Makeup Sponges: How to Use, Clean, and Replace Them

Makeup sponges are popular because they make it hard to apply too much. A damp sponge presses foundation into the skin and takes away the excess, leaving a thin, even layer. They are also the makeup tool that needs the most care, because a warm, damp sponge is an ideal home for bacteria and mold.

Types of sponge

How to use a sponge

1. Wet it. Hold the sponge under running water until it has fully expanded.
2. Squeeze it out, then squeeze again in a clean towel. It should be damp, not wet. A dry sponge soaks up product and drags on the skin.
3. Apply product to your face, or to the back of your hand, not directly to the sponge.
4. Bounce. Press the sponge onto the skin with a quick, light bouncing motion, sometimes called stippling. Do not wipe or drag.
5. Use the rounded end for large areas and the pointed end for the sides of the nose, the inner corners of the eyes and around the mouth.
6. Work in thin layers, adding more only where you need coverage.

What a sponge is good for

• A sheer, skin-like foundation finish.
• Blending concealer under the eyes.
• Softening the edges of cream blush, bronzer and contour.
• Pressing setting powder under the eyes.
• Fixing heavy makeup: a clean, damp sponge pressed over the face lifts the excess. See Cakey Foundation: Common Causes and Application Tips.

A sponge gives lighter coverage than a brush, because it absorbs some of the product. Makeup Blending: Brushes, Sponges, and Fingers compares the tools.

How to clean a sponge

Ideally, wash it after every use. At the least, wash it every few days.

1. Wet the sponge under lukewarm water.
2. Apply a little gentle soap, shampoo or sponge cleanser.
3. Squeeze and press repeatedly. Do not twist or wring, which tears it.
4. Rinse and repeat until the water runs clear and no foam remains.
5. Squeeze out the water in a clean towel.

For deep stains, soak the sponge in warm, soapy water for a few minutes before washing.

How to dry and store it

• Leave it to dry in the open air, on a clean surface or a ventilated stand.
• Do not put a damp sponge in a closed makeup bag, drawer or sealed case. Trapped moisture leads to mold.
• For travel, use a case with air holes and take the sponge out as soon as you arrive.

When to replace it

Replace a sponge about every one to three months with regular use, and at once if:

• It has tears, nicks or crumbling edges.
• It stays stained after washing.
• It smells musty.
• You see dark spots, which may be mold.
• It no longer expands when wet, or feels hard.
• You have had a skin or eye infection while using it.

Common mistakes

• Using it dry.
• Dragging it across the face.
• Pouring foundation onto the sponge, which wastes product.
• Leaving it damp in a bag.
• Using the same unwashed sponge for weeks.
• Sharing a sponge.

Sponge or brush?

Choose a sponge for light, natural coverage and for dry or textured skin. Choose a brush for more coverage and speed. Many people apply foundation with a brush and finish by pressing with a damp sponge. Makeup Brushes: Types and What They Are Used For explains brush types.

A note on cost and waste

Sponges are replaced often, so an affordable one that you wash properly and replace on time is a better choice than an expensive one kept too long. Some people keep two and alternate, so that each dries fully between uses.

For brush washing, see How to Clean Makeup Brushes at Home, and for general product hygiene, Makeup Hygiene: How to Store and Handle Products.

Related on ArniSun

• How to Clean Makeup Brushes at Home
• Makeup Blending: Brushes, Sponges, and Fingers
• Cakey Foundation: Common Causes and Application Tips
• Makeup Brushes: Types and What They Are Used For
• Makeup Hygiene: How to Store and Handle Products

Sources and further reading

• American Academy of Dermatology: How to clean your makeup brushes