You have to clean the blender and the makeup sponge more than before. Seriously – trust me, I hate cleaning those brushes more than removing dirt and makeup from your skin with a beauty blender or the back of a makeup sponge. Makeup, skin oil and bacteria. We are working!
It doesn’t hurt or scare you (well, maybe let me clear your throat a little), it’s just a coincidence. Just because your blender or makeup sponge is “antimicrobial” doesn’t mean it’s magically clean: the sponge’s antimicrobial properties create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. But it doesn’t help with the buildup that can cause acne, irritation, and inflammation. What do we need to…?
How often should you clean your makeup or makeup sponge?
In a perfect world? After each use however, since this is not the case, most experts agree that you should clean your beauty blender or makeup sponge at least once a week. “Ideally, you would wash off all your makeup every day, but I know that’s not possible,” dermatologist Geeta Adadav, founder of Skin Science Dermatology, told Cosmo. Then stick to the weekly Beauty blender cleanse. “Do something to start your week off right, this Sunday evening,” she said.
Fortunately, washing the makeup sponge does not take much time. Whether you use a cleansing brush, your hands, or a regular brush, there are plenty of great makeup brush cleaners and YouTube tutorials to get you started.
How to clean with a makeup pad?
The key to cleaning the makeup sponge Use enough friction to clean, but not too much to damage it (small sponges are delicate, that’s right). That’s why I like to use a non-woven silicone pad – it provides a gentle but effective surface to clean the Beauty Blender without tearing or squeezing. Most makeup brush handles work, but my personal favorites are the Beauty blender It Clean (glides easily in your hand) and the Sephora Collection Stiff Brush and Mini Sponge (includes soap). Do this:
Step 1: wet the sponge. Gently squeeze the sponge with water until it is completely wet.
Step 2: Add soap. Squeeze the cleanser or wipe the soap out thoroughly with a glove.
Step 3: Massage and rinse. Apply the silicone tip to remove makeup stains—don’t twist or pull—then rinse with water until dry.
Step 4: Set aside to dry the sponge and air dry (drying the sponge at home can cause mold).
How to clean beauty with soap?
Look, soap isn’t the mildest option on this list, but it’s definitely the strongest and most effective, and depending on how dirty the sponge is, you know it’s sometimes necessary. You may prefer a liquid or soapy cleanser, but either method will provide the same clean results. Here it is:
Step 1: wet the sponge. Press the makeup sponge in the water until it is wet and stretches.
Step 2: Add a detergent. If you are using liquid detergent, apply soap to a damp sponge and start massaging, pressing, and tapping with wet hands to get the soap into the center of the sponge. If you are using bar soap, rub the sponge with the bar of soap and press to create a lather.
Step 3: Apply. Squeeze the sponge in clean water until the water is clear, then discard and set aside to dry.
Be careful: soap can be harsh and drying, so using too much of this scrub can ruin the beauty of your blender over time.
