Beer is not only a men’s favourite beverage! It’s also women’s favourite beauty ingredient!

Beer extract is used in shampoos, hair conditioners, skincare, and even supplements for hair, skin, and nails care.

But why is beer used in the beauty industry? What are its benefits and how can you include it into your beauty and grooming routine?

This article will guide you through the answers of all of these questions!

Let’s get started!

5 beauty benefits of beer

Support skin health

According to a 2013 paper published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, extracts from barley, hops, and yeasts used for beer brewing are abundant in various potent compounds [1] :

• Polyphenols (kaempferol, quercetin, tyrosol, ferulic acid, xanthohumol/isoxanthohumol/8-prenylnaringenin)
• α-bitter acids
• β-bitter acids

The source suggests that these compounds may act against bacteria growth, inflammation, premature aging, oxidative stress, and cancer development.

And even though beer consumption is unlikely to pay a role in skin health, topical application of beer extracts may provide you with the following skin benefits:

• Eczema, contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis relief
• Improved pigmentation
• Skin infections soothing
• Reduced risk of skin cancer development
• Photo-protection (against UV rays damage)

Brighten skin

A 2020 paper published in the Journal of Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy suggests that malt and by-products from beer brewing (caramalt, aromatic malt, roasted malt, malt sprouts, dark beer spent grains, and wheat beer spent grains) may play a role in skin brightening, when used in cosmetic products. [2]

Skin protection

Evidence suggests that brewers yeast (by-product of beer brewing) may play a role in protecting the skin from UV damage by absorbing UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. [3] This way, brewers yeast may lower the risk of sunburn, skin cancer development, and other skin conditions caused by UV rays absorption. 

Hair growth

Evidence suggests that hop extract (often used for beer brewing) may stimulate hair growth and regrowth in people suffering from androgenetic alopecia (hair loss beginning at the temples caused by hormonal imbalance.) [4]

Strong and shiny hair

Doctor Ryan Welter, (hair restoration surgeon in Massachusetts,) suggests that beer rinse- rinsing your hair with beer- may improve hair thickness, texture, and softness. [5] According to him, many people may find their hair fuller, thicker, and more bodied. 

However, not all hair professionals agree that beer rinse is beneficial to hair, and the main concerns are in terms of the smell after this procedure.

Here are some steps to follow for effective beer rinse [6] :

1. Pour the beer into a bowl and let is sit for some time until it de-carbonates.
2. Cleanse your hair with shampoo and instead of conditioned, rinse your hair with the already “flat” beer.
3. Rinse the beer thoroughly with cold water.
4. Do this treatment only once per week for optimal effect.

How to use beer in your beauty routine?

Putting beer directly on your skin or hair without rinsing it off may cause more harm than good. However, cosmetic products with beer extract may beneficial for your hair and skin:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Hair toner
• Skin moisturizer
• Skin toner
• Skin serum