So.... gluten can be in certain products that go OUTSIDE your body too. I've read that gluten cannot penetrate your skin, and the damaging effects can only be felt if ingested (including having hand lotion on containing gluten and eating grapes with your hands, for example). I've also read that gluten can have an effect on your body "topically." So what to do? Who is right? I look at this like I look at my food allergies. That is: if I'm not sure, I don't do it. it's better to be safe than sorry, especially for people who are very sensitive to gluten. The following products I use do not contain gluten, and that is based on my own personal research.

Dove deodorant.

Pantene shampoo and conditioner.

Ivory soap.

Colgate or Crest toothpaste.

Jergens body lotion, Neutrogena moisturizing face lotion.

Although this is on another forum post, I use Bare Minerals make-up as well. It's all-natural and does not contain gluten.

Check the ingredient list on all beauty products. Always look for anything containing wheat, oat, barley, rye, millet or one of those words attached to a fancy scientific word. :) Again, if you're not sure, put it back on the shelf. You can always make a note and research it for the future.

Sometimes I can be a bit of a control freak. Not with everyone in my life (micro-managing isn't a good quality in my opinion), but with my son Andrew and myself. After too many bad experiences with dietary hiccups and product disasters, I'm a bit conditioned to be.

I used to buy all of my son's bathing and hygiene products at Whole Foods. If the label wasn't helpful enough, their ever-knowledgable staff could always help me out! Within the past year though, I've really been experimenting with making as many of my own products on my own. Not only is it economical, but I know exactly what's in everything!

Recently, I've been trying to use my own creations of shampoos, conditioners, face masks, pore strips, lotions, toothpastes... my list grows pretty regularly as I'm always researching new ways to make things.

Here are a few of my "regulars":

Shampoo/"No-poo"- Mix 1 TBS. baking soda into 8 oz. of water- I just put my mixture into my old shampoo bottles and shake before using.

Conditioner- I use a 1/2 and 1/2 combination of apple cider vinegar and water

Deep Conditioner- organic coconut oil (if I use this then I wash my hair with a foaming shampoo, such as Pantene)

Facial Scrub- Baking soda and fresh lemon juice, mixed into a paste

Moisturizer- organic coconut oil

Perfume- I love Egyptian Musk essential oil!

Toothpaste- baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

Pore Strips- I put raw egg white all over my face, then put pieces of single-ply tissue paper on top. When it dries completely, I peel it off.

A lot of my gluten-free ideas, both cooking and beauty products, are inspired from Pinterest lately. I constantly search for ideas, then adjust them to suit my particular taste or need.

One last thing though, I have been a lifelong user of Dove soap!

I have a very severe gluten-intolerance which even effects my skin. I've had to completely switch from normal every day products to all gluten-free. From deodorant to toothpaste, soap, and shampoo, my house is completely gluten-free.

I really like the natural shampoos from Whole Foods available. I have currently been using this coconut shampoo and conditioner for the last year or so and it's amazing. It's relatively inexpensive, has drastically improved my hair's health, and is gluten-free. A complete win all around!

I've started making my own soap, and that has significantly cut costs as well as solved my whole "gluten-free" problem. Plus, it's a lot of fun and the possibilities are endless for scents! My boyfriend (who is Celiac) really likes the beard oil I whipped up for him. Feel free to message me if you'd like some help getting started or have any questions about making your own body products.

- Katrina