The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
Even if you’re the most diligent face washer with the strictest skin care routine, you should be warned of one culprit that could be preventing you from achieving your best skin possible: your towel. This household essential is a possible breeding ground for germs that could get reintroduced onto your freshly cleaned skin.
Dr. Noah Gratch, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City, said that most traditional towels can harbor a great deal of bacteria in humid environments if not dried properly, especially in bathrooms.
“This can negatively impact your skin, causing your skin to become irritated and break out. When you use a regular towel, you are spreading bacteria all over your body, product buildup, and oils,” Gratch said.
While single-use disposable facial towels are certainly a popular choice, they’re also not the most cost-effective and waste-conscious product for everyone. We asked Gratch what he thought about alternatives such as the Sutera waffle knit towels, which have been treated with antimicrobial properties to prevent bacterial growth.
“Antimicrobial towels can be a great alternative to mitigate bacteria transfer on the skin. They are designed to slow down bacterial growth on towels,” he said, adding that, in damp environments, this type of treated towel tends to stay fresher after washing them compared to your average terry cloth one.
In addition to being made from 100% California-grown pima cotton, the Sutera towels are infused with silver, which, according to Gratch, has been shown “to reduce bacteria growth and kill germs.”
The towels’ double-waffle weave also plays a critical role in preventing unwanted growth.
They absorb water better and dry significantly faster than traditional towels, so mildew doesn’t have time to develop. These high-strength fibers promise to be resistant to pilling and stand up longer to multiple cycles through the wash.
Some of the most common claims from people who have purchased these towels spoke to their quality and how quickly they managed to dry and stave off that musty, mildewy smell that towels can sometimes get.
“Soaks up moisture quickly. Dries crazy fast. And best of all - NO STINK,” one reviewer wrote.
Available in white and gray, these towels come in standard washcloth sizes, hand towels, and a bath towel size that reviewers also say is much larger than what you normally expect from bath towels. The hand and bath sizes are sold individually, while the washcloths are sold in a set of four.
Read on and you’ll find that several other reviewers like these towels so much, they’re re-purchasing them in multiples and throwing out their old ones. Grab a set for yourself from Amazon using the link above.
“I cannot say enough good things about these towels. I bought the hand, wash cloths and large bath towel, and I couldn’t be happier. The large bath towel is especially great, I will probably buy a 2nd. These are very strong, well made, but also lighter than normal towels and dry much faster. A little more expensive than average towels, but I’m sure you’ll be keeping them for much longer. If you’ve ever been to a fancy spa, this is similar to the type of towel you will experience there. Excellent quality.” — Nathan Westwood
“Know what you’re signing up for. This is not the plush cotton towel you are used to. It’s thinner, but super light-weight (doesn’t pull your hair give you a headache while your hair dries ladies). But, it’s not plush soft. It’s not harsh, but gives a kind of exfoliating feel when drying. It’s HUGE compared to regular bath towels. Soaks up moisture quickly. Dries crazy fast. And best of all - NO STINK. I can’t stand that musty mildew smell my old towels would get. I’m a fan! Ordered more.” — Mel K
“I initially purchased one of the towels to test and see if it was worth it. I was looking for several things. A more absorbent towel. My regular towels just dont take off the moisture after a shower. i was also looking for something that was easier to store. this towel exceeded my expectations so much that i purchased a total of four and im in the process of getting rid of all of my other towels.” — craig brooks
“Dries fast like it says good thickness nice lightweight but weighty enough. I’m going to order the white. I wish they had more colors. As far as the antibacterial part goes so far so good. I don’t smell the wet towel smell or bacteria like I did on my old regular towels. I love the size of the bath towel and the hand towel. They are larger than your average bath and hand towel. We did not shrink they washed and dried really nicely.” — Teena M. Bierschbach
“I was looking for a bath towel that had antimicrobial properties so it wouldn’t smell after just a few days of use and require frequent washing. I decided to give this product a chance after checking if the silver ion infusion was both safe and effective. I’m now a believer! It’s over a week and no bad smell! The material dries very quickly for extra convenience.
I would definitely give this product a chance if you’re tired of cheap, ineffective towels.” — Johnathan S.