Dermatologist answers whether 'beer tanning' TikTok trend actually works: 'Not an excuse to skip sunblock'
TikTok offers the occasional genius beauty hack — from rice water facials to color-correcting breakouts to figuring out how to test out makeup shades while online shopping. But among the tips and tricks that make your life easier, there are a few failures that, arguably, can make your life much, much worse — the most recent one being “beer tanning.”
Unlike other dangerous summer-oriented TikTok trends that have been covered in recent months, beer tanning is real. The hashtag #beertan has over 200,000 views.
The trend, which involves sunbathers covering themselves in cheap beer either alone or in addition to sunscreen or tanning oil, was seemingly first introduced on the platform as early as 2020.
Users experimenting with the beer claim that the yeast and hops activate melanin in the skin, making it easier to tan. In reality, a build-up of yeast from pouring too much beer or letting it sit on the skin for too long can cause skin irritation.
Dr. Jennifer Levine, a New York City-based plastic surgeon and expert in anti-aging, told In The Know by Yahoo that “there is no evidence that applying beer to your skin helps tanning.”
“Beer does not protect the skin against UV radiation, so using beer may increase skin cancer,” she added. She also noted that there’s no “safe” way for someone to tan, especially when UV rays are strong.
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the U.S. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer at one point in their life.
“Always wear sunblock, even if it’s cloudy,” Levine warned. “SPF 30 is the lowest I recommend.”
There are a number of reasons why people don’t like wearing sunscreen — from the hassle of reapplying it to the white casts to it stinging their eyes. Beauty companies are trying to rebrand SPF to make it more “enjoyable” for the consumer, and it’s working. The Global Cosmetic Industry reported in March that “skinification” was contributing to growing interest in buying sunscreen products.
“Brands that can harness the levers of sustainability, inclusive multifunctionality and sensoriality will lead the market,” the report concluded.
But even with impressive growth in consumer interest in SPF, in addition to the beer tanning trend, there’s other misinformation about sunscreen on TikTok that could harm users.
In one video from mid-July that has since racked up over 5 million views, a TikToker argues that “sunscreen causes cancer.” The TikToker references a recent recall for some SPF products that were potentially contaminated with benzene, a cancer-causing chemical.
Benzene is not an ingredient in sunscreen, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated in an FAQ section that if it is found in a recalled product, it’s usually from contamination. Benzene is also not limited to being found in sunscreen; the FDA found contamination traces of it in aerosol antiperspirants and some hand sanitizers.
“The risk of skin cancer without sunblock is worse than the risks associated with benzene, so it’s not an excuse to skip sunblock,” Levine explained. “Benzene is present in many spray sunblocks. … It’s safer to use a lotion than a spray to avoid the risk of benzene contamination.”
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