How To Choose the Best Towels for Sensitive Skin

Itchy and inflamed or dry and flaky—sensitive skin is no fun. It’s even worse when you rinse off the irritants, only for your bath towel to trigger your symptoms again. That’s why choosing the right towel is essential for keeping your sensitive skin clear and healthy. Find the best bath, face, and hand towels for sensitive skin with our expert guide—plus care tips to help your favorite towels stay soft and soothing longer. 

Features To Consider in Towels for Sensitive Skin

Understanding how common towel features cause and worsen skin conditions can help you pick the right one for you. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing the perfect towel: 

Image of Woman with soft towel to her face
  • Softness: Rough fibers are abrasive and can worsen skin irritation. Soft towels are gentler and less likely to trigger flare-ups, and softness is especially important when picking a towel for delicate facial skin. 
  • Absorbency: Towels that absorb moisture quickly require less rubbing and patting to get you dry, meaning less friction that can cause or exacerbate irritation. 
  • Drying Time: A towel that dries quickly will limit the growth of germs and bacteria, which are common irritants and can worsen eczema, acne, and other skin conditions. 
  • Free From Irritants: Our towels are all OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified, meaning they’re free of substances like harmful dyes, pesticides, and chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin. 
  • Towel Weight: GSM (grams per square meter) indicates the weight and density of a towel. Lightweight towels (300-400 GSM) make great face towels and are good for those with acne-prone skin, while medium-weight (400-600 GSM) and ultra-plush (600-900 GSM) towels are even softer and more absorbent.