We have all seen gluten-free foods on store shelves, and sometimes on menus at many of our favorite restaurants. Celiac Disease, an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine triggered by gluten consumption affects about 1 in 133 Americans in our country, so it's not surprising that consumers need to know what is in the foods we eat, as well as, the products we use on our body.
Keratosis Pilaris (aka: chicken skin) and Dermatitis Herpetiformis are two skin conditions with direct connections to gluten exposure. Both of these are extremely itchy skin rashes that appear on your arms, torso, face, buttocks, elbows, scalp and hairline. Some appear as cystic acne and can scar terribly.
Those that do not have the disease but are gluten sensitive can also have similar symptoms, but those with the disease can have permanent devastating results from exposure.
Acne and Gluten Intolerance:
- Research suggests a connection between gluten intake and the worsening of acne symptoms. It is believed that gluten can trigger inflammatory responses that contribute to acne breakouts.
- Adopting a gluten-free diet, combined with a skincare routine tailored for acne-prone skin, may help improve acne symptoms.
Eczema and Gluten Sensitivity:
- Although eczema is primarily driven by genetic and environmental factors, some people with gluten intolerance may experience flare-ups or worsened symptoms.
- Identifying potential triggers, including gluten, and eliminating them from the diet can aid in managing eczema symptoms.
**The Role of Diet in Managing Gluten Intolerance-Related Skin Issues**
1. Gluten-Containing Foods to Avoid:
- It's crucial for individuals with gluten intolerance to eliminate wheat, barley, rye, and their by-products from their diet.
- Opting for naturally gluten-free foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and dairy products, can ensure a well-rounded diet.
- Gluten-free grains like quinoa, rice, and corn, as well as gluten-free flours and pasta, provide alternatives to traditional gluten-rich products.
**Gluten-Free Skincare Products and Their Benefits**
1. Identifying Gluten-Free Skincare Ingredients:
- Skincare products can also contain gluten, especially those that use wheat-based ingredients.
2. Benefits of Using Gluten-Free Skincare Products:
- Gluten-free skincare products reduce the risk of a topical reaction or absorption of gluten through the skin.
- These products are often formulated with gentle and nourishing ingredients, making them suitable for sensitive skin types.
**Tips for Maintaining Healthy Skin with Gluten Intolerance**
1. Read Product Labels for Potential Gluten Sources:
- Look out for ingredients such as wheat germ oil, barley extract, and hydrolyzed wheat protein, which indicate the presence of gluten.
Other common gluten-containing cosmetic ingredients found in skincare:
hyrolyzed malt extract
hydrolyzed wheat protein
hydrolyzed vegetable protein
wheat germ
cyclodextrin
barley extract
fermented grain extract
oat (avena sativa)
stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl
samino peptide complex
phytosphingosine extract
triticum vulgare
dextrin
dextrin palmitate
maltodextrin
Secale Cereale
Sodium C8-16 Isoalkylsuccinyl Wheat Protein Sulfonate
yeast extract
anything with wheat in the name
2. Consult a Dermatologist or Allergist for Personalized Advice:
- Seeking professional advice can help identify any specific skin triggers related to gluten intolerance.
3. Prioritize Overall Gut Health for Better Skin:
- Apart from eliminating gluten, focus on maintaining a healthy gut by consuming probiotics, staying hydrated, and managing stress levels.
- A healthy gut often reflects positively on the skin, reducing the likelihood of skin issues.
What do you do if you develop one of these rashes? Call your doctor and/or Dermatologist. Get tested for Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance, and dairy allergies. Note what you ate and/or applied to your skin/hair in the last 24 hours. It is smart to review what you are currently using in terms of skin care, makeup, shampoos, etc. Check for gluten and/or dairy in the formulas.
How to care for your skin once a rash appears:
- Use a dry skin brush if pustules appear on the body! Gentle dry skin brushing (on body only) can help the hair follicles from becoming clogged. There are many other benefits, such as, increasing circulation, stimulating lymphatic drainage and improving the overall health of the skin. If skin is raw and very irritated, then wait until this passes to start dry brushing.
- Use a mild gluten-free cleanser like Coconut Milk Cleanser. This mild cleanser features fresh premium coconut milk. Coconut milk: known as a "miracle liquid", has high levels of Vitamin C which helps maintain elasticity and flexibility of skin. It is also rich in copper, and prevents wrinkles, sagging skin and age spots. The natural fatty acids in coconut milk help treat dry and irritated skin.
- AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) cleansers like AHA Exfoliating Mint Cleanser will help “unplug” the skin and improve the condition and look of skin. It is best not to use AHA's on broken or very raw skin, so wait until skin has healed first.
- Treat skin with antioxidants that are anti-inflammatory and calming. Phyto-C Age-Infusion Spray offers an antioxidant, hydrating, skin-soothing infusion of Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Hydrosols. Mist liberally after cleansing and after applying makeup. It will help set your makeup.
- Finish with a gentle skin-protecting moisturizer like Essential Moisture with Snow Mushroom. This moisturizer features Snow Mushroom which helps improve the immunity and deeply hydrates the skin.
- Use makeup products that are gluten-free,. A good choice for those with gluten sensitivities would be a loose mineral foundation like Flawless Finish Foundation. It features only 5 ingredients, calms the skin with zinc oxide.
- UltraPure Cosmetics has a wide range of gluten free cosmetics and skincare!
- Lastly, don't skimp on your body! Try UltraPure's Creme Fraiche Body Cream. This cream is loaded with MSM, a naturally occurring organic compound belonging to the organosulfur family. Sulfur is an essential mineral, key to cell regeneration. Cloudberry Seed Oil has a mega-dose of Vitamin C. Creme Fraiche also features a plethora of exotic oils and extracts in the formula.......
UltraPure Cosmetics makes no claims to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any diseases with any advice, information or products. It is for educational purposes only.
