Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Why to be careful with Lotions, makeup, shampoos etc.


kalo

Recommended Posts

terri Contributor

Just a little note that I discovered at the salon. My haircolor dye has wheat in it! Luckily there is another brand that does not. Unfortunately, she checked AFTER she had put my color on! I did bring my own shampoo and conditioner though. So, before coloring, please check out the ingredients. (I had no ill effects though, thank goodness).


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



  • Replies 50
  • Created
  • Last Reply
Guest NitaB

My daughter is a hair stylist, so she has been very careful with me! We've learned to read the labels of the products she uses. She even got me some new products, and took my leftovers in trade! I will remember when I go for a color, to have her check that, too! Thanks for the tips!

Pegster Apprentice

Clinique contacted me with a list of names for wheat, barley, oat etc. chemical names.

Wheat ingredients all say "wheat" in them (Ex: hydrolized wheat protein) except triticum vulgare. A barley derived ingredient is "hordeum vulgare" and something called "panicum Miliaceum" comes from millet whatever that is. The other ingredients say the actual grain used. I was surprised that their lipstick which I have used for years has wheat in it. I gave mine away and bought Lancome. I have to be really careful with what I use, because my major symptom is DH. I'm sure many people with celiac disease will have no reaction from wheat in cosmetics, but I do.

Guest NitaB

Thank you, Pegster!

I will look at the Lancome line, also. I think my Mary Kay and Estee Lauder lines both have several products with wheat in them.

Even though I haven't been biopsied for DH, I may have it. I still get small, sore bumps on my elbows and knees, but they come and go so quick, I haven't had a chance to get an appt. with a dermatologist! I think mine have never been real bad, so hadn't thought much about it!

Nita

joyce Rookie

HI everyone!

Thanks for the info. on shampoo. I started breaking out on my face and realized that my conditioner from Paul Mitchell has wheat germ in it. Been gluten-free for 6 mo. I bought some Garnier Fructis and like it. I also have been using Mary Kay face cleansing products. I called there 1-800 and they are suppose to be sending me the ingred. in the mail. Why they just couldn't tell me on the phone I don't know.

Anyone know about the cleansers???????? I don't use the make-up or cosmetics

Something is really breaking my face out. Anyone else having that problem. It all seemed to start after I had a gluten accident.

Maybe it hormones- I don't know

Any help would be appreciated

joyce Rookie

HI everyone!

Thanks for the info. on shampoo. I started breaking out on my face and realized that my conditioner from Paul Mitchell has wheat germ in it. Been gluten-free for 6 mo. I bought some Garnier Fructis and like it. I also have been using Mary Kay face cleansing products. I called there 1-800 and they are suppose to be sending me the ingred. in the mail. Why they just couldn't tell me on the phone I don't know.

Anyone know about the cleansers???????? I don't use the make-up or cosmetics

Something is really breaking my face out. Anyone else having that problem. It all seemed to start after I had a gluten accident.

Maybe it hormones- I don't know

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks!!!!

Joyce

hapi2bgf Contributor

Tha Pantene shampoo's and continioners are gluten-free.

As for make-up, I use Nutragena (sp?) and Burt's Bee's. Believe it or not, Burt's makes some pretty good make-up.

I do not have DH, but my hands split open when ever I touch Gluten. So I am a believer in keep everything you use gluten-free.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



hsd1203 Newbie

I really like cetaphil cleanser for my face and have had no problems with it. And for bath soaps I splurge and buy locally made ones with just oils and stuff like that in them. Still looking for a good body moisturizer, though.

Also, if you really want a salon style gluten-free shampoo/conditioner, I use Kenra (I read every last stinkin' shampoo and conditioner bottle in ULTA one day). I have found it helps for me to alternate between that and fructis, I'd hate to become sensitive to one of those.

bigapplekathleen Contributor

HI everyone,

I use MAC cosmetics (which I love) and Tom's of Maine toothpaste. I cannot use Crest or Colgate, even though they are gluten-free. They make my mouth burn and I end up with acne on my face if the toothpaste touches my skin. I also use Burt's Bees face cleanser, toner, lotion, lip balm, and soap. Nearly everything they make is gluten-free. Call them to get the complete list; they are a wonderful company.

