The article was prepared by a specialist for informational purposes only. We urge you not to self-medicate. When the first symptoms appear, consult a doctor.
Birch is a tree whose gifts man has long learned to use to his advantage. The beneficial qualities of birch sap and birch buds are known, but even the bark of this tree serves the beauty and health of people. In addition to making paper from it, tar is also obtained from the bark. It is widely used in medicine and cosmetology, as this product has a wide range of useful qualities. Among them are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial effects. Birch tar is added to various cosmetics: shampoos, soaps, creams.
Regular use of tar soap helps rid the skin of acne, promotes the resorption of psoriatic plaques, and also helps fight various skin diseases.
What is tar soap used for: benefits and harms
The drug consists of 90% ordinary soap and 10% birch tar. Soap brings certain benefits to the skin, and in combination with tar it becomes an antiseptic and antiparasitic agent. Tar is a natural substance and has a rich structural formula, which includes:
- xylene;
- triazoles,
- benzene;
- phenol;
- resinous substances;
- toluene;
- phytoncides;
- organic acids.
Benefit
Tar soap is effective for psoriasis, acne, and seborrhea.
Useful properties of the drug:
- eliminates rashes, including allergic ones;
- normalizes blood flow;
- regenerates tissue cells,
- eliminates scars and red spots;
- dries.
Tar in combination with soap accelerates the process of regeneration of damaged tissues, eliminates acne, dries wounds and scratches. Often used in the fight against food rashes and acne.
Tar soap is effective as a means of protection against infections. Quickly heals skin from microtraumas and diaper rash. Used to eliminate pigmentation. Among other benefits: strengthens hair, gives it shine and a healthy look.
Contraindications when using tar soap
When used daily, soap dries the skin excessively, so it is not recommended to use it several times a day. Do not rinse your hair with hot water; the substances it contains may clot. After this, the hair will become dull and ugly. Soap with tar can wash away chemical dyes from hair. In order not to spoil the shade, it is better to use the drug no more than once a week.
Soap has very few disadvantages. One of the serious ones is the smell. Some people may become intolerant. When using soap for the first time, you need to be careful. It is important to remember that the smell quickly disappears, and the drug does more good than harm.
Hair
Is it possible to use tar soap on hair? The benefits of birch tar are invaluable in this case, despite the fact that after its use everyone remains to their own opinion. Some say that after using this product, the hair becomes stiff and itching on the scalp begins. Others, on the contrary, claim that in just a few days they got rid of dandruff, and their hair became unusually beautiful and healthy. So who is right in this situation, let's figure it out?
Indeed, it has long been proven that tar soap, the benefits and harms of which in this case are unequal, fights dandruff. So why do some people report dullness and hair loss after using soap? The answer is obvious. This effect will be observed only after the first use, so do not be alarmed, because after just a few days of use you will notice a positive result. Your hair will become manageable, soft, and you can forget about dandruff altogether.
Top 10 best tar soaps
Tar soap is very useful and inexpensive. People of all income levels can use the hygiene product. Our rating of the best tar soaps includes products from well-known cosmetic companies that are most popular among users and have collected the largest number of positive reviews.
- Nevskaya cosmetics
- Recipes for cleanliness
- Stork
- Spring
- Svyatogorye
- Linom
- Aklen
- Spivak
- Pure traditions
- Naturotherapy
Manufacturers offer tar soap in bar, soft or liquid forms.
Nevskaya cosmetics
Soap from a Russian manufacturer made from natural birch tar without artificial dyes or additives. Among the active ingredients is a natural humectant - glycerin. The soap is intended for problematic acne skin.
Characteristics | |
Active components | Birch tar, glycerin |
Peculiarities | Tests carried out at ANO "Cosmetic Test" have proven the anti-inflammatory effect of the drug |
View | Lumpy |
, Russia |
Price from 25 rub..
pros
- Contains moisturizer.
- Foams profusely.
Minuses
- Dries the skin.
- Not suitable for everyone.
- The composition contains substances that cause tissue irritation.
