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.
Luxu Face Towels $9 on sale!
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
Clean Skin Club Clean Towels XL $18
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
The Skinny Confidential Disposable Face Towels $24
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
Facemade Disposable Face Towels $12.99
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
Ourmed Face Towels $9 on sale!
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!
More About My Skin & Hair Care Routines
I’ve probably tried them all at this point: Ask Julia: What is the Best Self-Tanner?
If it’s winter, I usually switch to this: I Tested Gradual Self-Tanning Lotions—And Here Are My Thoughts
What’s in my vanity: My Full Makeup Routine: Every Product & Shade I Get Asked About Daily
Here’s how I style my hair: My Go-To Haircut, Color & Styling Tips
Make the little moments more special: Romanticizing Life vs. Making the Everyday Extraordinary
Want more of our product tests? Check these out!
- The Ultimate Test: The Best Steam Mops
- Putting Kitchen Towels to the Test
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- Putting Bed Pillows to the Test
- Ranking the Top 7 Duvet Inserts on Amazon
- Product Test: Portable Phone Chargers
- The Ultimate Cordless Stick Vacuum Test!
- We Tested Rug Pads–Here’s Our Favorite!
- We Tested 30 Hand Soaps to Find the Best of the Best
- Hunting for The Best Can Opener
- The Quest For the Best Hair Towel Wrap
- Unwrapping The Best: Putting Gift Wrap Cutters to The Test
- The Ultimate Test: Finding the Best Nugget Ice Maker
- We Tested Tons of Shaker Bottles For “Sexy Water”—Here Are the Winners
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- Tried & Tested Dripless Tapered Candles
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- Product Test: Mandoline Slicers (Did My Favorite One Hold Up?)
Did you order the clear box for the skin wipes or did it come as part of the subscription? We have been using the Clean Skin Club towels but the carboard box does not look very nice on the countertop.
It didn’t come with our subscription, but I linked it and a cheaper option here.