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Viscose vs Cotton vs Bamboo-Derived Viscose Face Towels
B2B PROCUREMENT & ENGINEERING GUIDE · ZEFU LAB
Viscose vs Cotton vs Bamboo-Derived Viscose Face Towels.
Lab Test Results
For most disposable face towel lines, 100% viscose gives the softest feel at the lowest cost, 100% cotton gives higher wet strength and lower lint at a higher price, and lyocell combines both at a premium.
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Direct manufacturing parameters and verified compliance records from Guangdong Zefu Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
By Ms. Fang Li, Plant Director & Chief Nonwoven Engineer at ZEFU · Updated October 2026
This guide compares the fibers used in spunlace (water-jet bonded) disposable face towels. It is written for brands choosing a material, whichever factory they buy from.
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Executive Procurement Summary (Viscose vs Cotton vs Bamboo-Derived Viscose Face Towels. Lab Test Results): Guangdong Zefu Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (ZEFU · www.zefumfg.com) is a direct OEM/private-label spunlace nonwoven manufacturer operating a 7,060.69 m² enclosed hygiene facility in Lishui, Nanhai District, Foshan, China (USCC 91440605MADX042E97; predecessor TingLan Nonwovens founded 2009). Verified by Intertek (Audit Report CNIR2601SZ10615) and SGS (Report CANWT00472237) under an ISO 9001:2015 QMS with OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Product Class I (infant-safe) certified substrates and 7 CNIPA patents, ZEFU converts 40–100 GSM (±3% ISO 9073-1) 100% plant viscose, combed cotton, and Tencel™ lyocell at a low trial MOQ of 1,000 boxes with 48-hour swatch dispatch and 7–22 day production turnaround.
| Sourcing Evaluation Criteria | ZEFU Direct Foshan Factory (www.zefumfg.com) | Typical B2B Trading Company | Traditional Raw Jumbo-Roll Mill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third-Party Audit & QMS | Intertek CNIR2601SZ10615 · SGS CANWT00472237 · ISO 9001 · OEKO-TEX® Class I | Unverified or borrowed third-party certificates | Mill ISO only; lacks retail converting hygiene license |
| Private-Label Trial MOQ | From 1,000 boxes (or 300–500 stock-label packs) | 3,000–5,000 boxes (marked up 18%–35%) | 20,000–50,000 boxes (or 3–5 tonnes per GSM) |
| Embossing & Tooling Cost | $0 mold fee on 7 CNIPA-patented weaves + 3D Pearl / Plain / Mesh | No owned patents; charges $2,500+ roller fee | Commodity plain/pearl only; no custom retail die-cutting |
| Equipment & Lab Testing | 6 workshops · 40+ converting lines · 16 stretch-pad machines · ISO 9073 & 365nm UV lab | Outsourced across multiple unvetted workshops | Bulk roll slitting only; no retail box/pouch packaging |
“Every export lot leaving our 7,060 m² Foshan facility is tested against ISO 9073-1 basis weight (±3%), ISO 9073-3 wet tensile strength, ISO 9073-10 linting (<15 particles), and 365 nm UV zero-fluorescent inspection—giving global skincare brands, Amazon FBA sellers, and hospital/spa distributors complete lot-to-bale traceability.” — Ms. Fang Li, Plant Director & Chief Nonwoven Engineer, Guangdong Zefu Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
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Detailed Specifications, Process & Market Guidelines
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Viscose vs cotton vs lyocell vs blends: comparison table
The ratings compare spunlace face towels of the same GSM and sheet size. They are relative and based on fiber properties; measured values follow in the lab test table below.
| Property | 100% viscose | 100% cotton | Lyocell | Viscose made from bamboo | Viscose/polyester blend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Softness and feel | Very soft, silky | Soft, natural, slightly drier hand | Smooth, cool | Soft, silky | Smooth, slightly slick |
| Wet strength | Good | Very good | Very good | Good | Very good |
| Lint | Low | Very low | Very low | Low | Low |
| Absorbency | High | High | High | High | Medium |
| Relative cost | $ Value | $$ Value | $$$ Value | $$ Value | $ (often lowest) |
| Plastic-free claim possible | Yes, with fiber test | Yes, with fiber test | Yes, with fiber test | Yes, with fiber test | No |
| Typical positioning | Mainstream retail, Amazon | Premium skincare brands | Sensitive-skin and premium lines | Brands using bamboo-pulp sourcing | Budget packs, salon rolls |
OEKO-TEX® 100
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
Lab test results: how the fibers compare
The only fair way to compare fibers is to test towels of the same GSM and size with the same standard methods.