“I have naturally thin, almost transparent hair. Before washing my hair, I lather my hands and create a lot of foam. Then I apply a nourishing mask. After drying, hair does not look cemented, but becomes crumbly. I use the product twice a week. Soap thickens hair and gives density. This is noticeable visually. Soap will give strength to the fine structure of the hair.”
Recipes for cleanliness
Soap contains up to 10% tar and natural vegetable oils. Manufactured in accordance with GOST, does not contain synthetic components. Deeply cleanses tissues and eliminates inflammation. Suitable for making masks. The foam is applied to the skin for a few minutes. Natural peeling evens out the face. Palm oil in the composition of the product allows you to use the product for washing hair.
Characteristics | |
Peculiarities | 100% natural product containing palm oil |
View | Lumpy |
Weight | 90 gr |
, Russia |
Prices from 23 to 43 rubles
pros
- Manufactured according to GOST.
- The active substance is natural tar.
- Effective against acne.
- Cleanses the skin.
- Suitable for washing hair.
Minuses
No.
“I have combination skin prone to acne. Acne occurs on the décolleté and back. That's why I use this product for my face and body. I wash my hands. After the foam forms, I add a couple of drops of fir essential oil. I wash with foam. As a result of this treatment, acne has become significantly less. The manufacturer recommends additional use of moisturizer, but I do not feel any tightness. I use the product no more than twice a week. The effect of the drug does not occur immediately, but with regular use.”
Stork
The soap is made from natural ingredients with the addition of vegetable oils and is suitable for daily use. Tar - has antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects. In combination with soap, it quickly cleanses the skin, accelerates metabolic processes in tissue cells, promotes rejuvenation, and accelerates hair growth.
Characteristics | |
Active Ingredient | Oleum Rusci - natural birch tar |
View | Lumpy |
Weight | 140 g |
Manufacturer | Stork, Russia, St. Petersburg |
Budget cost from 20 to 25 rubles.
pros
- Completely natural composition.
- Quickly dries out pimples.
- Cleanses the scalp from dandruff.
Minuses
No.
“I used the soap for one week, during which time there was not a single pimple left on my face. I used foam to wash my face. I secured the result with a white clay mask with five drops of lavender oil. Keep the composition on your face for 15 minutes. I didn’t have such good skin even after washing with expensive gels. The soap smells like campfire and smoked fish.”
Spring
Tar is a good natural antiseptic, improves blood supply to tissues, copes with frostbite, and promotes rapid healing of wounds. Soap with this active ingredient has antiseptic properties and easily cleanses the skin. Regular use of tar soap helps get rid of skin fungus, seborrhea, boils, and acne.
Characteristics | |
Additional Ingredients | Palm and coconut oil |
Weight | 90 g |
View | Lumpy |
, Russia |
Prices start from 19 rubles and go up to 45 rubles.
pros
- Relieves inflammation.
- Made according to GOST.
Minuses
Dries the skin.
“I used to use tar soap for a specific situation. Now using it on an ongoing basis as preventive protection. I use it for washing and washing the body, foot baths, preventing animals from fleas, washing clothes and insoles. For body and face using soap twice a month.”
Mask for dry skin
For those with dry skin, the use of tar soap is indicated only if there are any rashes.
In order to make a mask you need:
- Dilute soap with water. You should get a liquid consistency. Roughly speaking, the result should be a highly concentrated soap solution.
- Apply the product locally to the affected areas.
- Leave for 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse with water.
Afterwards, it is imperative to moisturize the skin with lotion and use cream.
Svyatogorye
Handmade soap. Tar - helps get rid of acne and returns the skin to a healthy appearance. Olive oil - saturates the skin with vitamins A, D, E. Shea butter - promotes cell regeneration, makes the skin silky.
Characteristics | |
Peculiarities | Self made |
Oils included | Olive, Shea, Palm, Coconut, Palm Kernel |
Weight | 80 g |
Manufacturer | Factory "Ural Manufactory", Russia |
Price 200 - 300 rub..
pros
- 100% organic.
- Relieves acne.
- Suitable for washing hair.
