How to Clean Your Hair With Beer

Reviewed by Jasmin Todd

Last Updated: December 5, 2023 Approved

It may sound strange to use a six-pack of beer for your hair instead of drinking it, but beer is known to have beneficial effects for both hair and skin. The malt and hops in beer is rich in proteins that help repair damaged hair and revive volume. As well, the sucrose and maltose sugars in beer help create shine. If your hair is looking a little dull or flat, a bottle of beer might be your answer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Adding Beer to Your Hair

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1
De-carbonate your beer. Pour a bottle or can of beer into a jug or bowl and let it sit overnight or throughout the day. The more air surface your beer is exposed to, the faster it will oxidize and become flat.
- Beer becomes flat by releasing the carbon dioxide it creates. It's important that the carbon dioxide is gone from the beer when using it to treat hair as carbon dioxide combined with water can create hard water or water with a high mineral content.^{[1]
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  Research source} The presence of carbon dioxide can hinder the effects of shampoos and make it harder for you to wash your hair effectively. As well, hard water causes the scales on each hair to stand up, making your hair look tangled and tough.
2
Shampoo your hair. Use whatever shampoo you normally use but skip the conditioner. The beer will act as your conditioner instead.
- You can transfer your flat beer into a closed container or bottle and bring it with you into the bathroom or somewhere you can easily reach for while in the shower.
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3
Massage your hair with beer for 1 minute. Pour the container or bottle of beer onto your hair and lather it into your scalp.
- Beer is also very beneficial for your skin as beer sediment or brewer's yeast helps reduce sebum production and control oily skin on your face or scalp.
- You can also try dipping the ends of your hair with beer first, letting it set in your hair for about 5 minutes before rinsing your entire head with beer.
4
Rinse the beer off. It's recommended you don't rinse the beer off completely and leave it in your hair for a better effect. Towel dry your hair afterwards.
- It may take a few washes before you can feel and see results.
- It's best to only do the beer wash a few times a week as it can be quite drying for hair if used everyday.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Enhancing Your Beer Wash

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1
Add a few drops of essential oils into your beer. The alcohol in the beer can be damaging and drying for hair but these effects can be counteracted by adding a few essential oils. It not only adds extra nourishment to your beer hair wash but can also provide you with a calming effect when you're massaging the beer into you hair, all the while leaving you smelling great. Consider adding:
- Lemon oil: It strengthens hair, adds shine, and fights against dandruff.^{[2]
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  Research source}
- Almond oil: It moisturizes and soothes the scalp.
- Chamomile oil: It adds shine and softens hair.
- Jojoba oil: It adds nutrients to hair and moisturizes the scalp.
- Lavender oil: It acts as a deep conditioner that moisturizes, nourishes and adds antioxidants to hair.^{[3]
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  Research source}
- Sandalwood oil: It helps with dry or split ends.
2
Mix a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in your beer. Vinegar helps with counteracting rough or brittle feeling hair but smoothing out the scales or cuticles found on each of strand of hair. Shampoo especially aggravates hair by lifting up these scales and preventing hair from feeling smooth and looking shiny.
- Consider using raw apple cider vinegar rather than commercial vinegar. Raw vinegar is not distilled, heated, or clarified. Raw vinegar has much of the good bacteria, nutrients, and enzymes needed to improve hair texture.
- You can mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 8 ounces (250 mL) of water instead of beer and treat your hair the same way you would with a beer wash.
- It's best to only use a vinegar rinse a few times a week. If used everyday, it can be quite drying for hair.

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Question

What kind of beer is best for washing hair?

Community Answer

My mom always used Pabst Blue Ribbon or Miller High Life. They are cheap and work great.

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Should I use shampoo before or after applying beer?

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Before. Once you've applied the beer, rinse most of it out before leaving the shower. Let the rest soak into your hair.

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Do I need to dilute the beer?

Community Answer

There's nothing about diluting in the guide, and I personally do not dilute it when I do this.

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Tips

Keep the beer wash in for 5 minutes and comb through your hair to better evenly distribute the wash.

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Warnings

If you are going under any skin medications or treatment like acne or rosacea, avoid using beer as it can cause inflation on the skin leading to rashes and irritation.

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Do not drink the beer after you've used it and especially if you've added any essential oils in it.

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