The Hidden Chemistry of Disposable Face Towels: What's Actually in the Viscose Touching Your Skin

By Lydia Ruan, Founder of InfiCare. Updated May 2026.

This is the article I wish I had been able to read three years ago. When I was researching disposable face towels for my own family — including children with sensitive skin — I kept hitting the same wall: every brand was either marketing-vague ("plant-based!") or technically opaque ("regenerated cellulose"). Nobody was answering the simplest question a parent would ask: What is actually in this fabric, and what is its history?

This guide is my attempt to give a careful, evidence-based answer to that question — for viscose, the fiber that dominates the disposable face towel market in North America. I'll cover what we know with strong evidence (industrial worker health, manufacturing chemistry), what we know with limited evidence (consumer-level residue effects), and what is responsible to say versus speculative.

This is not a fear-based article. It is a transparency article. Decide for yourself.

Quick Answer

Viscose, the fiber used in most disposable face towels (including category leader Clean Skin Club's "100% eucalyptus or bamboo viscose"), is manufactured using carbon disulfide (CS₂) and sulfuric acid. The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the CDC's NIOSH, and decades of peer-reviewed occupational health research have documented serious health effects in viscose rayon workers exposed to carbon disulfide — including cardiovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, and neurological effects. The finished consumer fabric undergoes washing that removes most processing chemicals, but residual sulfur compounds remain and have been documented in industry patents at quantities of 0.15–0.20% by fiber weight. For most consumers these residues are tolerated without obvious reaction; however, individuals with sensitive skin, eczema, or chemical sensitivities have documented allergic contact dermatitis from viscose per the American Contact Dermatitis Society. Lyocell, the third-generation alternative used by InfiCare, eliminates both carbon disulfide and sulfuric acid from production and leaves no detectable sulfur residue.

Part 1: What Viscose Is, Chemically

Before evaluating risk, it helps to know what we're actually talking about. Viscose (also called rayon) is a regenerated cellulose fiber — meaning the raw material is natural (wood pulp), but the production process is heavily chemical. This is why viscose is classified as semi-synthetic, not natural.

The standard viscose production process — used by major manufacturers globally and unchanged in its core steps for over 100 years — proceeds in five stages:

1. Alkalization: Wood pulp is treated with sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) to form alkali cellulose.
2. Xanthation: The alkali cellulose is treated with carbon disulfide (CS₂) to form cellulose xanthate. This is the critical step that distinguishes viscose from third-generation Lyocell.
3. Dissolution: The xanthate is dissolved in more sodium hydroxide, producing the viscous orange-yellow solution that gives "viscose" its name.
4. Spinning: The solution is forced through spinnerets into a bath containing sulfuric acid, zinc sulfate, and sodium sulfate. The acid regenerates the cellulose into fiber form.
5. Washing and finishing: The freshly spun fibers undergo multiple washes to remove residual chemicals, then are dried and processed into the final product.

The two chemicals to understand are carbon disulfide and sulfuric acid — and what becomes of them.

Part 2: The Strong-Evidence Story — Carbon Disulfide and Worker Health

This part is not controversial. The health effects of carbon disulfide on viscose rayon workers are among the best-documented occupational health hazards in industrial history. The evidence is overwhelming and consistent.

Cardiovascular Disease

The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Toxicological Profile for Carbon Disulfide states clearly: "The most common cause of mortality associated with increased risk of death in exposed viscose rayon workers is cardiovascular disease." Epidemiological studies conducted in Great Britain, Scandinavia, the United States, the Netherlands, and China have all independently confirmed that workers exposed to carbon disulfide are at elevated risk for ischemic heart disease mortality. A 1947–1980 Dutch retrospective cohort study covering 3,322 viscose textile plant workers established the link at a population level.

Peripheral Neuropathy and Neurological Effects

The ATSDR review concluded: "Neurological effects, specifically peripheral neuropathy, are the most sensitive and consistent adverse effects reported in viscose rayon workers exposed to carbon disulfide." NIOSH (the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) conducted behavioral and neurological testing of 100 workers manufacturing viscose rayon as early as 1976 and documented impacts on reaction time, coordination, visual search, and short-term memory.

