White mousepads will yellow from hand oils.

Yes. Light-colored mousepads yellow from hand oils because the oils oxidize over time, and that yellowing is much more visible on a white or light surface. UV light speeds up the oxidation process, making it worse.

Dark mousepads don’t yellow visibly—they just get shiny or grimy in ways that are harder to see until you wipe them. The chemical process is the same on both colors, but one hides it better. So if you like the look of a light pad, plan on replacing it every 6–12 months, or wash it regularly with mild soap.

UV accelerates yellowing on any material, but it’s especially obvious on light fabrics or coatings. Direct sunlight near a window will turn a white pad off-white fast. Keep it out of the sun if you want it to stay clean-looking longer.

If you can’t stand seeing the yellow, go with a dark pad. You’ll trade yellowing for dust being more obvious, but that’s a better trade in my opinion.