Your makeup tools are the backbone of your beauty kit. Not cleaning them regularly can harm your skin, shares Shalini Trehan
Looking our best is one of the most quintessential things no matter the occasion. We often forget that not cleaning our makeup tools properly can harm our skin in more ways than one. The bacteria and germs on them causes your skin to react, which can later lead to acne and skin irritation.
One of the most simple ways to protect your skin is to ensure you clean your tools regularly. It is the only hygienic way to keep your skincare routine effective. You can avoid several rashes, skin irritations, acne issues and skin clogging by cleaning your tools frequently.
Here’s a beginner’s guide to get you started:
Scrub all metal tools with an old brush. Use an antibacterial soap and warm water to wash them.
- Clean the corners, edges and curves of your tools with cotton or a q-tip with rubbing alcohol to rid away from the lingering bacteria.
- Wipe down your plastic material tools such as toe separators and cuticles sticks with rubbing alcohol after every use.
- Clean your powder brushes at least two to three times a week. You can wash them with gentle cleansers or mild shampoo.
- Brushes used for liquid foundation, concealers and eye shadows should be cleaned daily, if possible. Ensure that they are dried before use. Do not keep them damp or wet because that can also cause bacteria to grow and gather mould.
- Towel dry your tools to get rid of excess moisture. You can also squeeze the delicate whiskers before towel drying.
- Brushes can also be dried by hanging them upside-down in a dry place.
- Ideally, change your tools every year. Most cosmetics come with a time until they can be best used. Often, they can be used even after the expiry but don’t use them beyond a reasonable time. Old and outdated cosmetics are harmful.
- You can use disposable brushes and applicators to avoid any kind of germs and infections. Regular tools are popular and some times expensive. Disposable tools can also be cost-effective and retain your flawless skincare routine.
- Every week clean the edge of jars, tubes, caps and covers of all cosmetics and makeup tool storage.
- Clean out the leftover product from the edges and lipsticks with clean cotton pads.
The cleaner your products, dresser, storage and tools are, better effective your skincare routine will be. Keep your storage space dry and tidy. It is essential that all your makeup products are kept away from the sun and heat providing sources. Clean your cosmetics and makeup frequently so they last longer and give you exciting results on every occasion. A clean vanity bag is a secret to healthy skin and your sparkling beauty.
(The writer is the co-founder of Recode.)
