Compare · Ingredients

Coal Tar vs Sulfur

Coal Tar: Helps reduce scaling and itching in psoriasis and some scalp products. Sulfur: Used in some acne products and prescribed or compounded scabies regimens.

Research updated 2026-10-25

Five medicated scalp products on white, including Amazon Basics tar gel, T+Plus, MG217, RoyceDerm and Nizoral

Four sulfur acne products: Kate Somerville EradiKate, De La Cruz 10% sulfur ointment, The Ordinary and Thayers

Which one?At a glance What it helps Diagrams Using both Strengths Results Safety How it works Products Questions

Which one is right for you?

Choose Coal Tar if…

Consider for scaly psoriasis or an appropriate scalp product if smell and staining are acceptable.

Thick, scaly psoriasis or scalp scale
Smell and staining are acceptable
Other scalp treatments haven’t helped

Choose Sulfur if…

Consider for an appropriate acne product; suspected scabies needs diagnosis and a complete plan.

Mild acne or a spot treatment
Sensitive skin that dislikes benzoyl peroxide
Smell is acceptable

Often combined

Can you use both?

Often found together in scalp products for dandruff and psoriasis.

At a glance

● Coal Tar

● Sulfur

Type

Anti-scaling medicine mixture

Keratolytic and antimicrobial medicine

What it does

Helps reduce scaling and itching in psoriasis and some scalp products.

Used in some acne products and prescribed or compounded scabies regimens.

Best for

Psoriasis; Scalp Psoriasis; Dandruff

Acne; Scabies

Studied concentrations

1–5% crude coal tar preparations in older psoriasis trials; labels use different equivalents.

Acne products commonly use 3–10%; scabies ointments use separate 5–10% regimens.

When to use

Morning or night, as directed by the finished product.

Morning or night, as directed by the finished product.

Time to results

Often 8–12 weeks in small cosmetic studies; results may be subtle

Often 8–12 weeks in small cosmetic studies; results may be subtle

Irritation

Can irritate, stain skin or fabrics, and increase sun sensitivity; follow the label.

Odour, dryness and irritation can limit use; avoid strong products on inflamed eczema.

Sensitive skin

Choose a simple formula and test a small area first. Individual tolerance matters more than an ingredient’s reputation for being gentle.

Choose a simple formula and test a small area first. Individual tolerance matters more than an ingredient’s reputation for being gentle.

Available

Prescription or cosmetic status depends on the active, formula and country; check the label.

Prescription or cosmetic status depends on the active, formula and country; check the label.

What it helps

Compare uses by strength of evidence. Evidence level describes confidence in a benefit, not its size.

Evidence level

Coal Tar

Sulfur

Moderate evidenceSome supportive research

Two thick, sharply bordered plaques on a knee on fair light skin. They are salmon-pink to red with loose silvery-white scale on top.

Psoriasis

Older controlled studies support some coal-tar preparations for plaque psoriasis.

The finger webs and wrist on fair light skin, with small red bumps, several thin gray burrow lines a few millimetres long, and scratch marks across the area.

Scabies

CDC lists compounded 5–10% sulfur ointment as an alternative treatment.

Limited evidenceEarly or small studies

Parted hair on fair scalp skin showing a raised salmon-pink plaque topped with dry silvery-white scale, with a sharply drawn border against normal skin.

Scalp Psoriasis

Can help scale in appropriate scalp products; the cited body trials are indirect.

A part line in straight light hair, seen from above, on pale skin. White-gray flakes sit along the part and the scalp beneath them looks pink.

Dandruff

Used in labelled scalp products; evidence varies by formula.

Inflamed acne on light skin. The spots sit in a patch of pink, and the ring of redness around each one is easy to see. A few have a yellow-white head, and the skin between them is dry and flaking.

Acne

Used in acne products, with less robust modern evidence than standard acne medicines.

Insufficient evidence

Salmon-pink patches with fine greasy yellowish scale in the crease beside the nose and through the eyebrow on fair skin, with soft edges that fade into normal skin.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

The reviewed sources do not establish this ingredient as a treatment for this concern.

Inflamed acne on light skin. The spots sit in a patch of pink, and the ring of redness around each one is easy to see. A few have a yellow-white head, and the skin between them is dry and flaking.

Acne

The reviewed sources do not establish this ingredient as a treatment for this concern.

