10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (2024)

10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (1)

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Sanitizing your tools with a makeup brush cleaner is as necessary as washing your face before bed, yet most of us have a habit of putting it off, or even worse, never doing it. We hate to break it to you, but dirty makeup brushes and sponges are both a breeding ground for bacteria and a haven for dirt and oil that eventually leads to clogged pores and acne. Research even shows that up to 90% of makeup is sullied with bacteria like E. Coli and fungus — yikes.

While knowing about the prevalence of bacteria on your makeup and tools might make you cringe, using dirty brushes can also create unflattering streaks on your face and eyelids. That is why it's so much easier to regularly use a makeup brush cleaner — seriously.

Best Makeup Brush Cleaners

But, with thousands of options across reader-favorite sites, where exactly should you start? To help simplify your search for the all-time best makeup brush cleaner, our beauty editor tested a few of these products and asked experts to share their picks. Everything else was thoroughly researched, and all aspects of these makeup brush cleaners were considered, including the ingredients, texture, smell, price, and overall quality. Additionally, our beauty editor combed through hundreds of reviews to ensure any products she didn't personally touch live up to their lofty claims.

Best Overall

Sigma SigMagic Brushampoo Makeup Brush Cleaner

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Pros
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (4)Cruelty-free ingredients
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (5)Removes makeup quickly
Cons
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (6)Long drying time

SigMagic is formulated with only a handful of natural ingredients, making it especially great for anyone with sensitive skin. Notably, it contains virgin coconut oil, which has been shown to be a potent antimicrobial agent, and it penetrates brush bristles to remove even the toughest makeup pigment.

“I love Sigma’s makeup brushes and adore the brand’s makeup brush cleaner just as much,” says beauty editor Nicole Saunders. “This liquid cleanser is effective, smells good, and I trust Sigma’s guidance on best practices for brush cleaning, especially since it was founded by a scientist and engineer.”

It also combines coconut and palm oils to condition brush hairs and leaves them noticeably softer and shiny.

More: Facial-Cleansing Brushes We Tried and Loved

Makeup Artist Favorite

Cinema Secrets Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner

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Pros
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (9)Dries quickly
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (10)Melts away long-wearing makeup
Cons
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (11)Not for daily use

You're pretty much guaranteed to find a bottle of Cinema Secrets in the kits of pro makeup artists, especially during fashion month when they're working on hundreds of models.

Both Saunders and celebrity makeup artist Millie Morales recommend this iconic product whenever it’s time to deep-clean makeup brushes. They appreciate that it kills 99.9% of germs and dries almost instantly. Just dip the tips of the bristles into the solution for legit 5 seconds and remove to let the liquid drip down the base and dry.

“The vibrant blue tint initially concerned me because I was afraid it would dye my white bristle brushes. Instead, it cleanses away stubborn waterproof makeup and leaves behind a light vanilla scent — no colorful bristles insight,” notes Saunders.

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Pros
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (14)Gentle formula
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (15)Works great with liquid and powders
Cons
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (16)Harder to remove creams

This minimalistic liquid cleanser from MAC is a tried-and-true classic. By working to disinfect brush fibers, each cleaning ensures that skin is less likely to get blemishes from bacteria, and bristles stay strong. It’s also designed to condition and extend the life of your brushes, so they continue looking brand new over the years.

And don’t worry: This is one of the few makeup brush cleansers for daily use, so you have no more excuses for dirty tools.

“This was the first makeup brush cleanser I used, and you pretty much can’t go wrong,” says Saunders. “It works with synthetic and natural brushes and makeup sponges like the Beautyblender.” She recommends pouring some into a paper cup, swirling the bristles around to remove any embedded makeup, and rinsing them out before leaving them out to dry overnight.

Quick-Drying Cleaner

IT Cosmetics for Ulta Brush Bath Purifying Brush Cleaner

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Pros
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (18)Contains botanical and fruit extracts
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (19)TSA-compliant
Cons
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (20)Expensive for the size

Cleaning and drying makeup brushes can be a lengthy process, but with this quick-dry cleaner from IT Cosmetics, your trusted tools are ready to apply a fresh coat of makeup in minutes. Spritz makeup brushes with this cleanser, rub off the excess solution on a towel, and lay it down to dry for a couple of minutes.

Sure, it’ll take longer to dry than the Cinema Secret cleanser. Still, it’s just a champagne problem when dealing with a 120-second versus 5-second wait time, especially since most other brush cleansers on this list will require an overnight dry.

In addition, you’ll likely adore this product because it’s a spray that’s great for traveling. I suggest taping down the protective lid and placing it in a small zippered baggie before you catch a flight. I’ve been doing this for as long as I can remember and never once had an issue with items spray products leaking.

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Best Solid Cleanser

beautyblender Blendercleanser Solid

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Pros
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (22)Includes a scrubbing pad
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (23)Paraben-, phthalate-, and sulfate-free
Cons
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (24)Finishes fast

It's a given to use this solid cleanser on your beautyblender, but it is also effective when it comes to traditional makeup brush cleaning. It's incredibly popular on Amazon and Sephora, and experts adore it, too.

