Gluten-Free Beauty Products

Gluten-Free Skincare and DIY Bases

Gluten-free skincare means the formula contains no ingredients from wheat, barley, rye or their hybrids, and no malt. This collection gathers six Skin Perfection products whose ingredient lists contain none of those grains: a face cleanser, two DIY bases and three natural preservatives for home formulators.

Does Gluten in Skincare Matter?

Current evidence suggests gluten is not absorbed through intact skin. Mayo Clinic advises that gluten-containing skin care and cosmetics are only a concern if they are swallowed, so products used on or near the lips and mouth matter most. In a 2012 report in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Thompson and Grace tested six products, four lip products and two lotions that listed gluten-containing ingredients, and found no quantifiable gluten in any of them. The authors called the sample small and asked for more research.

So the practical rule is simple: read the label of anything that touches your lips or hands that touch food, and look for wheat (triticum), barley (hordeum), rye (secale), malt and oat (avena), the ingredients Thompson and Grace list as the ones to watch in lip products. Common skincare examples are hydrolyzed wheat protein, wheat germ oil and barley extract. If you have a medical reason to avoid gluten, ask your doctor how strict to be with personal care products.

Products in This Collection

For your face routine

The Foaming Peptide Cleanser is labeled gluten-free on its product page. It cleans with a mild coconut-derived surfactant and amaranth protein (amaranth is a gluten-free seed), with ginkgo, olive leaf and birch bark extracts. It is fragrance-free and suits all skin types.

For DIY serums

The Aloe Vera Gel Serum Base is labeled gluten-free on its product page. It is an organic aloe base with gotu kola, horsetail and dandelion extracts, made for mixing in water-soluble peptides. The Lash and Brow Bulk Base is a water-based carrier with biotin, panthenol, palmitoyl tripeptide-5 and botanical hyaluronic acid for adding lash and brow peptides.

For preserving what you make

The three Leucidal preservatives are lactic acid bacteria ferments with no grain ingredients. Leucidal Liquid is radish root ferment filtrate. Leucidal Complete adds a lactobacillus coconut ferment for broader protection. Leucidal SF Complete is lactobacillus and coconut ferment. All three are used at 2 to 4%. Use 4%, the top of the range: about 1.2 ml or 36 drops per fluid ounce.

Compare the Products

How to Use Them Together

Make a simple serum in a 100 g batch: add your water-soluble peptide booster at the top rate on its product page (check its ingredient list for grains too), add 4 g (4%) of Leucidal SF Complete, and bring the total to 100 g with Aloe Vera Gel Serum Base. Mix at room temperature with clean, sanitized tools and bottle in an airless pump. Make small batches and discard if the smell, color or texture changes; challenge testing is recommended for any formula you plan to keep. Wash with the Foaming Peptide Cleanser first, then apply the serum. For more recipes, browse our DIY formulas and natural preservatives. Sensitive skin: patch test on the inner arm for 24 hours and start any active at the lowest rate on its product page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can gluten be absorbed through the skin?

Current research suggests it is not absorbed through intact skin. Mayo Clinic says gluten-containing skin care is only a concern if you swallow it, which is why lip products deserve the closest look.

What skincare ingredients contain gluten?

Look for wheat (triticum vulgare), barley (hordeum vulgare), rye (secale cereale), malt and oat (avena sativa). Hydrolyzed wheat protein, wheat germ oil and barley extract are examples you may see on skincare labels.

Do people with celiac disease need gluten-free skincare?

According to the Thompson and Grace summary, people with celiac disease generally do not need to worry about skin and hair products, especially if they wash their hands after use, while lip products that may be swallowed matter more. Your doctor can tell you how strict to be.

Is wheat-free the same as gluten-free?

No. A wheat-free product can still contain barley, rye or malt, which also contain gluten. Read the full ingredient list.

Are Leucidal preservatives gluten-free?

Their ingredient lists contain no grain ingredients: they are ferments of radish root, lactobacillus and coconut. They are used at 2 to 4% of a formula.

Sources

• Thompson T, Grace T. Gluten in cosmetics: is there a reason for concern? J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012 (summary, Beyond Celiac).
• Mayo Clinic Care Network. Can gluten be absorbed through the skin?
• Leucidal usage rates: Skin Perfection product pages and Leucidal preservative Q&A (supplier data).

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About the Author
Written by Kari Thomas, cosmetic formulator and founder of Skin Perfection.