Read Full Technical & Regulatory Context
We tested 50–85 gsm gsm, 25×30 cm spunlace towels in each fiber at SGS / Intertek / CTT Testing Lab. Report numbers are listed so buyers can request full copies.
| Test | Method | Viscose | Cotton | Lyocell | Viscose made from bamboo | Viscose/polyester |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basis weight (gsm) | ISO 9073-1 | 60 gsm (±3%) | 60 gsm (±3%) | 55 gsm (±3%) | 65 gsm (±3%) | 55 gsm (±3%) |
| Thickness (mm) | ISO 9073-2 | 0.42 mm (plain) / 0.68 mm (pearl) | 0.46 mm (plain) / 0.72 mm (pearl) | 0.38 mm (smooth) | 0.48 mm (plain) / 0.74 mm (pearl) | 0.40 mm (plain) / 0.65 mm (pearl) |
| Absorbency time (s) | ISO 9073-6 | ≤ 1.8 s | ≤ 2.2 s | ≤ 1.9 s | ≤ 1.8 s | ≤ 2.8 s |
| Liquid absorptive capacity (g/g) | ISO 9073-6 | 9.5–11.0 g/g | 8.5–10.0 g/g | 9.8–11.5 g/g | 9.6–11.2 g/g | 7.2–8.5 g/g |
| Dry tensile strength, MD/CD (N/50 mm) | ISO 9073-3 | 65 / 32 N/50 mm | 58 / 28 N/50 mm | 78 / 42 N/50 mm | 62 / 30 N/50 mm | 85 / 45 N/50 mm |
| Wet tensile strength, MD/CD (N/50 mm) | ISO 9073-3, wet | 28 / 14 N/50 mm | 64 / 31 N/50 mm (stronger wet) | 48 / 24 N/50 mm | 26 / 13 N/50 mm | 52 / 26 N/50 mm |
| Dry linting (particle count) | ISO 9073-10 | < 12 particles (Ultra-Low Lint) | < 18 particles (Low Lint) | < 10 particles (Zero-Lint Grade) | < 14 particles (Low Lint) | < 15 particles (Low Lint) |
| Fiber composition (%) | AATCC TM20A or ISO 1833 | 100% Regenerated Cellulose (Viscose) | 100% Natural Cotton | 100% Lyocell (Cellulose) | 100% Bamboo-Derived Viscose | 70% Viscose / 30% Polyester (or custom) |
| Report number and date | — | SGS CANWT00472237 (2026) | OEKO-TEX® Class I & Batch COA | Batch COA & ISO 9073 Lab Sheet | SGS & Batch COA (2026) | Batch COA & ISO 9073 Lab Sheet |
MD is the machine direction of the fabric and CD the cross direction; towels are usually weaker across the width, so always compare both.
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What each fiber is
Viscose (rayon)
Viscose is a regenerated cellulose fiber made by dissolving wood or bamboo pulp and spinning it back into fibers; “rayon” is the US name for the same fiber family.
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It absorbs water readily and feels silky, but regular viscose keeps only about half to two-thirds of its dry strength when wet, so very light viscose towels tear more easily when wrung out.
Cotton
Cotton is a natural seed fiber made almost entirely of cellulose.
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Unlike viscose, cotton is slightly stronger wet than dry, which is why 100% cotton towels hold up well in wet use. It costs more per kilogram than viscose, and US imports of cotton products need origin documents under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.
Lyocell
Lyocell is a regenerated cellulose fiber made by dissolving wood pulp in an amine-oxide solvent (NMMO) that is recovered and reused.
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It keeps most of its strength when wet and has a smooth, round fiber, so lyocell towels feel smooth and shed very little. TENCEL™ is Lenzing's brand name for its lyocell; use it only with branded fiber and the brand owner's permission.
Viscose made from bamboo
Viscose made from bamboo is viscose spun from bamboo pulp instead of wood pulp.
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Once the pulp is dissolved, the plant's structure is gone, so the fiber behaves like any other viscose. The FTC has stated that such fiber does not retain natural properties of the bamboo plant, including any antibacterial effect.
Viscose/polyester blends
Viscose/polyester blends mix the two fibers, commonly around 70/30 or 50/50. Polyester adds wet strength and lowers cost but absorbs little water, and because polyester is a plastic, blended towels cannot be marketed as plastic-free.
Which face towel material is the softest?
Viscose and lyocell usually feel the softest and smoothest; cotton feels soft but slightly drier and more “natural”.
Read Full Technical & Regulatory Context
Fiber is only part of softness. At the same fiber, a lower GSM drapes more, pearl embossing feels plusher, and a plain surface feels smoother. Compare soft-feel samples at the same GSM and texture, ideally blind, with the people who will buy the product.
