This is a warning to anyone with sensitive skin. If you think the skin on your face is sensitive imagine how sensitive your private parts are.
I didn’t realise what a prude I am but there you go, I can’t bring myself to to type the word for ‘you know what’.
This is a cautionary tale for any sensitive types out there who might get caught out with this one.
Who would ever have imagined there was such a thing as scented toilet roll? Why? It gets flushed straight down the loo covered in stuff you wouldn’t sniff so why does it need to be scented?
If you are dirty down there after wiping then you should wash. Not wipe some faintly scented paper over your smelly nether regions. How does that help?
It’s yet another strange instance of trying to cover up smells when really, if something smells we should deal with why that is and clean it, not mask it with another noxious fragrance.
I will leave the results of using the perfumed loo roll to your imagination but let’s just say, it took a lot of pain and frustration and wasted money on thrush treatments which were not even necessary.
I couldn’t fathom what would be making me itch in ‘two’ places… Nothing else had changed. I was only wearing cotton next to my skin and washing with my usual emollient. I had no irritiation anywhere else on my body. Just the unbearable tearing itch. A woman can’t spend the rest of her life in a warm bath trying to soothe the pain can she? What was I to do?
I was so uncomfortable and not sleeping and getting beside myself with the itch. It’s not an itch you can politely deal with in public!
When I finally sneezed into the offending bog roll and detected the whiff which started off a sneezing fest and itchy nose…it dawned on me. That ureka moment. The realisation that there was one thing I was doing over and over again.
The aloe vera and coconut oil was soothing the itch over night but in the morning the itch cycle began again.
Was it… the toilet paper? Using the toilet paper to blow my nose was the moment when it all fell into place. Did this loo roll smell perfumed? What the?
I found some of the cheap recycled unbleached loo paper we normally used and removed the nasty scented paper from the bathroom.
Let’s just say, it was instant relief. I could almost hear the sighs coming from below. No really, the itch was almost totally gone. Just a slight pain from the damage the horrid loo paper had already done.
All is now calm, relaxed and happy down there, well almost…
Aloe vera to soothe and some nice old boring bog standard unscented loo roll and all is nearly back to normal.
Which brand of scented loo roll caused the allergic reaction?
The brand we bought was Asda Shades Aloe Vera scented loo roll and a quick google search reveals that there are quite a few brands making a scented version including Cushelle, Andrex, Tesco and Asda.
I also found loads of forums and references of other people experiencing outer vaginal irritation (there I said the ‘v’ word – wasn’t so bad after all – and 50% of the population has one) from scented toilet paper. It seems to be quite a common problem.
How do they even make the scented toilet paper? How do they get the paper impregnated with fragrance and what ingredients exactly are added?
So what’s in Asda Shades scented aloe vera loo roll?
You will maybe be surprised to see that this loo roll does indeed carry an extensive list of ingredients. Amongst them a number of parabens and only two things I recognise out of a whopping 21 ingredients that made this scent; water and aloe – yep I know what they look like. But the rest? Just incredible.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Poly (Ethylene Oxide) – A polymer, produce of petroleum gas or dehydrated alcohol. Large quanities known to cause cancer in rates and large oral doses to cause kidney and liver damage.
- Propylene Glycol – an organic alcohol, one of the most widely used cosmetic ingredients. Reported to cause allergic reactions.
- Glycerin – Any byproduct of soap manufacture. absorbs moisture. Supposed to be non-irritating and non-allergenic.
- Simethicone – an antifoam compound, a silicone oil, white viscous liquid.
- Potassium Sorbate – Sorbic acid potassium salt. Used as a mould and yeast inhibitor. May cause mild skin irritation.
- Sorbitol Stearate – An emulsifier used in skin creams.
- Peg 40 Stearate – derivative of lanolin. Lanolin has been found to be a common skin sensitiser , causing allergic contact skin rashes.
- Cellulose Gum – Fibrous substance consisting in the chief part of the cell walls of plants. Resistent to decomposition and give uniform viscosity.
- Alkyloxy Polyethyleneoxyethanol 70 – Not sure what this is but when you google it the word pesticide is prevalent…
- Alkyloxl Polyethyleneoxyethanol 120 – no google search results. Not in my Cosmetic ingredients bible.
- Polyquaternium 7 – antistatic ingredients and film formers ??? Can be toxic, depending on dose. Can cause irritiation and nectrosis of mucous membranes. Ingestion can be fatal!
- 2-(2 Butoxy-Ethoxy-Ethanol) – An Ethelene glycol. Not sure what this is…
- 3-Iodo-2 – Small cystals of powder with a penetration odor. Can be irritating to the skin. (I think)
- Propinyl-Butyl Carbamate – not in my book… unidentified
- Diazolidinyl Urea – Used as a pesticide in cosmetics. May release formaldahyde.
- Methyl Paraben – one of the most widely used preservatives in cosmetics. Can cause allergic reactions.
- Propyl Paraben – Not sure on this. Possibly a fragrance ingredient…
- Aloe Barbandensis – Lovely Aloe!
