Jul 14, 2025

What Soap Can I Use to Wash My Eyelash Extensions?

Lash extensions are becoming increasingly popular, so learning to care for them (or teach your clients how to) is extremely important.

Here are some common questions we hear when it comes to caring for extensions:

Why do I have to wash my lash extensions?
What soap can I use to wash my eyelash extensions?
What to clean lash extensions with?

Well you’re in the right place. We’re going to cover everything from why you need to clean your extensions and what to clean lash extensions with.

TL;DR What Soap Can I Use to Wash My Eyelash Extensions?

If you’re wondering asking what soap can I use to wash my eyelash extensions, here’s a quick breakdown:

Use a lash-specific foaming cleanser: Use a cleanser that’s oil free, sulfate free and gentle on the eyes. Our top recommendation is Pure Lash Cleanser — formulated just for extensions, and safe for even the most sensitive clients.
Clean your lashes twice a day: Regularly cleansing your lashes helps improve retention, prevent buildup, and support lash health.
What not to use: No, you can’t use baby shampoo or facial cleanser.

If you’re a nerd like us and want to know more, Keep reading.

Why You Need to Clean Your Eyelash Extensions

Before we get into the what, let’s start with the why. So you’ve never specifically washed your lashes before, why do you have to now that you have extensions?

Well, it has to do with hygiene, retention, preserving the look and curl of the extensions and preventing irritation and infection.

The Role of Lash Hygiene in Retention

Let’s get scientific for a second. Your eyes constantly produce tear film, and your skin continuously sheds dead cells as the new ones surface. These by-products create an ideal food source for bacteria and microscopic mites that live on the skin, eyelids, and eyelashes.

So, now that you have eyelash extensions there is more surface area for the gunk to collect. More bacteria can lead to issues like blepharitis. You don’t want blepharitis. It leads to burning, itching, uncomfortable dry eyes. (This is not the same as an allergic reaction to eyelash extensions)

Cleaning your lashes refreshes the biome and creates a better environment for your lashes. A healthy biome promotes the strongest lash growth and max longevity for your lash extensions. It may sound crazy, but simply washing regularly with the right cleanser can lead to clearer vision and banish symptoms of dry, scratchy eyes, and even prevent the formation of styes.

Yes, we said the right cleanser. So if you are wondering what soap can I use to wash my eyelash extensions, we’ll get into that later.

Preserving the Look and Curl of Lash Extensions

If you’re not doing it for hygiene, then at least do it to preserve the look of your lash extensions.

If you don’t wash your lash extensions, they can become covered in surface oils — this can close your fans and even change the shape of your spikes. Proper washing will remove this oil so they can return to their original fluffiness.

A clean lash line will keep your extensions looking lifted, fluffy, and fresh.

Preventing Irritation and Infection

You want comfortable, happy peepers? You gotta wash em’. Skipping this step makes your eyes more ripe for styes and infections.

Why? Because cleansing removes the cellular debris that builds up daily. If you don’t, oil in the glands can harden, which causes dead skin cells to build up on the margins and prevents quality tear film from being expressed. Your tear film has immune defenses and it keeps your eyes healthy!

As discussed previously, dead skin, natural oils, and tear film create a breeding ground for bacteria and mites. Without regular cleansing, you risk issues like itching, redness, blepharitis and even lash loss.

What to Look for in a Lash-Safe Cleanser

What should you be looking for when picking a lash cleanser? What’s important to know and what soap to use for eyelash extensions?

The answer might surprise you—hint: not all “gentle” products are lash-safe. You want to avoid things that will impact the extensions or glue negatively. Let’s get into it.

Oil-Free, Sulfate-Free, and Gentle on the Eyes

If you’re asking what soap can I use to wash my eyelash extensions, be sure to use one that is gentle on the eyes and avoid ones that have oils or sulfates.

Oil, over time can break down the bonds that hold the extensions in place, which can cause premature shedding. While oils are great makeup removers, they’re not great for extensions.

On the other hand, sulfates are great surfactants, but they are strong and can easily strip away the coating of the extensions and even change the shape over time.

Keep in mind, just because a cleanser is both oil and sulfate free, doesn’t necessarily mean it will be gentle on your eyes. When figuring out what to clean lash extensions with, you want to make sure it’s a lash safe cleanser.

pH-balanced Formula That Won’t Disrupt the Eye’s Natural Barrier

A pH-balanced cleanser supports the natural tear film and won’t irritate or dry out the skin around our eyes. Since the tear film is so sensitive, it can be easily disrupted by cleansers with a pH that’s too harsh.

What Not to Use on Lash Extensions

Generally, you want to avoid using any soap that isn’t specified as a lash shampoo. Cleansers that are safe for your face, might not be the best option for your eyes.

Avoid anything with oils, sulfates, and anything with a harsh pH.

What Soap Can I Use to Wash My Eyelash Extensions?

We’ve covered what not to clean lash extensions with, so what soap can I use to wash my eyelash extensions, you ask?

Let’s look at some lash-safe options, and some that are commonly used but come with caveats.

There are many cleanser options that are made specifically for lash extensions. A great choice (and our favorite) is Pure eyelash cleanser. It doesn’t contain any of the stuff you need to avoid using on your lash extensions. It’s sulfate free, oil free, paraben free, and alcohol free. There’s also no added fragrance, nor added color for all those sensitive peeps out there!