AI-generated educational illustration of Perioral Dermatitis: 1. Perioral Dermatitis Header — Light Skin; Lighter skin. Not a clinical photograph.

Perioral Dermatitis

The reviewed sources do not establish this ingredient as a treatment for this concern.

Salmon-pink patches with fine greasy yellowish scale in the crease beside the nose and through the eyebrow on fair skin, with soft edges that fade into normal skin.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

The reviewed sources do not establish this ingredient as a treatment for this concern.

Redness and fine superficial vessels across a light-skinned cheek and nose.

Rosacea

Combination sulfacetamide/sulfur products do not establish sulfur alone as treatment.

Extreme close-up of light skin in an active eczema flare, too close to tell which part of the body it is. Blotchy pink-red inflammation covers the whole frame with no clear edge, with small raised bumps, fine dry scale and a few fresh scratch marks.

Eczema

The reviewed sources do not establish this ingredient as a treatment for this concern.

Acne scarring on light skin. Small sharply cut pits and broad shallow dips across a cheek, several sitting inside faint flat pink marks, with no active spots.

Acne Scarring

The reviewed sources do not establish this ingredient as a treatment for this concern.

How it works

Coal Tar mechanism diagram. Acts on rapid cell buildup: Coal tar affects abnormal epidermal activity. Helps reduce scale and itch: Response depends on the condition and formula. — Open full-size diagram
Diagram explanation and sources
Acts on rapid cell buildup: Coal tar affects abnormal epidermal activity. Helps reduce scale and itch: Response depends on the condition and formula.
Schematic illustration; not a measurement of skin penetration. Effects vary with ingredient identity and formulation.
Source 1 · Source 2

Sulfur mechanism diagram. Helps loosen surface keratin: Sulfur preparations can promote exfoliation. Acts against microbes: Effects depend on the preparation and intended use. — Open full-size diagram
Diagram explanation and sources
Helps loosen surface keratin: Sulfur preparations can promote exfoliation. Acts against microbes: Effects depend on the preparation and intended use.
Schematic illustration; not a measurement of skin penetration. Effects vary with ingredient identity and formulation.
Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3

Using both in one routine

Built from where each one usually sits in a routine. Introduce one at a time.

Morning

Step 1

Cleanser

Step 2

Moisturizer

Step 3

Sunscreen

Step 4

Coal TarAs directed

Night

Step 1

Cleanser

Step 2

SulfurNight

Step 3

Moisturizer

Step 4

Coal TarAs directed

Strengths and forms

Concentrations

U.S. dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis products use 0.5–5% coal tar under specified labeling conditions. The percentage of a coal-tar solution is not necessarily the percentage of actual coal tar.

0.5–5%

U.S. labeled active range

A range for qualifying medicated products. Read the actual coal-tar equivalent when the label also names a coal-tar solution or extract.

Choosing a strength: Match shampoo, cream or ointment to the condition and body area. Look for the active concentration rather than comparing solution percentages.

Higher strengths: A larger solution percentage can be misleading. Stronger preparations may be less acceptable because of irritation, odor or staining.

Formula matters: Crude coal tar, coal-tar solutions and refined preparations differ. Their printed numbers should not be treated as identical doses.

Sulfur strength depends on the condition: U.S. OTC acne products use 3–10%, while compounded scabies ointments use a separate 5–10% range.

3–10%

5–10%

OTC acne range

For qualifying acne products. A wash, mask and leave-on product have different contact instructions.

Compounded scabies ointment

A clinician-directed alternative discussed by CDC. It is a separate treatment, not ordinary facial skincare.

Choosing a strength: Choose for the diagnosis and complete product. Sulfur-only acne products and prescription sulfacetamide/sulfur combinations are not the same.

Higher strengths: More sulfur is not automatically more useful, and dryness or irritation may limit use.

Formula matters: Wash-off versus leave-on use matters. Scabies treatment requires a whole treatment plan rather than choosing a percentage alone.

Forms

Shampoo · Ointment · Bath solution

Mask · Spot treatment · Wash

When you’ll see results

Approximate windows, not promises.

● Coal Tar

● Sulfur

First few weeks

First few weeksAssess tolerance and texture; immediate softness can come from the base formula.

First few weeksAssess tolerance and texture; immediate softness can come from the base formula.

4–8 weeks

4–8 weeksSubtle changes may appear in some tested products; evidence varies.