- Acetic Acid – Used as a fragrance ingredient and pH adjuster.
- Poly (Alkylene Glycol) Tocophersolan – antioxidant I think.
It’s just paper, it just needs to be paper. What’s going on guys? This is ridiculous. Keep this stuff away from your nether regions.
The motto of the story is – NEVER BUY SCENTED TOILET PAPER.
Stick to simple, recycled, non-bleached, chlorine free varieties and you should remain allergy free.
I have to say, loo paper is not a product I’ve been checking ingredients on but I will be from now on…
And don’t get me started on scented tampons and panty liners… buy these at your peril.
Anyone else had a problem with perfumed loo roll? or other such perfumed ladies products?
I have checked out and discovered that Sainsbury’s quilted own brand seems to be Ok for most which is a bit softer for your bits ;).
Also, women should be aware of the issues with sanitary products. I too am a bit of a prude but I have waxed lyrical on the subject here: http://trulyglutenfree.co.uk/2013/06/25/corn-in-sanitary-products-causes-gluten-migraine/.
Let’s just say I have found a whole new world of pretty eco towels and leave it there..
WOW yes I remember reading this blog post a while ago. I will look into it. I’ve never had a problem with loo roll before but this scented stuff is lethal. I do like Sainsbury’s so I might treat my sore bits to some quilted this weekend ;o)
Lol, I will try not to think of you!!
This made interesting reading. I thought i was going mad i can’t even use most of the normal toilet rolls anymore the only one that doesn’ bother me at the moment is Tesco Soft. Haven’t tried sainsburys yet though š oh and it has to be white lol
Yup it has to be white and it has to be soft ;o) never thought you’d be reading the list of ingredients on bog roll did you? I would love to know what horrible thing it is they are putting in the loo roll though perhaps it’s best not to know.
Perhaps it’s best not to know? I have a hard time understanding that kind of reasoning. I want to know which products to avoid and so should you. By avoiding those products and making wise decisions you create a tipping point. Meaning the people who put loads of chemicals in their products if people are aware, people quit buying them, they then go out of business or change their products to be more safe. We are a consumer driven nation. What we spend our money on makes a difference!
The ‘best not to know’ comment was meant tongue in cheek, though nothing would surprise me when you read the list of ingredients here that are allowed to be used in a product for human use, for any product really. Well I have stopped buying the loo roll which irritated me so I guess I have acted with my feet so to speak. I also wrote to Asda but didn’t hear back from them. And I wrote this blog so I think I’ve dont my bit to persuade others not to buy stupid scented bog roll, despite whether they react of not – I wouldn’t want these ingredients being rubbed into my skin now I know they’re in there. Loll roll should be paper – simple. Just paper.
Iāve just been for patch testing as allergic to most toilet roll apart from Regina Chamomile. I only brought it in the first place as the flower pattern made me smile! How do I get a list of ingredients? I now know I have alerts to: ethyl, methyl, phenyl & ethanol!
Can anyone in the uk recommend a totally chlorine free loo roll to buy? I looked at labels today in sainsburys and couldnt actually find one! I have had sore bits and bobs for 3yrs. Only yesterday did I stumble across this and think hold on, I know im allergic to lanolin to the point where I look like I have an iron burn on my skin and swimming gives me a nasty bout of thrush thanks to the chlorine! I have contact dermatitis in my hands as we use a chlorine based spray in the school I work with! I need some chlorine free products asap, please help!!
You could try myzerowaste.com or ethicalsuperstore.com for Ecoleaf toilet tissue. I generally find the cheaper, recycled loo roll types are much simpler and less likely to contain any nasties. Good luck!
Hey y’all ! Like omgg yesssss.. Scented wipes, tampons and tissues are HORRIBLE. The propylene gycol in them causes significant damage. I used wipes the other day and it had the propylene gycol and now I’m itching beyond control! On my last cycle I used Tampax, and that has the propylene gycol and I itched and my tissue also had it since it’s aloe scented. Ladies, do not use scented stuff, even bath soap on your privates if u have extremely sensitive skin! Unscented pads, tissues, tampons and wipes should be what you use. Vagisil anti-itch cream should be of some help.
Xoxox Dani
Hear Hear Danielle, I so agree. NEVER buying anything scented again. I’ve so far only bought the scented loo roll by mistake but I wonder if it’s good for anyone, let alone us sensitive souls who cannot bear it at all. My body is a temple. Only natural stuff for me thanks.
Important post for all. Look even further when making choices. Check the standards for mercury, etc. This lists all household paper products with companies practices and policies, disclosures, etc.
Got some scented Cushelle as a substitute in a grocery delivery and used it once. Have been itching for last 2 years. Awful. Cant use any loo roll low, quite difficult to manage away from home. Can anyone recommend a non scented non bleached chemical free tissue? Just made of paper without any additions? I have to solve this!
I bought the same toilet paper, which is now being sold in Aldi. I took 4 thrush tablets to get rid of the symptoms, but only realised it was the toilet paper until I went on holiday.
Why are they selling scented toilet paper- it doesn’t make sense! I”ve had a lot discomfort and had to pay over Ā£50 in medication just because of this toilet roll.
