The 12 Best Makeup Brush Cleaners for Mess-Free Application (2024)

As much as we love creating a TikTok-inspired cut-crease eye or seamless no-makeup makeup look, there's also the added effort needed to actually keep our tools of choice spotless after each use. It's no secret that scrubbing brushes and sponges clean tends to be a common pain point among beauty lovers, but using one of the best makeup brush cleaners—many that professional artists swear by—makes the process a little less tedious.

To answer your question: Yes, you have to wash your brushes. It may seem taxing to frequently wash your makeup tools, but doing so is optimal for the best possible application, and it helps keeps potential skin issues at bay. "If you're just using your brushes on yourself, you should clean them at least once a week to prevent dirt and bacteria from building up and causing blemishes," celebrity makeup artist Jillian Dempsey previously told BAZAAR.com.

Whether you prefer using a liquid, foam, or solid formula to get your go-to tools squeaky clean, read on for our short list of the best makeup brush cleaners on the market. With options from in-demand brands like Cinema Secrets, IT Cosmetics, Sigma Beauty, and more, you'll find one that will remove makeup residue with minimal effort.

Amazon shoppers love to get their brushes as clean as possible with this all-inclusive option. The three-piece set includes a handy (and practically damage-proof) cleansing bowl, LUXE Beauty brush cleaner, plus the brand's spinning attachment that helps wash and dry your essentials in minutes.

The gold standard in makeup brush cleaners, this artist- and editor-approved solution is quick drying, rinse free, and antimicrobial (up to 99.99 percent when used correctly).

This brush spray from the experts at IT Cosmetics was created especially for Ulta and seamlessly dissolves makeup and dirt from both synthetic or natural hair brushes in just a few spritzes.

If you're looking for a solid soap to cleanse brushes and sponges, this one from Sephora includes its own silicone pad for an even deeper clean. Plus, it contains Moroccan argan oil to help keep your bristles soft.

Since this daily brush spray from e.l.f. is only two ounces, you can easily add it to your carry-on or purse to keep your tools spotless while on the go.

Close to 400 Nordstrom customers are raving about this brush cleanser from MAC, with one satisfied shopper writing, "For years, I'd been using a different brand to clean my brushes. I decided to try this on a friend's recommendation, and I am blown away—I couldn't believe the amount of old makeup this was getting out of the brushes I had thought were already clean! As a bonus, this product also sterilizes your brushes. From now on this is the [only] brush cleaner I'll be using!"

This clean foaming option from Sigma Beauty might just help make your cleaning experience a little more fun, and it contains just four ingredients to get the job done (and well).

This scented cleanser is ideal for either deep or spot-cleaning your favorite tools and lifts away even the toughest gel, wax, powder, and cream formulas with water and just a few drops of solution.

This best-selling brush spray cleaner from Tom Ford Beauty not only looks great on your bathroom counter, but also disinfects and conditions bristles and handles while minimizing their drying time.

This compact, lavender-scented solid sponge and brush soap from the pros at Beautyblender creates a low-suds lather to keep your essentials in tiptop shape. It also includes a textured pad that works as both a drying pad and deep cleaning tool.

Here's another professional-favorite makeup brush cleaner that doesn't use harsh ingredients to keep your well-loved tools clean. Better yet, it can also be used to remove makeup from clothing, false eyelashes, and more.