Coal tar helps slow these cells’ rapid growth to restore your skin’s smooth appearance. It can also help relieve the inflammation and itching that occurs with psoriasis. Coal tar is most effective in treating: Psoriasis on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet.

Like most psoriasis treatments, tar soap can’t cure this condition. And because it’s made with tar, it can be harsh. However, when used in appropriate amounts, it can reduce psoriasis symptoms and, in most cases, won’t lead to any unpleasant side effects (keep reading, we’ll explain those).

Coal tar appears to act as a keratolytic agent, suppressing excess skin-cell growth during a psoriasis flare-up and smoothing the skin. It can also help alleviate various symptoms of psoriasis, including the itchiness, scaling, and inflammation seen in plaque psoriasis and scalp psoriasis.

Coal tar soaps and shampoos: Crude coal tar is considered a safe and effective treatment for psoriasis. It is known to slow the hyperproduction of skin cells that causes skin plaques and reduces inflammation.

Like salicylic acid, coal and pine tars seem to act as keratolytic agents by reducing excess skin cell growth and smoothing the skin. They can also help reduce some of the common symptoms of psoriasis, including itching and inflammation.