How To Get Rid Of Mold On Beauty Blender? Comprehensive Guide

Beauty sponges are notorious for developing mold, and the internet has recently been inundated with tutorials on how to get rid of it.

A beauty sponge is a must-have for anyone who enjoys applying cosmetics. It can be used for a variety of purposes, including foundation blending and cream contouring.

However, if you don’t properly care for your beauty sponge, mildew and fungus will begin to form on it. That’s why we’ve done thorough research on the best methods for removing mold from beauty sponges, and you can also check out our post on how to prevent mold in your closet for prevention advice.

Cleaning Your Moldy Beauty Blender

Cleaning your makeup sponges is equally as vital as cleaning your makeup brushes. You may already be aware of this, but did you know? If they are not properly cared for, these products might become infested with bacteria and even mold.

Fortunately, there are a number of simple and effective ways to keep your beauty blender in peak condition. Now that you’ve learned that your sponge is vulnerable to mold, fungi, and bacteria, it’s time to discuss some practical methods for removing them from your sponge.

Method #1. Microwave technique

Believe it or not, this is a direct beam of light. You can eliminate up to 99 percent of germs with just a few minutes of effort, which is perhaps the nicest thing.

Beauty sponges can be harmed if they are overheated. A waste of time and money would ensue.

Only a few easy steps are involved.

You’ll need a lukewarm water to soak your beauty blender thoroughly.

With your fingertips, massage a dime-sized amount of gentle cleanser into the beauty blender and work it into a lather with the sponge.

Step #3: Use a cosmetic brush cleaning mat or a textured surface to clean and remove any dirt from the beauty blender.

Step 4: Rinse completely, then use the beauty blender to press out any remaining water. Before reusing, allow the material to dry thoroughly.

Method #2. Vinegar solution

Another great approach to get rid of mold on a beauty sponge is to use apple cider vinegar.

It’s easy to see why you’re skeptical given the strong stink. If you give it a few hours of cautious storage, we promise it will go away.

Beauty sponges can be soaked in full-strength vinegar for five minutes in a dish or container. Despite the fact that it may not entirely destroy all germs, it will likely eliminate 97% to 98% of the bacteria.

Is it safe to use a beauty blender with mold?

To summarize, the answer to your question is an emphatic yes. In the event that you’ve exhausted all of the methods above to remove mold and bacteria from your home, you may still need to hire a professional.

You don’t need to spend money on a new sponge if you don’t intend to improve your storage strategy.

Tips On Cleaning Your Beauty Sponges Regularly

It doesn’t matter if you apply your foundation with a brush or a sponge, or if it’s a liquid or powder formula. This is especially important when working with porous devices like a beauty blender, as previously stated.

Listed after that are a few more things to think about:

Step #1: Wet your beauty blender and begin.

Step #2: Clean the blender with a beauty blender cleanser or soap.

In step #3, you should let the soap and water soak in your blender while you work on making it into a nice lather.

Rub the beauty blender with care, since you don’t want to damage it.

Rinse the sponge with clean water after you’ve removed all the dirt.

After pressing out all of the excess moisture, allow the cloth to air-dry in a well-ventilated place.

How to prevent mold on beauty blenders?

To begin, refrain from storing your beauty sponge in a zipper storage bag. Instead, ensure that it is stored with adequate airflow.

Direct sunlight should be avoided by beauty blenders because it can degrade the sponge’s quality and promote the growth of fungus. Our personal favorite is a mesh tote.

You should also clean the sponge after each use with an antibacterial cleanser. Use the cleaner that comes with the item or that you bought separately. It’s that simple!

Before putting it in the mesh bag, make sure it’s completely dry. You’ll only be able to avoid the bad spots if you do it this way.

Here are some pointers on how to keep mold from growing on clothing stored in a closet.

