With the rising popularity of gluten-free diets, many beauty and cosmetic companies are now offering lip glosses that are free from gluten ingredients. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, finding lip glosses that do not contain gluten can be an important part of maintaining their health and wellbeing.
What is gluten and why does it matter in lip gloss?
Gluten refers to a group of proteins found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. For most people, gluten does not pose any health concerns. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can trigger an autoimmune response that damages the small intestine. This can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and fatigue.
In addition to monitoring food intake, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity also need to pay close attention to their use of cosmetics and beauty products. Lip glosses and other makeup items may contain ingredients derived from gluten-containing grains. When applied to the lips, these products can be accidentally ingested, especially with repeated reapplication throughout the day. Even small exposures over time can trigger symptoms and intestinal damage.
Common sources of gluten in lip glosses
Many lip glosses contain thickening and binding agents to give them a smooth, glossy texture. Some commonly used ingredients that can be derived from gluten sources include:
- Wheat protein
- Barley extract
- Oat extract
- Rye flour
- Maltodextrin
- Dextrin
In addition to these thickening agents, some lip glosses include wheat germ oil or other wheat-derived ingredients for their nutritional properties. Flavorings and fragrances in lip glosses can also contain gluten in the form of natural or synthetic wheat, barley or rye derivatives.
Reading the label
When shopping for gluten-free lip glosses, it’s important to carefully inspect the ingredient list to check for any problematic ingredients. However, reading labels alone may not always provide definitive information. Some lip glosses may contain vague ingredients like “natural flavors” or “vegetable protein” that could be derived from gluten sources. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer directly to inquire about the source of any questionable ingredients.
Certifications
One way to identify lip glosses that are definitively gluten-free is to look for certain certifications on the label. There are a few major gluten-free certification programs to keep an eye out for:
- Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) – This program certifies products to contain less than 10 parts per million of gluten.
- Celiac Support Association (CSA) – The CSA gluten-free certification also adheres to a 10 ppm threshold for gluten content.
- Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) – GIG offers two levels of certification – one for less than 10 ppm of gluten and one for less than 5 ppm.
Products bearing one of these gluten-free symbols provide added assurance that the lip gloss has been properly tested and vetted to be below the recognized gluten threshold.
Popular gluten-free lip gloss brands
Many mainstream and specialty cosmetic companies now offer lip glosses that are labeled gluten-free or free from common allergens. Here are some of the top lip gloss brands that feature gluten-free options:
Wet n Wild
Wet n Wild is an affordable drugstore brand that identifies many of their products as gluten-free right on the packaging. Most of their MegaSlicks Lip Glosses are marked gluten-free.
e.l.f. Cosmetics
e.l.f. is another budget-friendly brand that labels their products as free from common allergens including gluten. Their line of Sheer Slick Lip Glosses are a gluten-free option.
NYX Professional Makeup
NYX indicates that all their lip glosses are gluten-free with the exception of a few flavors that contain wheat-derived ingredients. The Butter Glosses, Shine Loud High Shine Lip Glosses and Lip Lingerie Glosses are gluten-free choices.
Jane Iredale
Jane Iredale offers naturally derived lip glosses free from gluten ingredients. Some gluten-free options include their PureGloss Lip Glosses and Lip Drinks Lip Glosses.
100% Pure
100% Pure focuses on fruit pigmented products free from gluten and other major allergens. Their Fruit Pigmented Ultra Shine Lip Glosses are a gluten-free option.
Pacifica
Pacifica identifies their lip products as gluten-free except for those containing wheat germ oil. Their Coconut Kiss Creamy Lip Butter and Sea Foam Complete Lip Gloss are two gluten-free Pacifica lip glosses.
Hourglass Cosmetics
Hourglass states that all their products are gluten-free. The brand’s line of full-coverage opaque Lip Paints are a gluten-free lip gloss option.
ILIA
ILIA avoids gluten and other allergenic ingredients in products like their Lip Wrap Reviving Balms and Color Block High Impact Lip Glosses.
Bite Beauty
Bite’s Outburst Longwear Lip Stains and Power Move Soft Matte Lipsticks are labeled as gluten-free.
Tips for identifying gluten-free lip glosses
When shopping for gluten-free lip glosses, keep these helpful tips in mind:
- Check product labels closely for wheat, barley, rye or ambiguous ingredients
- Look for certified gluten-free seals from reputable organizations
- Research brand policies and contact companies if information is unclear
- Seek out lip glosses with formulas focused on natural, gluten-free ingredients
- Refer to consumer guides listing gluten-free makeup and cosmetic options
- Shop at stores specializing in gluten-free goods which vet products carefully
Avoiding cross-contamination
In addition to checking for gluten-free lip gloss ingredients, it’s also wise to consider potential cross-contamination during manufacturing. Even if a lip gloss does not directly contain gluten materials, it could pick up traces of gluten during shared production processes. Seeking out brands that produce gluten-free products in dedicated facilities can help reduce this risk.
Proper hand washing and keeping lip glosses away from gluten-containing foods during application can also help prevent accidental cross-contact. Storing gluten-free lip glosses separately from conventional products is another useful precaution.
Homemade gluten-free lip gloss
For those eager to control ingredients completely, it’s possible to make custom gluten-free lip glosses at home. Some simple recipes include combining:
- Coconut oil, beeswax and honey or agave nectar
- Shea butter, Vitamin E oil and essential oils
- Castor oil, candelilla wax and cocoa butter
- Petroleum jelly and food coloring or natural pigments
When kept in clean, sealed containers, homemade lip glosses can last 3-6 months. This provides the ultimate assurance of avoiding any gluten exposure from the lip gloss itself.
Other lip products to use with caution
In addition to lip gloss, those following a gluten-free diet also need to be mindful of other lip cosmetics that pose a risk of gluten exposure including:
- Lipstick – May use gluten ingredients for texture and binding
- Liquid lipsticks – Can contain thickening agents with gluten
- Lip liners – Certain formulas may have gluten
- Lip plumpers/treatments – Some include wheat proteins
- Lip stains – Color adherents could be questionable
- Lip balms – Might include gluten-based thickeners
Similar precautions for identifying and avoiding problematic ingredients should be followed when selecting these lip products.
Table summarizing gluten-free status of popular lip gloss brands
| Brand | Gluten-Free Status |
|---|---|
| Wet n Wild | Many products labeled gluten-free |
| e.l.f. Cosmetics | Labels products as allergen-free |
| NYX | Most glosses gluten-free |
| Jane Iredale | Lip glosses are gluten-free |
| 100% Pure | Fruit pigmented glosses gluten-free |
| Pacifica | Glosses without wheat germ oil are gluten-free |
| Hourglass | Declares products gluten-free |
| ILIA | Avoids gluten ingredients |
| Bite Beauty | Marks glosses as gluten-free |
The bottom line
Thankfully, those adhering to a gluten-free lifestyle have more options than ever when it comes to makeup and cosmetics like lip gloss. By understanding problematic ingredients, carefully reading labels, looking for certifications and contacting manufacturers, it’s possible to find many high-quality lip glosses that avoid gluten. With proper precautions and smart shopping practices, managing celiac disease or gluten intolerance does not mean sacrificing a fun part of any beauty routine.
