Find the Best Towel for Your Hair

Choosing the right towel for your hair can make a big difference in how healthy, smooth, and manageable it feels.

Fabrics vary in how they absorb water, reduce frizz, and impact both your hair and the environment.

Below is a concise introduction to three popular towel types followed by a science-informed comparison table. Use the short summaries to match a towel to your priorities: eco-friendliness, softness, speed of drying, frizz control or absorbency, and use the detailed table to see how each fabric stacks up.

🥇 Water From Mars Cotton towel

Why: Very soft and gentle on hair and scalp — lowest friction and lower breakage risk. Natural cotton fibre doesn't release microplastics when washed and is biodegradable.

Best for: Sensitive scalps, fine or damaged hair, and eco-conscious users who prefer natural fibres.

Trade-off: Slightly slower drying and less absorbent than Terry or microfiber towels.

🥈 Terry Cotton towel

Why: Strong absorbency due to dense loops — traditional, natural cotton construction.

Downside: Looped texture can roughen the hair cuticle if rubbed, increasing frizz or breakage risk.

Best for: Thick or straight hair and situations where maximum absorbency is desired.

🥉 Microfiber towel

Why: Fastest at removing water and excellent at reducing frizz — engineered ultra-fine fibres wick moisture quickly.

Best for: Curly or frizz-prone hair and users prioritising reduced blow-dry time.

Caution: Synthetic fibres shed microplastics and pollute the environment.

Detailed comparison of different towels

Characteristic	Water From Mars	Microfiber (synthetic)	Terry Cotton
1. Water absorption capacity	Moderate — cotton weave absorbs well but less than terry loops.	Very high — ultra-fine filaments increase surface area and wick water efficiently.	High — looped construction holds the most water volume.
2. Speed of drying hair	Moderate — gentle removal of water; may leave hair slightly wetter than microfiber.	Fast — engineered for rapid water removal, reducing heat styling time.	Moderate — effective but slowed by retained water in loops.
3. Hair frizz & cuticle disturbance	Low — brushed cotton surface is gentle and reduces friction-related frizz.	Very low — smooth, gliding surface minimizes cuticle disturbance.	Higher — looped texture can catch hair and increase frizz if rubbed.
4. Towel drying time (how fast the towel itself dries)	Moderate — thinner than terry so dries faster than terry, but slower than microfiber.	Fast — synthetics release water quickly and air-dry faster between uses.	Slow — thick loops retain moisture and lengthen air-dry time.
5. Release of microplastics	None (natural) — cotton is biodegradable; normal linting only.	High — sheds synthetic microplastic fibres during laundering and pollutes the environment.	None (natural) — cotton lint may appear but no synthetic microplastics.
6. Weight when wet	Moderate — absorbs water but stays lighter than terry.	Light — efficient wicking without excessive water mass.	Heavy — looped structure retains a large amount of water, becoming heavy when wet.
7. Durability & laundering	Good — durable but may pill or thin with heavy abrasion or very high heat drying.	High — tear-resistant and dimensionally stable; avoid fabric softeners that reduce wicking.	High — robust; maintain by avoiding high-heat drying and harsh bleaches.
8. Comfort / softness on skin	Very soft — brushed cotton feels cozy and gentle on scalp and skin.	Very soft — smooth, low-friction surface often described as silky.	Soft to plush — plush initially but may feel rougher as loops wear.
9. Best use case / recommended user	Ideal for sensitive, fine, or damaged hair and users wanting a natural, biodegradable option.	Ideal for curly, frizz-prone hair or users prioritising speed and reduced heat styling.	Ideal for thick or straight hair where maximum absorbency is desired.

Note: trade-offs exist — microfiber scores highest for speed and frizz control but sheds microplastics; Water From Mars towel provides a natural, low-friction option; terry cotton offers maximum absorbency. Choose based on which trade-offs matter most for your hair type and environmental priorities.