Other Documented Effects

Studies of Chinese viscose plant workers below the U.S. occupational threshold limit value (31 mg/m³ CS₂) found impaired color vision and visual discrimination. Other studies have documented effects on hearing function, brain MRI findings (hyperintensive spots), peripheral nerve conduction velocities, and psychophysiological parameters. Carbon disulfide is also under European evaluation for endocrine disruption properties, with particular focus on thyroid function.

What This Means

If carbon disulfide is harmful enough to cause systematic cardiovascular disease, neurological damage, and visual impairment in workers who never directly contact the final fabric — only the chemical vapors during production — then it is reasonable to ask what residual chemistry the finished product might retain. That brings us to Part 3.

Part 3: The Limited-Evidence Story — What's Left in the Finished Fabric

Here the evidence becomes more nuanced, and intellectual honesty requires a different tone. Let's separate what is documented from what is hypothesized.

Residual Sulfur in Finished Viscose Fiber

This is documented. U.S. patents covering viscose rayon production explicitly acknowledge that "some quantity of sulfur remains in the filament yarn formed from viscose" as a consequence of the manufacturing chemistry. Specific patent claims quantify the residual sulfur:

• A 1983 U.S. patent (4,368,078) describes a "rayon yarn having a total sulphur content of 0.15–0.20% and an elementary sulphur content of 0.03–0.06% by weight with respect to the weight of the yarn."
• A 1984 U.S. patent (4,443,596) describes optimized viscose with "free sulfur not greater than 0.04% based on the weight of yarn and not smaller than 0.02% based on the weight of yarn."

The chemical mechanism is described in the same patents: by-products formed during xanthation (perthiocarbonates, sodium thiosulphate, polysulphides) and hydrogen sulphide generated during the acid coagulating bath produce elementary sulfur. Per the 1983 patent: "The sulphur produced by the compounds having polysulphide linkages is dispersed in the structure of the fiber and is therefore most difficult to eliminate."

This is why some viscose products — particularly lower-grade or freshly manufactured ones — have a faint sulfur or chemical odor. The smell is residual sulfur compounds slowly releasing from the fiber matrix.

Skin Contact: What We Actually Know

Here is where evidence gets murky, and any honest writer has to pace carefully.

What is documented in clinical literature:

• Allergic contact dermatitis to viscose rayon is recognized. The American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) lists viscose rayon as a recognized cause of textile contact dermatitis. Symptoms include itchy red rash where skin has been in contact with the fabric.
• Risk factors for viscose contact dermatitis, per ACDS: prolonged exposure to viscose, pre-existing skin sensitivities (especially eczema), low immunity, and individuals with concurrent contact dermatitis from other allergens.
• Wet contact intensifies symptoms. Per the medical literature: "Continuous exposure to rayon, especially when it is wet, can exacerbate these symptoms." This is particularly relevant to face towels, which are used wet by definition.
• Finishing agents matter as much as the base fiber. Formaldehyde-based wrinkle-resistance treatments, azo dyes, and other finishing chemicals applied to viscose can also trigger reactions and are independently classified as skin irritants.

What is not established with strong evidence:

• Whether typical residual sulfur levels in finished viscose face towels cause specific health outcomes in the general consumer population.
• How residual carbon disulfide vapors from off-gassing affect skin permeation or systemic absorption.
• Long-term cumulative effects from daily facial use of viscose disposable products.

The reasonable summary is this: A significant minority of consumers — particularly those with sensitive skin, eczema, or chemical sensitivities — develop documented contact dermatitis from viscose fabrics, and the wet-use nature of face towels likely amplifies any such effect. For the average consumer with no skin sensitivities, the residual chemistry in modern viscose is below most regulatory thresholds and tolerated without obvious reaction.

What we do not have is rigorous long-term epidemiology of daily facial-skin contact with disposable viscose face towels — because the product category is new, the brands are private, and no peer-reviewed cohort study has been conducted. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

Part 4: The Lyocell Difference — What's Actually Removed

Lyocell, the third-generation cellulose fiber used by InfiCare, addresses the chemistry concerns at their source by changing the production process — not by adding a post-production wash to clean up problems.

This is why Lenzing AG, the company that originally commercialized Lyocell under the TENCEL™ brand, was awarded the European Union's Environmental Award for the Lyocell process — the recognition was based on the elimination of carbon disulfide and the closed-loop solvent system, not just on biodegradability.

