New Expanded Gluten Free Diet and Cosmetics Website

Hello everyone,

I want to thank everyone for visiting my new website, link is up on the left side of this blog.  Recently I decided that I was thinking too small.  I know I can deliver the important gluten free cosmetic information you need.  But I also have a lot I want to share about the gluten free diet, finding special foods that I had trouble getting, my preferred baking and cooking methods, good equipment to have, some solid recipes, and more. 

I'd like you to have a one-stop place to get great info on your favorite cosmetics and a reliable food product, if you should wish.  Believe me, I've been around the block several times with finding solid dependable gluten free products.  Plus I've had to relearn some of my standard cooking methods to replicate our family's favorite foods.  If you're looking for GF cosmetics, you may have questions about your food as well (like I always do).

Here's the link to my new all-in-one site Gluten Free Diet Guide - and that's a picture of some homemade gluten free bread on the header.  Good stuff and easy to make - we always have some on-hand.  So I'll be summarizing and updating the best info I have from both my semi-new cosmetics site and this blog over to that site.  Sorry this has been so disjointed, but I hope this transition will serve everyone better.  This blog will NOT be going away, but the other newish cosmetics site will. 

Again, thanks for being such loyal readers and please keep track of the changes here!

Gluten Free Eyeshadow and Afterglow Cosmetics on the new website.

Just letting you know I have a couple more pages up at the new website.  They are in baby stages, but I think they are looking good so far!  :)

www.gluten-free-cosmetic-counter.org

Erika

Follow Gluten Free Cosmetic Counter With New Subscription Button

Now you can subscribe to Gluten Free Cosmetic Counter to catch up on all that's new. Hear about new info from cosmetic companies, see how the new website is coming along - you'll get it all when you subscribe today!

Go up to the right side bar at the very top. Thanks!

Erika

Gluten Free Cosmetic Counter Website

Hey, thanks everyone for continuing to check out my new website gluten-free-cosmetic-counter.org. I promise, I'll be building more pages as soon as I can. There is so many companies I want to research, so many other resources I want to look into.

You have come to rely on this blog for solid reliable gluten free cosmetic information. That won't change with the website. I intend to make it your most reliable source for accessing gluten free information and products on the internet.

Gluten Free Cosmetic Companies Everywhere

Hello folks. I'm telling you, I'm finding more and more gluten free cosmetic companies around the web, sometimes just by accident. This morning I was going along on Twitter, and somehow I ended up on an allergy blog that mentioned something about gluten free sunscreen. Lo and behold, there were about six companies listed that have gluten free cosmetic and gluten free personal care products. Had heard of two companies, but the others were new to me.

I checked out the new ones and found that they professed to be completely gluten free. Woot! That sure makes it easy when they say that right off the bat. The problem is that these companies don't often do a lot of advertising as a "gluten free cosmetics company" per se. Trust me, I've trolled the Google results for so many keywords, you'd think I'd have found these guys by now. But no, they remain nearly anonymous in the wilderness of the internet. If you don't already know about them, you probably won't find them (even if you are looking).

So that's my purpose, to bring gluten free cosmetics and gluten free skin care products out to the forefront to you. I'm just giddy finding all of these lush pictures of organic products like jojoba oil, tea tree oil, silky mineral cosmetics, and such. It's a feast for the eyes, and I think you'd agree.

Here's a list of the newest companies I've found. I hope to do a bit more in depth post on each after I have a chance to research them. If you have been a customer of any of these companies, please add your feedback. A report from the field is always valuable. On these links, I'm sending you right to the ingredients page. You can click along on the website to see different products.

California Baby
Affusion Skin Care
Desert Organics

The Desert Organics link is actually for a product line on Desert Essence. It says that product line is gluten free, but it might pay to ask about other products. It doesn't look like they use a lot of complicated ingredients. Many of them are pure oils. I'll look into it more, but if you've used these products please add your comments.

Well, those are my gluten free cosmetic finds for this morning. I'm really quite excited - the new website will have so much good information - I can hardly stand it! It really is a great time to be looking for gluten free cosmetics - companies are making them, they are available, and I'll help you find them!

