May is Celiac Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. While most people are familiar with the dietary restrictions that come with a gluten-free lifestyle, many may not realize that gluten can also be found in everyday products, including personal care items like soap. In this article, we will discuss the importance of gluten-free soap and how archer+alex is leading the charge in providing high-quality, gluten-free soap options.
Why Gluten-Free Soap is Important
For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, gluten can cause a range of symptoms when ingested, including digestive issues, skin problems, and even neurological symptoms. While avoiding gluten in food is the most obvious way to manage these symptoms, it is also important to avoid gluten in other products that may come into contact with the skin, such as soap.
While gluten proteins cannot be absorbed through the skin, they can however potentially cause an allergic reaction or other symptoms if you use a product containing gluten followed by eating. This includes lotions and body balms, lip balms and even some play products like Play-Doh™.
Choosing Gluten-Free Soap
As stated above, gluten molecules are too large to be absorbed in the skin, but this could pose potential risks for celiac and gluten-sensitivity patients who have skin lesions could systematically absorb gluten in larger quantities [1]. While each person is different, choosing gluten free products would greatly reduce your overall exposure to potential contamination.
At archer+alex, we recommend consumers to investigate the ingredients list. Look for soaps that are made with natural, gluten-free ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil, and shea butter. Avoid soaps that contain ingredients like wheat germ oil, which can contain trace amounts of gluten.
Check your face & lip products
As observed by the National Celiac Association’s Melinda Davis, NCA’s Senior Consulting Dietitian, could be more suspect of causing gluten related issues. archer+alex has found that many of these trace-amount ingredients are used in small micro percentages, but could cause reaction to some, including out founder. These ingredients include wheat germ oil and barely extract. Many producers use their INCI or International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient name, so look for ingredients such as triticum vulgare, hordeum vulgare, secale cereale, and avena sativa [1].
The Food and Drug Administration does not does not provide ruling around the labeling of cosmetic products gluten free, so consumers should remain vigilant around fad marketing labeling and continue to monitor symptoms with medical professionals. Ask questions of brands around their manufacturing practices and their ingredient listing and sources.
archer+alex: A Leader in Gluten-Free Bath + Body
We are leading the charge in creating a fully gluten-free bath and body brand! In 2019 owner and lead soap slinger, Alex, was diagnosed with celiac disease and after adopting a gluten free diet, he was still experiencing skin issues a year after detox. So when he started review the labels of common products he found traces of germ oil, barley, rye and wheat ingredients in soaps, hair styling products and even deodorants. This sparked the mission to create a bath and body brand free of common irritants including gluten, phthalates and more!
Today, our entire product line is created in a facility free of gluten, wheat, peanuts, palm, and animal products, pioneering what it means to be an inclusive and sustainable brand right in the heart of the Midwest.
Closing it up
Gluten-free soap is an important consideration for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. By choosing gluten-free soap options like those offered in our product line, you can help manage your symptoms and maintain a healthy, gluten-free lifestyle. This Celiac Awareness Month, take the time to educate yourself about the importance of gluten-free personal care products and make the switch to gluten-free soap for a healthier you.
References
“Are Gluten-Free Skin and Body Products Important for People with Celiac Disease?” National Celiac Association, nationalceliac.org/celiac-disease-questions/using-gluten-free-skin-body-products-someone-celiac-disease/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.
“Celiac Disease and Personal Hygiene Products.” Beyond Celiac, 21 Oct. 2022, www.beyondceliac.org/living-with-celiac-disease/personal-hygiene/.
