Sterilize Makeup Brushes: Use Anti-Bacterial Spray

The vast majority of makeup brush users are unaware of just how much bacteria accumulates inside those handy tools. Research indicates that there can be up to 10 million bacteria festering inside just one makeup brush! All that bacteria gets transferred to your face whenever you apply your makeup. Not properly cleaning makeup brushes leads to skin irritation, acne breakouts, styes, skin infections and more. Using an effective anti-bacterial makeup brush spray is absolutely essential to deeply clean your brushes, remove oils, product buildup, dead skin cells, and kill dangerous bacteria.

Why You Must Sanitize Your Makeup Brushes

According to microbiologists, there are literally millions of invisible bacteria living on everyone’s skin and mucous membranes. When you use a makeup brush, you transfer bacteria from your skin to the brush where it accumulates and proliferates over time. Failing to regularly disinfect your makeup brushes allows harmful microbes like Staphylococcus aureus, E. Coli, pink eye bacteria, and yeasts to multiply rapidly.

Every time you use a dirty makeup brush, you transfer all those accumulated germs right back onto your skin, mainly your eyes, mouth and cheeks. This leads to inflammation, breakouts, styes, skin infections, allergic reactions, and more. Even those with resilient skin have likely noticed an improvement in their complexion after doing a deep cleaning of their makeup brushes.

Some examples of issues dirty makeup brushes can cause:

• Clogged pores
• Blackheads
• Pimples
• Acne breakouts
• Allergic skin reactions
• Bacterial skin infections
• Pink eye infections
• Cold sores
• Mouth infections like oral thrush
• Chapped, irritated lips
• Skin inflammation and redness

While many people rely on DIY brush cleansers made with gentle ingredients like baby shampoo or olive oil, those homemade mixers simply cannot fully sanitize brushes. They lack the most crucial bacteria-eliminating ingredients that medical disinfectants contain.

Additionally, all makeup brushes need to be replaced every 3 to 6 months regardless of how well you clean them. Bristles degrade over time and are no longer able to apply makeup properly or blend smoothly. However, deep cleaning brushes regularly with an antibacterial spray allows them to last longer without sacrificing hygiene.

How to Choose an Effective Antibacterial Makeup Brush Cleaner

The key to killing all bacteria and properly disinfecting makeup brushes lies in using a spray made with powerful antibacterial, antimicrobial ingredients scientifically shown to eliminate germs. These ingredients include:

Alcohol: Eliminates bacteria, cuts through oil and residue, degreases, disinfects

Witch Hazel extract: Has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties to destroy germs plus contains astringent compounds to remove debris and residue from bristles.

Tea Tree Oil: Contains antifungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial compounds proven to kill a wide spectrum of germs. Often used to treat skin infections.

Aloe Vera gel: Has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Also conditions bristles leaving them soft and flexible.

Vegetable glycerin: Prevents moisture loss in bristles which leads to brittleness. Has antimicrobial effects.

Hydrogen peroxide: Breaks down dirt, oil and residue buildup and kills germs through oxidation. Often used as an antiseptic on wounds.

On the other hand, certain oils can actually break down brush bristles with regular use. These include:

• Coconut oil
• Argan oil
• Jojoba oil
• Olive oil

While these oils may have their own antimicrobial properties, they are comedogenic. Using them risks clogging pores and causing breakouts. They also leave an oily residue on bristles that simplifies catching and accumulation dirt and bacteria.

Some top-rated antibacterial makeup brush cleansers include:

• Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner
• Beauty Blender Liquid Cleanser
• Ecotools Makeup Brush Cleansing Spray
• Pink Madison Makeup Brush Cleaner
• Sephora Collection Daily Brush Cleaner

Look for formulas that contain at least 2-3 of the bacteria-fighting ingredients outlined above. Verify through product reviews that other users have successfully, effectively eliminated germs from their brushes using a particular antibacterial makeup brush spray.

Technique for Using Antibacterial Brush Cleaners

To get the most disinfecting power from your antibacterial brush spray, you must use the proper technique:

• Clean makeup brushes at least once per week. Brushes used to apply liquid or cream products may need cleaning after each single use to prevent massive bacteria accumulation.
• Spray brushes thoroughly with antibacterial cleaner until the formula fully saturates the bristles from roots to tips. Pay extra attention to the ferrule area near the brush handle where moisture and bacteria accumulate rapidly.
• Let the spray sit on brushes for 5-10 minutes to allow active ingredients like alcohol, peroxide and oils extended time to actively penetrate and kill bacteria.
• Rinse brushes very thoroughly under warm running water, using your fingers to work the water through bristles until they feel squeaky clean. Keep rinsing until water runs completely clear, indicating no residue remains embedded in the bristles.
• Air dry brushes completely overnight with the brush head/bristles angled down toward the ground. Laying flat or upright risks water dripping down into the ferrule area leading to damage over time.

Skipping over any of these crucial steps in the brush cleaning process severely reduces the disinfecting effects of antibacterial spray. Similarly, not thoroughly rinsing out all soap residue leaves brushes dirty and less effective at picking up, blending and applying makeup properly.

Extra Tips for Makeup Brush Care and Longevity

• Liquid or cream foundation brushes require replacement every 3 months. The dense, absorbent bristles hold onto bacteria, skin cells and oils making them impossible to get fully clean after a few months.
• Brushes for blush, bronzer, eye shadow and other powder products last around 6 months with proper weekly sanitizing.
• Allowing brushes to dry upright rather than stored flat inside drawers avoids bristle damage over time for longer lifespan.
• Clean brush storage bins or cups allow airflow so no moisture or bacteria lingers after cleaning.
• Signs it’s time to replace an old makeup brush include:
  • Bristles permanently splay out rather than forming a point
  • Ferrule is cracking or coming loose
  • You’ve used the brush longer than 3-6 months

Regularly sterilizing makeup brushes prevents accumulation of the acne-causing bacteria that breeds inside them with continual use. Combining disinfecting spray with additional brush care keeps skin clear, infection-free and extends the longevity of quality brushes.