If you’ve turned on a television or walked down the street recently, you’ve probably heard something about gluten-free diets. This new trend is a serious health necessity for those with celiac disease, but it also has been shown to improve a host of problems from digestion complications to autism. When it comes to skincare however, does this health trend hold any weight? Should you be looking for gluten-free products?

Gluten Free Beaty Doesn't Contain WheatWhat’s so Bad about Gluten?

Gluten is a naturally-occurring protein found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. It is also added to certain foods and cosmetics to improve their consistency and texture. While gluten, in and of itself, does not pose a health threat, millions do suffer from gluten allergies. Those who suffer from celiac disease, for instance, cannot eat any gluten at all without suffering serious consequences. In cases such as these, avoiding gluten is a necessary part of everyday life.

 Gluten-Free Beauty Products

After studying the effects of gluten on the skin of patients suffering from celiac disease, doctors have concluded that gluten is not easily absorbed into the body. The gluten molecule is large enough that it cannot be absorbed directly through human skin. There are many users, however, who swear that gluten irritates their eyes and skin.

While a product containing gluten will not necessarily irritate the skin of one who has celiac disease or a gluten allergy, there are those who notice improvements after removing gluten from their beauty care. Afton Jones, founder of glutenfreemakeupgal.com, insists that after years of eye irritation, she discovered that the gluten in her mascara were causing the problem. She switched to gluten-free cosmetics and her face has much improved.

 A rash I’d had on my face went away, and my eyes didn’t feel weighed down and exhausted anymore.

—Afton Jones

Perhaps it’s simply the fact that products without gluten naturally contain less additives, or perhaps the protein does cause irritation to certain skin types. Either way, an enormous demand has recently opened up for gluten-free beauty care. Thousands are finding that their skin problems are improved once they remove gluten from their skincare regimen.

How You Can Avoid Gluten

Unfortunately, there are many skincare products that contain gluten and most of them will not specifically say “gluten” on the label. Your best bet is to look for products that tout a “gluten free” label. A few of the ingredients that definitely do contain the protein include:

  • Products containing wheat or wheat proteins
  • Products containing oats
  • Products containing rye
  • Products containing barley

You can browse a selection of Living Clean products that do not contain gluten, or read more about safe skin care:

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