Video showing how dirty makeup sponges actually are leaves viewers' ‘skin crawling’

It's the question many makeup lovers tend to avoid answering: How often do you clean your makeup brushes and sponges?

While the answer should be 'pretty regularly', there's no doubt that a lot of us tend to neglect our beauty tools when it comes to keeping them nice and clean.

Well, we're pretty sure this video showing how dirty a used makeup sponge can get will have many immediately reaching for the soap and hot water! Take a look:

While many might think a little bit of left-over foundation or cream contour on a beauty blender or brush is harmless, it's certainly time to think again.

As the video above shows, which was uploaded to TikTok by professional brush cleaner @myglamtech, sponges and brushes that regularly apply makeup can 'hold onto a considerable amount of bacteria' - bacteria that will ultimately be spread around your face.

The video explains how researchers have claimed that some used brushes and blenders have been found to be 'dirtier than toilets' due to dead skin, dirt and oils covering each brush fiber, which 'create a breeding ground for bacteria'.

And the video isn't wrong either, with an alarming study conducted by Aventus Clinic revealing that makeup brushes can indeed be dirtier than a toilet — with the tools becoming encrusted in mold, bacteria, yeast and other hellish microbes.

TikTok/@myglamtech

The consistent use of dirty, uncleaned makeup tools can lead to infections, such as a fungal infection, E. coli or a staph infection - all of which can be serious, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Naturally, people on TikTok have been left utterly horrified by @myglamtech's video, with one simply putting: "My skin is crawling."

Another said: "Cleaning mine TODAY," and someone else added: "Ok now I am use a new beauty blender every time."

But some were baffled over the fact that people didn't clean their brushes and sponges in the first place, with one pointing out: "PEOPLE DONT CLEAN THEIR BRUSHES AND WHAT NOT REGULARLY?"

One even said: "Bro this is why I clean mine once a week."

So, we think it's about time to get those makeup brushes and sponges cleaned, don't you?

Getty Images/Stock Photo

To do this, either invest in a professional brush cleaner (such as the GlamTech cleaner) or follow these seven steps recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology:

1. Rinse the tips of your brushes and sponges under lukewarm water to remove residual makeup.
2. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a tablespoon of either gentle shampoo or clarifying shampoo - not dish soap.
3. Swirl each brush/sponge tip in the bowl.
4. Rinse again under lukewarm running water.
5. Continue shampooing and rinsing each brush/sponge until water runs clear.
6. Squeeze out excess moisture with a clean, dry paper towel.
7. Lay brushes/sponges flat on a towel and allow to dry naturally.

Your skin will thank you for doing this, trust us!

Topics: Beauty, Make-Up, TikTok

Emily Puckering

Emily is a sub-editor at LADbible Group. With degrees in English Language and Multimedia Journalism, she works with the editorial team on LADbible, UNILAD and Tyla sub-editing and writing articles. And for those who are interested, Emily is from East Yorkshire which means she makes a cracking cuppa.

@emily_puckering