Coal Tar

Coal Tar

AKA “Coal Tar, Liquid Coal Tar, Crude Coal Tar”

Synthetic

Ingredient Facts

Coal tar

AKA: Liquid Coal Tar, Crude Coal Tar

Synthetic · Antimicrobial · EWG: 4

Plant-Derived Synthetic

Preservative

Synthetic

Not Clean

Helps control excess oil and flaking on the scalp while protecting against bacteria. Commonly used in clarifying shampoos and scalp treatments.

CAS #

8007-45-2

Form

Liquid

See origin →

Functions

Anti-Seborrheic

Antimicrobial

Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.

Denaturant

Controls excess oil

Fights acne

Causing bacteria

Traditional Use

Coal tar was developed as a byproduct of coal gas production in the 19th century and was adopted by the medical and cosmetic industries in the early 1900s as a treatment for psoriasis, eczema, and other inflammatory skin conditions. It remains a pharmaceutical ingredient in dermatology, though its use has declined with modern synthetic alternatives.