MAC cosmetics are usually available at MAC shops in large malls. I have also seen them at cosmetic counters in large department stores. MAC also has a 40% discount program for people in the performing arts/flim/television business. YOu just pay a small fee each year.

Burt's Bees products are available @ Trader joe's, Mrs Greens, Whole Foods Market, and through many mail-order companies.

I gave up on Neutrogena products about 6 months ago. They made me itchy. The company cannot guarantee that their products are gluten-free, so OUT THEY GO! It made me sad to give up my favorite Almay cosmetics (which aren't gluten-free) last fall, too, but honestly, my skin is so much better using MAC and BURT"S BEES !!!!

It was so interesting to read all of these posts. I made the HUGE mistake of coloring my hair at Christmas time and my scalp was so incredibly itchy for several months. I have never had experienced anything like that. I didn't even realize that the gloves that the hairdresser was wearing contained latex, which I am allergic to, so at this point, we aren't sure if the reaction was to gluten ot latex. However, I don't think I will ever color my hair again. It is just not worth it!

My nutritionist told me not to worry about dish soap and stuff like that, since you always rinse it after washing. I haven't even checked those products, but never have reactions at home. I am extremely sensitive to gluten exposure and have horrible reactions and symptoms which last for up to 2 weeks after even one speck of gluten, so i am very careful.

big apple kat

terri Contributor

I bought Retrohair shampoo and conditioner at the salon after reading every ingredient. NO WHERE did they mention gluten or wheat. Today, I called them just to make sure and guess what? All their products contain wheat protein! This really drives home the importance of contacting the manufacturers to me! I was curious as my hands are breaking out. Now I know why. (I was diagnosed with intestinal celiac disease not the dh but I think they are linked). Anyhow, just wanted to share...

Terri in Virginia

Guest gillian502

It is so funny how if 10 different people call the same company, they'll get 10 different responses! I called about Garnier Fructis about 4 months ago, and was told they contained gluten. Perhaps the representative on the phone didn't know what she was talking about. Also, I received a list from Neutrogena listing many, many products of theirs that they say are gluten-free. They never said anything about cross-contamination. Also, I wanted to mention about Pantene, there are some that are gluten-free and others that the representative said may not be, because they contain fragrence and they cannot be certain if that involves gluten. So beware. Cetaphil is not gluten-free at all...a shame, too, because I really liked them! They have one gluten-free product they told me about, can't remember which one it is, but the rest is gluten. I never trust labels, I read AND I call, because I'm always paranoid about cross-contaminating.

Guest NitaB

Well, I made a big mistake Thurs. My daughter is a hairdresser and I went to her shop. She has been so good to read the labels for me. She was running behind, as I was her last appt. of the day. I didn't mind, of course. But, she just started putting color on, while we visited. It was completely on, when I thought about the color! We had talked about shampoo, conditioner, etc, not thinking about color! Both of the kinds they use have wheat protein in them! It is good for hair, so is in many products. She will look for something else for me, for next time. I'm not real sensitive to it, but do have itching on my scalp, and a couple of bumps, that are extra itchy. I've had them always, not knowing why! Nor even questioning why, ever! Besides celiac disease, I think the scars on my elbows and knees from itchy, painful sores last winter, were probably DH. I've not had a receent outbreak, so haven't had a skin biopsy.

So, I'm learning the hard way still!

