Shocking Skin Problems Caused by Dirty Brushes
Most dermatologists will say that makeup brushes should be washed a minimum of once per week. However, if you use your brushes heavily, or you use a lot of cream products, you may want to wash them more often – even once per day. Why? Because the fibers of your brushes are the perfect place for bacteria to hide – and you don’t want to brush that all over your face. Here are some skin problems you may be seeing if your makeup brushes need a good cleaning.
Aggravated Acne? Dirty Makeup Brushes Could Be the Culprit
If your skin has been feeling irritated and you’ve noticed your acne has recently flared up, but you haven’t changed any of the products you normally use, give your brushes a good clean. The bacteria and old makeup dried into the bristles of the brush could be clogging your pores. If you notice acne on your cheeks where you put blush, or in the areas where you use a brush to blend in your concealer, this is a big clue.
Eye Shadow Brushes Can Give You Pink Eye – and Worse
Dirty eye shadow brushes are some of the worst culprits when it comes to spreading infections and bacteria. A quick wipe to get the color off is not enough to keep your delicate eyes safe. Dirty brushes can spread pink eye and there have even been cases of the herpes virus being spread through dirty makeup brushes. These brushes, along with lip brushes, should be cared for carefully, because they go near a very delicate part of the face that can allow bacteria to get inside the body.
Worst Case Scenarios Do Happen
Although it sounds a little farfetched, there is at least one well-known case of a person becoming paralyzed for life after dirty makeup brushes gave her a staph infection. Other really horrific scenarios include getting a fungal infection if a brush has started to develop mold spores, or even getting infections from bug infestations in your brushes. All of this is a possibility if your brushes are wet and dirty.
How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes
If you want to avoid these very serious skin problems caused by dirty brushes, follow these steps to wash your brushes. Just hold the brush upside down under warm running water, and use a mild hand soap or natural cleaner to massage the product out of the bristles. Then rinse, being careful not to get the handle wet, and allow the brush to lay on a counter with the bristles laying off the edge to dry. Make sure they are 100% dry before you use them again. If you do this weekly, or even daily, you can avoid these serious skin problems.