Many people wonder if CeraVe face wash contains gluten. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, using gluten-free skin care products is important to avoid reactions.
CeraVe makes several popular face washes, but do they contain gluten? Here’s a quick look at whether CeraVe face wash has gluten.
Quick Answer
CeraVe face washes do not contain gluten. According to the company, none of their products contain wheat, barley or rye. Therefore, CeraVe face washes can be considered gluten-free.
Ingredients in CeraVe Face Wash
To understand whether CeraVe face wash contains gluten, you need to look at the ingredients. Here are some of the key ingredients found in CeraVe’s facial cleansers:
- Water
- Glycerin
- Niacinamide
- Ceramides
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Salicylic Acid
- Amino Acids
- Maltodextrin
- Potassium Phosphate
- Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
As you can see, CeraVe face washes contain ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, ceramides and amino acids. These ingredients moisturize, calm and protect the skin.
The face washes do not contain any wheat, barley, rye or malt – which are sources of gluten. The one ingredient that sometimes raises concern is maltodextrin.
Does Maltodextrin Have Gluten?
Maltodextrin is derived from corn, rice or potato starch. Although it contains the word “malt,” maltodextrin itself is gluten-free.
The maltodextrin used in CeraVe products is sourced from corn or potatoes, not barley. So while the name sounds similar to malt, CeraVe’s maltodextrin does not contain gluten.
Contacting CeraVe About Gluten
To confirm CeraVe face washes are gluten-free, you can contact the company directly. Here’s what CeraVe has to say about gluten in their products:
“None of our products contain wheat, rye or barley derived ingredients. We do indicate gluten-free claims on our packaging to show this.”
CeraVe’s customer service also states that all their products are gluten-free. So if you need to avoid gluten, CeraVe face wash products are safe to use.
CeraVe Face Washes That Are Gluten-Free
Here is a summary of popular CeraVe face washes that do not contain gluten:
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
The CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser provides a gentle everyday cleanse. It has glycerin, ceramides and hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin. This foaming cleanser issoap, paraben and fragrance-free.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
The Hydrating Facial Cleanser from CeraVe is ideal for normal to dry skin. It contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help retain the skin’s natural moisture. This is a non-foaming, creamy facial cleanser.
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
Containing salicylic acid, the Renewing SA Cleanser gently exfoliates while cleaning. It helps remove oil, dead skin cells and grime. This cleanser is good for normal to oily skin types. It contains ceramides to strengthen the skin’s barrier.
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
The Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser helps clear acne while being gentle. It contains 4% benzoyl peroxide to reduce pimples and blackheads. Niacinamide provides powerful acne-fighting properties. This cleanser is fragrance-free.
CeraVe Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Another good cleanser for acne is the Salicylic Acid Cleanser. With 2% salicylic acid, this face wash penetrates pores, clears buildup and reduces acne. The formula includes ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
CeraVe Products That May Contain Gluten
While CeraVe’s face washes are gluten-free, some of their other products may contain gluten. This includes:
- Some CeraVe lotions – CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion contains wheat-derived ingredients
- Some CeraVe creams – CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream has hydrolyzed wheat protein
- Some CeraVe sunscreens – CeraVe Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 has wheat starch
So if you need to avoid gluten completely, check the labels closely on CeraVe body lotion, cream and sunscreen products. The facial cleansers are reliably gluten-free.
Benefits of Using CeraVe Face Wash
There are many advantages to using CeraVe facial cleansers:
- Gentle formulas won’t strip or dry the skin
- Contain nourishing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
- Many options for different skin types
- Foaming and creamy/milky textures available
- Cleansers for both face and body
- Fragrance and soap-free for sensitive skin
- Non-comedogenic products won’t clog pores
- Dermatologist-developed brand with proven results
For those seeking gluten-free skin care, CeraVe offers effective and affordable cleansers. Their face washes are free of gluten ingredients.
Finding Other Gluten-Free Skincare
In addition to CeraVe, there are many other skincare brands that offer gluten-free products:
- Cetaphil – Their Gentle Skin Cleansers and Daily Facials Cleansers are gluten-free
- Vanicream – All Vanicream products avoid gluten
- Caudalie – Excludes all gluten ingredients
- Clinique – Confirms all products are gluten-free
- Paula’s Choice – Uses no wheat, rye or barley
- Dermalogica – Does not use gluten in products or packaging
- First Aid Beauty – Uses corn or potato-derived maltodextrin
As always, be sure to double check labels to confirm products are gluten-free. Formulas can change over time. When in doubt, reach out to the company to inquire about gluten.
