7 Makeup Brush Cleaning Products You Need

If you're going to invest in expensive products and high-end makeup brushes, it's totally worth it to go the extra mile to make sure your tools are clean. So here are seven brush cleaning products that make the process less painful.

Cleaning your makeup brushes often is important because clean brushes help create more beautiful looks. You'll use less product with a clean brush, saving you money in the long run. Using a clean brush also prevents the spread of bacteria, which can cause skin irritations like acne. Not to mention, you'll get better color pigmentation and payoff when your brushes aren't full of old products, skin cells, and dirty and grime.

So how often should you clean your makeup brushes? That all depends on your everyday routine, but I aim to clean my makeup brushes at least once a month. More often certainly wouldn't hurt, but this is certainly a chore that can take some time and money. Luckily, plenty of brands have specialized cleansers and tools for makeup brushes, and some can seriously cut down on the time it takes to clean your brushes. The easier it is, the more often you'll do it, and the better your skin will be!

Here's my favorite brush cleaning products.

1. Sigma Spa Express Brush Cleaning Glove

Sigma Spa Express Brush Cleaning Glove, $25, Amazon

I use this glove every time I clean my brushes, and it's totally worth it. The textures vary based on stages of cleaning and what kind of brush you're trying to clean, so it's a one-stop-shop. Just use antibacterial soap and you're good to go.

2. Sephora Collection Brush It Off Cleansing Brush Wipes

Sephora Collection Brush It Off Cleansing Brush Wipes, $7, Sephora

Whether you're on-the-go or storing your brushes, these wipes will disinfect quickly without having to drench your brush heads and wait for them to dry.

3. Baby Shampoo

Johnson's Baby Shampoo, $5, Amazon

You don't need an expensive cleanser to get the job done. Baby shampoo is gentle enough for your synthetic or natural brush fibers, but does the job by totally eliminating bacteria. Score.

4. Olive Oil

Mazola Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $13, Amazon

Olive oil is a great makeup remover for your face and brushes, and it deep conditions your brushes so they last through every wash!

5. Drying Rack

Sigma Beauty Dry 'N Shape Tower Face & Eyes, $49, Amazon

You should always dry your makeup brushes on a flat surface or hanging upside down. Otherwise, the water may seep into your handle and cause mold or deterioration, causing the bristles to fall out. Dry them fast and easy with a brush tree like this (that also shapes!).

6. Brush Preserver

The Masters Brush Cleaner & Preserver, $6, Amazon

If you're used oil-based or highly pigmented products, washing your makeup brushes can be extra painful. This paste smells like lemons and breaks down those hard-to-clean products, even oil-based paint.

7. BrushPearl

BrushPearl, $99, The Grommet

Think of this ultrasonic brush cleaner as a mini dishwasher for your makeup brushes. This device uses millions of tiny air bubbles to release all the buildup — oil, dirt, and bacteria — that accumulate in your brushes. All you have to do is put brushes into the slots on the lid, then click a button to wash them. After, you prop open the lid and air dry. Boom.

Images: Courtesy of Brands