Lash Extension Foaming Cleansers

Lash extension foaming cleansers are the gold standard. These formulas are specifically formulated for lash extensions. They are typically gentle, oil free, and designed to remove debris without compromising retention.

While the lash cleanser you’re using might be okay, not all lash cleansers are created equally. The cleanser you use might be safe for eyelash extensions, but choosing a cleanser that’s proven to be safe and effective is the best choice. Once you know what to clean lash extensions with, your lashes will last longer, look better, and feel healthier.

Our favorite choice is Pure Eyelash Cleanser. Let’s get into why!

What Makes Our PURE Lash Cleanser the #1 Choice?

PLA Pure Eyelash Cleanser is one of the best choices for washing your eyelash extensions. Why? It checks all the boxes for a great cleanser, plus, boxes that you didn’t even know needed to be checked!

PLA Pure Cleanser is

Sulfate Free
Paraben Free
Alcohol Free
Dye Free
Made in an FDA Registered Facility
Complaint with UK and EU Cosmetic Regulations
FDA MoCra Registered
Ophthalmologist Tested
Hypoallergenic
Sensitization Tested
Allergy Tested
Clinical Tested

Need we say more?

Baby Shampoo

If you’ve ever asked “what soap to use for eyelash extensions?” You may have heard some people say to use baby shampoo.

Although commonly recommended in the past due to its gentleness, the idea of using baby shampoo to cleanse lashes or even the eye area is very outdated. Baby shampoo is formulated safe for use on newborns. The manufacturers will explain that it’s not specifically formulated for the eyelashes. While it’s not necessarily unsafe, there are many other options that are superior when we consider formulations for lashes and extensions.

Gentle, Oil-Free Facial Cleansers

Can I use a gentle oil-free cleanser on eyelash extensions? These types of cleansers may have gentle surfactants in them, but because they’re formulated for the face and skin, they might not be super comfortable for the eyes.

When you use a product that stings your eyes, most people reflexively squint tight to keep the cleanser from getting in — this protective flex also prevents the cleanser from getting where it needs to go most — through the individual lashes.

Should I Use a Lash Cleanser or Is Soap Enough?

When asking what soap to use for eyelash extensions, the key is… you don’t actually use soap at all. Regular soap isn’t designed for the delicate eye area, and most formulas include ingredients that are too harsh or oily for lash extensions. Lash-specific cleansers are always the safest bet. They’re made to maintain retention, protect your eyes, and support overall lash health.

Tips on Washing Eyelash Extensions Safely

If you’re a lash artist trying to figure out the best way to wash lash extensions or a client getting home realizing you have no clue what to do, this section is for you. How do we wash extensions safely and what to clean lash extensions with? Keep reading.

How Often Should You Clean Lash Extensions?

You should definitely be washing your lashes at least once a day, but think of cleansing those pretty babies twice a day. Making washing your lash extensions part of your morning and night-time routine will help make sure that you are washing them an appropriate amount and that they are clean from any build-up during the day or any sleepies from the night.

Best Tools to Use for Cleaning Lashes

First, the best tool to use is a lash safe cleanser like PLA Pure Cleanser.

Then, when actually washing your lashes, what to clean lash extensions with? You can use a soft-bristled, fine fiber brush which will be gentle for your lashes while still making sure you have a rich lather going on.

A lint-free towel or disposable paper cloth for patting those eyelashes dry! An optional tool to use after cleaning your lashes is a mini fan to help speed up the drying time.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Eyelash Extensions the Right Way

You’ve made it this far. Now, let’s talk about how to clean eyelash extensions the right way.

Apply 1-2 pumps of lash cleanser directly onto a clean, soft-bristled cosmetic brush, suitable for eyelash extensions.
Apply foam with brush directly onto the lash line of closed eyes, ensuring foam does not melt into the eye.
Use a gentle side to side or circular motion to cleanse the base of the eyelashes and eyelid area. Be sure not to use excessive pressure or friction.
Rinse thoroughly with water.
Gently pat eyes and eyelashes dry with a lint free towel or disposable paper cloth.

What to Avoid After Washing Your Lashes

So you’ve learned how to properly wash your lashes, now let’s talk about what to avoid after washing your lashes.

Friction and lint! Don’t swipe your eyes dry with your thirsty towel. A regular towel will grab your lashes and try and snag them.
Using tissue. Lingering lint can squash your beauty vibe.
Heat! One thing to watch out for is the sudden intense heat from your hair dryer… so don’t use it to dry your lashes. Heat can fry and frizzle your delicate lash tips beyond repair.

Final Words on What to Clean Lash Extensions With

We’ve discussed everything there is to know about what to clean lash extensions with. Caring for your lash extensions starts with keeping them clean. Using the right cleanser is one of the most important lash accessories to keep in your arsenal. It not only improves retention and appearance, it also protects your eye health. Skip the harsh soaps and oily removers and stick with lash safe formulas.

We can count all the ways that Pure Eyelash Cleanser is the best cleanser to offer as a service provider, or to use as a lash client. It was painstakingly developed to meet all of your lash and lid cleansing needs. You’ve got better things to think about than how your lash cleanser was formulated but we worried about those things, so you don’t have to. That’s why PLA is your number one choice for eyelash extension supplies and wholesale lash extension suppliers! Never worry about whether your products are great quality again.