Ask Julia: What Are The Best Disposable Face Towels?
I’ll be the first to admit that I am a creature of habit when it comes to my skincare routine. For a while, I used a microfiber face towel, and then I switched over to Clean Skin Club single-use face towel subscription. They’ve been on autopilot for a while now, and I didn’t really think twice about it—until I realized I left my entire stash at home on a recent trip to the lake house. And within a day of using a regular washcloth, I already had a zit. Noooo! It’s no wonder I consider face towels to be one of the biggest game-changers when I’m removing makeup and cleaning my face at night. It’s such a ritual I’ve come to love.
Being a product tester at heart, I jumped on Amazon because it was the perfect opportunity for a little “skincare investigation.” I rounded up five of the top-rated competitor towels on the market to see if my current favorite still held the crown for softness, thickness, and that “spa-like” absorbency we’re all after. Or if there was an alternative subscribe-and-save option that might save me a few bucks, since I go through one a day!
(Hint: After I use a face towel, I turn it over and wipe down the sink every night so it can do double duty!)
The Blind “Face Rub” Test
To keep things completely unbiased, I did a blind “face rub” test, rating each towel on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. If I’m going to use a disposable towel every single night, it has to feel like a little everyday luxury, not a chore.
Retail Price: $12.99/50 count ($0.26 each)
Size: 9.8″ x 9.8″
Review: Very soft—possibly the softest of all. Extremely absorbent. 100% biodegradable from 100% plant fiber. OEKO-TEX-certified, meaning they’ve been tested against 1,000+ harmful substances and found to be clear.
Rating: 5 stars
Retail Price: $17.95/50 count ($0.36 each)
Size: 10″ x 12″
Review: These are amazing. 100% USDA certified, bio-based viscose product, and compostable. They now have a magnetic seal on the top lid to help with keeping them hygienic. I’ll continue to grab these when they’re on sale, since I love them and they’re generously sized!
Rating: 4 stars
Retail Price: $24/50 count ($0.48 each)
Size: 5″ x 5″ scalloped circle
Review: Made of 100% rayon from bamboo, these are silky smooth. They’re organic, biodegradable, compostable—all the good things. The look with the scalloped edges is fancy, but you’re using a lot of real estate, they’re nothing super special, and pretty pricey.
Rating: 3 stars
Retail Price: $12.99/60 ($0.22 each)
Size: 12″ x 12″
Review: Made from 100% premium viscose, but they’re just kind of hard to distinguish from any other ones. They don’t really stand out in the crowd, though they are the largest of the bunch.
Rate: 2 stars
Retail Price: $12.99/100 count ($0.12)
Size: 7.8″ x 7.8″
Review: Chris’s take on this: “I already know this is the crappy one.” It’s made from “natural wood-based fiber” that’s free from formaldehyde and fluorescent agents. These are smaller and not as thick. You get what you pay for, and it’s not worth it.
Rating: 1 star
The Winner of the Face Towel Product Test
I was a Clean Skin Club Clean Towels XL subscriber for a long time, but I have to admit, the Luxu Face Towels edged it out for pricing. If the Clean Towels are on sale, I may still grab those. But Luxu is great for stocking up!
Want more of our product tests? Check these out!
