We strongly believe that every woman, including those who live gluten-free, should be able to wear makeup safely. That’s why all of our products are certified gluten-free. We want all women to be their most healthy, gorgeous selves every day.
Why would cosmetics contain gluten? While gluten is a main ingredient in breads and other foods, it’s also commonly used in cosmetics to bind cosmetic ingredients and as an emollient to hydrate and soften skin. In fact, wheat is the most common source for the ubiquitous cosmetic ingredient, Tocopherol, also known as Vitamin E. You would never know that your Vitamin E fortified cosmetic contained gluten because there is no requirement in the U.S. to disclose the source of cosmetic ingredients directly on the ingredient label. At Afterglow, we use only natural and safe binders and emollients derived from non-wheat sources.
Why does makeup have to be gluten-free? There is a growing population in the U.S. that reacts to eating gluten and topically applying gluten contaminated skin care and makeup products. If you aren’t sensitive, gluten-free cosmetics are certainly not essential. However, if you are sensitive, have food allergies or a known sensitivity to gluten, avoiding gluten-laced products may be in your best interest.
How would I even react to gluten contaminated makeup and skincare? Even though gluten particles are too large to be absorbed through the skin, you still ingest the majority of your lip products (lip glosses, lipsticks, lip liners, lip balms and ointments) you apply throughout your day either by licking your lips or during the process of eating and drinking. In fact, according to the European Commission on Consumer Safety’s research, it’s estimated that the average woman eats 3.7 pounds of lipstick in a lifetime!1
What about skin issues from gluten? Gluten-sensitive people often also develop a topical form of Celiac Disease called dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), which causes reddening skin, and a blistering, itchy rash. It’s said that DH is caused by ingesting gluten, not by skin contact with gluten. However, even when on a strict gluten-free diet, many people with Celiac Disease still notice that they have a dermatitis herpetiformis-like reaction to topically applied cosmetics and makeup containing gluten.
What does gluten-free certified mean? Afterglow Cosmetics is the first makeup line to be Certified Gluten-Free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO). As the leading gluten-free certification program in the world, the GFCO inspects our products, lab tests, batch samples, and audits our manufacturing facilities to ensure the absence of gluten. The independent certification gives you peace of mind. We aren’t just printing and slapping a gluten-free label on our products. The third-party auditing and oversight is critical to ensuring our products are gluten-free at every level of the manufacturing process from sourcing the raw materials to packaging the final product. We undergo extensive auditing and testing that guarantees our products are truly gluten-free.
If you’ve adopted a gluten-free lifestyle, remove yourself from the gluten contamination equation at every level and choose certified gluten-free cosmetics. We carry gluten-free makeup you can use with confidence. Accentuate your positive naturally, with gluten-free makeup, and step into the beauty that is you at every level. Check out our full line of gluten-free makeup here.
