5 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Deep, Gentle Cleaning
Clean makeup brushes don’t just make your makeup look better—they make the whole routine feel better. When brushes aren’t washed often enough, they collect leftover product, skin oils, and bacteria that can affect how smoothly makeup applies and, in some cases, irritate your skin. The right brush cleaner helps break that cycle by thoroughly removing buildup while keeping bristles soft, shaped, and usable for much longer.
With so many options available, it’s not always obvious which Makeup Brush Cleaners are worth using. Some formulas are strong and fast-acting, others are gentler and better suited for regular maintenance, and a few strike a balance between cleansing and conditioning. That’s why we looked at expert advice, real-world use, and overall performance to narrow things down. Below, you’ll find five makeup-brush cleaners that stand out for how well they clean, how easy they are to use, and how reliably they keep brushes in good shape.
Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner
Pros: Endorsed by multiple professional makeup artists
Cons: Extremely potent—experts advise against daily use
Claiming the top spot for a reason, this cleanser checks every box: it’s simple to use, delivers a deep clean, dries quickly, and helps maintain brush quality. Makeup artists favor it for its antimicrobial disinfectant properties, which Pollara notes are especially crucial when working with clients. Kat Dorn, a makeup artist at LRN Beauty, suggests diluting the solution with a bit of lukewarm water and gently blotting brushes dry with a paper towel. Use sparingly—because of its strength, overuse can weaken the bristles over time.
e.l.f. Beauty Makeup Brush Shampoo
Pros: Easy to find at drugstores; budget-friendly
Cons: Mixed feedback—some users love the results, while others feel it doesn’t fully cleanse brushes
Dorn recommends this wallet-friendly brush shampoo, priced around $6. According to her, it both cleans and conditions effectively, even tackling stubborn buildup from products like foundation and concealer. The formula is vegan and cruelty-free, and it’s also a popular pick among many reviewers.
Beauty Blender Solid Charcoal Makeup Cleanser
Pros: Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons: Unlike liquid cleansers, it can’t be used to clean multiple brushes or sponges at the same time
“This charcoal makeup cleanser is my go-to for deep cleaning, and it lasts a long time,” says Jonet Williamson, a New York–based makeup artist. To use, just swirl a damp brush or sponge over the soap and work it into a rich lather for a thorough cleanse. The formula includes aloe and coconut oil, helping keep bristles soft, smooth, and flexible.
MAC Cosmetics Brush Cleanser
Pros: Exceptionally gentle on brush bristles
Cons: Some users find it a bit expensive for the size and how fast it’s used up
This trusted cleanser is a go-to among professionals thanks to its quick-drying formula and mild treatment of brushes. “Harsh chemicals can weaken the bonding at the base of the brush,” explains Randall Intrabartola, a California-based makeup artist. That’s why opting for a cleaner with a streamlined ingredient list—one that still disinfects effectively, like this option—can make a real difference.
Jenny Patinkin Luxury Vegan Makeup Brush Soap
Pros: Fragrance-free, antibacterial, and antimicrobial
Cons: Not designed for cleaning multiple brushes at once
New York City–based makeup artist Lynda Esparza recommends this cleanser for how effectively it preps brushes for smooth, flawless makeup application. The vegan formula makes brush cleaning simple: just wet your brush with warm water and swirl it over the soap until it lathers. Esparza notes that the gentle, sulfate-free formula lifts oils and pigments without damaging the bristles. It works well on both natural and synthetic brushes, while lightly conditioning them as it removes makeup buildup.
