11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (2024)

11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (1)

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If you can't remember the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes— or if you're the type to buy a new brush to avoid the brush cleaning process— it's time to buckle down and wash your brushes. Did you know clean makeup brushes create a more seamless makeup look and allow your products to function properly? Yes, it's true. Have you ever tried blending concealer with a soiled brush? We don't recommend it.

However, the most crucial reason to properly clean your brushes is to minimize outbreaks caused by the bacteria packed into the bristles from all of the liquid, powder, and cream products you use on your face on a regular basis. Up for the task? Here are 11 makeup brush cleaners that will restore your brushes to like-new condition.

1

Best Overall

Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner

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Pros
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (3)Works on natural and synthetic fibers
Cons
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (4)Scented

The creme de la creme of all makeup brush cleaners comes courtesy of Cinema Secrets. Beloved by makeup artists and obsessives alike, this brush cleaner quickly removes build-up from brushes without leaving a greasy residue behind.

2

Best for Conditioning

MAC Cosmetics Brush Cleanser

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Pros
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (6)Gently washes and conditions brush hairs
Cons
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (7)May require a lot of product for a thorough clean

After a while, certain cleansers can shorten your brush's lifespan. Luckily, MAC's brush cleanser does the complete opposite while also conditioning the brush hairs to ensure each makeup application is flawless.

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3

Best for Daily Use

SEPHORA COLLECTION Daily Brush Cleaner

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If each day starts with a fresh makeup beat, each day should end with a clean brush. Sephora Collection's brush cleaner comes in the form of a spray so you can clean in between looks.

4

e.l.f. Brush Shampoo Daily Use Formula

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Pros
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (12)Best Drugstore Option
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (13)Affordable
Cons
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (14)Bottle is small (but you can't beat the price)

The best part about using E.l.f Cosmetics' brush shampoo is how well it lathers, so you know your brushes are getting a good clean regardless of how much effort you put in.

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5

Best Electric Cleaner

RICRIS Premium Makeup Brush Cleaner Dryer

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11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (16)

Pros
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (17)Comes with eight different brush holders
Cons
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (18)Not best for brushes with liquid build-up

Streamline your makeup brush cleaning process with this tiny device. Simply dip your dirty brush in the bowl, turn on the spinner, discard the dirty water, and repeat.

6

Best Affordable Option

AOA Paw Paw: Brush Cleaning Soap Peach

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Pros
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (20)Removes dirt quickly
Cons
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (21)Comes in a can

Believe it or not, the majority of inventory in the Miss A shop costs anywhere from $1 to $2, including its best-selling brush soap. Unlike other cleansers, the soap is housed in a small can but the results are astounding. Swirl your brush in the soap, rinse, and watch the magic happen.

7

Best Antibacterial Soap

Dawn Dish Liquid Apple Blossom

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Pros
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (23)Affordable
Cons
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (24)Not specifically formulated for brushes

Yes, your typical antibacterial soap works just as well as the other brush cleaners on the market. Rest assured that your brushes will be free of all dirt and gunk, as well as any bacteria it may have accumulated over time.

8

Best Clean Formula

EcoTools Professional Makeup Cleaner for Makeup Brushes

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11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (26)

Pros
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (27)Hypoallergenic
Cons
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (28)May require a few passes for a thorough clean

There are a lot of things to love about the Eco Tools brush shampoo, from the plant-based ingredients to fragrance-free formula. This cleanser brings your brushes back to their original state and is hypoallergenic to prevent any irritation.

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9

Best for a Gentle Clean

Real Techniques Brush Cleansing Gel

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11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (30)

Pros
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (31)Affordable
Cons
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (32)May require a few passes for a thorough clean

A trusted brush cleanser from the brand with tried-and-true affordable brushes, the gel formula gives your brushes a deep clean without altering the bristles.

10

Best for Beauty Sponges

beautyblender Solid Charcoal Soap

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Pros
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (34)Quick clean
Cons
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (35)Pricey for the size

For a gentle cleanser tailored made for your beauty sponges, beautyblender created the perfect solution. This compact soap removes product build up as you massage the soap into your tools to provide a gentle but deep clean.

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11

Best Deep Clean

Sigma Beauty Professional SigMagic Brushampoo

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Pros
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (37)
Cons
  • 11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (38)May need a few passes for a thorough clean

Free of any harsh chemicals, this hypoallergenic brush shampoo produces a good lather that coats each bristle with soap to remove the most stubborn dirt and pigment.

12

FAQs

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Why do I need a brush cleaner?

You want to treat your brushes with the same level of attention you give your face, especially since brushes are directly applied to the skin. Cleaning your makeup brushes removes dirt and build-up that lead to acne scars and bacteria. A clean brush prevents breakouts and makes your makeup application process seamless.

How do you wash your brushes?

Along with the aforementioned brush cleaners, investing in a brush mat helps to ensure your brushes are being properly cleansed. Most mats are designed with different sections for varying brush sizes. For liquid brush cleaners, it's best to pour the product directly into the brush, saturate the bristles, and then use the mat to get hard-to-reach areas. After rinsing, repeat the process until your brushes return to their natural state.

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Nerisha Penrose

Beauty Commerce Editor

Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Prior to joining the team, she was an Editorial Fellow at ELLE.com. In her current role, she helps lead coverage on makeup, skin care, hair, and fragrances. With over six years of experience in the world of beauty editorial, Nerisha enjoys delving deep into the complexities of fragrance notes, hunting for the best fixes for acne-prone skin, and advocating for daily sunscreen use. She regularly researches and tests the latest products, consults beauty professionals (including our Beauty Advisory Board) to determine the best expert-approved formulas to recommend, and conducts interviews with luminaries across the industry. Nerisha received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Temple University before joining the editorial teams at Nylon and Billboard. In 2020, she co-launched our popular franchise The State of Black Beauty, an ongoing exploration of—and destination for—beauty at the intersection of Black culture.

11 Powerful Makeup Brush Cleaners To Keep Your Tools in Shape (2024)
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