Coal tar is a topical active derived from the distillation of coal, used to treat scaling, inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and eczema. It works by slowing excessive skin cell proliferation and reducing itching and inflammation.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Skin irritation or burning | Common | Localized stinging, redness, or dryness at the application site. |
Folliculitis | Common | Inflammation of hair follicles, sometimes appearing as acne-like eruptions. |
Photosensitivity | Common | Increased sensitivity to sunlight; UV exposure may cause phototoxic reactions. |
Staining of skin, hair, or clothing | Common | Temporary discoloration due to the dark pigment of the product. |
Contact dermatitis | Uncommon | Allergic or irritant reaction with itching and rash. |
Strong odor and cosmetic intolerance | Common | Characteristic tar smell often poorly tolerated by users. |
Theoretical carcinogenicity | Rare | Coal tar contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; occupational high-dose exposure links to skin cancer, though topical therapeutic use shows minimal evidence of increased risk. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.