Thank you everyone for posting your findings about products! :)

Nita

Thomas Apprentice

Thanks for sharing your findings with us...

terri Contributor

Wow, that is strange about the Garnier Fructis. The lady told me in early June that all their products are gluten-free. And, if you read the label, it appear so. I guess you never know! As for face cream, when I called Lancome they said all their products are gluten-free but of course there is always a risk of cross contamination from somewhere (I think they need to say that to avoid being sued), so I use their make up and face creams and face cleaners exclusively now. When I contacted Dove they said theirs was gluten-free too, but I'm not crazy about it. We'll keep trying!

Terri

Pegster Apprentice

I really think the Garnier Fructis is gluten-free. My skin is so sensitive, especially on my scalp and face, I get DH when anything with wheat protein touches it. I don't react at all to the Garnier Fructis. By the way, I noticed wheat protein in the ingredients of nail polish!!! I can't believe how long it takes me to shop for everything these days. I carry a magnifying glass for reading small print ingredients.

Guest NitaB

I just want to reiterate what I said about the hair coloring mistake! It's now been 4 days, and my scalp itches so bad! I think it has always felt tingly when I've had the color on before, and just didn't think anything of it! Now I think the tingling may not be common to others without HD! The back of my neck is red from the scratching! :(

So, keep the tips and reminders coming! We will all learn through each other! :)

Thomas Apprentice

Hey Everyone,

Here's a reply that I just received today from the Oil of Olay Co.:

I'm sorry about your experience with Olay Complete Defense SPF 30. Our

products are thoroughly tested to be safe when used as directed, and we

wouldn't expect the results you described.

We know Celiac is a serious disease, so we want to give you clear

information regarding the use of our beauty care products. If wheat and/or

gluten aren't directly added to a product by us, these ingredients

won't be listed on our packages. Like many companies, we often purchase

the scents for fragranced products from outside suppliers, and the

components of these substances are proprietary information belonging to those

companies. Therefore it's possible that a very small amount (generally

parts per million) of gluten may be present.

We sought advice from physicians; they told us it would be very

unlikely a person with Celiac disease would have a reaction from a trace

amount of gluten coming into contact with his skin or hair. This is because

wheat, rye, barley and/or gluten generally cause symptoms when they're

ingested. Since our beauty care products are designed to be used

externally on the skin, their use shouldn't be an issue for someone with

this disease.

Since gluten sensitivity can vary among people, it would be best if you

consulted with your physician about the use of all types of consumable

goods, if you haven't already. You might even consider using one of

our fragrance free products that doesn't list gluten or wheat extracts on

the label.

I hope this response has been helpful to you. For more information

about Celiac, you may want to check out Open Original Shared Link and

Open Original Shared Link

If you have further questions or concerns, remember we're only an email

away! Thanks for getting in touch with us.

Dana

Olay Team

DawnI Rookie

Also Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo is gluten-free - I called the manuf.

Dawn :D

lilleroy family Rookie

Just an FYI Burts Bees has a line of makeup, shampoos, lotions and even toothpastes, which is wonderful smells great, is gluten-free friendly and is also eco friendly plus the manufacturer will provide you with a list of all their gluten free products. We love their lip balms and lotions as they smell great and feel awesome too. I use their foundation/moisturized tint and its great. :D

dana-g Newbie

Gillian--Did the manufacturer tell you Cetaphil had gluten in it because I don't see it in the ingredients? I'm very sensitive to gluten in products, or at least to hydrolyzed wheat protein and the like, and I have used Cetaphil for years with no problem. I'm just wondering if I've missed something. I'm talking about the cleanser, not the lotion.

  • 2 weeks later...
Guest sushi

Reading this thread of postings has been very enlightening. Does anyone know if there is a list posted anywhere of what is gluten-free? I have been looking for a shampoo and will check out those mentioned here. I have also been wondering if I should continue coloring my hair. I had a very bad allergic reaction the last time I went to the hair dresser and had my hair colored.

Susette

HI

Pegster Apprentice

A list of products would be very helpful. Try https://www.celiac.com/st_main.html?p_catid...-12104486024.2d

the list of mainstream products that are gluten-free on this website.

