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7 Reasons Your Face Towel Might Be Working Against Your Skin
And the simple swap that gives you a brand new towel every single time.
"This product is absolutely amazing. It's soft and extremely gentle on sensitive skin."
You pick your cleanser carefully. You read the ingredient list on your moisturizer. But the cloth that touches your face last, every morning and every night, is usually the one thing nobody thinks about.
Most face towels are reused for days, washed with scented detergent and softener, and left damp in the most humid room in the house. Here is what that actually means for your skin, and why so many people are switching to a fresh towel every time they wash.
Your "clean" towel is rarely as clean as it looks
University of Arizona microbiologist Dr. Charles Gerba reported that nearly 90% of bathroom towels he tested carried coliform bacteria and about 14% carried E. coli, both markers of fecal contamination. [1] His published research on household kitchen towels found coliform bacteria on 89% of towels and E. coli on 25.6%. [2]
A towel hanging in a warm, humid bathroom stays damp for hours, and every time you dry your hands or body with it, you add to what is already there. Then you press it against your face.
EcoFox fix: every EcoFox towel comes straight out of a closed box, never used by anyone, including you. You use it once, then toss it.
The washcloth that has already been everywhere
Be honest: the washcloth on your shower ledge has probably cleaned your feet, your underarms and everywhere in between. In many homes, the same hand towel gets used by every person in the family.
That cloth then goes straight onto the most delicate skin you have. If you are fighting breakouts, redness or irritation, that is a habit worth breaking.
EcoFox fix: one towel, one use, one face. Nothing carries over from your body, your partner, or yesterday.
Hotel towels: what hidden cameras caught
In a hidden camera investigation by NBC's Rossen Reports, a housekeeper at a US chain hotel was filmed drying the toilet and shower with a towel, then wiping down the counter with the same towel. At another hotel, used drinking glasses were dried with dirty towels from the bathroom floor. [3]
In 2018, footage from more than a dozen five star hotels in China showed cleaners wiping toilets, cups and showers with used towels, and several major chains publicly apologized. [4]
Not every hotel does this. But you have no way of knowing which towel on the rack has been where.
EcoFox fix: the slim box travels with you, so the only thing that touches your face on vacation is a towel you opened yourself.
Try EcoFox Face Towels on Amazon
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Detergent and softener residue does not stay in the laundry room
Washing does not leave fabric perfectly bare. Dermatology researchers have measured detergent residue remaining on fabric after washing [8], and fabric softeners work by design: they leave a coating on the fibers so the towel feels soft.
Fragrance is one of the most common triggers of skin reactions, which is why the American Academy of Dermatology tells people with eczema to use only fragrance free, dye free detergent [7], and why dermatology studies on eczema instruct patients to skip fabric softener altogether. [9] Every time you dry your face with a scented, softened towel, your skin is in direct contact with whatever is left in it.
EcoFox fix: our towels are never laundered and contain no added fragrance, softeners or synthetic additives. Just plant based viscose against your skin.
Rubbing is the enemy of calm skin
The American Academy of Dermatology warns that washcloths and scrubbing can irritate the skin and recommends patting your face dry with a soft towel instead. [5] Its acne guidance says the same: scrubbing with washcloths and sponges can irritate acne prone skin. [6]
Old bath towels get stiffer and rougher with every wash, which makes gentle drying harder.
EcoFox fix: every towel has two sides. The smooth side is for gently patting your face dry or applying toner. The textured 3D pearl side gives you a light, controlled texture for lifting makeup and cleanser. On active breakouts or flared skin, stick to the smooth side and pat, never rub.
Built thicker, bigger and smarter than the cheap stuff
A lot of disposable face towels are thin enough to tear when wet and small enough that you need two. EcoFox towels are made at 90 GSM (grams per square meter, the industry measure of fabric weight and thickness) and measure a full 12 x 10 inches, so one towel handles your whole face, wet or dry.
And they live in a magnetic seal box that snaps shut after every use, helping keep dust, splashes and airborne particles away from the towels you have not used yet. No open bag sitting next to the toilet.
Certified, not just claimed
Anyone can call a product natural. We had ours verified:
- USDA Certified Biobased Product: verified plant based content under the USDA BioPreferred Program
- FSC Certified: the wood pulp behind our viscose comes from responsibly managed forests
- PETA Cruelty Free: never tested on animals
| Feature | Reused washcloth | Typical disposable towel | EcoFox Face Towel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
| |
| Brand new every use | No | Yes | Yes |
| Laundered with detergent or softener | Yes | No | No |
| Thickness | Varies | Often 80 GSM or less | 90 GSM |
| Size | Varies | Often smaller | 12 x 10 in |
| Exfoliating side plus smooth side | No | Usually one texture | Yes |
| Sealed storage | No | Often a pouch or open box | Magnetic seal box |
| Third party certifications | No | Rarely | USDA Biobased, FSC, PETA |
Tested. Trusted. Loved.
Our eco-friendly essentials are becoming everyday favorites! Here's why:
Andrea F.
Already see a massive difference in my skin & I've used them for a week now!
Alexis H.
I am using these for washing my face and I am really happy with how sturdy they are.
Chantal L.
Once I started using face towels rather than my own towels, I haven't quit. These work great!
Valentina N.
This product is absolutely amazing. It's soft and extremely gentle on sensitive skin.
How to use
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Wash your face as usual with your hands.
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Take one towel from the box and snap the lid shut.
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Pat dry with the smooth side, or use the pearl side with micellar water or other cleanser products to lift makeup and debris. Toss after use.
FAQ
Isn't a disposable towel expensive?
Each towel replaces a reused cloth that needs washing with detergent and softener, drying, and replacing when it wears out. With Subscribe and Save you also get 30% off every delivery.
Is it safe for sensitive skin?
EcoFox towels are plant based viscose with no added fragrance, softeners or synthetic additives, and each one is used once. On sensitive or flared skin, use the smooth side and pat, never rub. If your skin is very reactive, try one on a small area first.
Can I reuse a towel?
They are made to be used once, so your face always gets a fresh, never used towel. Many people give a used towel a second life wiping down the sink or mirror before tossing it.
What else can I use them for?
Removing makeup with micellar water, applying toner, drying off after shaving, quick clean ups at the gym, and travel. The slim box fits in a toiletry bag.
Where do I buy?
Right here on our website, or on Amazon, where you can get 20% off a one time purchase with code ECOFOX20 or 30% off with Subscribe and Save.
Your face deserves a fresh start every time.
-
20%
One time purchase: 20% off with code ECOFOX20
-
30%
Subscribe and Save: 30% off first order & 20% off every delivery after, skip or cancel anytime