4–8 weeksSubtle changes may appear in some tested products; evidence varies.

8–12 weeks

8–12 weeksCompare photographs in the same lighting and reassess benefit.

8–12 weeksCompare photographs in the same lighting and reassess benefit.

3–6 months

3–6 monthsPhotoaging trials often need several months; expect modest rather than dramatic change.

3–6 monthsPhotoaging trials often need several months; expect modest rather than dramatic change.

6–12 months

6–12 monthsLong-term evidence is limited for many cosmetic actives; continue only if useful.

6–12 monthsLong-term evidence is limited for many cosmetic actives; continue only if useful.

Safety and sensitive skin

Common reactions

Can irritate, stain skin or fabrics, and increase sun sensitivity; follow the label.

Odour, dryness and irritation can limit use; avoid strong products on inflamed eczema.

When to stop

Stop for persistent burning, swelling, blistering or a new rash. Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty or a severe allergic reaction.

Stop for persistent burning, swelling, blistering or a new rash. Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty or a severe allergic reaction.

Sensitive or inflamed skin

Choose a simple formula and test a small area first. Individual tolerance matters more than an ingredient’s reputation for being gentle.

Choose a simple formula and test a small area first. Individual tolerance matters more than an ingredient’s reputation for being gentle.

Important limits

Do not use a cosmetic product as a substitute for diagnosis of an unexplained, changing or persistent skin problem.

Do not use a cosmetic product as a substitute for diagnosis of an unexplained, changing or persistent skin problem.

Pregnancy

Coal tar is usually avoided in pregnancy and while breastfeeding; ask the clinician managing your pregnancy about alternatives.

Topical sulfur is generally considered acceptable in pregnancy; ask the clinician managing your pregnancy.

How it works

In the skin

On the skin. The finished product delivers coal tar in a particular vehicle.

Entering skin. No single molecular mass. The 500 Da guideline cannot be applied to this whole ingredient family or mixture.

Conversion. No activation step is established as necessary for its intended topical role.

Skin response. A complex mixture affects abnormal skin-cell turnover and inflammation; no single active molecule defines it.

Additional effects. Proposed pathways do not establish a measured depth of delivery or clinical benefit beyond the studies cited.

On the skin. The finished product delivers sulfur in a particular vehicle.

Entering skin. Below 500 Da in this molecular form. Its useful surface action does not require deep delivery; the formula and skin condition matter.

Conversion. No activation step is established as necessary for its intended topical role.

Skin response. Promotes surface shedding and has antimicrobial activity; effects and instructions depend on the preparation.

Additional effects. Proposed pathways do not establish a measured depth of delivery or clinical benefit beyond the studies cited.

Getting in

No single molecular mass. The 500 Da guideline cannot be applied to this whole ingredient family or mixture.

Below 500 Da in this molecular form. Its useful surface action does not require deep delivery; the formula and skin condition matter.

Product examples

Coal Tar

Soap Works Coal Tar Bar Soap — Coal tar works for psoriasis. This bar will not say how much is in it, and it is alkaline soap perfumed with essential oils, sold for eczema.
MG217 Psoriasis Gel — Coal tar 2% in an alcohol gel that washes out of hair. Flammable, and it contains fragrance.
Psoriasin Deep Moisturizing Ointment — Coal tar 2% in petrolatum. A real psoriasis drug, and the label says adults only.

Sulfur

Murad Rapid Relief Acne Sulfur Mask
The Ordinary Sulfur 10% Powder-To-Cream Concentrate
Naturium The Revealer Sulfur Body Wash

Common questions

Coal Tar:What should I choose coal tar for?

Consider for scaly psoriasis or an appropriate scalp product if smell and staining are acceptable.

Coal Tar:How strong is the evidence?

Small older trials studied particular tar preparations. Strengths expressed as crude tar and coal-tar solution are not directly interchangeable, and evidence cannot be generalized to every shampoo.

Sulfur:What should I choose sulfur for?

Consider for an appropriate acne product; suspected scabies needs diagnosis and a complete plan.

Sulfur:How strong is the evidence?

Modern isolated-sulfur acne evidence is limited; studies of sulfacetamide/sulfur cannot isolate sulfur. CDC describes sulfur ointment as a scabies option, but an acne wash is not a substitute for that regimen.

Sources

Sources and further reading

Dermapedia on YouTube