The Best Types of Towels Good for Skin and Hair

When a dermatologist friend mentioned how many of her patients are experiencing skin irritation due to improper towels, I began to think more about them. After all, you wipe your body with a towel every day and nobody thinks to buy a better towel. If you are using rough towels, they can make your problems with skin worse. This guide will provide you with some useful information on various types of towels, in terms of their material and how different fabrics behave on skin and real hair. 

Why Choosing the Right Towel for Skin and Hair Matters 

The texture of towels is more essential than what many individuals realize. A stiff, scratchy towel against one's fragile skin can indeed feel like low-quality sandpaper. Individuals who suffer from either eczema or rosacea have to deal with the constant rubbing of such a dry towel on their skin. On the other hand, wet hair is supposed to be weaker as well. Using a rough towel on wet hair can break the hair without any consequences until it gets noticed sometime later. The absorbent capabilities of a towel also matter. A wet towel may stay damp for hours and become a source of bacteria, which is detrimental for one's skin. In my personal experience, I have noticed that towels that are left to stay folded in an unventilated bathroom, start acquiring a smell soon enough. Even though it's a little detail, it leads to significant problems in maintaining proper skin care. 

7 Best Types of Towels Good for Skin and Hair 

1. Cotton Towels – Top Choice for Daily Use 

There's a reason cotton is the best option available. It is soft, absorbs water easily, and is suitable for all skin and hair types. However, the important thing to consider here is quality. Cheap cotton towels get thinner and rougher after washing them a few times. Therefore, if you need to buy cotton, you need to concentrate on high-quality fabric, but not on the cheap bin. 

2. Bamboo Towels – Ideal for Delicate Skin 

The bamboo towels feel very soft on your skin. More than one person I know was having problems with eczema, and I recommended bamboo towels to them. The major benefit of bamboo towels is that they suck in moisture very quickly and do not irritate sensitive skin. If you are allergic to most stuff, it is a perfect solution in my book. 

3. Microfiber Towels – Best for Drying Hair 

To be honest, there is nothing good about microfiber with respect to your body as it may feel very slippery and cold. However, microfiber is perfect for hair. Due to the fact that the fibers are thinner than those in a regular towel, there is less friction and less damage caused. 

4. Egyptian Cotton Towels - Best for Luxurious Softness 

This is the type of towel that you will feel after being pampered at a luxurious resort hotel. Since Egyptian cotton has longer fibers, it brings the feast of softness to your body. This means that it might cost you a bit more money; however, it is surely worth every penny if you observe dry skin. 

 5. Muslin Towels - Good for Face and Sensitive Skin  

Muslin is thin and doesn’t block air circulation and is generally regarded as an ideal type of towel for facial care. Nowadays, most skincare routines incorporate muslin cloth for cleansing. While I wouldn’t use it for body care, it’s definitely a great option for facial care. 

6. Waffle Towels – Best for Quick Drying 

The textured weave on waffle towels means more surface area and better airflow, so they dry faster than flat weaves. That's a real advantage if you live somewhere humid or you're prone to oily skin, since damp fabric sitting on oily skin isn't ideal. They're also lighter, which some people prefer. 

Best Towel Materials for Different Skin Types 

Best Towel Types for Different Hair Types