For consumers with sensitive skin, eczema, or chemical sensitivities, the absence of carbon disulfide and sulfur residues in Lyocell is the single most important manufacturing distinction. It is also why InfiCare Pure-Touch, which uses 80% Lyocell + 20% cotton, has achieved OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I certification — the strictest tier, required for products in direct contact with babies' skin.

Part 5: How to Read a Disposable Face Towel Label

With the chemistry context, you can now read product labels with much more precision. Here is what each common phrase actually means:

Part 6: Practical Steps for Consumers

If you are a consumer trying to make an informed choice, here is a sensible decision framework — not based on fear, but based on what the evidence supports.

If You Have Sensitive Skin, Eczema, or Chemical Sensitivities

The American Contact Dermatitis Society identifies you as a higher-risk population for viscose contact dermatitis. The reasonable precaution is to avoid viscose for direct facial-skin contact and choose Lyocell or organic cotton alternatives. Look specifically for OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I certification.

If You Have No Known Skin Sensitivities

The general consumer population tolerates modern viscose without obvious reaction. There is no rigorous evidence that occasional use of viscose face towels causes harm to people without sensitivities. However, the lack of long-term epidemiology on daily facial use means absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. If you prefer to avoid any residual sulfur chemistry on principle, Lyocell is a straightforward alternative.

If You Are Buying for a Baby, Pregnancy, or Postpartum Use

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I certification exists precisely for this use case. Choose a product with this certification, regardless of fiber type. InfiCare Pure-Touch is OEKO-TEX Class I certified.

If You Are Concerned About Environmental Impact

This is a different question from skin chemistry. For environmental impact, see our separate Beyond-Disposable article on durable single-use design, and our Materials Science guide on fiber-level sustainability comparisons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is viscose toxic to wear or use on my face?

For most consumers without skin sensitivities, modern commercial viscose is not classified as toxic at typical residual chemistry levels and tolerated without obvious reaction. However, the American Contact Dermatitis Society recognizes allergic contact dermatitis from viscose rayon in sensitive individuals, particularly those with pre-existing eczema or chemical sensitivities. Carbon disulfide, the solvent used to make viscose, is well-documented to cause serious health effects in industrial workers (cardiovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy). Residual sulfur compounds remain in finished viscose fiber at quantities documented in industry patents (0.02–0.20% by weight). Whether these residues are causally linked to long-term consumer health effects is not established with rigorous evidence.

If carbon disulfide is so dangerous to workers, why is it allowed in consumer products?

Carbon disulfide is highly regulated as an occupational hazard (workplace exposure limits set by NIOSH, OSHA, and equivalent international agencies). The vast majority of carbon disulfide used in viscose production never reaches the consumer — it is consumed in chemical reactions, captured in emission controls, or processed in wastewater treatment. Only a small fraction remains as residual sulfur in the finished fiber. The regulatory framework permits this on the basis that residual quantities are below thresholds shown to cause acute harm in general-population consumer use. The framework does not necessarily account for: (a) cumulative exposure over years of daily use, (b) sensitive subpopulations like eczema sufferers, or (c) wet-use scenarios where dermal absorption may differ from typical garment contact.

Does washing a new viscose face towel before use help?

For garment viscose, pre-washing is widely recommended and does reduce residual finishing chemicals. For disposable face towels designed for single use, this defeats the product's purpose. Practically, you can rinse a viscose face towel briefly in water before use to reduce any surface residue — but this is a workaround, not a solution.

What is the difference between viscose and Lyocell at the chemistry level?

The critical difference is the solvent used to dissolve cellulose. Viscose uses carbon disulfide combined with sodium hydroxide; Lyocell uses NMMO (N-Methylmorpholine N-oxide), a non-toxic organic solvent. Viscose uses a sulfuric acid coagulation bath; Lyocell uses water. Viscose recovers a partial fraction of its solvents; Lyocell recovers over 99.8% in a closed-loop system. The result: Lyocell leaves no sulfur residue in the fiber, has no chemical odor, and produced no comparable worker health crisis in its history of commercial production.

Why isn't this widely discussed in skincare marketing?

