Starting your journey into gluten-free beauty can feel a little confusing at first. With gluten hiding in surprising places - from moisturisers and shampoos to make-up - it’s not always easy to know which products are safe for sensitive skin or those with Coeliac disease or gluten intolerance.
At Green People UK, we believe in total transparency, which is why all our certified organic beauty products are intentionally gluten-free. In this guide, we’ll explain why gluten appears in beauty products, how to spot it on labels, and how natural alternatives like Quinoa can nourish and protect your skin and hair.
At a glance:
- All of Green People’s skin care, beauty and hair care products are intentionally 100% gluten-free
- Gluten is a potential allergen but is often found in beauty products and can cause some people to have a reaction
- On the label, gluten comes under a lot of different names, sometimes making it difficult to spot
- We choose to use Quinoa, a gluten-free protein with benefits for skin and hair
- For gluten-free skin care try Green People organic skin care
100% gluten-free skin care from Green People
You can be confident about what you're putting on your skin with Green People, as all of our beauty products are intentionally gluten-free.
Why is gluten used in beauty products?
Gluten is a protein that is commonly found in foods containing wheat, barley or rye[i].
A potential allergen, it's made up of molecules that are too big to be absorbed through the skin. Because research has linked wheat protein to increasing skin firmness and restructuring damaged hair follicles[ii], it is often added to cosmetics and skin care products in the form of Hydrolysed Wheat Protein (HWP) but can also found under a variety of other names.
How can I tell if there is gluten in my skin care?
Unsure if your skin care contains gluten? Take care to read the label thoroughly as many commonly used skin care ingredients can be a source of gluten.
To be sure your product is actually gluten-free, check the label for the following sources of gluten.
- Amp-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
- Avena Sativa
- Avena Sativa (Oat) Flour
- Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Protein
- Barley-derived Ingredients
- Disodium Wheatgermamido PEG-2 Sulfosuccinate
- Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract
- Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten
- Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
- Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol
- Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch
- Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
- Oat (Avena Sativa) Extract
- Oat Beta-Glucan
- Oat Flour
- Phytosphingosine Extract
- Rye and rye-based ingredients
- Rye Flour
- Samino Peptide Complex
- Secale Cereale (Rye) Extract
- Secale Cereale (Rye) Seed Extract
- Secale Cereale (Rye) Seed Flour
- Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
- Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
- Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Flour Lipids
- Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract
- Wheat Amino Acids
- Wheat Bran Extract
- Wheat Germ Extract
- Wheat Germ Glycerides
- Wheat Germamidopropyldimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
- Wheat Protein
- Wheat (Triticum Vulgare) Bran Extract
What beauty products can contain hydrolysed wheat protein (HWP)?
HWP has smaller particles than gluten and this makes it easy to add into hair care and skin care formulas as well as water-based make-up products such as foundations and lipsticks.
Is it safe to use gluten in skin care and cosmetics?
Gluten itself is generally considered low risk when applied to the skin because the gluten protein molecules are too large to penetrate through healthy, intact skin. For most people, gluten in cosmetics does not trigger the same reactions as eating gluten.
However, concerns have been raised around hydrolysed wheat protein (HWP), a processed form of wheat protein sometimes used in skincare. In rare cases, HWP has been linked to allergic skin reactions such as urticaria (hives). A well-documented incident in Japan in 2013 saw around 1,900 people react to a facial soap containing a specific form of HWP. Research suggested that this type of HWP could even cause people with no prior gluten issues to later develop wheat allergies.
Who may be at risk?
People with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity are more cautious, as even small topical exposures could, in theory, cause irritation or contribute to cross-reactivity.
Anyone can, in rare cases, develop an allergy to HWP.
Best practice
- A patch test is recommended before using products containing HWP.
- Those with coeliac disease or a known gluten sensitivity may prefer to avoid products containing gluten-derived ingredients altogether, to minimise any risk.
The benefits of Quinoa: an alternative to HWP
The good news is that there is a natural alternative to HWP. Green People researched extensively to find an ingredient that could replace WHP and use 100% natural Quinoa protein, that is grown specifically for use in cosmetics, in its place.
Gluten-free and packed with amino acids and vitamins E and B, Quinoa’s natural properties have been found to help protect the skin and repair damaged hair follicles. Oats are another possible alternative as they contain Avenin which, although closely resembling gluten, can be tolerated by many Coeliacs[v].
However, some Coeliacs may still react to Avenin and, as some oats can be processed in the same environment as gluten, many Coeliac prefer to avoid foods and cosmetic products that contain Avenin.
QUINOA SKIN BENEFITS
- Improved skin elasticity, leaving it soft and nourished
- Forms a protective barrier to maintain skin hydration
- Increases the absorption of other beneficial plant nutrients
- Soothes irritation and helps regenerate damaged skin
QUINOA HAIR BENEFITS
- Penetrates the hair cuticles to strengthen and boost shine
- Locks in and enhances colour for those with dyed hair
- Improves manageability, increases volume and adds softness
- Soothes scalp irritation
Shop gluten-free moisturisers
Looking for a gluten-free moisturiser? Here are some of our favourite Green People gluten-free moisturisers:
Best gluten-free moisturiser for sensitive skin
Soothe and hydrate delicate skin with this fragrance-free moisturiser, specially formulated to calm irritation and support a healthy skin barrier – perfect for sensitive or allergy-prone complexions.
Scent Free 24-Hour Cream 50ml
Healthy skin starts with our bestselling moisturiser for sensitive skin
257,00 kr
Best gluten-free moisturiser for mature skin
Nourish and replenish your skin with this anti-ageing moisturiser, packed with natural actives to boost elasticity, smooth fine lines, and leave skin feeling soft and radiant.
Age Defy+ Brightening Moisturiser 30ml
Target age spots, fine lines and wrinkles with this hydrating face cream
427,00 kr
Best gluten-free SPF moisturiser:
Protect and balance your skin daily with this lightweight, fragrance-free moisturiser with SPF30, combining gentle hydration with broad-spectrum sun protection for healthy, glowing skin.
Scent Free Facial Sun Cream - SPF30 50ml
Shield and hydrate with this facial SPF. Ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
276,00 kr
Would you like help choosing gluten-free skin care and beauty products? Our friendly UK customer care team is happy to help with any questions about ingredients and can be contacted on 01403 740350.
If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to 'Essential guide to gluten-free skin care.' Please do not use an affiliate link.
REVIEWED BY CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
[ii] Challoner NI. et al. Cosmetic Proteins for Skin Care. Cosmetics & Toiletries 1997, 112 (12): p 51-63.
[iv] Teshima R. Food allergen in cosmetics (original article in Japanese). Yakugaku Zasshi 2014, 134(1): p 33-38
[v] https://www.coeliac.org.uk/gluten-free-diet-and-lifestyle/gf-diet/oats/
