PRODUCT REVIEW
Psoriasin Deep Moisturizing Ointment
Coal tar 2% in petrolatum. A real psoriasis drug, and the label says adults only.
Key facts
Psoriasin Deep Moisturizing Ointment at a glance.
Coal tar 2%
Key active
Greasy ointment
Texture
Plaque psoriasis on the body
Best for
$11–$15
Approximate price
Fragrance free
Fragrance
4.2 oz
Size
$10.39
Price
Medicated
Type
What is it?
Top things to know about Psoriasin Deep Moisturizing Ointment
- Psoriasin Deep Moisturizing Ointment is a coal tar 2 percent ointment for plaque psoriasis on the body, about $11 to $15 at drugstores. It is a regulated over-the-counter drug with a Drug Facts panel, not a cosmetic moisturizer, and its label is written for healthy adults only.
- Four ingredients. Coal tar, supplied as coal tar topical solution USP 20 percent, is the active. Petrolatum is the base, ethanol carries the tar in, polysorbate 80 keeps them mixed. Petrolatum seals better than anything else, which is why this is greasy, stays put, and never sinks in.
Coal tar 2% in a petrolatum base that holds the tar against the plaque and stops water leaving. Coal tar is the one over-the-counter psoriasis active that treats the disease, not the scale. Read the box — the label is for healthy adults only, and it can lighten light hair.
— Dr. Schwarz
Skin fit
Is it right for your skin?
Psoriasis
In psoriasis the immune system drives skin cells to divide far too fast, so they pile up as scaly plaques. Coal tar slows that overproduction — it treats the disease, not the scale. Psoriasin gives a full 2 percent dose in a base that suits body plaques.
Dry Skin
Petrolatum is the whole base, and it cuts water loss better than anything else. On a cracked plaque that seal matters nearly as much as the drug. On ordinary dry skin, plain petroleum jelly does the same with no smell or stain.
Texture
What it feels like on skin.
Ointment
A heavy, greasy ointment. It does not sink in; it sits on the surface as a film, which is what an occlusive base is for. It smells strongly medicinal, on skin and in the room. That is the most common reason people quit coal tar. It stains clothes, sheets, towels and bathtubs, and it can lighten light-colored hair. Old clothes and dark bedding are part of using it.
Alternatives
If this isn’t the right product for you
MG217 Psoriasis Ointment
The same coal tar 2% in petrolatum, without the adults-only wording. Equally greasy, equally staining, equally sun-sensitizing.
MG217 Psoriasis Gel
Same coal tar 2%, and it washes out of hair, so it is the scalp choice. Alcohol and fragrance make it sting more on cracked skin.
Soap Works Coal Tar Bar Soap
It never states how much coal tar it holds, so you cannot judge the dose. It is also true soap, harsh on fragile skin.
Ingredients · Interactive
What’s in it, and where each ingredient works.
Full ingredient list · 4 ingredients, in label order. Click one.
Forms a thin film on top of the skin that slows water loss while the barrier recovers.
How to use it
How to use it.
How to apply it
- How muchA thin film over the plaque only. It spreads further than it looks; healthy skin does not need it.
- CarefulCoal tar makes skin sun-sensitive for up to 24 hours, so cover the area or stay out of the sun. Patch test first. The label is written for healthy adults and sends anyone under 18 to a doctor.
What to pair it with
- Watch outSee a doctor rather than self-treat if you have joint pain or morning stiffness over 30 minutes, if plaques cover more than about 3 to 5 percent of your body, or if psoriasis is on your face, scalp, genitals, palms, soles or nails.
What to expect
- What to expectScale softens within days. Real thinning takes weeks, and coal tar holds its own against a prescription vitamin D cream by about 12 weeks. It can cause small bumps around hair follicles — tar acne.
Questions
Common questions.
Does the coal tar in Psoriasin Deep Moisturizing Ointment actually treat psoriasis?
Yes. It acts on the disease and is in the guidelines.
Who is Psoriasin Deep Moisturizing Ointment for?
Healthy adults. Under 18, only with a doctor's direction.
Is Psoriasin Deep Moisturizing Ointment fragrance-free?
Yes. No added fragrance.
What strength is Psoriasin Deep Moisturizing Ointment?
The current label says coal tar 2%. Older sources differ, so check your box.
What are the downsides of Psoriasin Deep Moisturizing Ointment?
Greasy, staining, it can lighten light hair, and it leaves skin sun-sensitive for up to 24 hours.
References
Sources.
- 1. Psoriasis treatment: Coal tar (https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/treatment/medications/coal-tar) — American Academy of Dermatology patient guidance stating coal tar effectively treats plaque psoriasis, itch and scale, supporting that coal tar is an OTC active that actually treats the disease. Link
- 2. Psoriasis: Update on Topical Therapy From the American Academy of Dermatology (https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2022/0500/p558.html) — AAFP summary of the AAD-NPF topical guideline confirming coal tar is effective for mild-to-moderate psoriasis and appears even more effective than calcipotriene (calcipotriol). Link
- 3. Efficacy and Tolerability of a Cosmetically Acceptable Coal Tar Solution in the Treatment of Moderate Plaque Psoriasis (https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/11530380-000000000-00000) — 12-week controlled comparison in American Journal of Clinical Dermatology showing coal tar gave greater PASI reduction (58% vs 37%) than calcipotriene cream, supporting that coal tar stands up against calcipotriol by the twelve-week mark. Link
- 4. No increased risk of cancer after coal tar treatment in patients with psoriasis or eczema (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20016499/) — Journal of Investigative Dermatology cohort of 13,200 patients finding coal tar treatment did not increase skin or non-skin cancer risk, supporting that the cancer fear around coal tar is largely misplaced. Link