Question:

What would be the ingredient names to avoid while choosing gluten-free dental products, makeup and skin care?

From,

Camille

Answer:

Hi Camille. To ease your mind, gluten cannot be absorbed through the skin. However, if a product containing gluten comes into contact with your lips or mouth, such as makeup or lipstick, the gluten can be ingested that way.

If you feel better avoiding gluten-containing skin products, below is a list of ingredients to watch out for. It is not a comprehensive list, but it is a good start. Because there are so many skin care and dental products on the market, it’s best to call the manufacturer prior to using their particular products.

• Hydrolyzed wheat protein
• Hydrolyzed wheat starch
• Hydrolyzed wheat gluten
• Triticum vulgare
• Wheat germ oil
• Wheat germ extract
• Wheat germ glycerides
• Vitamin E derived from wheat germ
• Oat bran
• Oat flour
• Oat extract
• Oat protein
• Avena sativa
• Barley extract
• Barley solids
• Samino peptide complex
• Hordeum vulgare
• Phytosphingosine extract

For dental products, it is best to contact the manufacturer of the products you use. Another tip: Call your dentist’s office a couple weeks ahead of your check up to let them know you can’t use any products that have gluten in it.

Sincerely,

Rachel Begun, MS, RD