Dawn
For any of you with gluten intolerance, soy issues, have a 'thing' about latex, or just can't stand milk or lactose, this one is for you.
It took me forever to figure out all the things that were making me sick when we first figured out I had gluten issues.  The stuff is in everything.  Then, as it turns out, I have soy issues too.  Soy really is in nearly everything, more so than wheat.  Add issues with milk and latex, and you have a huge ball of misery when you're not finding out exactly what's in everything you're using.  Unfortunately you can't trust companies to tell you either.  Some will claim that it's super secret formulation (Cover Girl Cosmetics) or depend on someone in India who barely speaks English to tell you if there is wheat in your products but really has no idea, so they give you wrong information (Avon).  A few actually are nice enough to list all the active and inactive ingredients on their stuff (Thank you, E.L.F and Neutrogena).  But the reality is, you have to learn some really big words, and what they mean.  You also have to learn where and in what stuff can hide in.  For example, tocopherols are a big one for soy.  That's vitamin E for you non sciencey folks.
My Favorite Things - The Bathroom Edition
My Favorite Things - The Bathroom Edition
I had some crazy reactions to what seemed like everything for a long while.  Hives, rashes, mild infections were a way of life for years.  I really had no idea that my food issues were active in my skin as well.  Once I started removing products with wheat, soy, milk and latex, and their derivatives, I got to be mostly normal again.
Here's the stuff I use that works well for me:

  • Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality
  • Caress Sheer Twilight
  • Yardley of London English Lavender Soap
  • J&J Body Care Lavender and Chamomile AKA Bedtime Lotion
  • St. Ives Timeless Skin Moisturizer
  • ELF Cosmetics - I use their mascara, eyeliner with shadow on the other end, lip gloss and powder.
  • Neutrogena Cosmetics - foundation, powder and concealer
  • Revlon - lip liner
  • Kotex recently came out with Natural Balance, cotton, wood cellulose, aloe and non soy vitamin e.  Very little plastic too if you're sensitive to that.
  • Kleenex Cool Touch Tissues.  No tocopherols for when you have a sore nose.
  • Lifestyles Skyn.  Non latex and no lactose in the lubricant.  

Bet you didn't know most lubricants have lactose in them.  Now you do.

*Edited
I probably shouldn't have to say this, but make sure you check your products every time, just to be sure.  You never know when a manufacturer might reformulate their product.



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2 Responses
  1. Unknown Says:

    Is latex usually listed or can it usually be found hidden? That's one of my new allergies as well. Was fine one day and the following week went to use therabands in PT and suddenly my hands started burning and had major hives and I had some asthma problems.


  2. Dawn Says:

    Latex is closely related to a bunch of foods, but not limited to: Avocado, Banana, Chestnut, Potato, Tomato, Kiwi, Pineapple, Papaya, Eggplant, Melon, Passion Fruit, Mango, Wheat, Cherimoya.
    It's also in and on some food packaging (another reason to avoid processed foods). Be careful of gloves, mattresses at hotels and bottoms of some shoes.


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