If you only remember one rule about how often to clean makeup brushes, make it this: the closer a brush is to cream or liquid products and your bare skin, the more often it needs a proper wash. But in real life, things are messier—some people wear full coverage every day, others only use mascara and brows twice a week.
This guide turns that into a simple, practical plan based on your skin type, makeup habits and a few warning signs your brushes are overdue for a wash.
Start with Your Skin and Makeup Habits
Instead of memorizing a single schedule, decide how often to clean makeup brushes from these two questions.
Question 1: What is your skin like?
- Oily or acne‑prone skin
Oil, sweat and bacteria build up faster, so dirty brushes are more likely to trigger breakouts. Aim to deep clean foundation and concealer brushes at least once a week, and eye brushes every 5–7 days, even if you don’t wear makeup every day. - Dry or sensitive skin
You may wear lighter makeup, but residue and fragrance from old products can still irritate your barrier. Clean face and eye brushes every 7–10 days, and always wash immediately if you notice redness or itching after using a brush. - Balanced / combination skin
Use the “makeup intensity” in the next question as your main guide, with a default of weekly deep cleaning for face brushes and weekly or bi‑weekly for powder‑only brushes.
Question 2: How much makeup do you actually wear?
Full face most days (foundation, contour, eye looks)
- Face brushes: deep clean once a week, quick clean or switch brushes mid‑week if you can.
- Eye brushes: deep clean every 5–7 days, or more often for dark/bright colors.
Light everyday makeup (tinted base, simple eyes)
- Face brushes: every 7–10 days.
- Eye brushes: every 1–2 weeks, with spot cleaning between looks.
Occasional makeup only (weekends, events)
- Deep clean all brushes after each heavy use or at least once a month, so product doesn’t sit on the bristles for weeks.
If you are unsure, it is safer to clean a bit more often than less.
❗ Five Clear Signs Your Brushes Need Washing Now
Even with a schedule, it helps to know the “red flags” that say your makeup brushes need to be cleaned today, not next weekend.
- Your base suddenly looks patchy or streaky
When foundation or concealer brushes are coated in old product, they stop blending smoothly and can make even good formulas look cakey. - The brush smells odd or “cosmetic‑y”
A sour, musty or overly perfumey smell from the bristles is a sign that product, oil and maybe bacteria have been sitting there too long. - Bristles feel sticky, stiff or clumpy
If you can see chunks of dried foundation or feel stiffness near the base of the bristles, it’s far past time to wash. - Powders don’t look true to color
Eyeshadows and blushes go muddy when brushes are loaded with old pigment. If your neutral looks all turn grey, clean your blending brushes. - Your skin is breaking out where the brush touches
New pimples or irritation exactly along your jawline, cheeks or forehead—matching your brush strokes—are a classic sign you’ve stretched your “how often to clean makeup brushes” limit too far.
If you notice even one or two of these signs, don’t wait for your planned cleaning day. Wash the offending brushes that night.
Example Brush Cleaning Calendars
To make how often to clean makeup brushes easier, here are three sample “brush cleaning calendars” you can copy and tweak.
A. Busy Everyday Makeup Wearer
- Daily
Use a dry color‑switch sponge or quick‑clean spray on eye and detail brushes between shades. - Mid‑week (e.g. Wednesday night)
Deep clean foundation, concealer and cream product brushes. - Weekend (e.g. Sunday night)
Deep clean all brushes used that week: face, eye, lip and brow.
This works well for office workers or students wearing makeup most days.
B. Light Makeup, Sensitive or Acne‑Prone Skin
- After every heavy base day
Deep clean foundation and concealer brushes the same night. - Once a week
Wash powder brushes (blush, bronzer, setting powder) and eye brushes you used that week.
Here, skin health is the priority, so base brushes are cleaned more often than powder tools.
C. Occasional or Weekend‑Only Makeup User
- After each event or big night out
At least spot clean base and eye brushes so product doesn’t sit for weeks. - Once a month
Deep clean every brush in your kit, including spares that mostly live in your cup.
This is enough to prevent months‑old buildup, even if your brushes are not used daily.
How to Put This into Practice
To actually follow your plan for how often to clean makeup brushes:
- Pick a fixed “brush wash day” each week or month and add it to your calendar like any other appointment.
- Keep a small tray or cup labeled “dirty brushes” on your vanity, so you can see how many need attention.
- Have at least one backup of your most‑used face and eye brushes. That way you can still do makeup while one set is drying.
And remember: frequency is only half of the equation. Once you know how often to clean makeup brushes, you still need a safe, thorough washing routine.
For detailed steps, see our main pillar guide how to clean makeup brushes at home.
