A surprising sunscreen booster may be hiding at your favorite bar
A new study from Brazil suggests that spent hops, a byproduct of beer production, could enhance the effectiveness of sunscreens by significantly increasing their SPF in laboratory tests. The extract boosted SPF from 54 to 178 in a water-based formula, though testing has not yet been conducted on human skin. Researchers say further studies on safety, stability, and efficacy are needed before the additive could reach the market.
- ▪Spent hops are a waste product from beer brewing that retain bioactive compounds and antioxidants.
- ▪Lab tests showed that adding spent hops extract to sunscreen increased its SPF from about 54 to 178.
- ▪The research has not yet been tested on human skin, and further clinical validation is required before commercial use.
- ▪Some sunscreens on the market provide less SPF protection than advertised, according to a recent Consumer Reports analysis.
- ▪Dermatologists recommend using SPF 30 or higher and reapplying sunscreen every two hours for effective UV protection.
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Health A surprising sunscreen booster may be hiding at your favorite bar By McKenzie Beard Published May 2, 2026, 2:31 p.m. ET Something exciting is brewing in the skincare world. A new study suggests that a byproduct of beer production could make sunscreens more effective at blocking harmful ultraviolet B rays, which are responsible for sunburns. The finding could be significant, as studies have shown that many products on store shelves don’t deliver the level of protection they claim. 3 pavel siamionov – stock.adobe.com Just last week, a Consumer Reports analysis of more than 100 sunscreens found that a majority delivered average Sun Protection Factor (SPF) levels well below what was listed on their labels.
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