The number of people diagnosed with celiac disease has grown in recent years. As a result, gluten-free products have moved from occupying an almost exclusive space in food to making a leap into the bathroom, reaching personal hygiene and cosmetic products, which have become increasingly in demand.
This high demand is not surprising, as people living with celiac disease need safety and transparency when choosing the products that enter their bodies. At Banbu, we know this well, as a significant part of our community consists of celiac individuals, and precisely for this reason, we have made a commitment to gluten-free cosmetics.
In this article, we tell you what science says about gluten in cosmetics, whether it can be absorbed through the skin, and how we at Banbu guarantee that all our products are completely safe.
Why is gluten in cosmetics a concern?
Gluten is a protein found in the seeds of many cereals, such as wheat, barley, and rye. This is usually responsible for the elasticity of dough and gives consistency to bread and baked goods. However, many people cannot ingest this protein because when they do, they develop an immune reaction that damages the small intestine. This condition is known as celiac disease.
Some of the most frequent symptoms experienced by celiac individuals are digestive problems, inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, or fatigue and general malaise.
All people who develop this allergy must avoid eating products containing this protein. However, many people also have questions about everyday cosmetic products and wonder if gluten can be absorbed through the skin, if wheat-derived ingredients could have a negative effect, or if there is a risk with lipsticks or toothpastes, which are used in the mouth.
Can gluten be absorbed through the skin?
This is probably one of the most confusing topics about celiac disease. The short answer is no, as gluten molecules are too large to cross the skin barrier.
Various scientific associations and dermatological studies agree that gluten cannot enter the body through the skin, so it does not pose a risk to celiac individuals when applied topically.
However, although gluten cannot trigger an immune reaction through skin contact, there is a risk of accidental ingestion if the cosmetics used are not gluten-free. This protein cannot penetrate the skin, but it can unintentionally end up in the mouth. This is the real point of concern for many people.
Lip balms, toothpaste, and even hand creams (which later come into contact with food) can lead to involuntary ingestion. To prevent this from happening, it is always better to use gluten-free cosmetics, which is why all Banbu products are formulated without any ingredients that may contain it.
Wheat-derived ingredients, do they contain gluten?
In INCI labeling, it is common to find ingredients that are wheat-derived but do not contain gluten, such as:
- Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
- Hydrolyzed Barley Protein
- Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil (wheat germ oil)
Firstly, proteins derived from wheat or barley used in cosmetics are usually hydrolyzed, meaning they are fragmented into peptides so small that they do not retain the gluten structure. Without that structure, they are not immunogenic and cannot trigger a reaction. Therefore, they do not pose any risk to celiac individuals.
On the other hand, wheat-derived oil is purified fat that does not contain gluten, since, as it is a protein, it is not present in an active, traceable, or detectable form.
For us, health is paramount, so we seek ingredients that do not contain gluten, are safe, and are backed by strict certifications to ensure the body's protection.
Furthermore, safety is not only based on choosing gluten-free ingredients but on controlling the entire process. At Banbu, we have a system that allows us to ensure that all our products are 100% gluten-free and suitable for celiac individuals.
We work with an exhaustive selection of ingredients, certifying the total absence of gluten. In addition, in our manufacturing facilities, we do not use any raw material that could cause cross-contamination, thus reducing risks to zero.
Why choose Banbu's gluten-free cosmetics
For all those suffering from celiac disease, protecting their health is the absolute priority. For us, a product being gluten-free means there is scientific evidence that it cannot cause harm to anyone. Cosmetics should be a space of tranquility, which is why natural ingredients free of any toxins are essential.
Although gluten does not pose a risk when applied to the skin, this does not mean that it cannot end up in the mouth one way or another. It is reasonable that anyone suffering from this condition would want to avoid this danger, however minimal it may be.
At Banbu, we offer you the peace of mind of knowing that all our cosmetics are 100% gluten-free, from the first ingredient to the last quality control. We not only formulate without gluten: there are also no toxic ingredients in our cosmetics that are endocrine disruptors, to guarantee total health protection. Switch to safe natural cosmetics and start taking care of yourself for real. Because truly taking care of yourself means feeling secure in every step of your daily routine.
