
With one of the biggest worries this summer being how to avoid getting burned out in the sun, have you ever wondered about your suntan lotion? The tough truth is that few (yes, few) can be accurately labeled as gluten free sunscreens.
To be honest, I didn’t realize that nearly every list of gluten free sunblock available online was at least three or more years old (with the most referenced list of gluten free sunscreen dating back to 2005). A lot can change in the product world in a matter of a year (let alone three or more) making these lists incredibly untrustworthy.
What made matters worse is that when I began making phone calls (yes, I personally called and contacted the companies listed below), I discovered that about 85% of the companies found on the online lists were NEVER gluten-free (nor have ever claimed to be). So the question is… why on earth were they ever added to lists intended for those of us who actually need to be gluten free?
Why Buy Gluten Free Sunscreen?
It’s a legit question since I doubt you go out of your way to eat sunscreen. When you start out on a gluten free diet, it’s common to think that you’ve only got to worry about gluten hidden in food. Unfortunately, gluten is in more things than just food that you can end up ingesting.
Take a moment and think about what happens when you’ve slathered suntan lotion all over your face on a super hot day. Sweating is one of the biggest ways by which it ends up in your mouth. Plus, swimming doesn’t improve your odds of helping it stay put either.
What’s more, ask yourself this — have you ever washed your hands after applying sunblock (on yourself or someone else)?
Likely, the answer is no. As a result, everything you touch (including food) gets contaminated. That’s why sunscreen is one of those bodycare products that I argue for buying and using gluten free sunscreen if you are sensitive to gluten.
While you might think that a tiny bit of gluten can’t hurt you as much as say a whole wheat dinner roll, research doesn’t support that notion. Consider a 2015 study on gut permeability found that gluten exposure increases leaky gut in anyone who ingests gluten. Those with active celiac disease saw the greatest increase in leaky gut. But even the healthy subjects who did not have celiac or gluten sensitivity experienced an increase in the level of gut permeability when gluten was introduced.
By repeatedly exposing yourself to gluten (no matter whether it comes from food, lipstick, medication, pet food contamination or even bodycare products like suntan lotion), your gut may remain in a state of leakiness that could cause or contribute to increased food sensitivities as well as other autoimmune issues.
Why All Other Lists of Gluten Free Sunscreens are Wrong
It came as a shocker to me that the other gluten free sunscreen lists were wrong. For the longest time, only a handful have existed online. It wasn’t until recently that a very well known health expert emailed out a list of gluten free suntan lotions to their newsletter list that I even gave this topic a second thought.
I’ve been in the process of creating a catalog of gluten free bodycare products which is why when I happened to see this list I sent it to my team to see if the list checked out. The response I got back shocked me.
“This list was copied verbatim from someone else’s 2005 blog that was never credited.”
Wait, 2005… that’s 11 years ago.
How can that be current? — I thought. And then I started googling the companies only to discover that most weren’t coming up as gluten free. So I personally picked up the phone (or emailed when there wasn’t any customer service to speak with) to find answers to the questions that I’ve come to realize that others who’ve posted blogs on gluten free sunscreen didn’t bother to ask.
Though I certainly can’t speak to the reason(s) why these lists are so inaccurate, I can tell you this… many of the companies listed never even offered gluten free suntan lotions to begin with. It wasn’t like the status of the products changed with time. This only further underscores why you must have a trusted source or expert to go to who actually goes to bat for you. Someone who will go the mile or make the call as you would before sharing anything that claims to be some sort of official list.
Realizing that these lists online were likely never vetted to the degree that you would personally want to protect your health is upsetting. I don’t believe the failure was in a lack of care, but more so that most people (and many bloggers, unfortunately) have NO IDEA that you can’t just read ingredient labels and declare a product safe. (If you don’t know why, CLICK HERE to find out.)
You might be wondering — I really wouldn’t feel good about (let alone comfortable with) putting up any sort of list here at Gluten Free School unless I could personally vouch for the information.
Like you, I live gluten free because I have to. See, me and gluten aren’t friends. If I’m to share a list with you, then I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that the information is correct because I personally know the consequences of risky or questionable (or straight up gluten-filled) products.
