TikTokers Use Beer to Tan: Does It Really Work?

Experts warn against using beer to accelerate tanning. You might have heard of people using baby oil or tanning oil to achieve a faster, deeper tan. Just to remind you—this is dangerous. Now, some TikTok users are turning to an unexpected liquid to achieve that summer glow: beer.

Yes, you read that right. Some individuals are pouring cheap beer on their skin and lying in the sun in hopes of tanning faster. The belief is that hops in beer might speed up tanning. But is there any truth to this?

“Anytime summer comes around, people have different ideas on how to get a perfect tan—and unfortunately, this one seems wrong for many reasons,” stated Dr. Zakia Rahman, a clinical professor of dermatology at Stanford University in California.

Experts want you to understand the implications of this trend. First off, tanning is never safe. Whether you use tanning oil, sunscreen, or beer, experts advise against tanning. Dr. Kritika Joshi, a primary care provider at One Medical in Florida, emphasized, “I always say no tan is a safe tan.”

“Your body produces melanin naturally based on your skin type and ethnicity. A tan is your body’s natural defense mechanism to protect against DNA damage in the skin,” Joshi explained. “You shouldn’t purposely try to tan. Instead, always wear sunscreen to protect yourself from harmful UVA and UVB rays that can cause skin cancers and DNA damage in the future.”

Consequently, using beer for tanning is a definite no. “It’s not safe to use beer as a tanning method—absolutely not recommended by any medical professional,” Joshi affirmed. Beer won’t help you tan; it will only make you more susceptible to sunburn. There are also several ingredients in beer that shouldn’t come into contact with your skin.

“The alcohol in beer is drying to the skin, so you don’t want to dry out your skin by applying it topically,” Rahman added. Additionally, pouring beer on yourself could wash off any sunscreen you applied, making you even more vulnerable to UV rays.

Another downside is that beer might attract bugs due to its scent, and you’ll likely smell like cheap beer to others, Rahman mentioned.

“If all those other concerns are out the window and people still want to get a tan, putting beer on their skin may achieve the opposite effect,” Rahman noted.

“There’s no evidence that putting beer on is going to help you tan better,” Joshi said. Rahman referenced research published in the journal Antioxidants in 2022, which found that “the tannins from hops are inhibitors of tyrosinase, the main enzyme that produces melanin in our skin.”

“If people want to get a tan, putting beer on their skin may actually inhibit the process,” Rahman reiterated.

If you want a summer glow, consider using a bronzer or sunless tanner. “I usually recommend that people apply topical solutions to their skin if they want a tan,” Rahman advised. “There are sunless tanners and bronzers available.”

These products can help you appear tan without sun damage. A wide range of formulations and brands are available at various price points. You can find them on Amazon, Target, CVS, Sephora, Ulta, and other retailers.

Alternatively, you can visit an expert for a spray tan. Rahman suggested wearing a mask if you opt for a spray tan and avoiding tanning beds, which pose similar risks to sun exposure. “Tanning beds are known to increase your risk of melanoma,” Joshi emphasized. “I definitely don’t recommend them.”

If you spend time in the sun, always wear sunscreen. Joshi recommended applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher and avoiding sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when sunlight is strongest. Rahman also advised, “Try to block the majority of the sun’s rays by wearing sun-protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats or seeking shade.”

In conclusion, don’t pour beer on your skin to achieve a summer glow—it’s not only ineffective but also dangerous.

Source: HuffPost