Gluten Free Cosmetics

You have probably heard of, or know someone who eats, a gluten-free diet. This means eliminating wheat products from the diet, and often oats, rye, and barley too. These four grains contain a protein, called gliadin, responsible for the unwanted symptoms intolerance to the protein can produce.

There are three gliadin-associated conditions that benefit from a gluten-free diet: Celiac Disease is a permanent intolerance to gliadin, and continued consumption of the protein results in an immune system reaction. Gluten-intolerance most often presents as digestive issues after consuming foods containing wheat or gluten. Wheat allergies are fairly common and cause allergic type reaction; rash, swelling, wheezing, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

It is also important for those with Celiac Disease, or gluten or wheat intolerance, to use cosmetics and personal care products that are gluten-free. Because our skin is very absorbent, products containing gluten can trigger a reaction in some people. Products made for lips and face (lipstick, balm, facial creams) are the biggest concern.

To avoid gluten in cosmetics, look for products labeled “Gluten-free” and familiarize yourself with the most common gluten-containing cosmetic ingredients. The following is a good starting point, taken from Go Gluten Free Gracefully.com:

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch
Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten
Triticum Vulgare Extract
Triticum Vugare Lipids
Wheat Germ Extract
Wheat Germ Glycerides
Wheat Germ Oil
Oat (Avena Sativa) Oil
Oat (Avena Sativa) Extract
Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract
Vitamin E- Derived From Wheat
Semino Peptide Complex
Dextrin
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Fermented Grain Alcohol
Barley Extract
Barley Lipids

Vitamin E appears on the list because it can be sourced from wheat germ.  However, many cosmetics manufacturers denature their wheat germ to remove the gliadin, making it safe for use by those with gluten intolerance.  If you spot wheat germ or Vitamin E (Tocopherol) on an ingredient listing, check to see if the label says it has been denatured or is gluten-free.

For a more extensive list of gluten-containing cosmetic ingredients, go to Naturally Dahling.com.

Many nontoxic cosmetic lines carry products that are gluten-free. Love True Natural.com carries several gluten-free products. 100% Pure, Dr. Hauschka, Hamadi, Pangea Organics, and Badger all make products free from gluten too. I will add to this list as I come across other brands.

Image:  RaeAllen at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.