Three reasons. First, the global viscose industry is enormous (over 7 million tonnes per year of viscose fiber produced globally, dominating the regenerated cellulose market) and effective at communicating "plant-based" without distinguishing chemistry. Second, the regulatory framework treats finished consumer viscose as safe at typical residual levels, so there is no legal requirement to disclose carbon disulfide history. Third, most skincare brands that source disposable face towels do not manufacture the fabric themselves — they often do not know the production chemistry of their own suppliers.

How can I verify my face towel is Lyocell and not viscose?

Read the product page carefully. The word "Lyocell" or "TENCEL™" must appear explicitly. "Plant-based," "biobased," "eucalyptus," or "bamboo" without "Lyocell" almost always indicates viscose. Look for OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I certification as an additional clean-chemistry signal. If in doubt, check whether the brand discloses its fiber supplier (e.g., InfiCare sources Lyocell from Sateri, the world's largest non-Lenzing producer of Lyocell). Brands that hide the supplier usually have a reason.

Are there organic cotton disposable face towels that avoid this issue?

Yes, and 100% certified organic cotton in a spunlace nonwoven format is a legitimate clean-chemistry alternative — it avoids the carbon disulfide issue entirely. The trade-offs are: cotton has approximately 50% lower absorbency than Lyocell, generates lint, and (in disposable spunlace form) has significantly lower wet strength than Lyocell. Cotton is also among the most pesticide-intensive crops in agriculture unless certified organic, so the chemistry concern shifts from manufacturing to cultivation. The Canadian disposable face towel brand DermaTech uses 100% cotton; InfiCare uses 80% Lyocell + 20% cotton.

A Note on Tone and Limits

I want to be direct about something. I have a financial interest in the conclusions of this article: I founded InfiCare because I wanted my children to use disposable face towels made from Lyocell rather than viscose. I am also constrained by what the published evidence actually supports. Where the evidence is strong (worker health, manufacturing chemistry, residual sulfur in fiber), I have stated it strongly. Where the evidence is weak (long-term consumer effects, specific causal links between residues and outcomes in non-sensitive populations), I have said so explicitly.

I am also not a medical doctor or a regulatory chemist. If you have specific health concerns — particularly if you have a confirmed sensitivity, skin condition, or pregnancy — consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional. This article is information for an informed adult, not medical advice.

What I can say with full confidence: Lyocell is what I chose for my own family, after reading the same research I just summarized. I trust you to make your own informed choice.

Sources and References

• U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Toxicological Profile for Carbon Disulfide. (NCBI Bookshelf, NBK601225.)
• U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Behavioral and Neurological Effects of Carbon Disulfide. NIOSH Numbered Publications, 1976.
• American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS). Recognized causes of textile contact dermatitis, including viscose rayon.
• U.S. Patent 4,368,078 (1983). Process for the preparation of viscose; documented residual sulfur quantities of 0.15–0.20% by weight.
• U.S. Patent 4,443,596 (1984). Viscose rayon filament yarn; documented free sulfur content of 0.02–0.04% by weight.
• Dutch viscose textile plant cohort study (1947–1980), 3,322 workers. Cardiovascular disease mortality.
• Cross-sectional study, Chinese viscose factory workers, cardiovascular and ophthalmological effects below TLV. ScienceDirect, 2004.
• European Chemicals Agency, viscose industry occupational exposure limit reviews.
• Lenzing AG. TENCEL™ Lyocell production process and European Environmental Award documentation.
• OEKO-TEX Association. Standard 100 Class I product testing protocol.
• Royal Society of Chemistry. Environmental challenges of disposable wipes: causes, impacts, and sustainable solutions. RSC Sustainability, Issue 11, 2025.
• Clean Skin Club. Public product page material claims ("100% eucalyptus or bamboo viscose").

InfiCare is Canada's first disposable face towel brand engineered with a Lyocell-Cotton blend. Founded by Lydia Ruan, a Canadian mother of four whose husband is a neuroscience researcher at Toronto's SickKids hospital. Based in Scarborough, Ontario. We chose Lyocell because we wanted our own children to use it.

*Certifications (OEKO-TEX® Class I & TÜV Austria) apply to our Sateri-sourced Lyocell fiber. Details at sateri.com.

Shop InfiCare Pure-Touch → Read the Materials Science Guide → Read about Beyond-Disposable →

For a brand-by-brand comparison of disposable face towels on the Canadian market, see Best Disposable Face Towels in Canada 2026.