What would you do if we told you there could be more bacteria on your makeup brushes than your toilet seat? Yep, for real. Dirty brushes accumulate oil, dust and dirt, so each time you use them, you’re spreading microbes straight across your skin. You’re not alone in blissful brush ignorance: 72% of us aren’t cleaning our tools regularly. But if the thought of microbe colonies breeding in your brush kit isn’t enough to crack the soap out, we’ve got more bad news. Here’s the truth about what happens to your skin when you don’t wash your makeup brushes and what to do about it.
By Rachel Spedding
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1 Clogged pores
Pores ain’t doors honey. You can’t open and close them. They are smart though. Pores work to sweep out the oil and dead cells lurking beneath the skin’s surface (as well as any other nasty gunk that may have set up camp). Dirty makeup brushes corrupt that simple process by clogging up the pores with nasty bacteria that’s built-up within the bristles. Each time you use ‘em, you’re spreading those germs back onto the face. Protect your skin with regular brush-cleaning; a daily spritz of cleaning solution to minimise build up, and a bi-weekly deep clean, real deep.
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2 Breakouts
First comes clogged pore, then comes pimple. How’s that? Attached to the pores are sebaceous glands that produce sebum (the stuff that keeps your skin moisturised). These glands don’t get the memo if your pores are clogged, so they’ll continue producing sebum that has no way of escaping to the surface – dramatic, but true – cue pimple formation. It’s simple: avoid clogged pores with a clean set of brushes, and keep spots at bay. There’ll be no MRSA or E Coli beneath the skin’s surface on our watch.
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3 Skin irritation
If your skin is red and inflamed, it’s definitely trying to tell you something. As well as clogging pores and causing pimples, the buildup of makeup product on your brushes is sure to cause irritation. Hardened bristles make for uneven makeup application, streaky coverage and inflamed skin – ouch. All those face masks and serums are wasted if we aren’t treating our skin with the gentle touch it deserves. Regular cleaning will keep brushes soft, and skin rash-free.
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4 What about the brushes?
Brushes are your tools for a flawless finish, and a good set will help with the longevity of your makeup. If they’re coated in two months of product, it’s a different story. Dust and dirt from unclean brushes will transfer into your products, meaning they’ll expire more quickly. ‘Wet’ products are especially vulnerable as germs multiply quicker in moist environments. For a streak-free base, and a longer-lasting makeup collection, start scrubbing. Your skin’s final request? Never swap brushes with pals, or you’ll be swapping bacteria too.
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5 Teach me how
No extravagant products required, just a fragrance-free soap and warm water. Better yet, invest in a silicone brush cleaner; it’s tiny teeth will massage the bristles of the brush and do the dirty work for you. Therapeutic, I’d say. Especially if you do it while listening to Desert Island Discs (just me?). It takes 21 days to form a habit, so once it’s part of your routine, you’ll have germ-free brushes and flawless makeup always.
Too late? A facial will help fix up skin woes. With Treatwell, you can book beauty online at all your favourite salons – simple, hassle-free, and you can do it on the go. Discover amazing salons in your area.