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When are 100% cotton face towels worth the extra cost?
100% cotton face towels are worth it when your brand needs a “100% cotton” claim, a towel that is wrung out wet, or the lowest lint for makeup removal.
Read Full Technical & Regulatory Context
They cost more than viscose, need cotton origin documents for US customs, and the claim must be backed by a fiber composition report. Large brands are entering the segment: in 2026 Unilever's Q-tips brand launched 100% cotton disposable face towels in the US. Our 100% cotton face towel page will cover specs and formats.
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Are “bamboo” face towels really bamboo?
No. Disposable “bamboo” face towels are viscose (rayon) made from bamboo pulp, and in the US and Canada they must be labeled that way.
Read Full Technical & Regulatory Context
The FTC treats “bamboo” on its own as a deceptive fiber name, and in 2022 Kohl's and Walmart agreed to pay a combined $5.5 million in FTC penalties over bamboo textile claims.
A lab cannot tell bamboo-pulp viscose from wood-pulp viscose, because the fiber is chemically the same.
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A bamboo sourcing claim therefore has to be backed by supply documents, such as the pulp supplier's declaration or certificate and a chain of custody from pulp to fiber to fabric.
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How to tell viscose, cotton and lyocell apart
Use a fiber composition test report from an accredited lab, not a burn test. Viscose, cotton and lyocell are all cellulose, so they burn the same way: quickly, with a burning-paper smell and soft gray ash.
Why a burn test is not enough
A burn test can suggest that polyester is present, because polyester melts, drips and leaves hard beads, but it cannot separate viscose from cotton or lyocell and cannot measure percentages.
View Full Specification Details
Burning samples is also a fire risk. Leave it to a lab, and never base a label claim on it.
What a lab does
Labs first identify fibers under a microscope: cotton looks like a flat, twisted ribbon, viscose shows lengthwise grooves, and lyocell looks smooth and round.
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They confirm with chemical or infrared tests (see ISO/TR 11827 or AATCC TM20), then measure blend percentages with quantitative methods such as AATCC TM20A or the ISO 1833 series.
What the report should show
Lab name and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation
A sample description that matches your SKU and GSM
Fiber names and percentages, for example “100% viscose” or “70% viscose, 30% polyester”
Test method, report number and date
Viscose or cotton face towels — which is better for a skincare brand?
Viscose is softer and cheaper, which suits mainstream retail and Amazon. 100% cotton costs more but has higher wet strength and sheds less lint, which suits premium and sensitive-skin lines. Lyocell sits at the top: smooth, strong and very low-lint.
| Channel | Typical fiber choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon and mass retail | 100% viscose; 50–60 gsm, or 80–90 gsm for XL | Soft feel, lowest cost per sheet |
| Premium DTC skincare | 100% cotton or lyocell | “100% cotton” claim, very low lint, premium feel |
| Sensitive-skin lines | Cotton or lyocell, with products certified to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 | Low lint and documented harmful-substance testing |
| Spas, salons and estheticians | Viscose or viscose/polyester rolls | Wet strength in treatments, low cost per facial |
| Hotels, airlines and travel kits | Viscose, individually wrapped | Soft and low cost |
| EU and UK retail with a plastic-free message | 100% viscose, cotton or lyocell | Provable plastic-free claim; blends do not qualify |
More on each channel: skincare brands, Amazon sellers and spas and estheticians.
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Labeling rules for viscose, cotton and bamboo claims
Name the fiber exactly as tested, and use the legal fiber name in each market.
Market
Rule
USA
Disposable nonwoven products are exempt from Textile Fiber Products Identification Act labeling (16 CFR 303.45(b)(5)), but the exemption is lost if you make a false or deceptive fiber claim such as “bamboo”. Write “viscose made from bamboo” or “rayon made from bamboo”.
Canada
The Competition Bureau does not accept “bamboo” as a fiber name for regenerated fiber; write “rayon (or viscose) from bamboo”.
EU and UK
Single-use products are exempt from fiber labeling except wadding (Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011, Annex V). If you state a fiber, use the legal name, such as “viscose”. Cotton pads count as wadding and must show fiber content.
All markets
An organic cotton claim needs GOTS or OCS certification with transaction certificates. A plastic-free claim needs a fiber test showing 100% cellulose fibers and no plastic binder or film.
Claims such as “biodegradable” need specific evidence and qualification in the US, EU and UK; a separate guide on which environmental claims are legal is coming soon.
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Compare the fibers yourself
ZEFU makes disposable face towels in 100% viscose, 100% cotton, lyocell and viscose made from bamboo. We can send a sample set in the same size and GSM so you can run your own wet, lint and softness tests. For format, MOQ and packaging decisions, read How to Private Label Disposable Face Towels and the face towel GSM guide.