Smashbox gluten free cosmetics

Some of you may know about Smashbox gluten free cosmetic choices. Now everyone can know! I just got this letter today, confirming what I read earlier this year about having a great selection of gluten free cosmetics. Here is there exact letter:

Dear Erika,



Thank you for contacting us. Gluten can be found in products that contain wheat/rye/barley derivatives. Most Smashbox products do not contain gluten, however the following products do contain gluten in their formulations:



Bionic Mascara, Jet Black

Layer Lash Primer

Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder, Fair, Light, Medium and Dark

Doubletake Lip Color, Praline, Gossamer, Sugar Spice, Cranberry

Lip Treatment

Lipstick Tinted Lip Treatment, Solar, Ray, Beam, and Shine



For your reference, here is a list of gluten ingredients you may want to avoid:

Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour

Cyclodextrin

Dextrin

Dextrin Palmitate

Hydrolyzed Malt Extract

Hydrolyzed Oat Flour

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein

Hydrolyzed Wheat Flour

Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/PVP Crosspolymer

Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch

Maltodextrin

Secale Cereale (Rye) Seed Flour

Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract

Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil

Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Gluten

Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Starch

Wheat Amino Acids

Wheat Germ Glycerides

Wheat Germamidopropalkonium Chloride

Wheat Protein

Wheatgermamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate

Yeast Extract



Be sure to double check the complete ingredients on the unit carton of the Smashbox product or we can email them to you. Also, a full list of the ingredients for our products is listed each product page, see here: http://www.smashbox.com/Make-Up-Page. If you have any questions please contact us at customerservice@smashbox.com.



Best Wishes,



Customer Service

SMASHBOX COSMETICS

1.888.763.1361

customerservice@smashbox.com

Arbonne Gluten Free Cosmetic List

You can’t miss this - I've created a free report for you when you sign up for the Gluten Free Diet Guide email newsletter.

Sign up right over here ————–>

How do you know where to look for gluten in your food and cosmetics? 
How do you know if something is really and truly gluten free? 
And what about cross contamination?  Is is really as bad as it sounds?
This is must-know information, absolutely essential for your health.  Whether you’re a newbie at the gluten free diet or you’ve been living gluten free for years, you need to be sure you know how the food and cosmetic industries are labeling the items you use every day.  Sign up today to get more helpful gluten free information right in your inbox.

 *******************************

Good day to you! I just received a response to a letter I wrote yesterday. I had written a post a few years ago about Arbonne's gluten free list. It seemed they were a little more gray in their answer than I had preferred back then.

Today's letter looks more clear, and they did answer my specific question about the equipment they manufacture their products on. I was pleased to see something beyond just a form letter (though it looked like it at first). I have to say I'm more encouraged to say that Arbonne would be a good gluten free cosmetic choice. As always, it is up to you whether you choose to purchase cosmetics from a company that does not have a completely gluten free cosmetic facility.

Here is the reprint directly to you.

