When it comes to makeup application, brushes and tools are sometimes just as, if not more important than the makeup you are using itself. Better yet, the care and cleaning of them is more important than both combined together. Makeup and brushes are two things you’ve probably invested in, so taking care of them is essential. Many people are under the impression that because baby shampoo is safe
for babies, it’s safe and gentle enough for makeup brushes, but this
couldn’t be further from the truth… Just like how you wouldn’t wash your
dishes with hand soap because it is anti-bacterial, or just like how you wouldn’t rub chili powder over your skin just because it’s an edible food item, you shouldn’t wash your makeup brushes with baby
shampoo.
Makeup brushes are usually made out of bristles that are either natural or synthetic, natural bristles are usually made from animal hair. As you can guess the genetic make up and compound of both synthetic and animal hair is much different than the hair on a humans head.
The top three reasons you shouldn’t use baby shampoo to clean your makeup brushes:
It’s often filled with sulphates
Sulphates are basically a very strong foaming agent which makes products foam up and create that beautiful lather, however it can often be quite harsh and strip natural oils from the hair. After some period of time you may find that using baby shampoo to wash your makeup brushes results in them becoming scratchy and rough
Some contain mineral oil
After the use of sulphates, many brands add an ingredient called mineral oil (or petroleum liquidum) into their shampoo. Mineral oil is designed to be used as a conditioning agent, but the actual science and compound of the ingredient makes it too large to be effectively absorbed into the skin or hair, so it sort of sits like a barrier. This can leave a film over your makeup brushes and affect the way that your products perform, for example you may find that the product appears more pigmented, but it may also apply unevenly and look patchy.
It doesn’t disinfect
One of the biggest reasons for makeup brush cleaning is for hygiene. Makeup brushes (especially those used with creams and liquids) can harvest all sorts of nasty things like dead skin cells, dirts, oils, left over product and of course, bacteria. Using a makeup brush infected with bacteria is a serious no-no, which is why makeup brush cleaning is essential. Baby shampoo is generally not something that has anti-bacterial properties and can disinfect makeup brushes, removing dirts and bacteria. Although a quick wash can remove remaining makeup residue, you really want to be using something that removes bacteria.
What to use Instead:
For the most part, anything that is specifically designed for use with makeup brushes should be effective in the care and cleaning of brushes, synthetic or natural. Instead of baby shampoo try:
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol/isopropyl alcohol is something that can be used in addition to any brush cleaner to disinfect and kill bacteria. After deep cleansing spray each brush with a healthy amount
MAC Brush Cleaner
Disinfecting, anti-bacterial, sulphate and mineral oil free. Can be used to wash makeup brushes or quickly spot clean.
*Ecotools Makeup Brush Cleansing Shampoo
Sulphate and mineral oil free, this makeup brush cleaner is fantastic at deep cleaning and contains ingredients which prevent bacteria.
Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver
Technically not designed for makeup brushes, but the most effective brush cleaner on the market. Designed for art brushes (which tend to be much higher quality than most makeup brushes) it is not anti-bacterial, but the price and effectiveness means spritzing with rubbing alcohol is no bother.
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*This post contains a product/sample which was sent to me for editorial consideration in accordance with my disclosure policy. This does not alter the honesty of this review or this blog, all opinions stated are honest and my own.