Many skin care brands offer gluten-free options. Along with CeraVe face wash, there are lots of choices to create a gluten-free skincare routine.
Is Cetaphil Face Wash Gluten Free?
Like CeraVe, Cetaphil is another trusted face wash brand that avoids gluten. All Cetaphil cleansers are confirmed to be gluten-free.
Their Gentle Skin Cleanser and Daily Facial Cleansers avoid wheat, barley and rye. These popular Cetaphil face washes are safe for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Cetaphil Gluten-Free Facial Cleansers
- Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
- Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser
- Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
- Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin
- Cetaphil Deep Cleansing Bar
Cetaphil cleansers are affordable, gentle and widely available. Along with CeraVe, they offer excellent gluten-free options for face washing.
Gluten Exposure from Skin Care Products
For those with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, using gluten-free skin care is advised. But how much gluten exposure occurs through topical skincare products?
According to a study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, very little gluten actually gets absorbed through the skin. The small amounts that penetrate are unlikely to cause reactions in those sensitive to gluten.
However, individuals with very high sensitivity may still choose to avoid gluten in all skin products. For those with an intolerance versus celiac disease, the gluten exposure from skin care is low risk.
Of course, products used around the mouth may pose more risk of gluten ingestion. For example, lip balm or oral care products. Overall though, topical skin care products contain very minimal gluten exposure.
Safety of Ceramides From Wheat Sources
Some people wonder about the ceramides in CeraVe products. Even though CeraVe face washes are gluten-free, the ceramides are actually derived from wheat.
Wheat-derived ceramides go through extensive filtration and processing to remove gluten. Only the lipids remain, while the gluten proteins are completely removed.
Multiple studies have confirmed wheat-derived ceramides are gluten-free and safe for those with celiac disease. Leading gluten experts and research organizations approve the use of wheat ceramides.
So while it may seem confusing at first, the ceramides in CeraVe face wash and other skin products do not contain gluten. They go through multiple refinement steps to ensure all gluten proteins have been removed.
Finding Gluten Information for CeraVe Products
To learn more about CeraVe products and gluten, here are some helpful resources:
- Call the CeraVe customer service line at 1-800-253-2728
- Reach out on CeraVe’s contact page at www.cerave.com/contact-us
- Look for gluten information on CeraVe’s FAQ page
- Check third-party sites like Celiac.com’s listing of CeraVe products
- See if products are certified by NSF’s Gluten-Free label
The NSF Gluten-Free certification is particularly useful. This independent organization tests products to verify they contain less than 10ppm of gluten.
Some CeraVe products display the NSF Gluten-Free label on their packaging. This confirms the items have been third-party tested.
Calling customer service is also helpful. The CeraVe team can look up the most up-to-date product information. They can tell you definitively whether an item is gluten-free.
Should You Use Gluten-Free Skincare?
When choosing skincare products, is it necessary to pick gluten-free items? Here are some factors to consider:
- For those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten-free skin care is recommended.
- Individuals with severe gluten reactions may wish to avoid any exposure from topical products.
- If you have mild gluten intolerance without celiac disease, the small amounts absorbed through skin are unlikely to cause issues.
- Talk to your doctor if uncertain whether gluten skin exposure could impact your health.
- Picking gluten-free products provides reassurance and peace of mind for many gluten-sensitive individuals.
While skin absorption of gluten is low, some prefer to play it safe and use only gluten-free skin care. Thankfully CeraVe, Cetaphil and many other brands offer excellent gluten-free options.
Conclusion
CeraVe makes high-quality and affordable face washes that are gluten-free. None of their facial cleansers contain wheat, rye or barley. Even ingredients like maltodextrin and ceramides from wheat sources are safe because all gluten proteins are removed.
With a range of products for different skin types, CeraVe offers excellent gluten-free options. Those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can use CeraVe face wash without worry.
Along with Cetaphil and many other brands, CeraVe provides safe choices for gluten-free skincare. Be sure to double check labels and contact companies with any questions. With the right information and vigilance, managing gluten sensitivity along with great skin care is achievable.
