Gluten-Free Cosmetics Difficult to Find

Washington, DC—According to the results of research presented at the American College of Gastroenterology’s 76th Annual Scientific Meeting, the lack of easily accessible information about product ingredients may cause patients with celiac disease who use cosmetics such as lipsticks and lotions to unknowingly expose themselves to gluten—a substance they must avoid. While smaller companies may specifically advertise gluten-free alternatives, only two of the top 10 cosmetics companies in the United States offered a detailed list of ingredients, and none specifically offered gluten-free options. “The findings are alarming because gluten-containing cosmetics can be inadvertently obtained by the consumer and use of these products can result in an exacerbation of celiac disease,” stated researcher Pria Prakash, MD, of George Washington University.