You’re Likely Putting Harmful Chemicals on Your Most Sensitive Areas. Do You Really Know What’s in Your Toilet Paper?

Toilet paper was one of those things I always bought on autopilot. I'd compare softness, maybe glance at the price, throw a pack into my cart, and move on.

But recently, I kept seeing more conversations online about the ingredients and additives found in everyday products - from skincare to feminine care products like tampons. It made me stop and think: if I’m paying attention to what goes into the products I use every day, why had I never thought about my toilet paper?

That sent me down a rabbit hole through all areas of the internet to see what was really in the big brand TP I've been using, and which brands had the cleanest rolls for the best price. Here’s what I found:

❌ The Harmful Ingredients Hiding in Some Big Brand TP 

• PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”) - PFAS are a class of highly persistent chemicals that have been detected in some consumer products and have raised concerns because they can remain in the environment for long periods of time. Studies have linked certain PFAS exposures to concerns around hormone function, immune health, and other health effects. [1]
• Chlorine Bleaching - Many brands use elemental chlorine to bleach paper to a bright white color. This process generates dioxins and furans, toxic byproducts that accumulate in the body and are linked to cancer and reproductive complications. [1] [2]
• BPA & Other Chemical Residues - Some recycled paper products have raised questions about potential BPA contamination from recycled materials like thermal receipts entering the paper stream. BPA acts as an endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen in the body. [1] [2]
• Added Dyes & Inks - Some toilet papers use dyes and inks for decorative patterns, colors, or branding. While they may make a roll look different, they don’t add any functional benefit and should not be coming in contact with your more sensitive and absorbent areas of your body. [1] [2]
• Fragrances - Scented toilet paper often uses added fragrance ingredients to create a “fresh” smell. Fragrance blends can contain numerous undisclosed ingredients, and many of these components have been associated with skin sensitivity and irritation. For a product used daily on delicate skin, this makes no sense. [2]

When doing some research, all of these ingredients were surprisingly in most of the big brand toilet papers that I have been using. Determined to find the right brand for my bum (without all of these chemicals), I did some deep scouring of the internet on the different toilet paper brands, what is added in them, their cost, and overall customer satisfaction. That led me to trying Who Gives A Crap which checked all of the right boxes. This is why I am forever switching to their bamboo toilet paper rolls: 

✅ Why Who Gives A Crap Is Different

The first thing that caught my attention from Who Gives A Crap was their commitment to ingredient/manufacturing transparency. From what I found through several sources, they have no PFAS added, no inks or dyes, are fragrance free, hypoallergenic, dermatologically tested, sensitive skin friendly, BPA free, and do not use chlorine bleach. 

When something comes into contact with your skin multiple times a day, it's reassuring to know it was designed and tested with sensitive skin in mind. It's also kind to sensitive skin, doesn't irritate skin, and is made for cheeks that don't do drama, which is exactly what I was looking for.

It Actually Saves Me Money

Another surprise was the price.

Who Gives A Crap comes in in mega rolls that last up to 2x longer than normal rolls. Because of its lower cost per sheet (only 42 cents per 100 sheets!), their bamboo toilet paper saves a single person an average of $135 a year. So far, I’ve used only a handful of rolls in the last 2 months that I've been using it, so I can say one box of their 48 rolls will probably last me a whole year. Which is also nice that I don’t have to think about replacing my toilet paper as often.

Getting all of those benefits while spending less over time made the switch even easier.

It Doesn't Feel Like a "Healthier" Compromise

I'll be honest, with all of these checked boxes I expected I'd have to give something up.

Instead, I found their toilet paper to be genuinely soft. The brand describes itself as "gentler than cloud cuddles," and I'd say that's a pretty accurate description.

It delivers the comfort I expect without making me feel like I traded softness for more thoughtful ingredients and testing.

An Overall Smarter Choice

After researching what goes into traditional toilet paper, I realized I wanted a product that was more thoughtful about what it leaves out. Who Gives A Crap stood out because it combines ingredient transparency, sensitive-skin-friendly testing, and everyday comfort without any harmful and unnecessary ingredients. What surprised me most was that making a more conscious choice didn’t mean paying more — their bamboo toilet paper actually costs less per sheet than many traditional options. It’s soft, long-lasting, and designed for something we all use every single day. Switching to Who Gives A Crap felt like an easy upgrade: better ingredients, better value, and a toilet paper choice I can feel good about.

Sources:
[1] https://www.naturopathy-uk.com/news/blog/2023/01/13/is-your-toilet-paper-toxic/