Minuses
You can purchase via the Internet or specialized stores.
“It took me two weeks for the inflammation and redness on my face, back and décolleté to disappear. I washed my face with soap 2 times a day, morning and evening. I made applications from a bar of soap on large subcutaneous elements. The subcutaneous area disappears in 3 days; normal acne disappears in one. I didn’t notice at what point the acne started to go away, I just suddenly realized that I was out of the habit of acne.”
Soap in folk medicine
For women, laundry soap will become a real “helper” if it is necessary to improve the acid-base balance. Problems can also arise after taking antibiotics or local treatment, resulting in thrush. You can get rid of fungus in this way:
- pour hot water into a basin;
- wash yourself using laundry soap;
- repeat procedures at equal intervals 3 times/day;
- after washing, wipe dry;
- course - 5 days;
For psoriasis, it is recommended to wash the affected areas with soap twice a day, which will quickly eliminate itching and pain. For dry skin, 1st procedure/day is sufficient. If large areas of the skin are affected, you should buy shower gel with tar or soap a washcloth with laundry soap and carefully carry out hygiene procedures once a day.
To remove a splinter, make some soap, add a drop of water, and apply it under the bandage to the skin. After 5 minutes you can easily remove the splinter. Any wounds or abrasions are simply washed with soap 2-3 times a day. Apply a thick foamed soap solution to ulcers and boils and keep for 15 minutes twice a day. Bedsores are treated with the same solution once a day, after which it is washed off.
For psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema
Dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, seborrhea and many other diseases will not be scary for you! Tar soap perfectly heals the skin and promotes rapid cell regeneration. Thanks to it, blood flow to the skin increases.
For scalp diseases
Tar soap successfully eliminates wet and dry seborrhea and allergic manifestations on the skin. It is known that the head is a favorite place for psoriasis. It actively develops in the hairy part of the body and getting rid of it is very problematic. However, frequent use of tar soap will help eliminate the external manifestations of the disease.
Tar soap is used not only in treating skin, but also in improving hair health. The product can strengthen hair follicles and saturate the entire hair structure with useful substances. Soap prevents baldness and fights well against alopecia that has already occurred. Birch tar is rarely found on sale in its pure form, but you can buy a bar of soap and start treating weak and brittle hair. The product perfectly strengthens hair roots and improves microcirculation of the scalp. As a result, hair nutrition improves, it is fully saturated with nutrients and oxygen, strengthened and filled with the necessary energy.
Restrictions and rules in hair care:
- cannot be used on excessively dry hair;
- You should lather your hair no more than once. in Week;
- the product is not kept on the scalp for an excessively long time;
- It takes at least 2 months to wash your hair with tar to strengthen it;
- To retain moisture in your hair, you need to apply conditioner to your hair afterwards.
By applying all the above rules, you can achieve a significant improvement in the condition of your hair. Your curls will become stronger and stronger, they will no longer hang in lifeless icicles and will look great.
For fungal diseases of the feet
To prevent fungus, it is recommended to thoroughly wash your feet and nail plates with tar soap after visiting a swimming pool, bathhouse, etc. To treat fungus, the nail plate is thoroughly soaped and left overnight (wearing socks or a bandage).
For the treatment of pediculosis
Tar soap is considered one of the most effective means for getting rid of lice.
For flu prevention
Tar soap is an excellent alternative to oxolinic ointment. As part of flu prevention, you can simply soap your finger and lubricate your nasal passages. Do this every time before visiting crowded places.
For age spots
In the same case as with acne, wash with soap or apply a piece locally. However, if age spots are the only thing that bothers you (there are no rashes or dryness on the skin), you can wash your face less often. It will be enough to carry out the procedure once every 2-3 days in the morning or before bed.
Application in cosmetology
Tar soap is a natural antiseptic.
Its use allows:
- get rid of the problem of increased oily skin;
- eliminate inflammation as soon as possible;
- prevent the appearance of acne and other formations;
- eliminates dandruff.
Solving a serious problem must be approached comprehensively, providing support for the body both from the inside (taking medications) and from the outside. Tar soap is a good addition to the main treatment.
