This Is What Eating Gluten Is Actually Doing to Your Skin

Updated on 5/15/2016 at 4:00 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

The gluten-free movement in America has become something of an epidemic. Whether you're eating your burger on a bun or wrapped in lettuce, it's important to understand what gluten is and how it affects the body, and in this case, your skin.

In layman's terms, gluten is the proteins found in wheat, and it acts like the glue that holds the ingredients together. It's also responsible for the doughy texture of pizza crust, dougnuts, and more mouth-watering treats. If you have celiac disease, then you can't eat it without getting very sick. Though most people do not have this rare disease, many can be sensitive to gluten.

Here's where the big range of confusion and controversy comes in. It's difficult to test whether or not you have sensitivity to gluten, but one way is an elimination diet. You can read about it here.

Not only does gluten make us feel the need to unbutton our pants after a big pasta dinner, but it can also result in skin inflammation.

"Although it may sound surprising, food sensitivities often show up on our skin," explains Dr. Frank Lipman of the Be Well brand. "Everything from acne to eczema can be an indicator that what we are eating isn't agreeing with our body, and most often, we find that gluten is the culprit of many skin imbalances. This is because of the effects that gluten has on our body, and in turn, on our skin."

We must point out that we are not telling you to give up bagels, but rather informing you about gluten so you can make the right choice for your skin, body, and overall health. If you're unsure, consult a doctor. Keep reading to learn exactly how gluten is tied to your skin.

Gluten Can Cause Skin Inflammation

The old saying — you are what you eat — holds a ton of truth when it comes to your skin.

"Gluten is an inflammatory food, and when we are exposed to inflammatory triggers on a regular basis, we can begin to experience irritations on our skin," explains Dr. Lipman. "Eczema, psoriasis, acne, and rashes are all signs of inflammation in the body, which is why in dealing with such skin irritations, we always recommend removing gluten as part of the healing protocol."

Gluten Can Cause Premature Aging

Those crows feet might be getting worse because of your daily turkey sandwich.

"Although the body is built to handle certain levels of oxidation, too much of it can be a bad thing, and can be a big contributor in premature aging," Dr. Lipman notes. "Inflammation causes additional oxidation in the body, and the health of our skin is a big indicator of such."

His suggestion is to incorporate antioxidant-rich foods and utilize good-quality skin care products. "Removing foods and other triggers that lead to oxidation, such as gluten, can be just as important," he adds.

Gluten Can Cause a Leaky Gut

We know this sounds scary — a leaky gut — but it can be keeping you from a foundation-free selfie.

"Leaky gut syndrome happens when your intestinal lining has become damaged as a result of inflammation or irritation, and gluten can be the cause of this by having a damaging effect on the gut wall," Dr. Lipman explains. "This is a problem because food particles and toxins from the gut are released into the bloodstream, triggering an inflammatory immune response, which often shows up on our skin in the form of skin rashes, hives, eczema, psoriasis, or breakouts."

Again, consuming foods that you may be sensitive to (like gluten) could be causing all of your skin woes. Often it's best to treat the source of the problem rather than topically just putting a cream on it.

What to Eat Instead of Gluten

If you plan to try and eliminate gluten, do not replace it with packaged gluten-free foods. These are often processed. Instead, follow Dr. Lipman's advice on how to get gorgeous skin based on a nutritious diet.

"To keep your skin youthful and glowing, I recommend avoiding inflammatory foods such as gluten, and instead eating a diet filled with nutrient-dense foods," Dr. Lipman says. "Leafy greens and other vegetables offer many of the nutrients and vitamins that support healthy skin. Healthy fats, especially those high in omega-3s, help to keep the skin glowing and elastic, fighting off the effects of premature aging. Good quality proteins such as wild fish, organic poultry, and eggs contain amino acids, which are the building blocks of everything in our body, including our skin!"