Which Sunscreens AREN’T Truly Gluten Free
The following is a list of of suntan lotions which were previously mentioned on other online lists for gluten free sunscreens that I found (with the exception of two that I found on my own). While many of them don’t have gluten added, the companies don’t test for it either. Furthermore, they openly acknowledge a number of questionable factors that could make them contaminated. Reasons include a high risk of gluten found in plant-based ingredients and gluten used in other products run on the line.
If you decide to use any of the following products, know that you do so at your own risk. These companies make no claims that their products are nor ever were gluten free.
Neutragena – Beach Defense, Cool Dry Sport, Pure & Free, Ultrasheer with Broad Spectrum, Ultrasheer Drytouch lines don’t have gluten added to them, but they are not tested for gluten levels.
Banana Boat – “Although we do not use wheat protein or wheat derived oils in our product formulations, we cannot certify that our facilities are gluten free. In addition, the plant origin of some ingredients may vary, making Gluten Free Certification difficult.”
Hawaiian Tropic – “Although we do not use wheat protein or wheat derived oils in our product formulations, we cannot certify that our facilities are gluten free. In addition, the plant origin of some ingredients may vary, making Gluten Free Certification difficult.”
Coppertone – No gluten added, but they are not tested for gluten.
Sunology – “contains no gluten. However, it is not manufactured in a 100% gluten-free facility. Best practices are used to prevent cross-contamination, but due to the shared facility, we can’t guarantee that the final product doesn’t have any traces of gluten. So, those with extreme allergies should be careful.”
Coology – There is a chance of cross contamination because it’s not made on dedicated equipment and some other products contain gluten.
Solskyn – “We do not add Gluten to any of our items. However; we do not test for Gluten in our sunscreens (since we do not have a ‘gluten’ ingredient), so we cannot make the claim “Gluten Free”. At our facility, no items have GLUTEN added into the items.”
Coola Suncare – “We do not have dedicated equipment for gluten free products”… nor have we “…validated cleaning procedures to guarantee no gluten cross-contamination.”
Jason – Never was gluten free and has a high risk of gluten contamination due to plant-based ingredients.
Why Aren’t These Suntan Lotions Gluten Free?
I’ve said this time and time again — you can’t just read a list of ingredients for products not labeled gluten free and assume that you’re fine. There’s just way too much gluten in the ingredient supply. Assuming a product that doesn’t naturally contain gluten to be gluten free increases your risks for exposure.
This applies not only to food, but also to bodycare products like suntan lotions. Hidden gluten due to cross contamination is not easily spotted by some magical fluorescent neon lights that flash when you open the product. Please stop kidding yourself that you can be a gluten detective simply because you believe that the ingredients appear okay.
While I certainly appreciate the enthusiasm of food detectives inspired by the likes of Food Babe, her methods won’t help you at all when it comes to gluten. If they did, companies wouldn’t have written me back stating that due to the risk of gluten contamination, they can’t recommend that I (or anyone who must avoid gluten for health reasons) use their products.
Clearly companies are concerned that plant-derived ingredients or equipment used to make the sunscreen are contaminated with gluten. And yes, during my search I was able to locate sunscreens that contain gluten in the ingredients.
Top 6 Gluten Free Sunscreens
The following were the only companies which I feel comfortable sharing as “gluten free” and would personally purchase for my own use. As of the publishing date of this article, this list is current.
California Baby + Kids – “All are tested to be free of gluten, soy, oat, dairy and nuts (except for coconut).”
Nature’s Gate – All sunscreens are gluten-free. They are in the final stages for all sunscreens they make to be certified gluten free.
Blue Lizard – “All Blue Lizard® Australian Sunscreen formulations are gluten-free. Additionally, there are no wheat proteins found in any of our products.”
Additional options include Keys Solar Rx Moisturizer with Sunscreen and Alba Botanica Very Emollient Sunscreen line as well.
There are other issues with gluten free suntan lotions that go beyond gluten. As you may already know, there can be a lot of (what are considered to be) toxic ingredients often added to them. If that’s an additional concern for you, here’s some other points that could be good food for thought.
The moral of this story is to always double check product lists for a date of publication. Assuming that products lists that are 5, 6 or even 11 years old aren’t going to cut it and require further investigation.
