How to Choose Toilet Paper When You Have a Sensitive Bum (or Chronic Illness)

Let’s be real: not all toilet paper is created equal — especially when you’ve got skin that reacts to the slightest irritation, or a health condition that makes every bathroom visit feel like a battle. Whether you're dealing with sensitivities, chronic illness, or just want something that doesn’t leave you red and raw, choosing the right toilet paper isn’t just a matter of comfort — it’s about health.

This guide will help you understand what to look for, what to avoid, and why the most hyped rolls on supermarket shelves might actually be doing more harm than good.

Why Your Toilet Paper Might Be the Problem

If you’ve ever left the bathroom feeling itchy, irritated, or inflamed — it’s not in your head. Many popular toilet paper brands are packed with unnecessary extras like:

• Artificial fragrance (which can disrupt the skin barrier and cause flare-ups)
• Added dyes (used purely for appearance, never for hygiene)
• Harsh binders and softeners (which can linger on your skin long after wiping)

For people with chronic illnesses — particularly those with autoimmune conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, skin sensitivities, or who are immunocompromised — these additives can compound existing symptoms and turn basic hygiene into a trigger.

And no, you shouldn’t have to explain that to your toilet paper.

The Hidden Risks of ‘Luxury’ and ‘Ultra-Soft’ Rolls

Ultra-soft might sound good in theory, but softness at the expense of skin health? Not worth it. Many mainstream "premium" rolls achieve that soft, fluffy texture through chemical softeners and synthetic fibre blends, which can disrupt your body’s natural microbiome.

It’s the kind of softness that comes with strings attached — or more accurately, rash attached.

What you want is paper that’s naturally soft — without relying on irritating chemical shortcuts to get there.

What to Look For in Toilet Paper for Sensitive Skin or Chronic Illness

Here’s the checklist for bum-friendly, body-safe toilet paper:

✅ Fragrance-free
✅ No dyes or colourants
✅ No added softeners, lotions, or chemical coatings
✅ 100% recycled (but not scratchy)
✅ Made by people who get it
✅ Soft enough to actually use — every time

If a brand can’t be transparent about what’s in their paper (and what’s not), it’s probably because they don’t want you to know.

Why We Made Our Recycled Toilet Paper the Way We Did

At Shh!t Happens, we didn’t start with a product. We started with a problem.

We couldn’t find a roll that was:

• Safe for sensitive skin
• Actually soft (recycled doesn’t have to mean rough)
• Made ethically, without irritating extras

So we made our own.

Our 100% recycled toilet paper is:

• Fragrance-free and dye-free
• Tested on real people with real conditions — including skin sensitivities and chronic illness
• Soft, thick, and kind to bums everywhere

It’s toilet paper made with the kind of attention to detail your body deserves.

No Gimmicks. No Irritants. Just Damn Good Toilet Paper.

When you live with a chronic illness or have a sensitive body, there are already a million things to think about. Your toilet paper shouldn't be one of them.

Whether you’re managing flare-ups, dealing with medication side effects, or just want one less thing to cause a problem — we’ve got your bum covered.

💩 Try the TP made for real people, not just healthy ones.

👉 Shop Our Aussie Made Toilet Paper