Those strange orange or pale marks on your towels can be confusing at first, especially when they seem to appear out of nowhere. In most cases, the culprit is benzoyl peroxide—a common ingredient found in acne treatments from brands like PanOxyl, Clearasil, and Neutrogena. While effective for treating breakouts, this ingredient acts as a strong oxidizing agent, meaning it can bleach fabrics on contact, much like household bleach.

On darker towels—black, navy, or charcoal—the effect is especially noticeable. Instead of turning white, the fabric often shifts to orange, yellow, or even pink tones. This happens because the darker dyes break down first, exposing lighter underlying pigments. A quick way to tell what you’re dealing with: if the spot looks lighter than the surrounding fabric, it’s likely bleaching. If it’s darker, you’re probably looking at a typical stain.

Unfortunately, once this kind of damage happens, it’s permanent. The color isn’t just stained—it’s been chemically removed from the fibers. No amount of washing, scrubbing, or soaking will bring the original color back. In some cases, leftover residue from these products can even transfer during laundry, affecting other items if they’re washed together.

To avoid the problem, simple adjustments can go a long way. Using white towels for your face, rinsing thoroughly after applying acne treatments, or switching to alternatives like salicylic acid can help protect your fabrics. And if a towel is already affected, it doesn’t have to go to waste—it can still serve a purpose as a cleaning cloth or gym towel. Sometimes, understanding the cause is the best way to prevent the frustration from happening again.