Since this list is literally the only current list…
Would you do me two quick favors?
1 — If you’ve come across any gluten free sunscreens that are clearly marked gluten free, share the names of the products with the community by leaving them in a comment below.
2 — Remember sharing is caring… so please share this list with other people in our community for whom gluten free is not a fad, but an actual way of life. Post it on Facebook or Twitter or in any groups you belong to that would benefit.
NEED MORE HELP?
If you feel like you’re at your wits’ end and fed up knowing what to eat…
Or you feel like food is your enemy now that you’ve gone gluten-free because you don’t know what’s safe…
And you’re feeling deeply overwhelmed with the process of ridding your life of gluten…
I have a really neat opportunity for you so keep on reading!
I’m hosting a special webinar (that’s totally free) where I’m going to talk about the process how to simplify going gluten-free as well as how I (and my clients) have gotten to a place where the lifestyle and diet are a piece of gluten-free cake.
If you’ve been GF for less than 2 years, are still struggling to “stay on the wagon,” or haven’t even started going GF yet… this is for you.
Today and tomorrow, I’m hosting an exclusive webinar called…
There’s no cost to attend and I’m going to cover some of the biggest questions you have!
Think of it like you and I sit down for a cup of tea (or coffee)… let’s talk. Plus I’ll have a special surprise for you at the end! BUT please be aware that I will not record this event so if you miss it, then you’ve missed out.
I have used Badger products before and thought they were all gluten free, but found out that the sunscreens are not guaranteed to be gluten free. FYI, I have a sensitivity to gluten (but am not “allergic” by strict definition), in that I get a skin rash from gluten, but I don’t have an anaphylactic reaction. Anyway, I’ve used the Badger chamomile and calendula baby broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30) this summer so far with no reaction, but be aware that it is not certified GF or guaranteed to be GF.
See this blurb from their FAQ page:
I have allergies to gluten, are Badger products safe for me?
Yes, and as of July 2015, our products—with the exception of Sunscreens, Soaps, and Lip Tints & Shimmers, which are produced outside the Badger facility—are certified gluten free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), one of the top certification programs in the world. When you see the GF logo on a Badger product, you’ll know that product meets strict gluten-free standards that have been independently verified.
Click here for more information. Or click here to view all our gluten free products.
The following Badger products, which are produced outside the Badger facility, may contain the potential allergen gluten:
• Lip Tints & Shimmers
• Soaps (Badger Rose Geranium Face & Body Soap contains finely ground oatmeal)
• Sunscreens
Badger Lip Tints & Shimmers, soaps and sunscreens are filled off-site by subcontract manufacturers using machinery that also produces products containing wheat. Our subcontract manufacturers do careful cleanings between product runs to greatly reduce the possibility of cross contamination, and all Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards are followed. Batches are also periodically tested to be sure that the cleaning processes are sufficient to reduce cross contamination of any allergens. However, these products cannot be guaranteed gluten-free.
When using a new product for the first time, it is a good idea to read our full-disclosure labels carefully and/or perform a skin patch test prior to full use.
Hi Raye, having an allergy to wheat (as there is no such a thing as a gluten allergy) is much different reacting to gluten due to a sensitivity. This is something that companies often don’t realize because they aren’t well-versed on the subject. (If you want to read more about the difference, check this out here https://www.jenniferfugo.com/2016/01/26/gluten-sensitivity-vs-gluten-intolerance/.) Or they are responding directly to questions from consumers who don’t know the difference. Either way, if gluten is in the product, it can end up being ingested as I outlined. Obviously we each need to make our own choices as to what we are comfortable with. In my book, if a company won’t test to make sure that the product is compliant, then I’m going to look for something else that is. That said, it’s good to know that some of their products are certified GF.
Goddess Garden organics has a sunscreen I have found at Target and Costco.com. Labeled free of gluten ingredients. It’s a mineral spray sunscreen that comes in normal or sport.
Hi Taryn, do you know if they produce this on equipment that also has wheat in it? That’s more of the concern here as “free of gluten ingredients” does not mean there’s no risk of contamination. That was the problem that I butted up against when I started contacting companies unfortunately.
