PRODUCT REVIEW
MG217 Psoriasis Ointment
Coal tar 2% in petrolatum — probably the most effective over-the-counter psoriasis product, and the messiest.
Key facts
MG217 Psoriasis Ointment at a glance.
Coal tar 2%
Key active
Greasy petrolatum ointment
Texture
Plaque psoriasis on the body
Best for
$10–$14
Approximate price
Fragrance free
Fragrance
4 oz
Size
$14.56
Price
Medicated
Type
What is it?
Top things to know about MG217 Psoriasis Ointment
- MG217 Psoriasis Ointment is an over-the-counter coal tar ointment for plaque psoriasis on the body, about $10 to $14. It is medicine, not a moisturizer, and not for the scalp — MG217's own label says so, because it does not wash out of hair.
- The active is coal tar 2 percent in petrolatum, the most effective sealing ingredient there is. Here it does two jobs: it holds the tar against the plaque and stops water leaving the skin underneath. It is also why the ointment is greasy and the messiest of the three MG217 formats.
MG217 Psoriasis Ointment is real medicine. Coal tar switches on a receptor that calms inflammation and restores barrier genes, and psoriasis guidelines still recommend it. The petrolatum base holds the tar against the plaque, so it beats lighter formats. It stains and it smells. Keep it off your scalp.
— Dr. Schwarz
Skin fit
Is it right for your skin?
Psoriasis
Psoriasis plaques form because skin cells are produced far faster than they can shed, piling up as thick scale over inflamed skin. Coal tar acts on that process rather than only softening the scale, and it is recommended in AAD and National Psoriasis Foundation guidelines.
Damaged Skin Barrier
Psoriasis plaques leak water, because the outer wall of the skin is not built properly there. Coal tar switches on a receptor that turns the barrier-protein genes back on, and the petrolatum seals the surface while that happens. That is why an ointment works better on a plaque than a lotion.
Dry Skin
Petrolatum reduces water loss better than anything else. On the thick, cracked skin at the edge of a plaque, that matters nearly as much as the tar. It is greasy, so for most people it is a night product.
Texture
What it feels like on skin.
Ointment
MG217 Psoriasis Ointment is greasy petrolatum — the messiest of the three MG217 formats, and the most effective on body plaques, because the base holds the tar against the skin. It smells strongly and medicinally, and it lingers — the most common reason people stop using coal tar. It stains clothes, sheets, towels, and baths. It is fragrance-free, unlike the gel.
Alternatives
If this isn’t the right product for you
Psoriasin Deep Moisturizing Ointment
The same coal tar 2% in petrolatum, with a shorter ingredient list. Its label is written for healthy adults only.
MG217 Psoriasis Gel
Same coal tar 2%, but alcohol-based rather than occlusive, so probably less effective on thick plaques. It is the one for the scalp.
Gold Bond Psoriasis Relief
Salicylic acid 3% clears scale but does not act on the disease. Not for large areas, since it is absorbed.
Ingredients
Full ingredient list.
How to use it
How to use it.
How to apply it
- How muchA thin layer over the plaque itself, not the skin around it.
- CarefulCoal tar makes skin sun-sensitive for up to 24 hours, so cover the area or stay out of the sun. Not for the scalp; MG217's gel is made for that.
What to pair it with
- Watch outSee a doctor if plaques cover more than about 3 to 5 percent of your body, your palm being roughly 1 percent, if you have joint pain or morning stiffness lasting over 30 minutes, or if it involves your face, genitals, palms, soles, or nails.
What to expect
- What to expectScale softens within days; real thinning takes several weeks. In one head-to-head study a prescription vitamin D cream worked faster, but by week 12 there was no meaningful difference.
Questions
Common questions.
Does the coal tar in MG217 Psoriasis Ointment actually treat psoriasis?
Yes. It acts on the disease process and is in the treatment guidelines.
Can I use MG217 Psoriasis Ointment on my scalp?
No. It does not wash out of hair. Use the gel instead.
Is MG217 Psoriasis Ointment fragrance-free?
Yes.
Is the cancer warning on MG217 Psoriasis Ointment a real concern?
Prop 65 reflects a labeling law, not the risk of using it as medicine. A study of 13,200 patients over about 21 years found no increase in cancer.
What are the real downsides of MG217 Psoriasis Ointment?
It is greasy, it stains, it smells, and it makes skin sun-sensitive for up to 24 hours.
References
Sources.
- 1. Coal tar induces AHR-dependent skin barrier repair in atopic dermatitis (https://www.jci.org/articles/view/65642) — Shows coal tar activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), restoring skin barrier genes such as filaggrin and dampening Th2 inflammation — the mechanism the page describes and the research line that led to Vtama. Link
- 2. Calcipotriol versus coal tar: a prospective randomized study in stable plaque psoriasis (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14521705/) — Head-to-head trial finding calcipotriol produced a faster initial response but by 12 weeks coal tar had comparable efficacy with no statistically significant difference between them. Link
- 3. Joint AAD-NPF Guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapy and alternative medicine modalities for psoriasis severity measures (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32738429/) — The AAD-National Psoriasis Foundation topical-therapy guidelines address and recommend coal tar as a treatment option for psoriasis. Link
- 4. Psoriasis: Update on Topical Therapy From the American Academy of Dermatology (https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2022/0500/p558.html) — Summary of the AAD-NPF guidelines confirming coal tar is recommended as an effective topical therapy for mild-to-moderate psoriasis (noting it appears even more effective than calcipotriene). Link
- 5. Vtama: A Novel Topical Agent For Psoriasis (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10718102/) — Confirms Vtama is an FDA-approved (2022) topical aryl hydrocarbon receptor–modulating agent for plaque psoriasis, working through the same AhR pathway targeted non-specifically by coal tar. Link