13 Best Beauty Blenders and Makeup Sponges

Best Overall: Beautyblender The Original Makeup Sponge

Why You Should Like Us

• A product that has won awards
• MUA-recommended
• Works in both rainy and dry conditions.
• Simple to clean

Something That Frustrates Us

• Pricey

Since its first release in 2003, the Beautyblender has maintained its position as the best-in-class makeup sponge. To make application, blending, and the airbrushed appearance possible, this award-winning beauty tool is comprised of ultra-plush but dense latex-free foam.

Beautyblender is a favorite of celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz. According to Byrdie, “They have a variety of shapes and colors that are always interesting to play with with.” “Also, they’re easy to clean, and most significantly, they make your foundation application appear immaculate.”

Latex-free foam is used in the construction of this egg-shaped cushion.

Best Budget: Wet n Wild Makeup Sponge

Why You Should Like Us

• Budget-friendly
• Versatile
• liquid or powdered materials can be used
• Simple to clean

Something That Frustrates Us

• Possibly overly permeable

Several of the greatest blender sponges may be purchased for just a few dollars. Wet n Wild’s egg-shaped concealer may be used for concealing, contouring, highlighting, and streak-free blending thanks to its pointed tip and flat side.

Sponge | Egg shape with flat side | Large size

Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender

Why You Should Like Us

• Budget-friendly
• A well honed tip
• Simple to clean

Something That Frustrates Us

• Not particularly long-lasting
• Wet usage is not advised.

L’Oréal’s Blend Artist is another favorite of ours. The rounded sides and pointed tip of this pear-shaped beauty sponge help you mix liquid foundation and cream concealer from all angles.

Sponge | Pear Shape | Large Size

Best Value: Beauty Bakerie Blending Egg Beauty Sponges

Why You Should Like Us

• a group of six
• liquid or powdered materials can be used
• Simple to clean

Something That Frustrates Us

• All of the same dimensions.

You can have a blender for each step of your make-up application process with this six-pack from Beauty Bakerie. A sharp tip on the end of each egg-shaped sponge makes it easy to apply and combine liquids and powders, and the egg carton packaging is a bonus.

Egg-shaped, latex-free foam material, in a large size.

Best Mini: Ulta Mini Sponges Super Blender

Why You Should Like Us

• Budget-friendly
• a size that is exact
• A three-piece set

Something That Frustrates Us

• Cleaning this one will be a challenge.

Minis are usually a good idea to keep on hand. They come in three packs and are little over an inch tall, making them perfect for contouring your nose and mixing concealer under your eyes.

Sponge free of latex | Egg-shaped | Small in size

Best Microfiber: Juno & Co. Microfiber Velvet Sponge

Why You Should Like Us

• Fibers that are incredibly supple
• Versatile
• Works in both rainy and dry conditions.

Something That Frustrates Us

• Not particularly long-lasting

This sponge-brush hybrid has a foam core and a microfiber surface and is a fantastic beauty tool. For applying blush, contour, and highlighter, as well as blending big regions of the face, the super-soft fibers are the best choice.

A medium-sized egg with a flat surface made of microfiber and sponge.

Best K-Beauty: Kaja Love Beat Makeup Sponge

Why You Should Like Us

• Plush texture
• Thick, soft feel
• liquid or powdered materials can be used

Something That Frustrates Us

• No precision edges

Edges that aren’t precise

Latex-free sponges in the shape of a heart are used in this product.

Best Water-Activated: Uoma Beauty Hey Big Head! Dual-Density Makeup Sponge

Why You Should Like Us

• There are two densities to choose from.
• Versatile
• liquid or powdered materials can be used

Something That Frustrates Us

• It’s too big to be used precisely.

If you’re looking to apply liquid items, the stiffer and less porous Uoma dual-density sponge is ideal. The water-activated design expands to nearly twice its original size, making it easy to cover vast portions of your face quickly and seamlessly.

