Is "Shield" skincare products gluten-free?

[LynnM]

Hello. My 13 YO son has celiac disease and terrible acne. Our older son, not celiac disease is using a product that is new on the mkt within the last few years called SHIELD. Body wash, cream and patches. Wonderful results. I contacted the Co and they were very helpful but definitely suggested we contact our G.I. specialist, I have done so but I have not heard back from her. Below is the correspondence with the company and I was wondering if anyone here could please tell me whether or not these ingredients are safe.  
 

Hi Lynn, thank you for reaching out and for your interest in our products!

To ensure transparency, here is the full list of ingredients used in our products. While we do not add gluten-containing ingredients, we always recommend reviewing the list below if you have sensitivities or allergies.

Moisturizer Ingredients:
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Squalane
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Niacinamide
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract
Glycerin
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Oil
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C)
Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexylglycerine

Face Wash Ingredients:
Active:
4.0% Benzoyl Peroxide (Curoxyl-42)

Inactive:
Water
Sodium C14-16 Alpha Olefin Sulfonate
Propylene Glycol
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Glycerin
Ceramide NP
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Phytosphingosine
Cholesterol
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
Carbomer
Xanthan Gum
Phenoxyethanol
Niacinamide
Sodium Hyaluronate
Propanediol
Glycolic Acid
Tetrasodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin

Pimple Patches:
Hydrocolloid

Body Wash Ingredients:
Active:
4.0% Benzoyl Peroxide

Inactive:
Water
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Propylene Glycol
Sodium Hyaluronate
Niacinamide
Ceramide NP
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Phytosphingosine
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
Propanediol
Glycolic Acid
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
Carbomer
Acrylates Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexylglycerin

If you have a gluten allergy, we recommend consulting your healthcare provider before use, just to be safe. Let me know if you have any other questions, I’m happy to help!

[trents]

I see nothing in the ingredient list that concerns me from a gluten intolerant perspective.

Historically, how has your 13 yr. old been treated for his acne? When I was a teenager I had acne issues (this was in the 1960s) and was put on a long term regimin of tetracycline. It helped the acne but I am convinced it altered my gut microbiome and contributed to the development of celiac disease.

Edited July 29 by trents

[Scott Adams]

That happened to me as well @trents! I always wondered it that regimen caused my celiac disease! 

[LynnM]

Greetings Trents and Scott. This is the first time I'm posting here so I apologize in advance if I'm not replying properly. My 13 YO was diagnosed at age 5 and once gluten was removed from his diet, he grew 3" in a year, skin became much better and dark circles around his eyes disappeared. Today his numbers were very high and our new dietician discovered his face cream (Clinique dramatically different lotion) contained gluten. My fault for not checking. 
 

His acne really has only just started and he's using OCT gluten-free products but the SHIELD is nothing short of miraculous for my 16 YO son and the 13 YO is eager to start. I will await his dietician's reply or google each ingredient. 
 

I don't want to put him on that Rx as it's not that bad and isn't painful either. Just a boy starting 8th grade and doesn't want bad acne. 
 

When I hear back I will circle back. 

[Scott Adams]

It’s great that you’re taking the time to research products carefully for your son with celiac disease—especially since accidental gluten exposure through skincare can be a real concern for sensitive individuals. Based on the ingredient lists you’ve shared, none of the products appear to contain obvious sources of gluten like wheat, barley, or rye derivatives. Ingredients like glycerin and tocopherols (not listed here but often a concern) can sometimes be derived from wheat, but many manufacturers use plant-based or synthetic sources. SHIELD’s transparency and willingness to share their full ingredient list is a good sign, and their note about not intentionally adding gluten is reassuring. Still, because ingredient sourcing can vary and sensitivities differ from person to person, it’s wise that you’ve reached out to your GI specialist to be sure these products are safe for your son’s specific needs. In the meantime, if you do try any of the products, consider patch-testing them first and watching closely for any signs of skin irritation or reactions.

PS - Most people with celiac disease won't react to skin products that may contain gluten, but I still recommend finding gluten-free products.

[LynnM]

Thank you Scott. My son doesn't have a reaction topically, only when ingested. Interestingly though, the doc told us the face cream getting gluten into his bloodstream doesn't do the damage akin to when gluten is ingested. He had no reaction when using the face cream, it only presented in blood-work. I'm hopeful from all the comments today and will wait for the GI doc to reply. If he is cleared to use it, I will encourage SHIELD to get a gluten-free certification 

[trents]

@LynnM, when you say, "today, his numbers were high", what numbers do you refer to? Are you speaking of celiac antibody scores? Can you be more specific and can you post the test names, the numbers and the reference ranges for the tests?

So, I am understanding you to say that topical exposure to gluten doesn't cause him GI reactions but ingestion of gluten does but at the same time you are attributing the "high numbers" to the topical exposure?

[LynnM]

Hi Everyone. I just heard back from my son's GI doc and nutritionist. SHIELD products ARE gluten free. I am going to ask the company to Pursue gluten-free certification. 

[trents]

Good idea, @LynnM! That would be helpful to other celiacs who find themselves on the more sensitive end of the spectrum. You might also want to send them information about how to initiate the process with GFCO.

But just a word of caution here, don't be surprised if the company is reluctant to pursue this certification as it can tie their hands with regard to changes in formulation in the future. Manufacturers often make ingredient decisions not only based on desired product outcomes but on cost factors. It can also put them at a liability risk should some ingredient supplier introduce an ingredient that was cross-contaminated with gluten without knowledge and cause someone to have a reaction. Testing for gluten-free certification is not done as frequently as consumers imagine and products can and do get out of spec at times. And once you slap a gluten-free certified label on a product, you are instantly open to possible liable suites.