Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Gluten-free makeup may interest you if you haveceliac diseaseor non-celiacgluten sensitivity.
Using gluten-free makeup can potentially reduce your risk ofsymptomsif you are especially sensitive toglutenand get some in your mouth.
Who Should Use Gluten-Free Makeup?
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Many cosmetics and skin care products contain gluten.
The most common additive is hydrolyzed wheat protein, which has some but not all gluten removed.
It acts as a binding agent to keep makeup together.
Vitamin E, which is often used as a moisturizing agent, is often derived from wheat.
The gluten protein is too large to be absorbed through your skin.
If you are extremely sensitive to gluten, this could trigger a reaction.
Should you avoid gluten in makeup if you have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity?
Luckily, there are more and more gluten-free options.
These companies use alternative binding agents and Vitamin E derived from other sources, such as vegetable oils.
Wash your handsthoroughly every time you touch a gluten-containing product.
Keep your nails trimmed so that you don’t bite them.
Instead of applying gluten-containing lip gloss to your mouth, try petroleum jelly which has no gluten.
Don’t apply any gluten-containing cosmetics or lotions near your mouth.
Don’t use powders or sprays that contain gluten, since they can become airborne and beinhaled.
Don’t rub your face and then touch your lips without first washing your hands.
Don’t bite your nails after putting on makeup.
Don’t bite or lick your lips if wearing gluten-containing lipstick.
(Lower ppm values are better.)
The bottom line: The products are completely safe if you are sensitive to gluten.
Alima Pure
Alima Pure makes eco-friendly, mineral-based makeup that’s cruelty-free.
However, only our loose powder products are created in a designated gluten-free facility."
The bottom line:You’re perfectly safe to use any loose powder products from Alima Pure.
Exercise caution with other products, especially if you’re particularly sensitive to trace gluten.
They are made in a shared facility or on shared equipment.
Many people with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity do report using Bare Minerals products without issue.
BITE Beauty
BITE Beauty, which makes only lip products, sells through Sephora.
The company’s products are certified gluten-free.
The bottom line:BITE Beauty products are perfectly safe for those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.
Still, we cannot give a 100% guarantee that trace levels of gluten are not present."
All our products are safe for customers with celiac sprue."
The bottom line: This is a safe brand for those of us with celiac or gluten sensitivity.
Certified products should carry the GFCO, BRCG, or NSF logo on their labels.
However, it does sometimes use shared equipment.
The bottom line: E.L.F.
cosmetics are quite safe but are not certified to be made in gluten-free facilities.
em michelle phan
This brand is made and marketed in partnership with L’Oreal.
The company does not state whether or not gluten-based ingredients are used in its products.
There’s also a possibility of cross-contamination.
Gabriel Cosmetics is also vegan (with the exception of its makeup brushes, which are cruelty-free).
The bottom line:Anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can confidently use anything from Gabriel Cosmetics.
As long as the makeup remains on the skin, gluten-containing cosmetics should not pose any concerns.
Mirabella reports that its vendors test ingredients for trace gluten “and are amazingly thorough.”
The company also doesn’t perform animal testing.
The bottom line: Mirabella Beauty takes a careful approach to serving the gluten-free community.
You should be safe with any product, with the exception of the gluten-containing skin tint creme.
NARS Cosmetics
The company does not have a statement regarding gluten.
Nivea adds that there’s a risk of cross-contamination due to shared facilities.
However, the company is extremely careful when it comes to gluten.
All of its products are considered gluten-free, with the exception of its Oatmeal Bergamot Bar Soap.
The company then follows that up with routine batch lab testing to ensure purity.
The bottom line: you’re free to use Red Apple Lipstick products if you have gluten sensitivity.
Report any abuses or concerns to the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors at (240) 402-1130.
Smashbox
This brand is a subsidiary of Estee Lauder.
Products might be processed on shared equipment.
The company is cruelty-free and has an extensive vegan-friendly product list.
Zuzu Luxe
This brand, made by GFCO-certified Gabriel Cosmetics, is certified gluten-free.
Most Zuzu Luxe products also are corn-free and vegan, according to the company.
The bottom line: Zuzu Luxe products are perfectly safe for people with celiac and gluten sensitivity to use.
Summary
Many cosmetics contain gluten in the form of hydrolyzed wheat protein.
Alternately, avoid biting your nails or licking your lips or fingers if using gluten-containing cosmetics.
Gluten Intolerance Group.Beauty supplements.
doi:10.1177/1091581818776013
National Celiac Society.Are gluten-free skin and body product important for people with celiac disease?