Latex-free foam material | Egg shape with angled bottom | Large size

Best Mattifying: Real Techniques Miracle Airblend Sponge

Why You Should Like Us

• For a matte look, use this.
• A well honed tip
• liquid or powdered materials can be used

Something That Frustrates Us

• Not particularly long-lasting

Get rid of the shine by using a high-quality sealant. Your new best friend is the Miracle Airblend Sponge. Mattifying coverage and seamless blending on textured skin are made possible by its unique memory foam structure.

Egg-shaped with an inclined bottom made of memory foam; it’s medium in size.

Best for Application: e.l.f Cosmetics Dual-Sided Silicone Blender

Why You Should Like Us

• Budget-friendly
• Material that isn’t permeable
• Simple to clean

Something That Frustrates Us

• There isn’t a fine point.

The non-porous silicone substance on the silicone side of this beauty sponge makes it suitable for applying liquids and creams. Using the sponge side of the brush when you’re ready to blend will give you a smooth finish.

Silicone and foam | Flat teardrop shape | Large size

Best for Foundation: Sephora Collection Total Coverage Original Sponge

Why You Should Like Us

• Builds coverage well.
• Works in both rainy and dry conditions.
• A well honed tip

Something That Frustrates Us

• Cleaning this one will be a challenge.

The Original Sponge from Sephora is one of Nawabi’s go-to foundation sponges. According to her, “the application is much more even, and I have a lot more discretion in establishing the quantity of coverage my clients want.”

Latex-free sponge | Shape: Pear | Size: Small

Best for Concealer: Tarte Foundcealer Multi-Tasking Sponge

Why You Should Like Us

• Angles and tips that are precisely measured
• Versatile
• Works in both rainy and dry conditions.

Something That Frustrates Us

• Not particularly long-lasting

Your best bet is Tarte’s Foundcealer Sponge. If you want to conceal or emphasize your under-eye area or your forehead, the narrow pointed tip and flat edges of this brush make it ideal for precision blending.

Sponge | Egg shape with flat sides | Medium size

Best for Contouring: Morphe Highlight & Contour Beauty Sponge

Why You Should Like Us

• Budget-friendly
• Angles and tips that are precisely measured
• Works in both rainy and dry conditions.

Something That Frustrates Us

• Not particularly long-lasting

This beauty sponge’s flat edges and precise tip make it ideal for mixing cream contour and other complexion-based products. If you want an airbrushed look, dampen the brush before bouncing it around your face for the best results.

A latex-free sponge in the shape of an egg with two flat sides.

Best for Powder: Fenty Beauty Precision Makeup Sponge

Why You Should Like Us

• Specifically created for use with stamping and stippling.
• The point of a moon
• Works in both rainy and dry conditions.

Something That Frustrates Us

• Liquids and creams will not work well.
• No precise tinnitus.

Also, Nawabi uses makeup sponges to apply powder. Using Fenty by Rihanna’s Precision 100, you may use the flat side for stamping and stippling loose powder, the little moon-shaped tip for setting the under-eye area, and the rounded bottom for buffing all over the face.

Sponge made of latex-free material; egg-shaped with a flat side; medium in size

Best for Baking: Jane Iredale Flocked Sponge

Why You Should Like Us

• It removes any extra powder.
• a seamless fusion
• Long-lasting

Something That Frustrates Us

• Not particularly long-lasting

You can use Jane Iredale’s Flocked Sponge to bake your eye makeup and shape your cheekbones with ease. Blending wet and dry products has never been so easy because to the unusual shape and high-quality materials.

Sponge devoid of latex | Flat shape | Large size

Best Biodegradable: EcoTools Bioblender Biodegradable Makeup Sponge Duo

Why You Should Like Us

• A two-piece arrangement.
• Works in both rainy and dry conditions.
• Eco-friendly containers

Something That Frustrates Us

• It’s short-lived.

Trying to reduce the amount of beauty products that end up in landfills? They’re made of corn and bionanopol (a compostable sponge substance), which means they’re completely biodegradable.

Corn, bionanopol, and the shape of an egg with a flat side.

