Makeup and Gluten

Updated on November 20, 2008
S.G. asks from Camarillo, CA
20 answers

I think I might have a wheat and/or gluten sensitivity and for the last week have been trying very hard to stay away from these products. This hasn't been officially diagnosed by a doctor (Thursday!) so I am doing this so far on my own. I have actually felt really good, the best that I have in a long time! I haven't had hardly any headaches and sinus pressure and I haven't taken any allergy medicine since starting this. Today, however, I feel like my old self; sinus pressure, headache, puffy eyes, etc. and I have been trying to figure out all day what I have eaten that could have caused this. I am wearing mascara for the first time since laying off of wheat and I am wondering if this is causing my sypmtoms. The mascara is by L'Oreal and I cannot find anything on their web site listing the ingredients in it. Does anyone know, or have had a similar experience? I would love to hear not only the answer to this, but any other helpful things you can share with me about being wheat and gluten free.
**After reading some of the responses, I guess my problem isn't my mascara, but has anyone else who has cut gluten from their diet experienced feeling good, then all of the sudden feeling bad again? I am pretty sure I am not getting any in my diet for the last two days, so why all of the sudden do I feel yucky? Could it really be that it is still in my system?

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L.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

teh cosmetic database that someone referenced below is great. you may also want to find a practitioner of NAET (www.naet.org)
it has helped my son with his eczema and me with my wheat & gluten senstivities.

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V.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

L'Oreal mascara - yep. that's it. i know someone who had allergic reaction to it just recently.try Whole Foods for "cleaner" make-up choices.
V

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B.D.

answers from San Diego on

Hi S.
Are you aware that UCSD actually has a Celiac Center? There are doctors there that specialize in the diagnosis and management of Celiac Disease in childen and adults. They give free lectures every few months on the topic of gluten and diet. These lectures are offered on the UCSD campus (at the Celiac Center, on the medical school campus). See the link below for details. There is a wonderful nutritionist there; I forget her name but she is great.
http://celiaccenter.ucsd.edu/
Just as an aside - I had a consultation with Dr. Harmon (he's the celiac specialist) and I would definitely NOT recommend him. I was paying out of pocket because I am with Kaiser, so I tried to be prepared for my visit with all of my medical history layed out, etc, but it ended up being a complete waste of my time. Long story short, I ended up entering into a billing dispute with UCSD that was not resolved to my satisfaction, in the end. Just wanted to let you know. I have heard that other people have had good experiences there though. Best of luck, hope this helps. I have cut down on gluten in my diet and have also seen major improvement in my physical symptoms as well.

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B.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I haven't heard anything about gluten and makeup but I do know that I have had to become increasingly careful about cross-contamination in foods I thought were safe. I've been gluten-free for a few months now and as my intestines have healed, I've had to be more careful about checking labels for "natural flavors", "processed in the same facility as wheat", "barley"/"malt" flavor. Celiac.com is a great website if you haven't already checked it out. I've also found that while my allergies are better since avoiding gluten, the change doesn't cure them. Also, if you haven't already tried Pamela's Pancake and Baking Mix it's EXCELLENT!!!!!

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A.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi S.-
I do not have that problem but my sister in law does. She had horrible health issues before finally being diagnosed. What I have learned from her is that it is almost impossible to eat out. Almost all restaurants put wheat/gluten in everything!! She has not had to worry about make up at all so perhaps something was in your food that you were unaware of. Remember, even salsa and lots of other toppings can have wheat/gluten in them. She is very strict with her diet mostly eating fresh foods such as fruit, veggies, and then meat products.

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P.F.

answers from Las Vegas on

You've received LOTS of responses about your problems...I don't have issues with wheat/gluten (tho our son-in-law does have celiacs disease)...but I personally, get sinus pain and headaches with weather changes and when the wind blows it stirs stuff up in the air...also, the atmospheric pressure can cause sinus issues which in turn can give headaches. I've been the queen of headaches for much of my adult-life until I cut out Aspartame from my diet...it's in literally l00's of items including lots of diet soda and sugar-free items. Once I cut that out I eliminated a ton of the headaches...yay!!!! Now, it's just the atmospheric weather changes and/or a sinus infection. I certainly can be just fine one day and feel horrible the next but it has nothing to do with what I eat since cutting out the aspartame (poison) from my diet. Hope you can get some help soon...I know how you feel and it's not very much fun...sincerely, P.

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H.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

makeup often does have triticale, which has gluten. but i am not sure about your specific mascara. being gluten free is very difficult, i know, i have been for a few years now. i am also self diagonosed. my 2 sons have it as well. my 7 year old was diagonosed by the dr. 2 years ago, so that confirms mine and my 2 year olds cases. i always want to help spread the awareness and help out newly diagnosed people. i have a decent amount of recipes, some that i have made myself, some that i have adapted and some that are tried and true from recipe books. i would love to try to help you out anyway that i can! email me back and we can exchange personal email addresses (if you want) and i can give you recipes support group info and emotional support! talk to you soon!

