I must admit that when this product was handed to me to test, I was a little skeptical (and more than a little grossed out!). As the name implies, the main ingredient in Broo’s Citrus Pale Ale Body Wash ($14) is beer. Hand-crafted Asheville pale ale, freshly brewed in North Carolina, to be exact. The idea of showering in beer first thing in the morning did not appeal to me (although I have to say that my husband was strangely supportive of this endeavor!). I also just couldn’t shake the feeling that the product felt a little, well, gimmicky.

Anyway, I’ll try anything once, so I dutifully took my little tester bottle to the shower and lathered up. And the result was a very pleasant surprise!

Rather than, as I had feared, smelling like a brewery, this body wash has a delightful orange zesty scent, which Broo claims hails from natural plant sources. The liquid was quite thick, and I found that it lathered up very nicely on the skin, even without the use of a sponge. When combined with a little water, I would describe its consistency as rather like a shaving cream. It clings to the skin, is easy to distribute over the body, but rinses off easily.

Afterwards, my skin felt silky smooth and well nourished. Quite a feat, considering that the newly chilled air has had me suffering from a severe case of dry scaly leg. I would certainly consider adding this product to my daily routine.

Next, I put my ingredient hat on. At Truth in Aging, we have already discussed beer’s effectiveness for clearing up your complexion, treating dry flakes, and smoothing texture. The pantothenic acid and vitamin B complex in beer has the ability to make the skin smooth and supple.

Other key ingredients include Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine, both derived from coconut, and Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, derivied from the endosperm of Cyamopsis tetragonolobus seeds (aka guar beans). I’m happy to see that’s all-natural stuff. This is a definite winner for me.

Cheers, everyone!

Ingredients: Beer, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Fragrance, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid