Why You Should Never Share a Towel
At first glance, sharing a towel for your face might seem harmless since you’re wiping clean skin. But Parade experts highlight this is a big mistake many fall into.
Dr. Hooman Khorasani, a dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, explains, “Sharing towels or washcloths increases the risk of spreading germs—especially if one user has acne, herpes, or a skin infection. And this holds true even if the towel looks clean!”
Dr. Elizabeth Mullans, another dermatologist, confirms the risk: “People really shouldn’t share towels! Bacteria and viruses spread easily this way.” She adds that staphylococcus bacteria, a common cause of skin problems and infections, can live in moist nasal passages—even in healthy people.
“Using the same towel can pass these bacteria to others who might be more vulnerable to infections.”
Use Your Face Towel Only for Your Face
Parade also points out that the problem isn’t just sharing towels, but also using the same towel for both your face and hands—especially after using the restroom. “If someone doesn’t wash their hands thoroughly, the towel can pick up bacteria that then transfer to your skin,” says Dr. Mullans. Dr. Khorasani adds that hand towels can harbor even more germs, leading to irritation, damage to the skin’s protective barrier, and breakouts.
How Often Should You Change Your Towel?
Experts agree: your face towel should be for your face only, and used by you alone. But how long can you keep using the same one? Both doctors agree that ideally, towels should be washed after every use. Of course, they know this isn’t always practical.
Dr. Mullans says, “If you wring out your towel and let it dry well after each use, you can safely use the same one for up to two days.” However, if you have a bacterial or viral infection (like herpes), always use a fresh towel each time. Dr. Khorasani adds that bacteria can multiply on towels if used multiple times without washing.
They also stress that even if you’re the only one using the bathroom, never dry your face with the same towel you use for your hands after washing.
“Washcloths remove makeup and dirt, some of which can remain on the towel even after rinsing. If you use a dirty cloth, what’s the point of cleaning your face?”
Finally, they highlight a surprising fact: towels used during showers are often underestimated. Dr. Khorasani explains, “The warm, humid bathroom environment is perfect for bacteria, fungi, and mold. These can get back on your skin and increase the chances of acne, infections, and irritation—especially for sensitive or eczema-prone skin.”
If you truly want to care for your skin, experts say be strict: never share towels, and don’t use the same one for too long!