If the problem is not large-scale and you do not need to seek the help of a doctor (dermatologist, trichologist) to solve it, soap can help. In the early stages of the disease, a tar block can prevent serious consequences.
For traumatic skin injuries, wounds and frostbite
Tar soap helps heal cracked heels.
Linom/Special
The soap of the Belarusian brand follows classic soap-making technologies and is made from natural ingredients. Suitable for sensitive skin, intended for regular use. Has a powerful antiseptic effect. Copes with pimples and acne. Helps maintain a healthy appearance of the skin, saturates it with minerals and trace elements.
Characteristics | |
Peculiarities | Suitable for daily use, recommended for sensitive skin |
Included | Siberian tar, glycerin - natural moisturizer |
Weight | 140 g |
Manufacturer | Pharmaceutical, Belarus |
Prices vary greatly on resources 20 - 300 rubles.
pros
- Sold in pharmacies.
- Foams well.
- Relieves dandruff.
- Removes oily shine.
Minuses
Tightens the skin.
“I’ve been using it for 3 weeks. During this time, the block did not crack, did not soften, and looks like new. Foams great. Immediately after washing, you feel a drying sensation. And it's great for my oily skin. I cleared out all the pimples on my décolleté and back simply by using soap every day instead of shower gel.”
Application
Medicinal soap with tar is useful for people suffering from various skin diseases. It will reduce irritation and rashes and have a positive effect on the appearance of the skin. The product is affordable and effective. It has a mild whitening effect and is suitable for people with increased pigmentation. Tar will make your hair look ideally healthy if you are worried about dandruff and your hair is too oily. For gynecological purposes, it is used to combat thrush. The use of the product will be especially effective if you supplement it with a regular course of vitamins.
Aklen
A unique type of soap with natural birch tar improves blood supply to the skin and promotes tissue regeneration. The composition of the cosmetic product is completely natural, without artificial dyes, therefore it has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. Recommended for use on problem skin, for face and neck care. The soap is thoroughly foamed and applied to the face. If necessary, repeat the procedure. It is recommended to store in a cool, dark place for no more than 36 months.
Characteristics | |
Active Ingredient | Birch bark tar |
View | Lump in box |
Weight | 75 gr |
, Russia |
Price 20 - 50 rub..
pros
- Natural composition.
- Suitable for oily skin.
- Quickly removes acne.
Minuses
With caution for sensitive skin types.
“I constantly use tar soap. This is the first time I purchased a product from this manufacturer. It lathers well and the aroma is not particularly strong compared to other products with tar. Cleanses the skin well and is not particularly drying. All inflammation disappears the next morning. Acne on the back goes away within a week. Now I use it to wash my hands. Soap cleanses perfectly and is an excellent antiseptic.”
Contraindications:
In general, natural tar is well tolerated by the human body. However, you should definitely take into account contraindications to the use of tar.
If any unwanted reactions or side effects occur, you should stop using the tar product.
- allergy;
- sensitive, tender or dry skin;
- increased photosensitivity;
- exacerbation of chronic skin diseases;
- kidney diseases.
Spivak
Birch tar in combination with soap heals wounds, scratches, and dries out inflammatory elements. Unlike ordinary tar, it does not change the color of skin and hair. Suitable for the prevention of skin and viral ailments. The pungent odor of the product remains on the body for no more than 10 minutes. Designed for all types of fabrics, does not cause irritation.
Characteristics | |
Oils included | Castor, Coconut, Olive, Palm |
Peculiarities | Handmade soap |
View | Lumpy |
Manufacturer | Soap-making, Russia |
Weight | 100 gr |
The price of soap starts from 106 rubles and ends at 155 rubles.
pros
- Added cosmetic oils.
- Natural ingredients.
- Handmade.
Minuses
Can only be purchased online.