I had my hairdresser check the ingredients on all of her haircolors for me and she found one that didn't have wheat listed. I also have her put a roll of cotton around my hairline which really helps because I used to get blisters on my face after a dye job. I'm not ready to give up coloring my hair. I also bring my own shampoo with me to the hairdresser now.

celiac3270 Collaborator

I don't really use lotion...don't have issues with my shampoo....use Banana Boat sunscreen.......but about the soap.

My dad travels a lot and sometimes he brings home some of the soaps from hotels if he stays at really good ones. Is this bad?.....how impt. is the soap thing? I wash my hands A LOT...I used to do it because I thought that I just had a terrible immune system and washing a lot would avoid germs, thus avoid sick. Since then, I'm not as crazy about washing my hands unnecessarily, but still do it a lot.....esp. with cross-contamination issues. Is soap a big issue? If so, what are some mainstream brands of soap that I could use? Thanks.

-celiac3270

bigapplekathleen Contributor

celiac3270,

The celiac disease experts say that things that touch your skin do not affect celiac.

My nutritionist told me that things like dish soap don't matter because you rinse the dishes after using the soap.

However, it's obvious from reading posts on this site that a lot of people are sensitive to products on the skin, whether or not they have an intestinal effect.

I use gluten-free choices only in instances where there is a possibility of ingestion. (hand lotion, makeup, lipstick, suncreen, hairspray, hand wipes, etc) I am not particularly careful about soap, dish detergent, etc, since they are rinsed clean.

Best wishes,

Kathleen

(gluten-free since Aug. 2003, confirmed celiac disease, possible DH)

PS BY the way, has your immune system improved since diagnosis? I have had substantial improvement and rarely even get colds now. The pneumovax helped a lot, though.

Roxyk Newbie

I was just at a Clinique counter & their makeup does say wheat & the newer one says barley. The girl argued with me that if I hadn't had a problem, then what does it matter. Well, it sure explains why my rash has gone away since I quit using Clinique products. Same with Estee Lauder.

I am now going to try Bare Essentials makeup - made from crushed minerals - "definately gluten-free".

I have been using one Neutrogena shampoo/conditioner that doesn't have anything listed, but I can't tell you how bad my head itches.

I did ask Victoria's Secret about a specific lotion & splash & they said it was gluten-free.

