October 13th, 2021
Prevent Acne & Clean Your Makeup Brushes Like A Pro
Acne, or its scientific name, acne vulgaris is a skin condition that effects up to 50 million Americans annually. In fact in 2013 it was reported that 5.1 million sought medical treatment for this skin condition. (1) The layer of epidermis continuously sheds off dead skin, and creates a new layer of skin on average every 28 days. When dead skin clogs up inside a pore and traps oils and bacteria within, the result is acne.
So why is this so important to know when it comes to makeup brushes? Because when we swipe, blend and apply makeup with makeup brushes or blending sponges, we are transferring this oil, dead skin and debris onto the makeup brush or sponge.
The build up of makeup residue, dead skin cells and oil are an ideal environment for bacteria and germs to thrive. Propionibacterium is one of the main causes of acne and will thrive inside the porous makeup brush bristles, at the edge of the ferrule, and in any cracks inside the handle.
Not all Brushes Are Created Equal
Traditionally, makeup brushes have been made out of natural hair. The most common hair used is goat, sable and squirrel. These natural hairs soften with each use, and have a very porous texture that will pick up pigments quite well. Natural hair brushes should be cleaned with a gentle formula brush shampoo to clean dirt, oil and makeup without stripping the brush hairs.
In addition to this, natural hair brushes must be deeply conditioned with either jojoba, hemp or flax seed oil. In order to do this, massage oil into dry bristles and let sit for approximately five minutes. Do not rinse oil out of the brush. Add a small amount of gentle formula brush shampoo and massage in. Add in water until lather appears, rinse and dry.
Today’s makeup brushes use synthetic filaments that have been specifically designed to enhance brush functionality and performance. Materials such as Nylon, Taklon and Polyester are further processed into designer fibers such as Artis’s CosmeFibre® or Royal & Langnickel’s DuPont™ Natrafil®.
In addition to these advances, such new materials have more durability.
There Is A Difference Between
Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting
Cleaning your brush removes dirt, oils, and pigments.
Sanitizing your brush kills bacteria and germs, this can be done with a sanitizing spray or a professional grade UV cabinet.
Disinfecting your brush kills bacteria, germs and viruses.
BEAUTYSOCLEAN
Conditioning Brush Cleanser $22.50
BeautySoClean uses food-grade alcohol to gently sanitize your brush and emollients to keep the hairs soft between washings.
Clean in between brush baths by spraying Conditioning Brush Cleanser on a microfiber cloth and swirling brush onto cloth to remove debris, oils and pigments.
*Natural and Synthetic Brush Approved Cleaner
* Formula proven to clean and condition
*Formula proven to be effective against bacteria and viruses
Caution: Brushes with nylon, taklon and polyester may have a slight oily residue remain after using product
Parian Spirit
Professional Makeup Cleanser 8 oz $14.00 — 16 oz $24.00
Clean, condition and disinfect your makeup brushes in between deep cleaning with a formula made from non-toxic, food grade ingredients. Quick drying brush cleanser removes makeup, dirt, oil, and bacteria without harming delicate fibers.
Mist cleanser directly on to brush fibers, and swirl over microfiber cloth to release pigments and residue. Reshape bristles and lay brush flat to dry.
*Natural and Synthetic Brush Approved Cleanser
*Formula proven to clean and condition
*Formula proven to be effective against bacteria and viruses
Beauty Blender
5oz Liquid Blendercleanser $18.00
Formulated for makeup blenders and sponges, liquid blendercleanser is formulated for blender stains, excess residue and germs for a clean makeup application.
For blender cleaning distribute blendercleanser onto surface of damp sponge. Lightly squeeze and work into a lather. Rinse, squeeze out excess water and place blender in a clean ventilated area to dry. For brushes / deep clean- wet brush hairs and gently swirl on top of cleaning pad with shampoo to create a lather. Rinse bristles clean taking care not to get water in the ferrule. Gently squeeze out excess water, reshape bristles and lay brush flat to dry.
* Makeup Sponge, Natural and Synthetic Brush Approved Cleanser
*Formulated to clean, condition and sanitize
Beauty Blender
5.3oz Blendercleanser Solid Pro $45.00
This formula includes charcoal for stubborn blender stains while being gentle enough to remove excess residue and germs for a clean makeup application.
For a deep clean, wet brush hairs and gently swirl on top of the shampoo bar to create a lather. Rinse bristles clean taking care not to get water into the ferrule. Gently squeeze out excess water, reshape bristles and lay brush flat to dry.
* Makeup Sponge, Natural and Synthetic Brush Approved Cleanser
*Formulated to clean, condition and sanitize
Beauty Blender
1oz Blendercleanser Solid $16.00
This formula is blended with sustainable palm oils, nourishing aloe, and coconut oil to remove excess residue and germs for a clean makeup application.
For a deep clean, wet brush hairs and gently swirl on top of the shampoo bar to create a lather. Rinse bristles clean taking care not to get water into the ferrule. Gently squeeze out excess water, reshape bristles and lay brush flat to dry.
* Makeup Sponge, Natural and Synthetic Brush Approved Cleanser
*Formulated to clean, condition and sanitize
Cinema Secrets
8oz Makeup Brush Cleanser Kit $26.00
Original Blue 8oz $24.00 – 16oz $32.00
Topical Lemon 8oz $24.00– 16oz $32.00
Used by makeup artists world-wide, this formula is quick drying, proven as a 99.99 percent antimicrobial disinfectant and rinse free.
Clean in between brush baths by spraying brush cleanser on a microfiber cloth and swirling brush onto cloth to remove debris, oils and pigments.
*Makeup Blender & Synthetic Brush Approved
* Formula proven to clean and condition
*Formula proven to be effective against bacteria and viruses
*Not Recommended for Natural Hair Brushes
Masters
2.5oz Brush Cleanser & Preserver Studio Cake $12.99
This brush cleanser was originally designed for oil and acrylic, however became a cult classic in the beauty world for being able to clean and condition brushes used for heavy pigmented products.
As a makeup artist, I can attest that this cleanser works well for pigmented foundations such as Kett Fixx Crème or Graftobian’s Crème Foundation. It also works well for formulations like Kryolan’s Aquacolor and Mehron’s Makeup Foundtion Greasepaint.
* Makeup Sponge, Natural and Synthetic Brush Approved Cleanser
* Formula proven to clean and condition
Keep in mind that this formula only cleans and conditions. It has no sanitizing or disinfectant properties.
For a deep clean, wet brush hairs and gently swirl on top of the shampoo bar to create a lather. Rinse bristles clean taking care not to get water into the ferrule. Gently squeeze out excess water, reshape bristles and lay brush flat to dry.
Caution: Remember is to never stand your brushes up in a cup or container to dry and always lay them flat. If moisture seeps into the ferrule, it can cause the wood handle to warp or loosen the glue. Standing your brush up in a cup or container ferrule side down can also cause the bristles to fan out in odd shapes that will affect your brush functionality and performance.
In my practice, I go one step further after cleaning my brushes and using a sanitizing spray. I put them into my Paragon S20 UV Cabinet.
Paragon S20 UV Cabinet $270.00
Ultraviolet-C (UV, C-Spectrum) have been proven highly effective against pathogens. The UV-C light kills more germs than soap and water alone to help prevent the spread of bacteria and infection. UV-C light destroys the molecular bonds that hold together the DNA of viruses and bacteria, and is a particularly good option for sanitation because it kills bacteria regardless of drug resistance and without toxic chemicals.
References:
- https://www.aad.org/media/stats-numbers