any harmful bacteria that may linger in your makeup brushes. Start the habit of washing your brushes every 7 to 10 day using the following dermatologist recommended tips.
- Rinse the tips of your brushes under lukewarm, running water, this will remove residual makeup. Only rinse the tip, as submerging the whole brush head may eventually dissolve the glue that connects the brush head to the handle.
- Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a tablespoon of gentle or clarifying shampoo instead of plain soap and water which can dry out the bristles. There are also gentle cleansers made specifically for cleaning your make-up brushes available.
- Swirl each brush tip in the bowl. For a good lather, try massaging the brush tips in the palm of your hand.
- Rinse the brush tips under running water.
- Continue shampooing and rinsing each brush until the water runs clear.
- Use a clean, dry paper towel to squeeze out excess moisture.
- Lay your brushes flat on a towel with the tips hanging off the edge of the counter to dry. Do not dry your brushes upright in a container, dripping water may loosen the glue that connects the brush head with the handle.
With skin infections on the rise, never share your makeup brushes with anyone else, and wash them often.
If you suspect that your makeup is causing acne breakouts or other skin irritation, even after cleaning brushes, make an appointment or inquire with your dermatologist.
Savannah River Dermatology is located at 575 Furys Ferry Rd in Augusta, Ga. For appointments and other questions our office can be reached at 706-691-7079.
