Wet wipes are bad for your skin and they're even worse for the environment. But your butt doesn't need wet wipes. You can use any piece of toilet paper to soothingly cleanse your bottom with one of the many toilet paper foams and gels on the market.

"If you're using a wet wipe with preservatives, it can trigger contact dermatitis or irritate chafed skin or areas where a psoriasis lesion has appeared," says Annie Gonzalez, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami. "If the wet wipe has a fragrance, that can also be irritating to the skin." Beyond that, the millions of wet wipes that get flushed down the toilet each year create massive blockages in wastewater systems, pollute the oceans and harm sea creatures, and take up to 100 years to biodegrade in a landfill. (There's no such thing as a "flushable" wet wipe.)

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Experts In This Article

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So how does butt foam work to replace wet wipes? Simply pump of few squirts of the product onto a piece of toilet paper. As you wipe you butt, it provides a soothing barrier between your skin and the toilet paper, helping reduce irritation. It also makes your new "wet wipes" truly flushable.

While Dr. Gonzalez likes the idea of using these products, it's important to pay extra close attention to the ingredients list. Many foams and gels contain irritating additives, which defeats the purpose of using such products. "Always go for an unscented product without alcohol," she says.

The best flushable toilet paper foams and gels

1. Bodifresh Foam Cleanser, $15 for 3

This foam is alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and pH balanced, keeping your skin happy. It also contains aloe and vitamin E to help moisturize and soothe the area.

Shop now: Bodifresh Foam Cleanser, $15 for 3

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2. Qleanse Toilet Paper Foam Spray and Caddy, $12

This moisturizing and cleansing foam uses aloe vera to soothe your skin. It's also free of parabens, alcohol, sulfates, dyes, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.

Shop now: Qleanse Toilet Paper Foam Spray and Caddy, $12

3. Fohm Co Touchless Toilet Paper Foam Dispenser, $49

Aside from being fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and made with aloe, this foam comes in a touchless motion-activated dispenser to keep things hygienic. Once you run out, simply buy a refill.

Shop now: Fohm Co Touchless Toilet Paper Foam Dispenser, $49

4. Wipegel Toiler Paper Gel, $22

If you're dealing with hemorrhoids, try Wipegel's toilet paper gel. It contains witch hazel to soothes itching as well as a prebiotic blend that says it can help keep odor and infections at bay.

Shop now: Wipegel Toiler Paper Gel, $22

5. Squatty Potty Toilet Tissue Paper Foam, $13 for 2

This product—which only contains witch hazel, aloe, and water—will keep your skin feeling soft and clean. It's also a great size to pack up with you for camping trips.

Shop now: Squatty Potty Toilet Tissue Paper Foam, $13 for 2

These are the foods that will help you poop:

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