Today in 1981, US Patent 1112183 A1 was issued, an invention of Joe Owades, for a “Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract as Sunscreen Agent.” Here’s the Abstract:
There are provided new sunscreening compositions which are suitable for application to human skin, the compositions comprising as an active sunscreening ingredient, an ultraviolet radiation absorbing extract of hops.
And a Description adds more detail:
This invention relates to novel sunscreening compositions which include an ultraviolet radiation absorbing hop extract as an active sunscreening ingredient. The present sunscreening compositions, which are non-toxic and non-irritating and can be safely applied to human skin, prevent the penetration of harmful erythematogenic radiation while transmitting non-erythematogenic ultraviolet rays which promote tanning or bronzing of human skin.
Joe’s patent appears to have expired in 1998, and I’m not sure if his sunscreen was ever available commercially. I did find at least one brand of sunscreen that contains hops, Paul Penders Herbal Sunscreen SPF 22.
Paul Penders Herbal Sunscreen SPF 22 lists “hops extract” among its ingredients though I’m unsure if that’s the same as what Owades patented. Here’s the ingredient list:
Aqua (Water), Cocos nucifera (Coconut) extract, Organic LevensESSENTIE Gold® {Angelica archangelica (Angelica) extract, Arnica montana (Arnica) flower extract, Calendula officinalis (Calendula) flower extract, Matricaria recutita (Chamomile) flower extract, Sambucus nigra (Elderflower) flower extract, Zingiber officinalis (Ginger) root extract, Panax quinquefolium (Ginseng root) extract, Lonicera japonica (Honeysuckle) extract, Humulus lupulus (Hops) extract, Equeisetum hyemale (Horsetail) extract, Juniperus communis (Juniper) fruit extract, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) flower extract, Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) leaf extract, Urtica dioica (Nettle) extract, Centella asiatica (Penny wort) extract, Mentha piperita (Peppermint) leaf extract, Rosemarinus officinalis (Rosemary) extract, Salvia officinalis (Sage) extract, Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) extract, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) root extract, Hamamelis virginiana (Witch hazel) extract, Archillea millefolium (Yarrow) extract}, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Titanium dioxide, Calendula officinalis (Calendula) flower oil, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Glycine soja (Soybean) oil, Tocopherol acetate, D-panthenol (Provitamin B5), Citrus grandis (Grapefruit) seed extract, Sorbic acid, Phyto-tocotrienol (Vitamin E), Essential oil of Lavender officinalis (Lavender), Essential oil of Rosemarinus officinalis (Rosemary), Retinyl palmitate, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10).
Based on finding the one, I’m confident it’s probably not the only one, so maybe…?
Wonder how much it makes one smell like a hophead? 🙂