Benzoyl peroxide, a common ingredient in acne treatments, can damage towels by removing their color. It acts as a strong oxidizing agent, similar to bleach, breaking down fabric dyes instead of simply leaving a stain. On dark towels, such as black, navy, or charcoal, the affected areas often turn orange, yellow, or pink as the darker pigments fade.

One way to identify the problem is to look at the color of the mark. If the spot is lighter than the surrounding fabric, bleaching is likely the cause. Unlike ordinary stains, these patches cannot be removed by washing because the dye has already been destroyed. No amount of detergent or scrubbing can restore the original color.

Benzoyl peroxide residue can also transfer to other items during laundry, potentially causing further discoloration. To avoid this, wash affected towels separately from other clothes and towels. Although benzoyl peroxide is the most common cause of these marks, other factors may be responsible. Rust from old pipes can leave reddish-brown streaks, while the bacteria *Serratia marcescens* can produce a pink film that usually disappears with cleaning.

To protect your towels, consider using white ones when applying acne treatments, since bleaching is less noticeable on white fabric. You can also rinse your skin thoroughly after using these products to reduce the amount of residue left behind. If benzoyl peroxide continues to cause problems, switching to an alternative such as salicylic acid may help, depending on your skincare needs.

Towels that have already lost their color do not necessarily need to be thrown away. Although the original dye cannot be restored, you can reuse them as cleaning cloths, gym towels, or for other household tasks where appearance is less important.