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The 8 best makeup brush cleaners to purify your routine

Makeup Brush Cleaner: We Review the 10 Best Products

Clean brushes, clean skin

By Briar Clark

Beauty Crew Beauty Editor / August 08 2022

In the ever-expanding world of makeup, there’s always some new and exciting product launch to reinvigorate our love for play and painting faces.

And then there are the beauty purchases that are more a necessity. But just like flossing your teeth, they’re important for a reason.

One such product we would implore you to refrain from skipping out on is a decent makeup brush cleaner.

Your one safeguard against bacteria and product build-up in the tools you use on your precious face on the daily, a solid makeup brush cleanser could mean the difference between pro-level results and a Proactiv prescription.

So, put on your discerning thinking caps as beauty buyers and let us take you on a tour of some of the best brush cleaners the Internet has to offer.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Daily Brush Cleaner

If the idea of using dirty brushes literally makes your skin crawl (same), then this daily cleaner is a no-brainer. You can comfortably spritz the hell out of your used makeup brushes with wild abandon, because this stuff retails for less than $9 a pop. There’s really no good excuse for using dirty makeup brushes with this in your kit.

$9 at e.l.f. Cosmetics

With Karla Brush Defence Bundle

Aussie MUA Karla Rocuzzo is the beauty brain behind this ingenious brush cleaning bundle. Designed for on-the-go brush cleaning, this is the perfect tool kit if you’re guilty of being ‘lax with cleansing your makeup brushes regularly. Simply spritz the scented alcohol-based solution onto your brush and buff away any excess product using the peach-hued microfibre cleansing cloth. The breakout-banishing oils found in the formula will help to ensure a reduction in pesky pimples and unwanted irritation.

$56.95 at With Karla

BEAUTYBLENDER Keep.it.clean™ Kit

Beauty Blender’s solid cleanser and silicone cleansing mat is an iconic duo for cleaning makeup sponges and brushes alike. Simply douse the cleanser in water and lather up your brushes to clean, or utilise the textured silicone mat to scrub away any particularly stubborn buildup.

$28 at Sephora

MAC Cosmetics Brush Cleanser

The MUA’s choice, this pro-level brush disinfectant cleanser simultaneously cleans and conditions brushes with a formula that helps to extend the life of your brushes. A must if you’re looking to invest in any pricier makeup brush options.

$28 at MAC Cosmetics

Bobbi Brown Conditioning Brush Cleanser

Formulated with brush bristle conditioning in mind, this pick from Bobbi Brown gently washes away makeup buildup and bacteria for an effective clean that won’t break your brushes. Score!

$28 at Adore Beauty

SEPHORA COLLECTION Daily Makeup Brush Cleaner

After a budget-friendly option? This daily makeup brush cleaner is less than $15 at your local Sephora and boasts a no-rinse formula for easy on-the-go cleaning and makeup application.

$12 at Sephora

SIGMA BEAUTY SigMagic Brushampoo Brush Cleanser

If you love using Sigma brushes, then you should probably scuttle over to Sephora to snag a bottle of their natural brush cleanser. It’s formulated with coconut water to ensure the longevity of your makeup brush investments.

$31 at Sephora

MAKE UP FOR EVER Instant Brush Cleanser

This alcohol-free brush cleaner works to purify brush hairs of product buildup with no rinsing required. SImply spritz and buff away any excess product for brushes that’ll look brand new.

$35 at Sephora

QV Baby 2 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner

An extra gentle option (especially if you have delicate brushes/sensitive skin)? Baby shampoo. This formula cleanses and conditions in one go to leave brush bristles fresh and fluffy.

$10.99 at Ego Shop

Another beauty must in our opinion? Lip balm. Chapped lips? These 9 lip balms have got your back.

Main image credit: Getty

Briar Clark

Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).