Gluten-free Cosmetics

Celiac people are sensitive to gluten in food. Therefore, if they suffer from an allergic reaction on the skin or mucous membranes, they should pay special attention to the composition of the cosmetics they use on a daily basis.

The incorporation of cereals in cosmetic formulas is becoming more and more common. They are common due to their high content of vitamins, such as some of the B group that nourish the hair fiber, vitamin E, a powerful skin antioxidant that helps neutralize the action of free radicals, or due to the presence of minerals and trace elements (iron, zinc).

The most used is wheat germ oil, a nourishing and anti-caking moisturizer incorporated in creams or conditioners that prevents hair from being too straight.

The wheat starch is a binder which gives consistency to lipsticks and toothpastes, and rice powder (gluten-free) acts as an astringent in greasy skin trend and improves flexibility of the skin for its moisturizing and softening properties .

Is gluten-free makeup necessary?

Celiac people are very sensitive to gluten, so it is a matter of studies and discussions if they can be affected by the simple contact of gluten through the mucous membranes or the skin.

Some researchers do not seem to find danger when applying cosmetics with gluten topically, since this protein acts when it is inside the body. The mechanism that causes celiac disease is mediated by an autoimmune reaction at the intestinal level and not by allergy or skin contact mechanisms.

In other words, gluten has to reach the intestinal mucosa to cause damage. This information seems to reduce the danger of using cosmetics or toothpastes with gluten.

Other experts claim that the components of lipsticks, makeup foundations or hand creams, for example, penetrate the body with the simple contact with the mouth or that an eye shadow or pencil can be absorbed through the eyelid.

Since small doses of gluten can trigger intolerance, the most prudent thing is for people with celiac disease to avoid cosmetics and toothpastes with gluten.

In addition, it should be taken into account that there are effective and safe product alternatives that do not use cereals with this protein in their composition, so this restriction neither limits nor hinders skin care.

How to know if a cosmetic contains gluten

In many cosmetics, especially natural ones, you can find the “Gluten free” or ” Gluten free” label . In the event that it does not appear, taking into account that it is not yet mandatory, it is useful to study the composition.

For added safety, cosmetics and toothpastes containing Triticum (wheat), Avena sativa (oats), hydrolyzed malt extract, and Secale cereale (rye) can be avoided.

If the cosmetic includes vitamin E, ask the manufacturer if it comes from wheat germ oil, the most common source of this active ingredient.

Some brands already have wheat germ cosmetics in which the gluten has been removed by natural procedures.