Q: Should I be using gluten-free cosmetics?
MyChelle Dermaceuticals licensed esthetician Catie Wiggy responds:
Many people today are following gluten-free diets and lifestyles, either because they’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease — a condition in which eating foods containing gluten harms the body — or because they experience negative reactions from gluten and choose to avoid it.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye — common ingredients in many food products, from bread and pasta to crackers, cookies and other packaged food products. But gluten is also hidden in many non-edible items, such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, lotion, sunscreen and cosmetics.
For people with celiac disease, using gluten-free body care products is a way to ensure that they avoid any possibility of accidentally ingesting gluten. Others may choose them because their bodies don’t react well to products containing gluten (even when applied topically), and they’d prefer to stay away from it.
Eliminating gluten from your lifestyle and diet can be a challenge. But it doesn’t have to be with your skincare. MyChelle is a 100% gluten-free skincare and cosmetic line with a wide variety of options for all skin types.
Remember, if you ever have a bad reaction to a skincare product, stop using it. Your doctor or dermatologist can help you determine whether or not you have an allergy.