The present invention is a tissue product comprising at least one tissue sheet. Each tissue sheet comprises a first side and an opposing second side. At least one tissue sheet comprises selectively treated pulp fiber treated with at least one hydrophobic chemical additive distributed non-uniformly in the z-direction within the tissue sheet. The tissue sheet has a % z-directional hydrophobic chemical additive gradient between the first side of the tissue sheet and the second side of the tissue sheet of about 20% or greater.