I am beginning to think it's all in who you ask - you can get many different answers from the same darn company!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,394
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Graceland.h
    Newest Member
    Graceland.h
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
      I had the same thing happen to me at around your age, and to this day it's the most painful experience I've ever had. For me it was the right side of my head, above my ear, running from my nerves in my neck. For years before my outbreak I felt a tingling sensation shooting along the exact nerves that ended up exactly where the shingles blisters appeared. I highly recommend the two shot shingles vaccine as soon as your turn 50--I did this because I started to get the same tingling sensations in the same area, and after the vaccines I've never felt that again.  As you likely know, shingles is caused by chicken pox, which was once though of as one of those harmless childhood viruses that everyone should catch in the wild--little did they know that it can stay in your nervous system for your entire life, and cause major issues as you age.
    • trents
    • Clear2me
      Thanks for the info. I recently moved to CA from Wyoming and in that western region the Costco and Sam's /Walmart Brands have many nuts and more products that are labeled gluten free. I was told it's because those products are packaged and processed  in different  plants. Some plants can be labeled  gluten free because the plant does not also package gluten products and they know that for example the trucks, containers equipment are not used to handle wheat, barely or Rye. The Walmart butter in the western region says gluten free but not here. Most of The Kirkland and Members Mark brands in CA say they are from Vietnam. That's not the case in Wyoming and Colorado. I've spoken to customer service at the stores here in California. They were not helpful. I check labels every time I go to the store. The stores where I am are a Sh*tshow. The Magalopoly grocery chain Vons/Safeway/Albertsons, etc. are the same. Fishers and Planters brands no longer say gluten free. It could be regional. There are nuts with sugar coatings and fruit and nut mixes at the big chains that are labeled gluten free but I don't want the fruit or sugar.  It's so difficult I am considering moving again. I thought it would be easier to find safe food in a more populated area. It's actually worse.  I was undiagnosed for most of my life but not because I didn't try to figure it out. So I have had all the complications possible. I don't have any spare organs left.  No a little gluten will hurt you. The autoimmune process continues to destroy your organs though you may not feel it. If you are getting a little all the time and as much as we try we probably all are and so the damage is happening. Now the FDA has pretty much abandoned celiacs. There are no requirements for labeling for common allergens on medications. All the generic drugs made outside the US are not regulated for common allergens and the FDA is taking the last gluten free porcine Thyroid med, NP Thyroid, off the market in 2026. I was being glutened by a generic levothyroxin. The insurance wouldn't pay for the gluten free brand any longer because the FDA took them all off their approved formulary. So now I am paying $147 out of pocket for NP Thyroid but shortly I will have no safe choice. Other people with allergies should be aware that these foreign generic pharmaceutical producers are using ground shellfish shell as pill coatings and anti-desicants. The FDA knows this but  now just waits for consumers to complain or die. The take over of Wholefoods by Amazon destroyed a very reliable source of good high quality food for people with allergies and for people who wanted good reliably organic food. Bezos thought  he could make a fortune off people who were paying alot for organic and allergen free food by substituting cheap brands from Thailand. He didn't understand who the customers were who were willing to pay more for that food and why. I went from spending hundreds to nothing because Bezo removed every single trusted brand that I was buying. Now they are closing Whole foods stores across the country. In CA, Mill Valley store (closed July 2025) and the National Blvd. store in West Los Angeles (closed October 2025). The Cupertino store will close.  In recent years I have learned to be careful and trust no one. I have been deleberately glutened in a restaurant that was my favorite (a new employee). The Chef owner was not in the kitchen that night. I've had  a metal scouring pad cut up over my food.The chain offered gluten free dishes but it only takes one crazy who thinks you're a problem as a food fadist. Good thing I always look. Good thing they didn't do that to food going to a child with a busy mom.  I give big tips and apologize for having to ask in restaurants but mental illness seem to be rampant. I've learn the hard way.          I don't buy any processed food that doesn't say gluten free.  I am a life long Catholic. I worked for the Church while at college. I don't go to Church anymore because the men at the top decided Jesus is gluten. The special hosts are gluten less not gluten free. No I can't drink wine after people with gluten in their mouth and a variety of deadly germs. I have been abandoned and excluded by my Church/Family.  Having nearly died several times, safe food is paramount. If your immune system collapses as mine did, you get sepsis. It can kill you very quickly. I spent 5 days unconscious and had to have my appendix and gall bladder removed because they were necrotic. I was 25. They didn't figure out I had celiac till I was 53. No one will take the time to tell you what can happen when your immune system gets overwhelmed from its constant fighting the gluten and just stops. It is miserable that our food is processed so carelessly. Our food in many aspects is not safe. And the merging of all the grocery chains has made it far worse. Its a disaster. Krogers also recently purchased Vitacost where I was getting the products I could no longer get at Whole Foods. Kroger is eliminating those products from Vitacost just a Bezos did from WF. I am looking for reliable and certified sources for nuts. I have lived the worst consequences of the disease and being exposed unknowingly and maliciously. Once I was diagnosed I learned way more than anyone should have to about the food industry.  I don't do gray areas. And now I dont eat out except very rarely.  I have not eaten fast food for 30 years before the celiac diagnosis. Gluten aside..... It's not food and it's not safe.  No one has got our backs. Sharing safe food sources is one thing we can do to try to be safe.        
    • Mmoc
      Thank you kindly for your response. I have since gotten the other type of bloods done and am awaiting results. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.