How Often Should You Replace Your Makeup Brushes? Here's What the Experts Say

Taking care of our skin is imperative for keeping breakouts and irritation at bay. And while we can't always control what happens to our skin (hello, hormones), we can maintain the tools we use on our faces and ensure they aren't exacerbating any problems.

Basic principles like keeping our fingers off our faces and routinely disinfecting our phone screens are well-known by most, but secret bacteria could be hiding in your products—particularly your makeup brushes—and jeopardizing your skin health. Ahead, we asked board-certified dermatologists Michael Garner, MD, and Nazanin Saedi, MD, to explain why it's important to wash our brushes and how often we should be replacing them, amongst other tips that will help save your skin. Keep scrolling for our comprehensive guide.

How Often Should You Replace Your Makeup Brushes?

Nazanin recommends replacing your makeup brushes every two years. If they are beyond repair from not being washed frequently enough and the bristles are stiff or feel oily due to too much product build-up that won't wash out, it's best practice to replace them immediately.

Makeup brushes are usually composed of synthetic and non-synthetic hairs, depending on the manufacturer and type. If you keep your brushes clean and bacteria-free, they can last a long time (especially if they are made with quality hair such as sable).

Why Do You Need to Wash Your Makeup Brushes?

While it isn't anyone's favorite chore, keeping your makeup brushes clean is imperative for the state of your face. "Not washing your makeup brushes regularly can have several negative effects on your skin," says Garner. "[Dirty brushes] accumulate makeup residue, oils, dead skin cells, and bacteria over time. When you reuse these brushes without cleaning them, you reintroduce these impurities to your skin, leading to clogged pores, breakouts, and irritation. The accumulation of bacteria on the brushes can also promote the growth of harmful microorganisms, potentially causing infections or other skin issues."

Nazanin concurs. "We are all guilty of not washing our makeup brushes as often as we should, even me," she tells us."Yet not washing your brushes can lead to bacteria build-up and breakouts."

What Happens If You Don't Regularly Wash Your Brushes?

"There are several common skin conditions that can develop from bacteria on dirty makeup brushes," Garner tells us. "Some common conditions include acne breakouts, folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles), staphylococcus or streptococcus infections, and even fungal and/or yeast infections. These conditions can cause redness, inflammation, and itching and sometimes require medical treatment. More serious infections are theoretically possible and are even more reasons to ensure regular cleaning of your makeup brushes. But these situations are, thankfully, very rare."

If you do experience breakouts or clogged pores due to dirty brushes (it happens), Garner's advice is to exfoliate. "Regular, but not excessive, exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. Opt for gentle exfoliants that won't be too harsh on your skin, like Matter of Fact's Resurfacing + Hydrating Serum. Chemical exfoliants with ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid can be particularly effective for addressing breakouts. Unfortunately, many people fall into the trap of exfoliating their skin too frequently, [creating] a vicious cycle of irritation and disruption of the skin's natural barrier maintenance processes."

How Often Should You Wash Your Makeup Brushes?

"Ideally, you should be washing your brushes once a week, even if you only use the brush once," says Nazanin. "The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing makeup brushes once every 7-10 days."

"The frequency of cleaning your makeup brushes depends on how often you use them and the type of products you use," adds Garner. "As a general guideline, it's recommended to clean your brushes at least once every two weeks if you use them regularly. However, if you use them daily or have sensitive or acne-prone skin, it's better to clean them once a week or even after each use. It's important to maintain good hygiene practices to minimize the buildup of bacteria and product residue on the brushes."

Keeping Your Makeup Brushes Clean

Now that we know how imperative it is to wash your makeup brushes, what are the best products to keep them clean and help preserve the health of our skin? "If you look online, people recommend all kinds of products to wash your makeup brushes, anything from Dawn dish soap to makeup brush cleaners," says Nazanin. "I personally recommend using your face wash. It cleans your face, and you don't react to it." This tip is brilliant for those with sensitive skin, as different cleaning agents can sometimes cause unwanted reactions.

"Use a gentle antibacterial soap or a specialized brush cleanser," advises Garner. "Gently swirl the brush bristles in the cleanser, working it into a lather. Be careful not to wet the area where the bristles meet the handle, as it can weaken the glue holding the bristles." He recommends cleansing each brush and running it under warm water until all residue has been washed out and the water runs clear. Lay brushes flat on a towel overnight to ensure they are completely dry before using them again.

The Final Takeaway

To avoid breakouts and unwanted skin irritations, wash your brushes regularly with a cleanser that is safe for your skin. If you're wondering whether or not your brushes are up to standard, it's probably best to replace them and maintain a consistent system of keeping them clean.