Gluten Free Cosmetics and Toiletries

Celiac Sprue and Gluten Free Cosmetics and Toiletries

I have had Celiac Sprue for over 30 years and have been very cautious of not using cosmetics, lotions, lip sticks, harmone creams etc. that contain gluten.  If Celiac Sprue affects the small intestine then why should I be careful with cosmetics and toiletries that contain gluten?

Food labels usually say whether a product contains gluten, a type of protein found in wheat, barley, and other grains. But the packaging of body lotions and other beauty products rarely provides that information, even though many such products contain substances derived from gluten.

You are constantly licking your lips and get gluten from lipsticks and lip salves that contain glutens.  It is very important to read the ingredient list on those products also. 

An estimated 2 million people in the United States have celiac disease. When these people consume gluten, their immune system attacks structures (known as villi) that line the small intestine and are crucial for absorbing nutrients from food.  Symptoms can include diarrhea, bloating, weight loss, fatigue, and joint pain. The only way to treat celiac disease is to avoid eating or using gluten free products on their skin.  Even shampoo has wheat in it.

After using body lotions that contained gluten products you can developed an itchy, blistering rash on your skin, as well as abdominal bloating and diarrhea.  The rash usually disappears once you stop using the skin care products.

Gluten can't be absorbed through the skin, but people may accidentally ingest small quantities of lotion, lipstick, or other products if they have the product on their hands or use it around their mouth.

Consumers need to be aware of the potential for this type of inadvertent gluten exposure.

So how can celiac patients avoid hidden gluten in toiletries and cosmetics?

A handful of companies do make gluten-free cosmetics, and consumers can also contact manufacturers directly to find out which of their products contain gluten.  For instance, the "Vitamin E" found in beauty products may be derived from wheat and contain gluten, even though the label just lists "vitamin E."

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brenda.bailey.1@hotmail.com