Strange orange or light-colored marks on towels are most commonly caused by benzoyl peroxide, a powerful acne-fighting ingredient widely used in both over-the-counter and prescription skincare products. This compound is designed to kill acne-causing bacteria, reduce inflammation, and help unclog pores, making it a go-to solution for people dealing with breakouts. You’ll find it in well-known products like PanOxyl, Clearasil, and Neutrogena, as well as in many dermatologist-prescribed creams and gels. While it’s highly effective for improving skin, it has an unintended side effect that often surprises people: it can permanently damage fabrics.

When benzoyl peroxide comes into contact with towels, pillowcases, clothing, or even bedsheets, it doesn’t behave like a typical stain. Instead of simply sitting on the surface of the fabric, it acts as a bleaching agent. Chemically, benzoyl peroxide releases oxygen molecules that break down the color (dye) in fabrics. This oxidation process is similar to how bleach works, which is why the marks often appear as faded, orange, or pale spots rather than dark stains. In essence, the color isn’t being covered up—it’s being stripped away.

These marks often show up in seemingly random patterns, which can make them confusing at first. You might notice light patches on a towel after drying your face, uneven discoloration on pillowcases, or streaky marks on clothing that came into contact with your skin. Because the damage occurs at a chemical level, it can continue even after the fabric has been washed. If there is still residue from a skincare product on your skin or hands when you touch the towel, the bleaching process can keep happening over time.

One of the reasons this issue is so common is that many people don’t realize how easily benzoyl peroxide transfers. After applying an acne treatment, even if your skin feels dry, small amounts of the ingredient can remain active on the surface. When you use a towel to dry your face or hands, that residue transfers directly onto the fabric. The same thing can happen with sweat, especially if you’ve applied the product earlier in the day. Moisture can reactivate the compound, allowing it to spread and affect a larger area of the towel.

Another factor is heat. When towels are washed and then dried—especially in a high-heat dryer—the chemical reactions can intensify. Heat can accelerate oxidation, making the discoloration more noticeable. This is why a towel might look fine right after use but develop visible marks after going through the laundry cycle. The combination of residual benzoyl peroxide and heat essentially “sets” the damage into the fabric.

It’s also worth noting that different fabrics react differently. Cotton towels, which are commonly used because of their softness and absorbency, are particularly vulnerable. Their fibers readily absorb both moisture and chemicals, making it easier for benzoyl peroxide to penetrate and alter the dye. Dark-colored towels tend to show the damage more dramatically, as the contrast between the original color and the bleached area is much more obvious. On lighter towels, the effect may appear as faint yellow or orange patches rather than stark white spots.

Unfortunately, once this type of discoloration has occurred, it’s usually permanent. Because the dye itself has been chemically altered or removed, there’s no simple cleaning method that can restore the original color. Traditional stain removers, vinegar soaks, or baking soda treatments won’t reverse bleaching. At best, they may help clean the towel, but they won’t fix the color loss. In some cases, people attempt to re-dye the fabric or use fabric markers to even out the appearance, but these are temporary or imperfect solutions.

That said, understanding the cause of the problem makes it much easier to prevent. One of the most effective strategies is to designate specific towels for use when you’re applying benzoyl peroxide products. Many people choose white towels for this purpose, since any bleaching will be far less noticeable. Keeping a separate set of “acne-treatment-safe” towels can save your nicer or darker towels from damage.

Another helpful habit is to allow skincare products to fully absorb before coming into contact with fabrics. After applying a benzoyl peroxide cream or cleanser, give your skin enough time to dry completely. Washing your hands thoroughly after application can also reduce the risk of transferring residue to towels or clothing. If you apply treatments at night, consider using white pillowcases or ones specifically reserved for that purpose.

In addition, be mindful of how often towels are washed and replaced. Even small, repeated exposures to benzoyl peroxide can accumulate over time, gradually causing discoloration. Regular laundering helps remove residues before they have a chance to build up, though it won’t completely eliminate the risk. Using a gentle detergent and avoiding fabric softeners can also help maintain the integrity of your towels, though these steps are more about general care than preventing bleaching.

It’s easy to mistake benzoyl peroxide damage for other issues, such as rust stains from hard water, residue from detergents, or even mold and mildew. However, those causes typically create darker stains or spots that can be cleaned or treated. The key difference with benzoyl peroxide is that it lightens or removes color rather than adding it. If you notice pale orange, yellow, or white patches that don’t respond to cleaning, bleaching from skincare products is the most likely culprit.

For people who rely on benzoyl peroxide as part of their skincare routine, this trade-off can be frustrating but manageable. The ingredient is highly effective for treating acne, and for many users, the benefits outweigh the inconvenience of fabric damage. By making small adjustments—like switching to white linens, being careful with application, and separating laundry—you can significantly reduce the impact on your household items.

In the end, those strange orange or light-colored marks aren’t a sign that your towels are dirty or that your washing machine is malfunctioning. They’re simply the result of a chemical reaction between a powerful skincare ingredient and fabric dye. Once you recognize the cause, the mystery becomes much less concerning—and much easier to control.