I don’t know, it’s a stupid thing, but I don’t think they even think about the consequences. No one needs scented loo roll. It gets wiped on our bums and flushed away, it doesn’t need a fragrance. Sorry you’ve had this experience too. It’s one I do not wish to remember myself…
Two doctor visits 2 urine samples a Trush treatment and cystitis treatment courtesy of Cushelle perfumed linen toilet roll
Urgh… feel your pain. Why does this stuff need to be perfumed? seriously unecessary suffering. Hope your nether regions feel better now.
Yes! Just worked it out. Shall we say many treatments with thrush meds, nothing working. One restless night I realised that our toilet paper (Sainsbury’s soft I believe, it is quilted) smelled quite strongly of coconut.
I believe it might have had more than the average degree of scent. I’m generally allergic to all tree nuts, and that includes coconut.
Buying more carefully now. What a relief!
I know! I was shocked to realise the sheer number of ingredients in scented loo roll. Honestly it’s awful stuff. Glad you got the bottom of that one! No pun intended. Plain and simple is all we need for our delicate nether regions!
Just to say that I have the same experience with the recycled Sainsbury’s toilet rolls, used for years: no problems!
Veronique
Just had an awful experience with Asda Shades Cherry Blossom that got substituted. I thought I was going crazy with how the irritation took hold so fast and the burning sensation. I can’t sleep. Thank you for this blog. It really should be stopped. There is no need to add fragrance to toilet tissue, and not in such eye watering ( literally) quantities!
Oh no! So sorry you’ve had this too! It takes a while to calm down those sensitive nether regions but you’ll recover fully. Always sniff bog roll and never put that fragranced shit anywhere near your privates! It’s so painful and uncomfortable. I wonder what we can do to stop it though? Many people must be OK with the fragrance or they wouldn’t do it… Plain old white for me!
I accidentally got Cushelle coconut scented/ balm toilet roll & canāt find out what the ingredients are as there not listed on the packaging and the website is useless
They smell awful – have given me a head even without opening the pack & I will be taking then back to the shop
Urgh! Why do they do this? It’s a nonsense and trust me when I say, if you have sensitive skin you do not want this stuff rubbing on your most sensitive parts! They should have to say the ingredients shouldn’t they? I can’t find them out either so yes, return that nasty stuff to the store. And complain!
I have seen at least 3 doctors, been tested for infections and hormones, treated with steroid creams and antibiotics, and continue to have the same on and off really painful itchy symptoms for a year now- I didnāt consider the aloe or coconut loo roll I sometimes buy- the gpās didnāt either, but this makes so much sense to me!! Thanks for this article
Iām so pleased this helped! Itās crazy really and took me way too long to work it out. It realised when I noticed blowing my nose was making me itchy. There is no reason toilet roll needs to be scented. Itās crazy. Hope it heals up soon
This happened to me, in agony as we speak! Asda subbed our no scented loo roll for their warm vanilla scented toilet roll š started to feel the tingling over Christmas thought it might just be a small bought of thrush and itās got worse and worse.
Last two days I have been using my our reusables wipes that we use on my 16 month daughter!!! Check them out guys, much nicer and no nasties: now Iām waiting for the symptoms to subside. Ice pack and antihistamine time methinks!
I can barely go out in public due to perfume. Today I realize that my toilet paper is attacking me now. Never would have thought I would end up in this predicament. Glad I finally realized what was causing the problem is. Finally found some aloe in my cabinet. The only thing that has helped any so far. They need to put warning labels on the crap.
It makes me so mad when I see scented tissues or loo roll. We sneeze or wipe our bottoms with this stuff, it doesn’t need to be fragranced because it’s being binned or flushed. The damage this stuff does to our sensitive parts is awful. But it’s so easy to buy it without realising! I’m now really careful to check. And don’t get me stared on scented sanitary products! Don’t even go there. A mistake that will never be repeated… not least since I’m now menopausal.. thank goodness. LOL. Thanks so much for your comment.
I have just stumbled across this thread and agree the Asda Shades Coconut Oil toilet paper gave me a horrendous reaction. Very sore and inflamed. It took me a week to realise what caused the allergic reaction. Thank you so much for this post! Iāll definitely be avoiding any type of scented toilet paper in the future!
OH it’s awful isn’t it? Just google forever chemicals in loo roll and you’ll be baffled this is even allowed to happen. We are flushing these chemicals into our water system and they never degrade! They should be banned. Thanks so much for your comment!
For almost 4 days Iāve been suffering with itchiness and discomfort down there and I came across your post on here and I checked my brand of toilet roll!
Itās ridiculous Iāve only just recently swapped out my usual brand for this and it just explains everything, toilet paper with a scent is just ridiculous the discomfort Iāve been going through the past few days has been horrendous. What did you use to subside the pain in the end?
It’s crazy isn’t it? Why? just why do we need these chemicals on our loo roll to make something we flush down the loo smell nice? It is ridiculous. Sending your poor itchy bits healing vibes. And always make sure you get unfragranced bog roll