The Danger of Dirty Brushes & Sponges

How's this for a stat? According to The Huffington Post: Only 61% of women wash their make-up brushes and sponges once a month; whilst 22% have never cleaned them at all. Where do you fall?
No judgement, but if you fall into the 22% category, I'm really pleased you're here.

Did you know? We should actually be cleaning our personal brushes and sponges every 7-10 days, not just once a month. Professional Make Up Artists already know they should be cleaning their brushes after every use, ready for each new client. 

One face. Your brushes. So why wash them?

I think there's a strange narrative around washing make-up brushes. Somewhere along the way, we've decided that brush hygiene is really only important for professional make-up artists. After all, they use their brushes on multiple clients, so of course they need to clean them between faces.

What about the rest of us?

We've convinced ourselves that because our brushes only touch our faces, they don't need the same attention. One person. One face. What's the problem?

Think about it this way.

If you cooked breakfast in a frying pan this morning, would you leave it unwashed and use it to cook your lunch? Or your dinner? After all, it's only you using it. You're the only person eating from it.

Of course not. You'd wash it before using it again.

So why do we treat the brushes we use on our faces every single day any differently?

With every use, make-up brushes can accumulate oil, dead skin cells, make-up residue and microorganisms. The next time you use them, you're putting those bristles straight back onto your beautifully clean skin.

Your brushes might be yours alone, but that doesn't mean they don't need cleaning.

Brush hygiene isn't just for make-up artists. It's part of looking after your skin, too.

And it can take just two minutes.

Here are three dangers you can avoid by giving your brushes a regular clean, using the bailey.g solid make-up brush cleaner.

Clogged pores:

Every time you glide your makeup brush across your skin, it unintentionally deposits dirt and debris, like dead skin cells and bacteria, which then penetrates your pores and leads to clogging and congestion. The bristles of your brushes can accumulate layers of old makeup over weeks or even months, creating a buildup of unpleasant residue. As you continue to use these brushes, the deposited dirt and debris settle onto your skin, seeping into your pores and exacerbating the problem. This accumulation obstructs the natural flow of your skin's oils, resulting in a lacklustre and dry complexion, and blemishes and breakouts.

Irritated areas and infections:

Dirty brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria. Using a brush filled with dirt and bacteria on your face can introduce an excessive amount of unfamiliar microbes to your skin. These unfamiliar organisms can induce a stress response in your body, leading to inflammation and exacerbating existing problem areas. Dirty make-up brushes can cause an infection, such as a fungal infection, E. coli, or a staph infection, which can be very serious. Additionally, leftover make-up can stiffen the bristles of your brushes, further irritating your already sensitive skin. 

Damaged tools and patchy make-up:

Neglecting to clean your makeup brushes regularly leads to a buildup that accelerates their deterioration. The accumulation of grime and residue causes the fine bristles of your beloved brush to clump together and lose their original shape. Consequently, when you apply makeup with these brushes, the result is an uneven and streaky appearance, far from the natural, flawless look you desire. As you attempt to correct the imperfections by layering more liquid or powder foundation, your complexion can end up looking cakey instead of smooth.