By Bee Lindquist
For those diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, finding hair and skin products that are gluten-free can be challenging. It takes time to decipher the ingredients listed on each label and many of the product manufacturers do not know or want to disclose ingredients because the FDA does not require them to do so. Many times, when asked, they cannot guarantee that their fragrances are gluten free, even if they feel their shampoos and conditioners are free from wheat proteins.
When reading labels, it would be a simple task if ingredients were always listed as what they truly are, such as wheat, barley, rye or oats. Many times, they are listed as their scientific names like tritium vulgare (wheat), hordeum vulgare (barley) secale cereale (rye), or avena sativa (oats). There are ‘extracts’ from these grains that are listed as their scientific names as well as ‘forms’ of the grain in some products.
Many personal care products contain gluten since it is a common binder that helps ingredients stick together. However, many individuals on celiac disease forums report intolerance symptoms that include losing their hair and severe rashes and itching due to wheat sources in their shampoo. After switching to a true gluten-free version, the problems disappeared.
If you continue to suffer gluten intolerance symptoms, despite altering your diet, look into other exposure to gluten in different areas of your daily routine, such as your hair and skin products. An absence of symptoms does not mean the intestines are not being damaged. The safest alternative is to seek out fragrance-free, gluten-free shampoo, hair conditioner, makeup and cosmetics along with skin care products. It takes a very little gluten to set off an immune system response.
Some products that have hidden gluten, that you should also stay away from, are products such as toothpaste and lip balm (chapsticks). Elizabeth Hasselbeck wrote in her book, The G Free Diet, that she can’t tolerate any hair care products, body washes, lotions or anything that she comes in contact with have any type of gluten in it.
“If you use a cosmetic or skin care product that contains gluten and you develop a skin reaction, see your doctor or dermatologist to identify the cause. It is possible to have an allergy to wheat or another grain that could cause a skin reaction.”
There are many blogs and articles on the internet concerning different ways in which people found out what was causing reactions to gluten products. One woman had a nervous habit of chewing on her hair and thus, gluten free shampoo released unwanted gluten into her system. Another man had a problem with what he thought was acne blisters and found that the shampoo he was using had gluten, which he was allergic to, and was causing his problems. If you truly feel you have celiac disease, then it is suggested by many to stay completely away from and contact to that ingredient.
This subject has sparked a real interest in this ingredient by The Beauty Studio staff. We have learned that all of our GloMineral makeup, with the exception of the GloFace Primer and the GloLip Filler, is gluten free. We also contacted Eufora and Onesta to see which of their products are Gluten free. All of Eufora’s shampoos and conditioners are gluten free except the Momo Serum, Momo Cream and Solu Shampoo. These are a small fraction of the different types of shampoos and conditioners that we sell by Eufora. Onesta has told us that only Strengthening Shampoo and Quench Leave-In Conditioner do contain a small percentage of wheat protein. All of their other products are gluten free. We have a list of the Dermalogica brand of skin care products that are also safe and free from gluten. ALL Eminence Products are Gluten-free, Vegan and Parabin-free.
We are always concerned with our client’s health and beauty needs and if you ever have any questions or concerns about the products you use, please do not hesitate to ask. We will find out any information you need to make an informative decision.
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