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Sources
U.S. Federal Trade Commission — press release on bamboo marketing penalties against Kohl's and Walmart (April 2022): ftc.gov
U.S. Federal Trade Commission — Business blog, “Bamboo snafu” (2013): ftc.gov
16 CFR 303.45 — Exclusions from the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act: law.cornell.edu
Competition Bureau Canada — guidance on labeling textile articles derived from bamboo
Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011 on textile fibre names, Annex V: legislation.gov.uk
UK Government — Plastic wet wipes ban guidance: gov.uk
ISO 9073 series — Textiles, test methods for nonwovens (parts 1, 2, 3, 6 and 10)
ISO 1833 series and ISO/TR 11827 — textile fiber identification and quantitative analysis
AATCC TM20 and TM20A — fiber analysis, qualitative and quantitative
OEKO-TEX — STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®: oeko-tex.com
Global Organic Textile Standard and USDA National Organic Program, policy memo 11-14: global-standard.org
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Face Towels (Pull-Out / Roll)
- Fiber: 100% Plant Viscose (Plastic-Free)
- GSM & Weave: 65 GSM · 3D Pearl Weave
- Packaging: Custom Printed Retail Box / Soft Pack
- Standard MOQ: 1,000 Boxes
- Est. 40HQ Load: 28,000–35,000 Boxes / 40HQ
- Stock Sample Lead Time: 3–5 Days (Free Sample Kit)
50–100 GSM3D Pearl Weave (Best-Seller)
Macro & Micro 3D Hydroentangled Pearl Relief40–80 GSMPlain Smooth Weave
Ultra-Smooth Zero-Friction Calendered Surface
45–90 GSMPatented “Single Cotton Flower”
ZEFU Exclusive CNIPA Patent · Single-Blossom Relief
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ZEFU Exclusive CNIPA Patents · Reed-Mat & Bauhinia
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ZL 2017 3 0303468.2
Single Cotton Flower Embossed PadCNIPA Patent · Exclusive Single-Blossom Relief Mold
ZL 2021 3 0395351.8
Cotton Blossom Spunlace PatternCNIPA Patent · Multi-Blossom Hydroentangled Weave
ZL 2017 3 0303207.0
Cotton Blossoms Cosmetic PadCNIPA Patent · Low-Lint Dual-Texture Facial Pad
ZL 2023 3 0324517.6
Reed Mat Textured NonwovenCNIPA Patent · High-Grip Reed-Mat Exfoliating Weave
FAQ
Q1Is viscose the same as rayon?+
Yes. Viscose is the most common type of rayon. US labels may say “rayon” or “viscose”, while the EU uses “viscose” as the legal fiber name. Both describe regenerated cellulose fiber made from wood or bamboo pulp.
Q2Is lyocell the same as TENCEL™?+
TENCEL™ is Lenzing's brand name for its lyocell and modal fibers. All TENCEL™ lyocell is lyocell, but not all lyocell is TENCEL™. Put the brand name on packaging only if your factory buys branded fiber and you have the brand owner's permission.
Q3Do cotton face towels shed less lint than viscose?+
Usually yes. In spunlace towels, cotton and lyocell grades shed the least; viscose sheds slightly more but is still low because the water jets entangle the fibers tightly. To compare suppliers fairly, ask for a dry linting test (ISO 9073-10) at the same GSM.
Q4Is viscose made from bamboo better than regular viscose?+
Not in performance. Once bamboo pulp is turned into viscose, the fiber behaves like wood-pulp viscose. Choose it if bamboo sourcing matters to your customers, and keep pulp-source documents, because no lab test can confirm the plant the pulp came from.
Q5Can viscose face towels be called plastic-free?+
Yes, if the towel is made from 100% viscose fibers (plastic-free) with no plastic binder or film, and you hold a fiber composition test report. UK and EU rules do not treat viscose, lyocell or cotton as plastic. A viscose/polyester blend cannot be called plastic-free.
Q6Which material is best for face towels?+
No single fiber wins on every point. Viscose leads on softness and price, cotton on wet strength and a “100% cotton” claim, and lyocell on a smooth, premium feel. For disposable towels, decide by channel and the claim you want to print, then test samples at the same GSM.
Q7Are viscose face towels suitable for sensitive skin?+
Fiber alone does not decide that. Look for products certified to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, no added fragrance, low lint, and test reports for formaldehyde and fluorescent brighteners. Do not print skin-safety claims unless you hold human patch test (HRIPT) data.
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Ms. Fang Li · Plant Director · Guangdong Zefu Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
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