Dirty Makeup Brushes Could Be Behind Your Breakouts, Experts Warn

Your favorite foundation brush might be doing your skin more harm than good. Experts reveal the hidden risks lurking in your bristles and the simple routine that keeps them at bay.

Applying makeup is a daily ritual for many people around the globe, much like skincare. But just as your skin requires delicate and diligent care, so do your makeup brushes.

Cleansing your face is typically where any skincare routine begins, clearing away dirt, grime and traces of makeup. But your makeup brushes deserve the same attention, particularly if your skin tends to break out easily.

Makeup brushes take quite a beating. Once you've finished with them, they're probably tossed back into your makeup bag and left there until you reach for them again. Yet even when your brushes are out of sight, a lot is going on within those bristles.

Over time, brushes accumulate old makeup, oils from your skin and even dead skin cells. "This buildup creates prime real estate for bacteria to grow, which can spell trouble for your skin," says Mary Brady, MD, a dermatologist at Geisinger.

That's why regular cleaning is essential. Using an unwashed brush can lead to acne and breakouts, skin irritation and rashes, bacterial infections such as staph (Staphylococcus), and eye infections such as pink eye (conjunctivitis).

The reason is simple: every time you touch an unwashed brush to your face, you're not just applying fresh makeup. You're also transferring old product, along with whatever dirt and oil the brush has collected since you last used it.

"Most makeup products are formulated with preservatives to keep bacteria and yeast from growing," explains dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD. "But if you let the makeup build up over time and it sits there for months, you could develop a bacterial infection if you had a cut in your skin that allows bacteria to enter."

Old makeup isn't the only culprit, either. Brushes kept in a cup on the bathroom counter, or anywhere exposed in the space where you do your makeup, can also gather dust, droplets from sneezes and other airborne bacteria.

"Keeping your makeup tools clean can go a long way toward keeping harmful bacteria from getting on your face," Piliang continues. "If you develop a very red eye, eye drainage or any eye pain after applying makeup, it's time to call your doctor."

Fortunately, keeping your tools clean is quick and easy, and you probably already have everything you need in your bathroom. To refresh dirty makeup brushes, follow these simple steps:

1. Run the tip of your brush under the faucet to wash away any lingering residue.
2. Add a few drops of shampoo or dish soap to a cup of warm water. A dedicated brush cleaner works too, but it isn't essential.
3. Swish the brush through the soapy water while gently working the bristles with your fingers.
4. Keep rinsing until the water is completely clear.
5. Gently press out any remaining water from the bristles.
6. Leave the brushes to dry at an angle, keeping the tips lower than the handles.

So how often should you clean your brushes? "Aim for cleaning makeup brushes every seven to 10 days," Dr. Brady says. Tools used to apply liquid makeup, such as sponges, need even more frequent attention and should be spot cleaned after every use.

To keep brush cleaning on schedule, it may also help to set a reminder on your phone, calendar or digital assistant.