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K.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

S.,
Congratulations on giving up gluten. I have been gluten free for 5 years. I have never experienced mascara as creating sinus problems. I think it could be the fires. The air has been horrible filled with lots of chemicals. I have been having terrible sinus problems. It will take a while to clear out.

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S.O.

answers from San Diego on

I just finished reading "Wheat Free, Worry Free". It's a good book to introduce you into the Wheat and Gluten Free lifestyle. Gives you a good list of what foods are safe for you to eat.

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J.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Knowing a lot about gluten you'd be surprised where it can be found. Yes, it is in your makeup, your lotion, your shampoo, any processed foods. You will want to make sure that you include oats and barley as well as anything that says wheat.

I represent a company, Sensaria Natural Bodycare, that does not have gluten in it's skin care, bath, body products. For more information go to my website www.mysensaria.com/J.

For a great diet section on GF-CF go to www.tacanow.org

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K.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I believe it takes 2 weeks or so to get your system totally clear of gluten or any other allergy/ sensetivity. If you just did it in the last week/ few days, it could be your body clearing out the toxins/ accumulation. Just a thought. I highly doubt it's the mascara. If you were that "sensitive" it would be a severe allergy and you'd be much sicker from consuming it. Many blessings on the gluten free diet!

C.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

Here is the direct link to see toxicity levels and ingredients in all mascaras.
http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/browse.php?category=masca...

L'Oreal, depending on which one, ranges from level 2-level 5... The biggest culprits in toxicity at the high end were Covergirl and Max Factor, but I also saw a couple from Estee Lauder! Surprisingly there were quite a few from Avon, Mary Kay and I even saw a Shaklee brand in the level 5 ranges!!

I also market for a company that offers safer alternatives, including cosmetics and skincare, if you're interested you can send me a message, I'd be glad to share privately.

As far as a gluten-free diet, my nephew is gluten intolerant and so my sister-in-law chose to change their entire families diet. I've eaten her foods/snacks and they taste great. I've learned so much from her and yes, most people have some sort of intolerance to gluten, yet write it off as normal symptoms to put up with and then use other forms of medication to deal with it... (ie. constipation, heartburn, headaches, etc) There are lots of gluten-free websites, I've searched some of them and taken a lot of advice on how to change our diets as well.

Best wishes,
C.~

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C.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

It could be the recent dirty smoke/ash filled air from the fires. A lot of people are having issues that normally don't.

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C.B.

answers from San Diego on

I am a health and wellness consultant that can share a lifestyle and anti-aging program to help you cleanse impurities naturally from your body and help you gain and maintain optimal health. I can also share a wonderful natural skin care line. Call if interested : C. @ ###-###-####

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S.K.

answers from Las Vegas on

go to the www.cosmeticdatabase.com and you can search the ingredients if they have it listed. You can also go to www.safecosmetics.org and search for info but the data base is the best source. You can also google loreal ingredients. Legally they do not HAVE to list the ingredients.

We now have a safe skin care and you might check that too as since you just are returning to work etc...yo may have used your skin care or shampoo again or a different one. Check the ingredients and if you want a list of dangerous ingredients email me and I will send you one. You might be surprised. You can go to www.puremangosteenskincare.com

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T.

answers from Las Vegas on

S.,

Gluten is found in many person care products including shampoo and conditioners. You may have to call the company to find out what is in the makeup you are using. It could also be something you ate. There are so many "hidden" things in food it is very tough to do a successful elimination diet. My youngest child is allergic to both dairy and soy (he's 2). Gluten, like dairy and soy, is hidden in many, many things. One resource that may help you is www.tacanow.org. It is an autism website but they have lots of info on gluten free diets.

Good luck,
T.

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D.L.

answers from San Diego on

Some mascaras do container gluten as well as lipsticks, etc. Sue from the Celiac Sprue would be an excellent contact for you. Their url is http://www.csaceliacs.org/ and they are a great not profit.

D.

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M.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Maybe I can help - www.allergicare-oc.com

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D.E.

answers from San Diego on

Hi S.,

My mother-in-law was just diagnosed with Celiac Disease, so if that is the direction you are heading, there are several tests you have to undergo before you'll know what the problem is. The good news is--Celiac Disease is entirely curable just by diet alone. My mother-in-law has only been on a wheat-free diet for a short period of time and she has felt such a difference. However, she never complained about sinus pressure or headaches--her problems were hair loss, fatigue, and an inability to hold onto iron and vitamin B in her system, but people can have different reactions to the disease.

Anyway--go to celiac.com (I think--you can just google "Celiac Disease" and you'll see it--could be .org), and there is a list of gluten-free make-up there as well as other gluten-free foods, beverages, and other products.

Good luck!
D.

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S.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have all of the problems you do and never thought about gluten causing it.

The only mascara that agreed with me was physicians formula. You might try it. I always took it off with vasaline before bed.

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