Best Set: Beakey 3+1 Pcs Makeup Sponges with Kabuki Contour Brush

Why You Should Like Us

• A three-piece set
• A brush is included in the package.
• As an illustration, consider the following scenario:

Something That Frustrates Us

• Cleaning this one will be a challenge.

It includes everything you need to apply, mix, and set your makeup with this four-piece package. A kabuki brush with curved bristles and three huge sponges, including a classic egg, a flat-sided egg, and a pear, are all included.

It’s made of latex-free foam, nylon, and a variety of shapes.

What to Look for in a Makeup Sponge

Density

The denser the makeup brush, the less porous it is—which means it’s less likely to absorb all of your products. A high-density brush will be great for seamlessly applying a full coverage foundation. Lower density sponges are better for blending light to medium coverage foundations.

Texture

The less porous the brush is, the less likely it is to absorb all of your makeup. A full-coverage foundation can be applied smoothly using a high-density brush. For light to medium coverage foundations, a sponge with a lower density is preferable.

Ability to Clean

This is a critical consideration. To reduce product accumulation and bacteria, a good makeup sponge should be easy to clean and keep dry.

Size

Size matters when it comes to makeup sponges. It’s a question of personal opinion, but large sponges are ideal for blending because they cover a greater area. However, smaller sponges are ideal for precise application and difficult-to-reach places.

How Often Should You Replace Your Beauty Blender?

That time someone broke open a BeautyBlender sponge and the horrible (and moldy) consequences became viral? There’s a lesson to be learnt from the disgusting state of the product, and I’m sorry for unearthing repressed memories. Makeup sponges, like other cosmetics, have expiration dates that should not be overlooked.

Hence the importance of periodically washing and finally replacing the instruments you use to paint on your daily face beat, explains Beverly Hills dermatologist Ava Shamban. She recommends washing and replacing blenders and sponges every three months. They can be washed in a washing machine if they’re extremely damp and smelly.

To avoid germs growth (ewwwwww), we should clean our instruments after each usage, says Shamban. Bacteria can overgrow in the sponges because of the accumulation of skin cells. If left unchecked, the overgrowth can irritate your skin and exacerbate any existing blemishes. Using a sponge to apply cosmetics could cause an inflammatory reaction, so long as there are no probable allergens left in the sponge.

You could, of course, prevent the risk of overgrowth entirely by not using a sponge at all, but that isn’t a practical option. Instead of using a sponge, celebrity beauty artist Molly Stern uses disposable wedges to apply her makeup smoothly. According to her, “you can never really get a sponge clean — like bacteria-free clean” with the BeautyBlender. It makes sense, given Stern’s everyday encounters with Hollywood’s A-listers.

For Stern, that isn’t an option, so she uses high-quality premium wedge sponges, which are super-smooth and disposable. Disposable [wedges] are better for me because I only need them once or twice. What’s yours? The winner of “Best of Beauty”

FAQ

How often should you clean your makeup sponge?

Renee Loiz, one of our resident makeup artists, suggests washing your makeup sponge once a week with soap and a cleansing pad to keep bacteria at away.

How do you clean your makeup sponge?

After rinsing the sponge with soap, gently run your fingers into the sponge to disperse the soap, and then use a wiping pad to remove any remaining product.” Loiz advises rinsing under water and repeating the process if necessary.

When should you use a sponge versus a makeup brush?

When applying powders, Loiz recommends using a brush, however when applying liquid and cream products, Loiz recommends using a sponge. “Sponges allow you greater control to pat the product evenly into the skin, but brush often looks streaky when you use liquid or cream products.”

Conclusion

One of the most prevalent health hazards in the beauty industry is the widespread use of contaminated sponges. This led us to discuss the topic and offer some tips on how to care for it.

Keep an eye out for any black streaks on your sponge when applying makeup. Stay safe and avoid problems and health hazards by following our cleaning advice on how to remove mold from beauty blender.