Most of us are frequent users of makeup and tan, applying the two more often than we are ever maintaining the applicators themselves! It might seem as though it is too small and insignificant of a thing, even to contemplate washing the applicators after a long and hard day. Still, it has been proven by dermatologists and makeup professionals alike that we should be cleaning our applicators at least once a week. This means, at least every Sunday, we should put aside some TLC for our applicators, whether they be for our makeup or our tan.

As an acne sufferer, when I first developed the condition to reduce inflammation and spots, I immediately looked at my makeup application’s methods and practices. Bacteria, of course, is one of the leading causes of acne, there are other factors, such as hormonal triggers, but I was first concerned about the immediate suspect. This meant I became much more vigilant when setting aside the time cleaning the sponges in boiling hot water and salt to rinse them and kill the bacteria. My cleaning regime became the sole focus of my makeup application. Unfortunately, my acne did not dissipate. It was later discovered to be hormonal acne. I am now on doctor-prescribed treatment, which does help to remove the blemishes and prevent them from forming.

I have now slipped back into old routines of not maintaining my applicator hygiene, and although I do not attribute the cause of my acne to the sponges and brushes, I have noticed that I do have spots in some of the places I did not at the peak of my acne. This made me re-evaluate the way I see maintenance. The exciting thing that I have found is that the worse my hygiene is, in terms of the applicators being washed and sterilized, the worse my face surface is when I apply my foundation. My face is drier, as I have also set aside less time to clean and wash my face, the resurfacing, and the killing of the bacteria, which I so religiously did once a week under the LED light. The overall maintenance, self-care, and cleaning rituals should be so central to our lives for the maximum benefit of health, hygiene, and the result of sitting in a makeup chair for over an hour.

The takeaway message is that it is all linked. The time we spend on self-care and preparation seems arduous and lengthy. It appears as though it can’t have much of an impact, just like how we forget to change our bedsheets often, but as bedbugs bite us in the night when we do not alter our bedsheets, don’t let the bacteria on your face get out of control, you can’t see bedbugs with the naked eye. But we most certainly spot those pimples on our faces.

Click here to see how I wash my brushes 

Written by Emma Hitchman

Image Source: Adobe.Stock – Anetlanda