4 ways to clean a Beautyblender or makeup sponge that have just a few minutes each

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  • Routinely cleaning your Beautyblender or makeup sponge volition aid you become more than use out of the applicator and also prevent breakouts.
  • At that place are a few different ways to clean a makeup sponge. The almost pop methods include soaking it in warm h2o with dish soap and using castor shampoo.
  • I tested out four dissimilar ways to make clean a makeup sponge and shared my thoughts on the effectiveness of each i. Dish soap worked surprisingly well.
  • Meet also: the best beauty blenders and makeup sponges
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I have a confession to make: Earlier writing this, I couldn't remember the terminal time I cleaned a makeup sponge. Once it starts looking used or there are trivial tears in the foam, I usually just toss it. I'm aware this is neither eco-friendly nor hygienically sound, which is why I've made a commitment to modify my ways.

Laziness is partially to arraign (I struggle to become through my own skincare regimen these days, and you await me to requite my sponge a bathroom?), and the fact that I haven't really known how to clean a makeup sponge has as well been a contributing factor.

If you, like me, have neglected to clean your makeup sponge on a regular footing, here'south some incentive for you: Sponges are porous, meaning they soak upward and retain liquids. Ergo, even after a unmarried utilise, makeup sponges hold on to foundation, concealer, and oils, condign a breeding ground for bacteria and microorganisms, explains Dr. Stacy Chimento, a board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami.

Why you should clean your Beautyblender or makeup sponges, according to a dermatologist

"Muddy makeup [applicators] clog pores and may likewise promote the development of acne and peel infections," Dr. Chimento tells Insider. "In severe cases, leaner can spread to open wounds you have from acne, waxing, or other pilus removal forms, which are entry points for irritants."

She also adds that when y'all're not routinely cleaning your makeup sponges, they don't perform the way they're supposed to considering there is so much product buildup.

How often should yous clean your makeup sponges?

If you wear makeup every twenty-four hour period and a Beautyblender is your become-to applicator, Dr. Chimento suggests giving it a wash at least once or twice a week, if not subsequently every use (especially if you're applying a significant amount of makeup). This is because makeup sponges "typically breed the nigh bacteria out of whatsoever applicator considering of their power to concur onto moisture," she says.

Washing your makeup sponge at least once or twice a calendar week might audio like a big ask, only information technology's really not. In fact, there are a few different ways to clean a Beautyblender that have minimal attempt or fourth dimension away from your day. I've tested them all to find out which ones work best, and you lot'll find my thoughts on each technique below.

Technique 1: Soaking it in regular dish soap or mitt soap

Before and after.
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Considering it had been then long since I had cleaned my makeup sponge, I decided to start fresh past giving the applicator a nice bath.

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I filled up a container with warm water and added a few pumps of dish soap.

Then I dropped my sponge into the concoction, mixing it around to let the lather and h2o actually settle into the material.

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I let my sponge soak for about fifteen minutes before squeezing out the backlog liquid.

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Needless to say, at that place was a lot of product clouding up the h2o. From there, I spot-treated any leftover stains past massaging a tiny pump of lather into the area and giving information technology a thorough rinse.

I'd highly recommend this technique for sponges that demand a deep clean.

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Soaking really loosens up the sponge so the makeup can seep out into the water. Plus, while this technique definitely takes the most time, at that place's less grunt work on your function.

Technique 2: Cleaning the sponge with your facial cleanser

Earlier and after.
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After establishing that soap and h2o does the trick, I decided to try the face cleanser method next.

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I decided to test new cleaning methods every three or four days from my sponge's first soak. That way I would clean my sponge near twice a week.

In just a few days time, my makeup sponge was already sporting some serious foundation stains. I dampened the sponge and applied some of my Pacifica Creamy Gel Vegan Face Cleanser, massaged the product in, and rinsed thoroughly.

I had to repeat the rinsing footstep a few times, and I'1000 nevertheless not sure whether that was a reflection of the cleanser or how dirty my makeup sponge was.

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This specific cleanser has a really gentle formula for skin, so information technology was probably gentle on the sponge too.

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Overall, I didn't love this method. Not because information technology doesn't do a decent job of cleaning the sponge, merely because I'd rather use dish soap than waste matter my confront wash on a makeup applicator.

Technique three: Putting the sponge in the microwave

Before and afterward.
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To be honest, the thought of putting a dirty sponge in a bowl that I eat out of sounded sacrilegious to me.

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I'm glad I did information technology anyhow.

In her tutorial, makeup creative person Tati Westbrook recommends putting the sponge in a microwave-condom bowl with an inch of water and heating it for xxx seconds.

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I misheard her and went for a full minute. No regrets, though. Like I mentioned at the beginning of this article, it had been a long time since I started regularly cleaning my makeup sponge and it probably benefited from the boosted 30 seconds.

When I took the sponge out of the microwave, all of the foundation stains that built up over the last few days were withal intact.

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Remember, this method alone does non take makeup out of the sponge. It does, however, loosen information technology up.

Once you lot've let your sponge cool down, you tin clean it with soap nether warm running water.

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I was surprised at how hands and rapidly the makeup poured out of the sponge compared to the other methods I tried. Information technology's probably non necessary every fourth dimension, just I would definitely do this once a month.

Technique 4: Using proper makeup brush cleaner

Before and after.
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If you're thinking "a sponge is non a brush," you would be correct. But lather is soap, and then let'southward see what happens.

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Even though makeup sponges and brushes are made of different materials, I wanted to come across if it would be constructive on a sponge. It was.

I've been using Sigma Beauty's Sigmatic Brush Shampoo for years on my makeup brushes, then that's what I tested on my dirty sponge.

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The formula is all-natural, cruelty-complimentary, hypoallergenic, and prides itself on being both a cleanser and conditioner. According to the production'southward clarification, it can likewise be used to clean blenders.

I dampened my beauty blender with warm h2o and massaged the soap into the most prominently makeup-stained areas.

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The formula worked similarly to dish lather, just I really institute that I needed to utilise less of the shampoo than I did the soap — I was only at my sink for three minutes at most.

Turns out, the brush shampoo was super effective at cleaning my sponge.

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Granted, I was but working with a few days worth of stains, simply I was impressed past how quickly and efficiently this formula got the task done. 10/10 would recommend.

The bottom line

Washing your makeup sponge is quick and painless and should honestly be done weekly. Not only was it fascinating to run across but how much foundation and concealer had built up in the depths of this squishy applicator over fourth dimension, but cleaning my makeup sponge made information technology more enjoyable to use.

I've also noticed fewer breakouts in the by month, and my makeup sponge looks much amend on my vanity when it's bright and pinkish. Do yourself a favor and take five minutes to make clean your makeup sponge. Your skin will thank you!

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