Do I need gluten free skin care products?

Gluten is a type of protein that can be found in a number of grains especially wheat, but also barley, malt, rye and some oats.  These can be ingredients in many skin care products as an additive.

Avoidance of oral consumption of gluten is especially important for patients with an intestinal disorder called celiac disease.  Patients with celiac disease develop inflammation and irritation in their intestines when they ingest gluten containing products. True celiac disease is only seen in 1-2% of the US population. Yet, many more people are eating gluten free due to self-diagnosed gluten intolerance.  

In contrast, there is a skin disorder called dermatitis herpetiformis.  In this disorder, eating gluten can trigger itching and small blisters on the skin.  Not all patients with celiac disease have dermatitis herpetiformis and vice versa.  In fact, only 10-15% of patients with celiac disease have dermatitis herpetiformis.

But, the question for today, is what about skin care products? Do patients with gluten sensitive disorders need gluten free skin care products?  The answer is… probably not, in most cases.  Scientific studies show that topically applied gluten is not absorbed into the bloodstream. So, gluten free skin care products are not required for all patients with celiac disease.  Even for patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, topical contact with gluten does not generally aggravate skin disease unless there are open skin lesions contacting a significant amount of gluten.  There is an exception to every rule.  Some patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and celiac disease have reported sensitivity to gluten in skin care products, but it is not necessary for everyone.  

One common way dermatologists recommend checking for sensitivity or allergy to a skin care product is to place a small amount in the inner part of the forearm or bend of the elbow every day for a week to ten days.  The fancy name for this is the Repeated Open Application Test or ROAT.  This checks for allergy or sensitivity without causing a reaction on a larger area or the face.

The bottom line… Gluten free skin care products are fine, but not necessary, for the majority of patients.  If you have a medical diagnosis of celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis, doing a ROAT is never a bad idea.  

If you still want to avoid gluten in skin care products, look for the gluten free symbol.  How about you? Have you benefited from switching to gluten free skin care products.  Comment below or on social media this week.

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