A new unconventional spa treatment may have skincare benefits

Spa facilities across the United States are introducing therapeutic beer-based soaking treatments, marking an emerging trend in wellness services that providers claim offer skin and hair care benefits. These specialized treatments range from beer-infused water baths to treatments incorporating traditional brewing ingredients.

Piva Beer Spa, which opened in Chicago in 2019, offers specialized treatments, including massages, salt rooms, and soaks incorporating hops, barley, and brewer’s yeast. The facility claims these ingredients contain antioxidants that exfoliate and improve skin elasticity, while the antibacterial properties of the alcohol and epidermal growth factor in the barley can clear up acne. The spa also claims its treatments can stimulate hair growth and add shine.

“The ingredients are loaded with antioxidants to calm inflammation,” says Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist based in New York City. “Brewer’s yeast contains high levels of B-complex vitamins, which have skin soothing and brightening activities.” He notes that concerns about brewer’s yeast causing vaginal yeast infections in women are unfounded. 

“It is unclear how much beer you would need in the bath water, but I would assume that the more concentrated the bath, the more effective it would be,” Zeichner said. While he said he doesn’t think there is enough research to claim that beer baths make a noticeable difference to the skin, he also said he believes it will cause no harm to give it a chance and soak long enough for the beer to “do its job.”

My Beer Spa in Orlando, which opened in 2021, promotes treatments rich in B vitamins, minerals, proteins, and antioxidants that exfoliate, purify, and moisturize the skin while making hair softer and shinier. The facility emphasizes that their soaks use water infused with beer ingredients rather than actual beer.

Denver-based Oakwell Beer Spa employs an in-house herbalist to develop their “beer bath hydrotherapy” treatments. “Think of it as a giant bubbly beer tea — except instead of drinking, you soak in it!” the spa states.

Research indicates potential benefits from beer-derived ingredients. Studies have shown that hops contain polyphenols, compounds documented to prevent skin aging and fight certain skin diseases and hair loss. These ingredients have gained recognition in mainstream skincare, with hop-derived compounds like quercetin appearing in Paula’s Choice products and ferulic acid featured in serums from SkinCeuticals, The Ordinary, and Tatcha.

Medical professionals maintain measured perspectives on these treatments. “It is unclear how much beer you would need in the bath water, but I would assume that the more concentrated the bath, the more effective it would be,” Dr. Zeichner explains. “While we are lacking data showing true effectiveness, there is little downside.”

Safety protocols remain essential for these treatments. “It is important to rinse the body after soaking to remove any residual beer that may be on the skin to prevent any potential rashes,” Dr. Zeichner advises.

The emergence of beer-based spa services has coincided with potentially dangerous social media trends. Dr. Shilpi Khetarpal of the Cleveland Clinic warns against the practice of “beer tanning,” where individuals substitute beer for sunscreen.

“There are many issues with this idea of beer tanning,” she states. “The first is that if you are not applying sunscreen, the skin is not protected. It can also increase the chance of getting a sunburn and lead to an increased risk of skin cancer. Besides everything we know about ultraviolet exposure and putting yourself outside without sunscreen, why would you want to put something sticky and messy all over your body?”

While preliminary evidence suggests potential benefits from beer-derived ingredients, dermatologists recommend maintaining realistic expectations and following proper safety protocols when exploring these novel spa experiences.