Gluten Free Bath and Beauty Products, Do you need them? [Video]

Video: Gluten Free Bath and Beauty Products, Do you need them?

Dr. Vicki Peterson addresses whether gluten-free products, such as lotions and shampoos, are necessary. While science suggests the gluten molecule is too large to penetrate the skin, some people experience topical reactions. These reactions can mimic those from ingesting gluten, particularly for those with a strong immune response. She advises caution, especially with products near the mouth like lipstick, which can be ingested unintentionally. Peterson recommends that those with gluten sensitivity, autoimmune disease, or a family history of celiac disease opt for gluten-free products to minimize health risks.

Transcript of the video

Hello, Dr. Vicki Peterson here. The question today that I was asked had to do with gluten-free products, such as lotions and shampoos. Do they need to be gluten-free? Great question, and I’m going to do my best to answer it because there is a bit of argument occurring in that arena.

From a scientific viewpoint, we are told that the gluten molecule is too big to permeate our skin. So, unless we’re swallowing it, it shouldn’t be a problem. However, there are people who have what’s called an IgE response to gluten, meaning even a topical application will bother them. These are the people who have an immediate reaction to gluten, similar to someone who eats strawberries and breaks out in hives almost immediately. It’s that sort of immune-mediated response, which is quite quick.

Now, there are others who don’t have that sort of topical problem, but they use a lotion and get their common gluten response as if they ate gluten. So, they didn’t eat it, but they put it on their skin, and their body reacted the same way. Even though science is telling us that the molecule is too big, people are having reactions. I think it might be akin to those of us who are gluten sensitive being told, because we don’t have a positive biopsy of our small intestine showing eradication of all our villi, that we’re fine to eat gluten, and we all know that’s absolutely not the case.

I think it’s wise to err on the side of caution. It’s especially important with certain cosmetics that you might unwittingly ingest, like lipstick. We don’t think about swallowing our lipstick, but we definitely do. If you’re kissing a woman with lipstick, then you’re getting some of it as well. Things that are very near the oral cavity should be absolutely gluten-free.

Lotions can be rubbed on your skin, and then you might touch around your face and mouth, ingesting it that way. Other people who are gluten sensitive don’t seem to have any problem with that. It really varies across a broad range of sensitivities. You know your body, and you know how sensitive you need to be. It’s important that we put as little stress on our bodies as possible, especially if you’re newly diagnosed, have autoimmune disease, or have celiac in your family.

Those of us with a strong genetic predisposition should be especially careful. Personally, I had a circumstance where I got a new shampoo with wheat germ oil in it, and I had a local reaction. I’m typically not someone who’s very sensitive to my skin, but that occurred with me. I also don’t tend to react to places with wheat flour in the air, but I absolutely reacted to this shampoo.

I’m not trying to confuse you in the face of science, but we really have to look at what people are experiencing, who know their bodies well. I’ve definitely seen reactions to creams, shampoos, and especially lipsticks. So, those of you who are women wearing lipstick, or kissing a woman wearing lipstick, definitely make that effort. It’s getting a lot easier. There are a lot more cosmetic companies making that transition. If you go online, you can find out what’s available to you.

I hope that helps, and until next time, I wish you good health.

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