Fyi, Arbonne’s Liquid Sunshine Mineral Based Sunscreen and ABC Baby Care Sunscreen are BOTH Certified Gluten Free
Quick clarification: the Alba sunscreen that is marked gluten-free is not? Thanks for your detective work!
Hi Bonnie, I’ve just called the company (again). After being initially told no, I was then told that ONLY the Very Emollient line is GF, but they will not guarantee anything else beyond that line.
TruKid has gluten free sunscreen. Mineral based. http://shop.trukid.com/TruKid-Sunny-Days-Daily-SPF30-Lotion-35-oz-_p_16.html
Nature’s Gate contains wheat straw glycosides. Wheat? I don’t believe that can be gluten free.
Hi Wendy, I totally understand your concern. So to explain this a bit (and I can’t obviously speak for Nature’s Gate since I don’t work for them nor have a with relationship), wheat straw is usually not GF because the crop becomes contaminated with gluten assuming it came from a mature plant. That said, it is possible to create or extract an ingredient from that contaminated crop or material and end up with something that is gluten free. That is the case with wheat starch… which is derived from wheat, but can test appropriately to be GF according to the legal definition of the phrase because starch is not protein. In this case, wheat straw glycosides (you can read about it here — https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/717585/CETEARYL_WHEAT_STRAW_GLYCOSIDES/) is created by mixing alcohol with the sugars found in the straw. It’s entirely possible that the new ingredient does not contain gluten. Either way, Nature’s Gate is now testing to make sure that the products are certified GF which means that they must test below 10ppm (more info on what it means to be certified GF is here: https://www.jenniferfugo.com/2013/05/20/ultimate-guide-to-understanding-gluten-free-labeling/). There are strict rules in place about sourcing ingredients, cleaning machinery, and spot testing batches in order to ensure that the product is safe. This is why I say that you can’t read the ingredients label and assume you know if there is or is not gluten. You have to speak with the company directly or fully understand what is entailed with the certification process. I hope this helps clarify things and if you’re still concerned, then you should contact Nature’s Gate directly as they do have a customer support line set up (with real people taking the calls) to answer your questions.
Also, skin can absorb many things. Case in point, I use estrogen cream. The hormone is absorbed through the skin. I believe gluten can be absorbed as well.
The way that hormones are absorbed through skin is different from something like gluten. They are not the same and can’t be compared apples to apples. The science behind whether gluten is absorbed through the skin is still out. Dr. Kara Fitzgerald spoke about this on the webinar we did together in April so if you signed up for it, then it would definitely be worthwhile to check it out.
elta MD Broad Spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen is NOT gluten free, per the distributer Dermstore. elta MD is sold through Dermatology practices.
Thanks for sharing this, Kathy! That’s good to know!
Sun Bum – monkey on the label
Says its gf, smells wonderful, rubs in well, a little spendy…but that’s what Ive learned is the norm for gf products.
Sun Bum suntan lotion and sprays are labeled Gluten-Free — http://shop.trustthebum.com/suncare/original/
CoTZ is labeled gluten free. I ordered the Natural Tint SPF 40 and liked it alone. But my oil-free foundation would not go on smoothly over it. Returning it.
I am an asymptomatic celiac with slightly high numbers so my doctor said to use GF lipstick. I’m adding facial products also, but having trouble finding non-greasy, non-sticky GF sunscreen and foundation for my oily, but mature, face.
Thank you for any suggestions-
Thank you for the list!
I finally found another one that’s GF, vegan, parben free, hypoallergenic, etc, SunBum. Found it at Target and reasonably priced and found a matching Chapstick!!! I usually make my own but was in a time crunch for travel.
I personally use all sorts of GF stuff from http://www.stream2sea.com. I use the leave in conditioner to get into my wetsuit too! haha. I talked to the founder and their products are GF, they just haven’t paid the crazy amount of money required to be able to use the GF label. Feel free to call them if you have questions…they’re really nice. Their stuff is also Eco friendly, so it doesn’t kill coral or harm marine life. They’re the best! 🙂
Burn Out sunscreen is labeled gluten free.
