How to keep your make-up brushes clean
- 31 Aug 2020
Sarah Young
The coronavirus outbreak has made us all painfully aware of our cleaning habits, with every surface in sight given a thorough wiping down and our hands washed twice over.
Mobile phones and TV remotes aside, make-up products and beauty tools are high on the list of objects we should be vigilant with considering they are frequently used and come into direct contact with the eyes, nose and mouth areas.
To ensure you can keep wearing make-up safely going forward, here is what experts have to say about everything from whether it is safe to share cosmetics to how to disinfect your products like a pro.
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Can make-up products and tools carry coronavirus?
This question is shrouded in uncertainty but according to Dr Jenna Macciochi, a lecturer in immunology at the University of Sussex, it is best to err on the side of caution.
“We know that although the virus cannot replicate outside of our body, it can last on different surfaces, such as metal, cardboard and plastic, for different lengths of time. The research shows this can be up to three days for some surfaces like plastic and stainless steel,” she explains.
“Cosmetic products have not been tested to my knowledge, but many come with plastic applicators. So the answer is we don't know but in light of the situation and the knowledge of how long it lasts on plastic, it may be best to be cautious.”
Dr Susan Mayou, a consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic, agrees adding that “while there haven’t been any specific studies on the transmission of coronavirus through make-up products, the fact that the virus can live on plastic surfaces does pose a risk for the contents of our make-up bags and skincare products.”
Should you stop sharing make-up products?
While many cosmetics contain antimicrobial preservative compounds that help to prevent growth of harmful bacteria, they aren’t enough to ward off viruses like Covid-19. With this in mind, Dr Macciochi says it is “best to avoid sharing products or tools with others." "We know that transmission requires contact between people and it is possible that products, particularly those applied to the face, could act as a vessel of transmission."
Dr Mayou adds that, aside from the fear of spreading coronavirus, people should never share make-up because of the risk of transferring bacteria such as staphylococcus from skin and highly contagious viral infections such as herpes and conjunctivitis from lip or eye products.
How often should you be cleaning make-up products and what’s the best way to do it?
According to Emily-Jane Williams, a make-up artist and co-founder of Em-J Cosmetics, you should be wiping down all of your products at least once a week using an antibacterial spray, which you can buy from most pharmacies. Just make sure the alcohol content is above 70 per cent to ensure the surface is properly disinfected, she adds. Although antibacterial spray will not remove a virus like coronavirus, a high percentage alcohol product will make the virus inactive by breaking down the lipid (fatty) layer around the virus.
The spray can be used on exterior packaging and also actual formulas, including lipsticks, powders and foundations.
Beauty brand Spectrum Collections also suggests you don't neglect your make-up bag, adding that you should take all products out of your kit and wipe down the inside, outside and individual compartments with a liquid disinfectant or pop it in the washing machine, if they're machine washable.
How often should you clean your make-up brushes?
It is important to clean your brushes regularly to avoid build-up of excess products, oils and dirt as this can clog your pores, cause breakouts and even infections.
How regularly you clean your brushes really depends on how often you use them, and while make-up artists might clean theirs after every client, a once weekly wash will suffice for most.
What is the best method for cleaning make-up brushes and beauty sponges?
Make-up brushes:
Wet the brush bristles with lukewarm water, ensuring you do not submerge the whole brush in water, as this can damage the adhesive and cause the brush head to detach from the handle.
Gently swirl the bristles into your soap of choice until the bristles are fully covered.
To further cleanse the bristles, work the brush into a textured surface, such as a special silicone mat and create a lather to ensure all product has gone.
Rinse away all soap and squeeze out any excess. Make sure you repeat this a couple of times to ensure no soap is left. Repeat the same process if necessary.
Using a towel, gently squeeze any excess water out and reshape the bristles accordingly to ensure they regain their original shape.
Lay your brushes down flat and ensure you don't dry all your brushes too close together to avoid any moisture soaking into the handles.
Beauty sponges:
Wet your sponge using lukewarm water.
Work the soap into your sponge and gently massage using your fingers, to squeeze out build up product, repeat until necessary. Rinse until the water runs clear.
Using a clean towel, squeeze out any excess water and leave to dry.
What should you use to clean your make-up brushes?
Thanks to a surge in removal liquids, gels and waxes, keeping your brushes sanitised is as easy as ever and there are an array of specialist brush cleaners available to buy.
Make-up artist Gemma Sutton says that Fairy Liquid with warm water works too.
“At a molecular level soap is very destructive for bacteria and viruses — it just breaks down the lipid layer and disrupts any chemical bonds viruses or bacteria are using to cling on to a surface or skin.”
Dr Mayou agrees, adding that soap removes dirt, bacteria and dissolves fat and therefore the lipid membrane of the coronavirus particle which is then no longer infectious.
The Independent