Arbonne's Gluten Free Cosmetics Product List

Dear Erika,

Gluten-FREE Products:
About Face Blusher
About Face Brow Wax
About Face Cream Concealer
About Face Eye Pencil
About Face Eye Shadow
About Face Line Defiance Liquid Foundation SPF 15
About Face Lip Pencil
About Face Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 15
About Face Sheer Shine
About Face Translucent Pressed Powder
About Face Wipe Out Eye Makeup Remover
ABC Arbonne Baby Care Body Oil
ABC Arbonne Baby Care Herbal Diaper Rash Cream
Arbonne Clear Advantage Acne Lotion
Arbonne Clear Advantage Acne Wash
Arbonne Clear Advantage Refining Toner
Arbonne Clear Advantage Spot Treatment
Arbonne Clear Advantage Skin Support Supplement
Arbonne Smart Nutritional Hybrids Daily Nutritional Chews for Teens
Arbonne Smart Nutritional Hybrids Daily Power Punch for Kids
Arbonne Aromassentials Awaken Sea Salt Scrub, 16 oz.
Arbonne Bio-Nutria® Herbal Colon Cleanse
Arbonne Bio-Nutria Herbal Muscle Massage Gel
Arbonne Bio-Nutria Joint Formula
f.y.i. Arbonne? BodyBetter Body Cream
f.y.i. Arbonne EyeQ Cream Eye Shadow
Figure 8 Vanish Pre-Shower Cellulite Scrub
Figure 8 Vanish Water Relief Treatment Serum
Figure 8 Daily Detox Tea
Arbonne Bio-Nutria Get Well Soon Dietary Supplement
f.y.i. Arbonne GetEven Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
Figure 8 Go Easy! Protein Shake with INNER G-PLEX® ? Chocolate
Figure 8 Go Easy! Protein Shake with INNER G-PLEX ? Vanilla
Figure 8 Go Easy! Protein Shake with INNER G-PLEX ? Chai Latte
Figure 8 Going, Going, Gone! Dietary Supplement
Arbonne Bio-Nutria Heart Formula
Arbonne Bio-Nutria Herbal Lip Ointment
Arbonne Bio-Nutria Herbal Vapor Rub
Arbonne Bio-Nutria Herbal Vapor Soak
f.y.i. Arbonne ItShines Lip Gloss
Arbonne Bio-Nutria Leg Vein Formula
BefoRE Sun Lip Saver SPF 30
Arbonne Bio-Nutria Lip Service Dietary Supplement
BefoRE Sun No Sun Intended Bronzing Powder
Figure 8 NRGGO3! Fizzing Beverage Tablet
NutriMenC RE9 REsurface Shave Gel
NutriMinC RE9 REgain Illuminating Enzyme Peel
NutriMinC RE9 REtaliate Wrinkle Filler
Figure 8 On the Go! Weight Loss Chews, Peanut Butter
Figure 8 On the Go! Weight Loss Chews, Berry Burst
Figure 8 On the Go! Weight Loss Chews, Chocolate
Figure 8 On the Go! Weight Loss Chews, Creamy Caramel
f.y.i. Arbonne PersonalSpace Spray Fragrance
Revelâge Intensive Pro-Brightening Night Serum
Revelâge Age Spot Brightening Day Cream with SPF 30
Revelâge Concentrated Age Spot Minimizer
Revelâge Age Spot Brightening Hand Therapy with SPF 30
SeaSource Detox Spa 5-in-1 Essential Massage Oil
SeaSource Detox Spa Foaming Sea Salt Scrub
SeaSource Detox Spa Detoxifying Rescue Wash
SeaSource Detox Spa Purifying Sea Soak
SeaSource Detox Spa Renewing Body Gelée
SeaSource Detox Spa Re-Mineralizing Body Lotion 24H
SeaSource Detox Spa Sea Mud Face and Body Mask
SeaSource Detox Spa Fortifying Hair Mask
f.y.i. Arbonne SugarSlush Body Scrub
About Face Translucent Loose Powder
Arbonne Aromassentials Unwind Bath Salts
Arbonne Aromassentials Unwind Massage Oil
Virtual Illusion Lash Enhancer
Virtual Illusion Makeup Primer
FC5 Exfoliating New Cell Scrub
FC5 Hydrating Eye Crème
FC5 Moisturizing Night Crème
FC5 Nourishing Daily Shampoo
FC5 Nurturing Day Lotion with SPF 20
FC5 Oil-Absorbing Day Lotion with SPF 20
FC5 Purifying Cleanser + Toner
FC5 Skin Conditioning Oil
FC5 Ultra-Hydrating Hand Crème

It is very possible that products are manufactured on the same equipment that other products that contain milk and wheat are; however, our manufacturers follow very strict standard operating procedures in regarding to the cleansing and sanitation of the equipment in between batches of product. We are not aware of any occurrences where someone had sensitivity as a result of the contamination of manufacturing equipment.

Thank you
Meredith
Customer Service


We look forward to hearing your feedback on the service we provide to you!

Gluten Free Cosmetic Counter Going To Grow

Hello everyone,

Thanks for continuing to visit my humble blog about gluten free cosmetics. I'm thrilled to find out that anyone even knows I'm here, especially since I've gone on....um...sabbatical for a while. I've been cranking up my freelance writing career in the meantime and decided it's time to give this blog some more attention now.

Here's the exciting part. Glutenfreecosmeticscounter is going to grow into a site sometime this year. I say "this year" as a loose goal because I'm very new to the whole site building concept. I'm working on a lot of behind-the-scenes setup so that it comes together in smooth stages, although I'm getting impatient already.