“The best way to give your brushes a deep clean is to shampoo them with a soap or cleanser specifically formulated for makeup brushes, like BeautyBlender Cleanser Solid or liquid,” says makeup artist Kelli J. Bartlett.

Bartlett goes on to say, “This allows you to break down dirt, oil, makeup, and bacteria efficiently and whisk it away with water. Think of this wet-cleansing method as a good hair shampoo. After cleansing, be sure to lay flat to dry on a clean, sanitized surface with a paper towel or clean cloth underneath to wick away moisture.”

Pros
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (26)Vegan and cruelty-free
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (27)Sweetly scented
Cons
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (28)Not for sensitive skin

This handy spray by NYX offers an effective cleaner that's also affordable. It's a nonabrasive makeup brush cleaner that will be gentle on your brushes while still ridding them of bacteria.

It's safe to use daily and won't cause any shedding or breaking, yet it tackles built-up grime and bacteria like a pro. It's a great pick for refreshing your brushes in between washes.

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Best for Sensitive Skin

EcoTools Makeup Brush and Sponge Shampoo

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Pros
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (31)Derm-tested
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (32)Plant-based ingredients
Cons
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (33)Lasts up to 12 shampoos

Have delicate pores? Then don't coat your brushes in irritable fragrances and synthetics. Of course, it is easier said than done since most makeup brush cleaners contain alcohol, so if you're steering clear of its skin-drying properties, this is the brush cleaner for you.

This fragrance-free pick from Ecotools doesn't contain red-flag ingredients like parabens, phthalates, and petroleum-based ingredients, meaning your complexion will be in tip-top shape. Most importantly, it purifies and removes all makeup from your brushes quickly and easily.

Best Cleansing Gel

Real Techniques Brush Cleansing Gel

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Pros
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (35)Derm-tested
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (36)Fresh, soapy smell
Cons
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (37)Only for weekly cleaning

For under $10, this product puts in work to clean up your beauty brushes. The thicker gel-like cleanser sloughs off any lingering makeup and grime with ease, even if it's caked with liquid foundation or covered in powder.

The results: a truly clean look and feel to your favorite makeup brushes.

A bonus: It’s alcohol-free, so you won’t have to worry about stripping your tools.

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Mess-Free Cleaner

Sephora Collection Color Switch by Vera Mona Brush Cleaner

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Pros
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (39)Travel-friendly
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (40)Long-lasting
Cons
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (41)Only for powder makeup

Sephora's own Color Switch Brush Cleaner is a dry, netted sponge that can remove pigmentation from tools without any liquid cleansers.

Consider this a must-have when creating a smokey eye from your matte and glitter eyeshadow palettes. It's also handy if you use the same stippling brush to apply foundation and blush.

To use this one, just swipe your brush in a swirl or windshield-wiper rotation until the color is fully removed — and you're off to the next product. Yes, it really is that easy.

Conditioning Formula

Bobbi Brown Brush Cleanser

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Pros
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (43)Light, minty scent
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (44)Softens bristles
Cons
  • 10 Makeup Brush Cleaners for Grime-Free Beauty Tools (45)Too thick for synthetic bristles

Bobbi Brown's luxurious answer to makeup brush cleaner will actually condition the bristles as it cleans, so your brushes stay in excellent shape.

Apply a small amount of her signature cleanser to the head of the brush, and massage inward with a lukewarm rinse. Towel-blot, then let air-dry overnight for nourished brushes free of residue.

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FAQ: Expert Tips for Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes

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After your new makeup brush cleaner arrives be sure to follow along with these makeup artist-approved tips.

Q: How Often Should I Wash My Makeup Brushes?

Experts say you'll gain the most from deep cleaning makeup brushes at least once a week. You should ramp the frequency when brushes touch your eyes, mouth, open skin (such as acne), or they are stored uncovered where dirt and dust can accumulate, advises Bartlett.

When you’re using quick-drying makeup brush cleaners, you can use them as necessary since they are more prone to dehydrating your brush hairs. A happy medium would be to sanitize with a quick-drying spray when working with only a few multipurpose brushes, but deep-cleaning once a week to eliminate bacteria.

Q: How Should I Clean My Makeup Brushes?

Morales is a huge fan of the double-cleansing approach. “First, I clean and disinfect my makeup brushes with Cinema Secret to remove residue, grease, and makeup. Then, I wash them out with liquid brush soap. It helps with killing germs and leaves the brushes spotless,” she explains.

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Nicole Saunders

Beauty Editor

Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Best New Beauty Awards package. You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventues.

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Jennifer Hussein

Beauty Editor

Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.

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Katie McBroom

Beauty Editor

Katie McBroom is an award-winning content creator and freelance writer. Prior to contributing to Biography, she served as Content Editor for Google and Beauty Editor for Best Products. Her work has also appeared in publications including CNN, WWD, Business Insider, Forbes, and Men's Health, among others.

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