All of Arbonne’s products, including its Sunscreen is formulated without gluten… meaning 0 ppm, not just “gluten free” with an acceptable amount of gluten that the government allows. Plant-based vegan, free of gluten, soy, non-GMO, no dairy, no harmful chemicals…
Monica, it is literally IMPOSSIBLE to claim 0ppm. While I understand where you are coming from — as far as I know from friends in the food industry who deal with certification of their products, scientists cannot currently test for 0ppm and thus making a statement such as that is misleading unless Arbonne has actually paid an outside certifying body capable of testing to 0ppm to verify that their products do indeed meet that claim. Unfortunately, I have no idea where the claim of 0ppm came from and is inappropriate to make unless you have hard science to back it up. Just because products are formulated without gluten doesn’t mean that there isn’t an issue of contamination possible at some point in the processing. I’d appreciate if you could provide us with a scientific reference wherein this claim of 0ppm is backed up and proven.
Hello ,
I have been using All Good Sunscreen for my family and cannot say enough about how much I love it. My daughters are part fish and in the water more than out. I have complete confidence in the protection. I use the sun stick and balm for the face and lips. Gluten free and very safe for the environment too.
http://allgoodproducts.com/shop/natural-sunscreens/?gclid=CjwKEAjw_bHHBRD4qbKukMiVgU0SJADr08ZZ4r2OeAQEmWJ5u2LunZ565oRSCkYJ3RGsEGbTeVSRNRoCooLw_wcB
Hi, I wanted to buy Kiss My Face sunscreen but there is Tocopheryl Acetate in ingredients and is not listed as gluten free on iHerb. So is the sunscreen gluten free or not?
It’s made with Sunflower oil, not wheat germ oil. See here on their site: http://kissmyface.com/product/search/Sunflower%20Oil
The brand honest states all their sunscreens are glutenfree
Babo Botanicals is also gluten-free
Marcelle Oil-Free Multi-Defense Lotion SPF 15 and Oil-Free Multi-Defense Cream SPF 15 are Gluten Free and perfume free. It is not a high SPF but I thought I would add them to the list. Marcelle is now a Canadian company so I don’t know what their worldwide availability is like but their products are available on Amazon. Check out their allergen page here http://www.marcelle.com/en/allergen-guide/
Beautycounter is gf, but must be ordered.
Original Sprout Sunscreen is Gluten Free. In fact, their entire line of shampoo/conditioner/lotion etc are all free of allergens, including gluten, honey, lavender, soy, peanuts, dairy, tea tree, cloves, musk, as well as parabens, sulfates and all phytoestrogens.
It’s so hard to find baby stuff without lavender!! I use this sunscreen on my kids, as I’m celiac (they’re not), and I can put this on them and not have to worry about eating a sandwich right after!
THANK YOU!! I avoid gluten in all things food, beer, vitamins and supplements but never even thought of sunscreen.
You’re very welcome! 🙂
I buy Alba Botanica Sport Mineral Sunscreen spf 45. It is gluten free, and fragrance free. They also do not test on animals.
Alba Botanical has some GF sunscreen, it will be marked on the bottle if it is
Has anyone looked into Elta MD, Zoe Medical, Colorescience or Skin Medical?
Thanks,
Clever has gluten free everything and I love their products, especially the sunscreen.
Finally found the Vanicare line of products only sunscreen I can use that does not make my face break out in hives. I have used Blue Lizard but react to the minerals. Very good article amazing info thank you so much for sharing.
Bare republic clearly states gluten free on the bottle! Yay!
Sun Bum states Gluten Free on the bottle.
My 6 year old son has celiac. I have always used Sun Bum products on him which are labeled Gluten Free and Vegan. I use the sun screen, face stick and chap stick for him. He is a severe celiac and tested very high on the spectrum. He’s extremely sensitive. Sun Bum products I would recommend for anyone needing to avoid gluten.
According to information on the JASON website, at least some of their sunscreen productions are certified gluten free? In particular, it says on this page that the sport version is gluten free.
https://www.jason-personalcare.com/en/products/sport-sunscreen-spf-45-broad-spectrum#body
My bottle from last year does not say “no gluten”. But the picture on their website has a bottle that does include those words. So maybe it’s a new practice that they are gluten free?
Alba Botanical is labeled Certified GF