I have seen that this is an important resource for people, so I'm taking it to the next level. Let me tell you that the world of gluten free cosmetics has been changing even since I put up this blog almost two years ago. When I put out google alerts for gluten free cosmetics and gluten free makeup, all I got back were my own posts for a while! LOL! That's when you KNOW you are obscure. But since then, I've seen a few new companies come on board and more resources putting out good information. My hope is to help spread the knowledge as a trusted source of someone who needs to know gluten free cosmetic updates as much as you do.

I have several ideas of how this can work. I love the blog idea where readers can contribute their own updates and ask questions, much like this blog has allowed. So I'd like to do a blog with the site to allow this kind of interaction. Also, I'll have solid web pages with updated information with a DATE on it - you can know when that info was verified if you are making new purchases or have a specific product to call a company about.

This is ambitious, but I know it will work out. I could probably use the "word on the street" updates to give me a hand. As many of you know, calling and emailing companies can be a chore. I'm pleased to let you in on at least this much of the plan. There's nothing to see right now, but I'll give you updates as I keep things rolling along.

I'll also try to post more regularly on here with some kind of info. As of right now, I noticed that the Burt's Bees Gluten Free List from the company was from January of 2008. I wrote to them over the weekend about a more updated list, got a generated response that it might take 2-4 business days to get a real response. I'll give you any word on that, possibly repost the list so you don't have to go dig around on their site. It is actually not that easy to find, even for me who has searched for it about 3-4 times in the same day. THAT could certainly be easier to find.

Anyway, thanks for sticking with me and I'll let you know when it's time to jump to the site. That should be a while from now. Until then, come back and visit here when you can. Tell a friend with GF issues about this blog! :)

Arbonne Cosmetics Gluten Free? Unanswered Questions So Far

You can’t miss this - I've created a free report for you when you sign up for the Gluten Free Diet Guide email newsletter.

Sign up right over here ————–>

How do you know where to look for gluten in your food and cosmetics? 
How do you know if something is really and truly gluten free? 
And what about cross contamination?  Is is really as bad as it sounds?
This is must-know information, absolutely essential for your health.  Whether you’re a newbie at the gluten free diet or you’ve been living gluten free for years, you need to be sure you know how the food and cosmetic industries are labeling the items you use every day.  Sign up today to get more helpful gluten free information right in your inbox.

 **************************************

I have done my fair share of searching for gluten free cosmetics in the last few months. And I know that many of you have spent many more months, even years doing searches. One thing that I see a lot is publicity for Arbonne being a great gluten free cosmetic choice. I have seen the lists, the personal Arbonne representative website articles, and so on. From what they say, there are many "gluten free" products to pick from. However, there is a disclaimer (I think I read this in bold print somewhere) that it is not made in a gluten free facility.

As you have read in my column before, there are occasionally some companies that produce things in facilities that are not gluten free, but appear to not be a problem. Those companies have been more of the home-grown type, who started small and still "act small" once they've grown up some. By and large, the bigger companies have not been able to give answers that are as clear or comforting about cross contamination. Only one, maybe two, companies have stated that they are completely gluten free with a gluten free facility (Afterglow and another I haven't posted on yet). Both of these are the smaller types where the owner might answer the phone or do some of the customer service.

I wrote to Arbonne a few weeks ago asking a handful of very specific questions (beyond just "do you have any gluten free products?"). The information I received from Arbonne appeared to be a "form letter" type that looked similar to other emails I have seen from Arbonne posted on message boards before. To be fair, I have not called them yet. I wanted to see what they did or didn't answer in my email request. Well, I got a letter that listed all the products without gluten in them, as well as a list of products with nut-derived ingredients and peanut oil. No answers about my specific questions and I didn't ask about nuts!!

I will be calling them to see what else they say. To Revlon's credit, they (Revlon) indicated that because of the way the products are made and transported (read: Gluten Cross Contamination Risk), they can't guarantee anything truly being gluten free. I will ask Arbonne something directly like that to see what they can say about the making and transporting part.

I am not looking to bad mouth or put down any cosmetic company. There is no need for cheap shots here, just honesty and thoroughness. However, if I get wishy washy answers about the non-gluten free facility issue (and making and transporting), that certainly casts a big shadow of doubt over the statements of the company and their representatives. Again, this may highlight the classic difference between the two basic definitions of "gluten free". One being simply without glutenous ingredients, the other including no glutenous ingredients and virtually zero cross contamination risk.

The proof will be in the customer service call.

I'll get back to you when I take care of this. Take care.

Erika