Tested by Sylvaia: The Best Sanitizing Sprays for a Quick Brush Clean

The Most Overlooked Step for a Flawless, Breakout-Free Face

We use them every day—swirling them in foundations, powders, and eyeshadows. But if we’re being honest, most of us don’t deep-clean our makeup brushes nearly as often as we should. This isn’t just a makeup problem; it’s a skin problem. Dirty brushes are a breeding ground for breakout-causing bacteria, and they also lead to a streaky, muddy, and unblended makeup application.

While a weekly deep clean with shampoo and water is essential, a quick-clean sanitizing spray is your daily secret weapon. These sprays are designed to dissolve makeup residue and disinfect your brushes in seconds, allowing them to dry almost instantly and be ready for their next use.

To find the most effective and fastest-drying options, we tested three of the most popular brush cleaning sprays on the market, from a professional-grade powerhouse to a drugstore favorite. Here are our top picks.

The Simple “Quick Clean” Method: How to Use a Brush Spray

The process is fast and simple for daily maintenance.

1. Spray and Saturate. Spray the cleaner directly onto your brush hairs until they are damp but not dripping.
2. Swirl and Wipe. Gently swirl the damp brush onto a clean, absorbent paper towel. You’ll see the makeup instantly begin to melt off. Continue to gently wipe the brush back and forth on the towel until it no longer leaves a residue. Let it air dry for a few minutes.

The Sylvaia Ranking: The Top 3 Brush Cleaning Sprays

#1 The Professional Powerhouse: Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner

• The Vibe: The industry-standard, heavy-duty, instant deep cleaner loved by pro makeup artists for its speed and power.
• Why We Love It: This is a true workhorse. It dissolves even the most stubborn, long-wear, and waterproof makeup in a single swipe. Its most incredible feature is that it’s rinse-free and dries in literal seconds, meaning you can clean a brush and use it again almost immediately. It also disinfects the brush and has a distinct vanilla scent.
• Best For: Makeup artists or anyone who needs to deep-clean brushes in a hurry. This is the most powerful and fastest-drying option for stubborn pigments.

#2 The Conditioning Cleanser: IT Cosmetics Brush Bath Purifying Brush Cleaner

• The Vibe: The gentle, conditioning daily refresh for your precious (and expensive) brushes.
• Why We Love It: This spray from IT Cosmetics is a fantastic daily cleanser that is noticeably gentle and conditioning on brush hairs. It effectively removes daily makeup while leaving the bristles feeling soft and supple, never stripped or dry. It has a light, clean scent and dries quickly, making it perfect for daily use to preserve the quality of your tools.
• Best For: Daily cleaning of high-quality natural or synthetic brushes. It’s the best choice for conditioning and preserving the life of your expensive tools.

#3 The Budget-Friendly Essential: e.l.f. Daily Brush Cleaner

• The Vibe: The affordable, convenient spritz for a quick, everyday tidy-up.
• Why We Love It: For its incredibly low price, this spray is a fantastic value for daily maintenance. It’s not designed to be a deep cleaner for heavy, caked-on foundation, but it’s perfect for a light, daily cleanse of your powder, blush, and eyeshadow brushes. It effectively removes surface-level pigment and helps keep your brushes fresh between those essential deep cleans.
• Best For: A budget-friendly option for daily, light-duty cleaning and sanitizing.

The At-a-Glance Comparison Table

The Verdict: The Easiest Habit for Better Skin and Makeup

A quick-clean brush spray is an essential tool for any makeup user. It bridges the gap between those time-consuming deep cleans, ensuring your brushes stay hygienic and perform at their best every single day.

By incorporating this 30-second step into your daily skincare routine, you are actively preventing the breakouts (hormonal acne included) caused by dirty tools and ensuring a smoother, more blended makeup application. It’s the easiest habit to adopt for a more flawless base and healthier skin.