The Best Makeup Brush Cleaner, Solution, Spray, Pad & More

The best makeup brush cleaner you’ve been searching for.

Why is it so easy to forget about cleaning your makeup brushes? If only there were a machine that did it for us! When you think about it, not cleaning them regularly is pretty gross. Unless you’re having a no-makeup day, you will probably be blending, buffing, and contouring with your brushes. But when you don’t clean them, bacteria can build up fast.

Dirty brushes can make the skin irritated and unhappy. But it doesn’t have to be that way! You need a makeup brush cleanser you can trust. Check out our guide to keeping your brushes in tip-top condition and find the best brush cleaner for makeup artists in Australia.

Real Techniques_FlawlessBaseSet - finger brushing through tips of brushes - 670 x 447 Real Techniques_FlawlessBaseSet - finger brushing through tips of brushes - 670 x 447

What is the best way to clean my makeup brushes?

We hate to break it to you, but most dermatologists across Australia agree that you should wash your makeup brushes at least once a week. This helps prevent the brushes from picking up excess product. Frequent washing removes the oils and germs that cling to brushes. We know it’s not the most fun chore, but it will help your skin stay bacteria-free.

While regular soap and shampoo will do in a pinch, it’s best to invest in a specific brush-cleaning product that won’t cause any damage. Real Techniques Brush Cleanser is designed to deep-clean brushes and remove all leftover residue. The laboratory-tested product is super gentle and removes invisible impurities from the eye.

The Best DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner in Australia

You could concoct a decent makeup brush cleanser with olive oil and dish soap, but why do that when Dr is just as gentle? You could call it the castile soap makeup-brush cleaner!

Vegan, completely biodegradable, and vegetable-based, the iconic DrCastile Liquid Soap - Sandalwood & Jasmine can be used on the face, on the body, in a foot bath, or on your makeup brushes. Its gentle scent gives off an aromatherapy vibe and will clean away all the grime you don’t want near your brushes. It’s truly an all-in-one must-have.

How do you clean your best makeup brushes with shampoo?

If you don’t have a specific makeup brush cleaner, then a shampoo will do. You can also make a DIY makeup brush cleaner with baby shampoo. Wet the brush under warm water and squeeze some shampoo into your hand. Swirl your brush in a circular motion in the shampoo and let it lather up. Then press the brush, so the grime loosens up into your fingers.

Rinse the brush thoroughly. Ensure the water runs clear after use; you don’t want shampoo clinging to the brush when you use it. Then let the brush dry naturally, bristles down, somewhere safe and clean … and you’re done! to make sure the brushes are free from all residual makeup. 

You can use the Real Techniques Brush Cleaning Palette to make sure the brushes are free from all residual makeup. The textured surface quickly gets brushes back to their best.

Can you use micellar water to clean makeup brushes?

If you’re out of shampoo AND brush cleanser, it’s time to reach for the micellar water. This beauty product is a lifesaver when in a pinch. Thanks to the cleansing properties found within micellar water, it can double as a brilliant DIY brush cleanser. Simply pour it into a glass and swirl your brushes around in it. Make sure you give each brush a proper rinse afterwards. If possible, avoid any metal hardware on your brushes to prevent corrosion or damage. Let brushes dry naturally, no matter how you clean them; this will help them keep their shape and prevent cross-contamination.

The Best Makeup Brush Cleaner

While a DIY makeup brush cleaner will do the trick, it’s kinder to brushes to pick up a specific product for makeup-brush cleaning. After all, you spend a lot on your brush sets, so it’s worth taking good care of them. If you’re still on the hunt for the best makeup brush cleaner and dryer, we have some suggestions that should set you on the right path

Made for daily use, it’ll disinfect bristles, extend the life of your brushes, and quickly remove makeup. Simply spray elf Daily Brush Cleaner directly onto the brush and use a cloth to wipe away the makeup. Let your brush fully dry after every use.

The Cinema Secrets Professional Brush Cleaner Spray & Tin set is the makeup artists’ favourite and a luxe at-home makeup brush cleaner. There’s no need to rinse, and the portable tin makes it easy to clean brushes on the go. Cinema Secrets makeup brush cleaner deodorises, cleans, and conditions with every use, keeping your essential tools performing at their best.

●  Plus, when you use the Cinema Secrets Professional Brush Cleaner Spray & Tin, the formula leaves behind a gentle vanilla scent. Nice!

If you can’t stand the idea of old makeup and bacteria lingering on your brushes, you’ll love Napoleon Perdis Instant Clean Brush Cleaner. The spray cleanser prevents bacteria from contaminating makeup brushes and disinfects to remove all leftover makeup.

  • To make the most of your product, simply spray some Napoleon Perdis Instant Clean Brush Cleaner onto a clean tissue and swirl your brush into the product. To maximise the benefit, deep-clean brushes once a week with a mild shampoo.

Jane Iredale Botanical Brush Cleaner

If you’re looking for a gentle formula, Jane Iredale Botanical Brush Cleaner could be ideal. Both cruelty-free and vegan, this makeup brush cleaner is safe to use on both natural and synthetic brushes.

Jane Iredale Botanical Brush Cleaner

●  Spray Jane Iredale Botanical Brush Cleaner onto a clean towel and wipe the brush back and forth to remove all excess product.  

It might seem a bit tedious, but cleaning your makeup brushes regularly will save you time and money in the long run. It will also help your manual or electric products stay bacteria-free for longer!

Try to do a deep clean once a week, and give each brush a quick spray with makeup and eyeshadow brush cleaner after every use. It’ll only take a few moments, and your skin will thank you for it. And keep all your essentials in an at-home makeup brush cleaner tin to keep everything extra clean.


Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty’s highly trained Customer Service team. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.


    Subscribe for beauty sales, free goodies, advice and SO much more!