Not An Allergen.
Gluten
Food and skin allergies don’t always correlate (different cells are involved) and gluten is not a common skin allergen.
While not on published lists of common skin allergens, when ingested, for those sensitive to it, gluten is linked to some nutritional problems which could impact the skin. If you have been diagnosed with Celiac’s disease or dermatitis herpetiformis, make sure to check with your doctor if you can use products applied on the skin that might contain gluten.
Another thing to note: gluten is a large molecule that by itself cannot be absorbed through the barrier layer of the skin. That said, theoretically, gluten can be bound to lipids in cosmetics to — again theoretically — help absorb gluten into the skin. Irritable skin (such as from dry, atopic, contact, winter skin) has some skin barrier dysfunction which may help facilitate in this absorption. And, some skincare/cosmetic products like toothpaste and lip products may get into mucosal surfaces which would significantly increase the risk of gluten absorption.
If you have a history of sensitive skin, don’t guess: random trial and error can cause more damage. Ask your dermatologist about a patch test.
To shop our selection of hypoallergenic (and gluten-free) products, visit vmvhypoallergenics.com. Need help? Ask us in the comments section below, contact us by email, or drop us a private message on Facebook.
For more:
On the prevalence of skin allergies, see Skin Allergies Are More Common Than Ever and One In Four Is Allergic to Common Skin Care And Cosmetic Ingredients.
To learn more about the VH-Rating System and hypoallergenicity, click here.
References:
Regularly published reports on the most common allergens by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group and European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (based on over 28,000 patch test results, combined), plus other studies. Remember, we are all individuals — just because an ingredient is not on the most common allergen lists does not mean you cannot be sensitive to it, or that it will not become an allergen. These references, being based on so many patch test results, are a good basis but it is always best to get a patch test yourself.
2. W Uter et al. The European Baseline Series in 10 European Countries, 2005/2006–Results of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA). Contact Dermatitis 61 (1), 31-38.7 2009
3. Wetter, DA et al. Results of patch testing to personal care product allergens in a standard series and a supplemental cosmetic series: An analysis of 945 patients from the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group, 2000-2007. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010 Nov;63(5):789-98.
4. Verallo-Rowell VM. The validated hypoallergenic cosmetics rating system: its 30-year evolution and effect on the prevalence of cosmetic reactions. Dermatitis 2011 Apr; 22(2):80-97
5. Ruby Pawankar et al. World Health Organization. White Book on Allergy 2011-2012 Executive Summary.
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12. Marks JG, Belsito DV, DeLeo VA, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch-test results, 1998 to 2000. Am J Contact Dermat. 2003;14(2):59-62.
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