Why ‘Gluten Free’ Needs to Be Added to Your Hair Care Vocabulary

While your shampoo and conditioner aren’t products you ingest, they can still cause skin sensitivities to those with gluten intolerances. Many eczema sufferers have also noted that their skin and scalp are much less irritated when they use gluten-free hair products*.

Our chemist Archana Pujary, comments on why a gluten-free formulation can be an important switch for those with gluten sensitivities:

”Gluten is used in shampoo and conditioner mostly in the form of wheat protein, known for its ability to strengthen and condition the hair. It’s well-known that the skin is porous and will absorb whatever is put on it, so when lathering shampoo and conditioner, its contact to the scalp as well as your back and neck is where the issue for those with gluten-sensitive skin presents itself."

“While it’s not an essential swap if you don’t have an intolerance, those that are reactive to gluten can find relief from irritations like rashes or blisters on the skin by choosing gluten-free haircare. With around 1% of Australians affected by coeliac disease and more than 10 times this number following a gluten-free diet*, there’s been an increasing demand at our retailers for haircare formulas that are gluten free which is why, at A’kin, we’ve formulated many of our haircare products without the protein.”

A’kin’s Fragrance Free Mild & Gentle Shampoo and Conditioner have a gluten-free formulation making them ideal for people with gluten intolerance. Their mild, hypoallergenic and pH balanced formula features gentle ingredients such as Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Oat extract to soothe, nourish and comfort sensitive scalps.

Other A'kin gluten-free hair products include Daily Shine Rosemary Shampoo, Colour Protection Ylang Ylang & Quinoa Shampoo, Colour Protection Quinoa & Abyssinian Oil Conditioner, Purifying Lemongrass & Juniper Shampoo and Bamboo Dry Shampoo. 

We take pride in the ingredients we select for our products and also to those that we leave out; all the nasties. We have dedicated ourselves to cruelty-free practices and products and are proud to be 100% vegan.

*Sources: The Medical Journal of Australia, Cambridge University Press, Madison Reed