Do not get me wrong we started this farm to work with local craft brewers but as our research deepend we discovered additional uses for hops!
When we first started researching how to grow hops at Happy Hops Farm, we stumbled upon something surprising — hops weren’t originally celebrated for brewing beer. In fact, hops have a long history of being used in herbal medicine and natural skincare.
Old herbal texts and folk remedies often mention hop tea for digestive issues, stomach ulcers, and even as a natural sleep aid. Today, we still sell dried hops to customers who use them in the same traditional ways — for teas, tinctures, and homemade herbal remedies.
But one of the most exciting discoveries? The powerful benefits of hop extract for skin.
Natural Skincare Benefits of Hops
While hops are best known for their role in beer, they’re also packed with skin-loving compounds that make them perfect for use in herbal skincare products. Here’s why we add them to our body butters, salves, and beard oils:
1. Antioxidant Power
Hops contain high levels of antioxidants, which help the body fight off free radicals—those unstable molecules that contribute to aging and skin damage. Applying antioxidant-rich ingredients to your skin can help protect it from environmental stressors and premature aging.
2. Anti-inflammatory Terpenes
The yellow lupulin glands (that pollen-like powder you see inside a hop cone) are where the real magic happens. These glands contain essential oils rich in anti-inflammatory terpenes, which can reduce redness, calm irritation, and support healing.
3. Dry Skin & Eczema Relief
Hop oil is deeply moisturizing and helps heal dry, cracked skin, making it perfect for eczema-prone skin and winter skincare routines. We’ve had customers tell us our hop-infused body butter made a noticeable difference after just a few uses.
4. Sore Muscle Support
Thanks to its natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, hop oil can help relieve muscle tension and soreness. That’s why we include it in the herbal salves we craft right on the farm.
5. Scalp & Hair Benefits
Did you know hops can also help treat dandruff and soothe an irritated scalp? Their antibacterial and balancing properties make them a gentle but effective option for natural hair care.
Why Aren’t More People Using Hops for Skin?
Simply put — the beer industry buys hops in large quantities, so these lesser-known herbal benefits often get overlooked. But at Happy Hops Farm, we’re all about bringing ancient herbal wisdom back into everyday use.
From hop tea for sleep and digestion to natural body care products made with our farm-grown flowers, we’re proud to share this amazing little plant with people who care about what goes into (and onto) their bodies.
Ready to Try Hop Skincare for Yourself?
Browse our collection of hop-infused body butters, salves, beard oils, and herbal teas — all grown, harvested, and handcrafted right here on our Massachusetts hop farm.