Gluten in Cosmetics: Friend or Foe?

Recently, our support team has been fielding inquiries about a specific topic: gluten. We frequently receive questions such as:

"I have a gluten allergy/gluten sensitivity. What gluten-free cosmetics are available?" or "Do I really need to use gluten-free cosmetics?"

Gluten-free products are currently trending. They've been a staple in supermarkets for years and are now making their mark in the cosmetics industry. An increasing number of brands proudly advertise their gluten-free status on the packaging, and more articles—like this one—are exploring the topic.

Naturally, this raises several questions: Are gluten-free products truly beneficial? Do individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity need to avoid gluten-containing cosmetics?

The short answer is: no.

Celiac disease and related conditions are serious health issues that should not be taken lightly. Additionally, many people today prefer to avoid gluten for various reasons—even if they aren’t allergic.

Living gluten-free has evolved into a lifestyle choice that extends beyond the kitchen. However, when people start worrying about wheat germ oil in their skin cream or barley in their shampoo, it's important to clarify that, as of now, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that gluten in cosmetics poses any risk.

Even individuals with dermatitis herpetiformis (a skin condition linked to gluten) do not experience issues from topical exposure. The inflammatory reactions in these cases are exclusively triggered by gluten ingestion and the subsequent autoimmune response. When gluten comes into contact with the skin, nothing happens.

The explanation is straightforward: gluten protein molecules are too large to be absorbed through the skin. Research has shown that applying gluten-containing products to the skin of individuals with celiac disease resulted in no symptoms.

(Note: Hydrolyzed wheat protein (HWP) in cosmetics can cause hives, particularly in people with eczema. However, this is unrelated to celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.)

Summary

Gluten-containing cosmetics should not harm individuals with celiac disease, provided they do not ingest the products inadvertently. To minimize any risk, it’s advisable to ensure that lip care products, lipsticks, toothpaste, mouthwashes, and similar items are gluten-free. Foundations should also be gluten-free in case they accidentally enter the mouth, as well as hand and nail products—after all, we often touch our mouths without thinking.

Source: Mayo Clinic