Common Name(s): Liquor carbonis detergens,oldest anti-dandruff,anti-psoriasis coal tar

CAS Number: 8007-45-2

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides comprehensive multi-mechanism anti-dandruff and anti-psoriasis from coal tar.

Why It's Used: Oldest comprehensively effective scalp active — coal tar's multi-mechanism (anti-proliferative + antifungal + anti-inflammatory) provides the broadest single-ingredient scalp therapeutic coverage with 150+ year documented efficacy for dandruff and psoriasis.

How It Works: Complex mixture: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs), cresols, phenols. anti-proliferative: cell division inhibition reduces scale formation. antifungal: phenol antimicrobial. anti-inflammatory. fda otc 0.5-5%. photosensitising: avoid sun 24h post-use. strong aroma. carcinogen concern at occupational industrial exposure (not cosmetic otc dose).

Typically Found In: Medical anti-dandruff,psoriasis scalp treatment

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–5% (fda otc)

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required

Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Photosensitisation: avoid direct sunlight 24h after use. do not use on inflamed/broken scalp. avoid prolonged contact with skin beyond scalp. industrial coal tar: iarc carcinogen — cosmetic-grade coal tar otc has very different safety profile at 0.5-5% shampoo dilution. staining: tar stains fabric.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Coal tar's iarc carcinogen classification at industrial exposure vs fda otc cosmetic safety reflects dose-exposure distinctions: occupational coal tar workers (road paving, chimney sweeping) have documented elevated skin cancer from prolonged high-dose contact; fda otc shampoo dilution (0.5-5% rinsed off scalp) provides estimated 1000-10,000× lower dermal exposure than occupational exposure assessed by iarc. the carcinogen label applies to the occupational exposure scenario, not the brief-contact shampoo application.

Last Verified: 2026-03-12

Primary Sources: Cosing database,fda otc coal tar anti-dandruff monograph