Soap

I love that clean feeling I get when I’m fresh from the a nice, hot, steamy shower. But, it’s not just the water that makes me feel that way. It’s also the soap I use. I can be a bit picky when it comes to my self-care products. I want something that is natural, maybe organic, and definitely gluten free. While I know I’m not going to be eating the bar of soap, I still like knowing that my home is truly free from gluten. For some people, having a gluten free soap or body wash is very important as they experience skin reactions to gluten. Thankfully, there are many gluten free soaps and body washes available.

As I stated, I like to keep things natural. For a while I used a lovely goat milk soap bar a gluten free friend picked up for me at her local farmer’s market in Chicago. That soap traveled a long distance, and I’m glad it did. It made my skin feel and smell heavenly. Now I’m using a soap by Kiss My Face© Olive Oil & Lavender bar. It’s not certified gluten free, and the company doesn’t guarantee against cross contamination. However, it’s an acceptable choice for those who don’t have to adhere to a strict gluten free body care regimen. I love that there are only five ingredients, and that I can pronounce them all. The price is also agreeable to my wallet, especially for the size of that huge green bar.

In terms of body wash, I like Dr. Bronner’s. I like the unscented mild baby soap, whereas my mom loves the peppermint for a bit of tingle and its invigorating scent. The bottle is a bit odd with its many religious scriptures and talk of aliens, but the product works well and is economical due to being concentrated.

If a more conventional soap is something you desire try calling some of your favorite companies to inquire about the gluten free status of their products. It does seem more difficult to find out which mainstream soaps and body washes are gluten free, but with a quick phone call you should be able to get the answers you seek. If you see an ingredient such as “hydrolyzed wheat protein” on the back label, and “wheat” or “oat” on the front label as part of the marketing then you should steer clear completely. If you don’t see anything you recognize as a gluten containing ingredient then pull out your trusty cell phone and give the company a call right from the body care aisle. Don’t worry, we all do it.

Even if you don’t have a skin reaction to gluten, think about getting a gluten free soap. Consider the number of times a day your hands come into contact with your mouth or lips. If you have young kids, think about how often they put their mouths on your arms, hands, and face. Then ask yourself whether it’s worth buying a gluten free soap or not.

In researching commercial brands of soap, it is shocking to see with qualifies as ‘beauty’ ingredients. In fact, at best they often label themselves as ‘body wash’ or ‘beauty bars’ because these products are not ‘soap’. Gluten skin sensitivity aside, just what are we lathering up on our bodies? And what effects could these ingredients we can’t pronounce have down the road…?

I have an absolute favorite soap brand that although they do not market themselves as gluten free, are natural and 100% organic. The company is called Parnella Naturals and they make soaps that smell and feel incredible. With the exception of the ‘Oatmeal and Honey’ soap bar, I think almost everything they make would be gluten free (of course, contacting them directly would be the best way to confirm).

To get these soaps, I have to order them from the US. Locally, I can purchase Kiss My Face which has several products that specify gluten free on their packaging.

Overall, I agree with Amanda’s post that we need to be cautious beyond just what we eat. Gluten can be found in products that we would least expect - and carefully reading labels, or finding out directly from the producer is the only way to be sure.