Cold Tar Soap

[AngelaBrazilNuts]

Does anyone use this on the face? Is it very drying and does it make acne worse?

Do you mean coal tar? I love the smell of the Wrights bars,remind me of the 70s. It's good for skin conditions but maybe use sparingly to start with ?

Yes, I do mean coal tar! I bought a bar of Wrights on impulse but haven't used it yet. I'm worried that it could make acne worse or dry the skin.

Does your soap actually contain coal tar? I read that coal tar was good treatment for a different skin condition and got 'Wrights Traditional Coal Tar Soap' but it only has the 'fragrance' of coal tar.

You're flippin' right @RubyRoss

I've just looked it up and the coal tar in Wrights has been replaced with tea tree oil. For goodness sake!

I've read that using Tgel shampoo is good for skin conditions, applying a leaving it on for a minute or so then rinsing off. That has coal tar in it.

So presumably it won't smell quite the same?

Wrights Coal Tar soap smells like a public urinal soap (from childhood) to me. I hate the smell.
If there’s any chance you’ll go about your day smelling of it, you may want to seek an alternative?
I think it could be too drying and strong for facial use so go easy. Surely there must be a more pleasant alternative?

I use “black African soap” (Dudu osun) I once saw recommend here.

I’ve been using it for about 5/6 years all over my body and no dry skin problems. I think it has natural anti-bac/fungal properties and these days it’s the only soap that makes me feel properly clean.

I second this. It can be quite drying, so be sure to moisturize your face afterwards. The soap is the best imo, it has helped with my skin. I buy my black soap from Akoma skincare. I use this for my face and body, I also wash my hair with it.

The only problem with the black soap is that if you leave it on the side of the bath you get brown rivulets as it drains and you have to warn guests “it’s not poo, it’s just soap”! 😂

I think they have changed the recipe again. DH loves it and put out a new bar two days ago and now the bathroom smells faintly of urine. I finally tracked the smell to the soap 🤢

You can't buy proper "Cold tar soap" anymore unfortunately, can't remember the reason, health concerns. I have tried pine tar can't say I noticed anything either way, it's more likely to be what else is in the soap that will dry your skin.

For acne, I used a La Roche Posay cleanser. A derm recommended that brand and I found it very good. Face felt clean without being stripped dry. However, I don't think any cleanser works miracles. My acne didn't clear up until I had medicated treatment.

I have a tar soap from a Swedish company, but the tar probably comes from wood. forsnashemman.se/products/akta-tjar-tval (you'll have to google translate it). Have not noticed it being amazing for my skin really but it has a strong scent of tar and really deodorised the bathroom for months. Didn't like it for my face, used it a few times in the shower because it was there but wasn't miraculous enough to continue. Tar is a big thing in Finland, including in sweets, so there's a good bit of tar soap knocking about from that corner of the world. Found a Finnish tar shampoo in my Lidl once actually.

Worth trying Revitale Salicylic Acid Scrub Soap a quick google will show stockists including amazon and e bay. I love it and have very clear skin, also cleared up back spots for DS.

It's a potential carcinogen, which is why withdrawn from general sale.

Still found in some psoriasis products (I loved the smell of tar betnovate - sadly withdrawn)

Carbon Theory Charcoal soap has been a game changer here for teens with acne. Need a dish though as otherwise black soap dribbles everywhere.

If you actually want a coal tar rather than the fake smell of it, then you can buy Icthyol (shale oil) in the form of an Icthammol ointment from General Healthcare.

Do not use this unless you are clear that you need it. But it is wonderful stuff.

Thank you everyone!