Makeup sponges have revolutionized the way we do our makeup and most of us can’t live without them, so keeping them clean should be your number one priority. Not only does a buildup of the foundation look gross and make your sponges harder to use, but dirty sponges could be harming your skin.
You want a clean sponge at all times because, otherwise, it can harbour bacteria and moisture, which can cause breakouts. Reusable sponges cannot be 100% sanitized, the very core of the sponge may always retain bacteria, so if you are concerned about sanitation its best to use disposable sponges or a makeup brush. If you can’t do without them, you can still try and sanitize them as much as you possibly can to avoid any contaminants from getting onto your face.
Wet your sponge with lukewarm water and clean with a bar of antibacterial soap or a cleanser, as you would normally wash your sponge to remove visible dirt and stains. Once the sponge seems to look squeaky clean, place it in a bowl of water and heat in the microwave for 2 minutes on high, this will clean most of the bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Make sure that you let the sponge completely dry before using it or tossing it into your makeup bag, damp sponges in makeup bags tend to be an ideal ground for nasty bacteria and fungi to breed.