“I have normal skin without oily shine. There are allergic reactions in the form of red spots, and from time to time, pinpoint subcutaneous pimples appear. I consider tar soap a healing agent; it has strong antibacterial properties. I prefer to use it when necessary. Recently, internal painful acne began to appear on my back and face. I decided to purchase this soap with oil additives. This product has skin care properties. After opening the package, a resinous smell of petroleum products is felt. I used the product daily for one week. During this time, the pimples resolved and the wounds dried out.”
What harm can it do?
As for the harm of tar soap, it is, thanks to the natural composition of the product, minimized and consists of the following:
- May cause an allergic reaction.
- It has a drying effect and can therefore cause dry skin or hair.
- It has a strong, not entirely pleasant odor.
As you can see, the pros significantly outweigh the cons, but whether to make friends with tar soap or give preference to the latest products, everyone must decide based on their own experience.
After all, even despite thousands of rave reviews, there are always those for whom this product is not suitable for one reason or another. However, considering all the beneficial properties of tar soap, it is clearly worth a try.
Be healthy!
Pure traditions
In the production of soap, purified birch bark tar recommended for the pharmaceutical industry was used. Glycerin in the product prevents dry skin, but does not affect the antibacterial properties of the drug.
Characteristics | |
Peculiarities | Hypoallergenic |
Additional components | Glycerol |
Effect | Nourishes, moisturizes |
Weight | 140 g |
, Russia, Kazan |
Cost 23 - 64 rubles.
pros
- The smell of tar is slightly perceptible.
- Foams well.
- Performs antibacterial functions.
Minuses
It wears out quickly.
“I can recommend this version of soap to those who don’t really like the smell of tar. After opening the package, you notice a milky-soapy smell, the aroma of tar is barely perceptible. After washing, the aroma is almost not felt, but the product tightens the skin, so I additionally use a moisturizer. Use soap as a hand sanitizer. I believe that the natural composition is safer than the aggressive components of other antibacterial products. Soap quickly helps deal with acne and scratches. The wounds heal within a couple of days.”
Naturotherapy
The soap contains 1% natural tar and anti-inflammatory components. It has antiseptic properties and accelerates tissue regeneration. Intended for: seborrhea, psoriasis, neuroallergodermatosis, teenage rashes. Stimulates blood flow to the surface of the skin, exfoliates dead epithelial tissue.
Characteristics | |
Peculiarities | Soap-scrub |
Included | Birch tar, witch hazel extract, aloe vera gel, ginseng, chamomile, mint, sage, beet extract |
View | Liquid |
Quantity | 500 ml |
, Russia Moscow |
Prices in stores 450 - 850 rubles.
pros
- A bottle with a dispenser retains the specific smell of soap.
- The composition is more gentle compared to regular soap.
- Added 10 anti-inflammatory natural ingredients
Minuses
- Liquid.
- Doesn't lather well on sponge.
- Soap contains benzyl alcohol, sodium laureth sulfate
“The soap smells like tar, but I love that smell, so there were no problems. I have been using the drug for 3 weeks. During this time, the deep, painful rashes resolved. There are few comedones on my face, but the soap eliminated a few closed ones perfectly. The product is very drying, I use a moisturizer after it.”
DIY tar soap
Tar is a natural substance that is obtained from birch resin. If you have tar in pure form at home, you can make soap.
Homemade soap with tar and essential oil
Grate 200 grams of baby soap on a coarse grater and pour in a little water. Boil in a water bath until completely dissolved. Add 20 grams of tar and 10 grams of essential oil suitable for the purpose of the procedure. Mix thoroughly and pour the mixture into molds.
Compound
The main ingredient is tar. It is produced from birch bark - birch bark. For a long time, huge quantities of it were used as a lubricant for cart wheels and horse harnesses. Now its main use is medicinal and cosmetological. It is part of Vishnevsky's ointment, known not only for its miraculous restorative properties, but also for its disgusting smell. Detergents containing tar are much more accessible and popular. It can be bought at markets, supermarkets, and hardware stores.
In addition to tar, the product contains other familiar ingredients from domestic cosmetic factories. The basis is sodium salts of animal and vegetable fats; water, thickeners and preservatives are also present. At home, you can brew the medicinal product yourself, using laundry or baby soap as a base.