Putting Gluten on your skin

Over the years as a gluten free girl, I have learned that gluten just isn’t in foods and drinks. I've learned that it’s also in topical items such as lotion, shampoo, conditioner and makeup!  Yes makeup…one of my favorite things in the world.  For a person that isn't living a gluten free life, they don’t notice that Aveeno bottles have this piece of wheat on the front or the oats some of the  St Ives lotions have on their bottles that adorn the cosmetic shelves at the Target and grocery stores nationwide.  We slather on our skin each and every day these products without a second thought.  But should we?  Even as a gluten free person, there are so many products on the shelves that boast the power of oats and wheat as to their age defying agents, that we totally don't notice them.  For some people even living a gluten free lifestyle topical products don’t necessarily affect them, but be careful.  Remember that your skin is the biggest organ your body has and it absorbs everything you put on it.  Think of lip items alone.  You put it on your lips, you lick your lips or drink some coffee, and now you have ingested into your body this gluten filled lip balm and your wondering why you are having a reaction to your ‘gluten free coffee beverage’.  It wasn’t your beverage to blame, but your lip care item that’s the culprit.  Same thing with your lotion that you put on your hands; you slather on your favorite lotion that is made with oats and then eat your favorite Glutino pretzels which are gluten free.  Shortly after, you feel the affects of being “glutened” and your curious as to why?!?!  Cross contamination is again the culprit and you did it to yourself.  Shame Shame!

I can say all of these things because I have done these things myself and have learned the hard way.  The very hard way!  So, I have researched online about different ingredients that have gluten in them  and the gluten containing ingredients that you may find in topical items that might confuse you (like they did me prior to researching and delving into each and every ingredient). 

A few companies have put out amazing lists of product lines that are Gluten Free.  Neutrogrena Naturals are gluten free!  Red Apple Lipstick is entirely gluten free.  I haven't tried them yet, but I have heard they are amazing!  Cetaphil says they use vegetable-based ingredients and not wheat.  YAY!  Vaseline Lip therapy is also gluten free.    

Read and familiarize yourself with these items below that are wheat based.  The list is ever changing and ever growing as more and more items are being made with wheat since it’s cheaper than corn or rice.  So be diligent with your health and what you put in and on your body.  When in doubt, don't use it and research!

• stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl (hydrolyzed wheat protein)

• hydroxypropyltrimonium (hydrolyzed wheat protein)
• amino peptide complex
• hydrolyzed malt extract
• phytosphingosine extract
• samino peptide complex
• cyclodextrin
• prolamine
• beta glucan
• dextrin
• dextrin palmitate
• hydrolyzed vegetable protein
• maltodextrin (can be from barley)
• Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour
• Barley extract
• Cylodextrin
• Dextrin
• Dextrin Palmitate
• Fermented grain extract
• Hydrolyzed Malt Extract
• Hydrolyzed Oat Flour
• Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
• Hydrolyzed Wheat Flour
• Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten
• Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
• Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/PVP Crosspolymer
• Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch
• Phytosphingosine extract
• Samino peptide complex
• Secale Cereale (Rye) Seed Flour
• Sodium C8-16 Isoalkylsuccinyl
• Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract
• Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil
• Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Gluten
• Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Starch
• Vitamin E (MAY have wheat germ as the source of the vitamin E)
• Wheat Amino Acids
• Wheat Germ Glycerides
• Wheat Germamidopropalkonium Chloride
• Wheat Protein Sulfonate
• Wheatgermamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
• Yeast Extract

Remember, gluten free isn’t a diet, it’s a lifestyle!  Love being gluten free!

(Disclaimer: I am not pointing fingers or praising any products.  Just stating facts based on research.  Please ensure you do your own research and listen to your body when you eat or use any products.  There are no endorsements.  All products are trademarked. Thank you to Wikipedia and glutenfreeville.com as well as as Celiac.com  for yours assistance in explaining a lot of the information above!)