Have you ever pulled a dark towel out of the laundry only to discover strange orange, pink, or faded-looking patches that seem impossible to remove?
You may assume the towel is stained, the detergent didn’t work, or something went wrong in the washing machine.
But in some cases, the explanation could be much simpler: a product in your skincare routine may have changed the color of the fabric.
One of the most common culprits is benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient found in many acne treatments.
The Skincare Ingredient That Can Bleach Fabric
Benzoyl peroxide is widely used to treat acne. Dermatologists recommend it because it can help reduce acne-causing bacteria and is available in many over-the-counter products.
But there’s a lesser-known side effect that has nothing to do with your skin.
Benzoyl peroxide can bleach colored fabrics.
The American Academy of Dermatology specifically warns that benzoyl peroxide can bleach clothing, sheets, pillowcases and towels.
That’s why a towel that was once dark blue, gray, black or another deep color may eventually develop noticeably lighter patches.
Why Do the Marks Look Orange or Pink?
The discoloration isn’t necessarily a conventional stain sitting on top of the fabric.
Instead, benzoyl peroxide can act as an oxidizing agent that affects the dyes used to color fabrics. As the color is altered, the underlying fabric can become noticeably lighter.
On some darker towels, that change may appear orange, pink, yellowish or simply faded.
And this is why repeatedly washing the towel may not restore its original appearance.
The problem isn’t necessarily dirt that needs to be removed—the fabric’s color itself may have been altered.
How Does It Get Onto Your Towels?
The process can happen without you even thinking about it.
You might apply an acne treatment to your face, back or another area of your skin. Later, you shower, wash your face or dry yourself with a towel.
Even small amounts of product remaining on your skin can come into contact with the fabric.
The same thing can happen when you use a towel to dry your hands after applying a skincare product.
Over time, repeated exposure can leave noticeable discoloration.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends thoroughly rinsing benzoyl peroxide wash from the skin because doing so can help prevent bleaching of clothes, sheets and towels.
Does This Mean You Should Stop Using Benzoyl Peroxide?
Not necessarily.
Benzoyl peroxide remains a commonly recommended acne treatment. The American Academy of Dermatology describes it as an effective acne-fighting ingredient, particularly for mild acne.
Instead of giving up a product that works for you, a few simple habits can help protect your towels.
Try these simple precautions:
Use white towels.
White towels don’t show bleaching in the same way colored towels do.
Rinse benzoyl peroxide products thoroughly.
If you’re using a benzoyl peroxide wash, follow the product directions and rinse it completely.
Keep a separate towel for your skincare routine.
Having an inexpensive towel that you’re willing to sacrifice can save your favorite towels from discoloration.
Wash your hands after applying acne medication.
This can help prevent the product from transferring to towels, clothing and other fabrics.
Be careful with bedding and clothing, too.
The American Academy of Dermatology notes that benzoyl peroxide can also bleach sheets, pillowcases and clothing.
The Towel May Be Damaged, Not Dirty
Once you understand what’s happening, those mysterious marks make a lot more sense.
A towel covered with orange or pink patches isn’t necessarily evidence that your washing machine is failing or that you’ve been using the wrong detergent.
In some cases, your skincare routine may be responsible.
And unfortunately, once fabric dye has been chemically altered, another wash cycle isn’t guaranteed to bring the original color back.
The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to stop using effective acne treatments. A small change in your routine—such as rinsing thoroughly and using white or designated towels—can help prevent the same thing from happening again.
So the next time you notice an unusual faded patch on your favorite towel, don’t immediately blame the laundry detergent.
Your skincare cabinet might be the real culprit.