What a 4/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 4 is in the high-risk band, with a real likelihood of clogging pores on acne-prone skin. That means Coal Tar deserves attention if you break out easily, especially when it appears high on an ingredient list.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Coal Tar, so we publish the range (4) rather than a false single figure. When sources disagree this openly, your own experience carries real weight.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Coal Tar near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Coal Tar
It is a functional cosmetic ingredient. A traditional psoriasis and dandruff active repeatedly named as pore-clogging in the high range.
On a label it can read as Coal Tar, Liquor Picis Carbonis, Pix Carbonis, Creosote — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Coal Tar in makeup and skincare
It is used across a range of makeup and skincare formats. Its irritancy is rated separately at 2/5, which is low.
Lower-rated alternatives to Coal Tar
If you want a similar role with a friendlier comedogenic score, consider:
- Squalane — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
- Niacinamide — comedogenic rating 0/5 (Low risk).
Coal Tar comedogenic FAQ
Is Coal Tar comedogenic?
It can be. Coal Tar is rated 4/5 (high risk) on the 0–5 comedogenic scale, so it has a real chance of clogging pores on acne-prone skin, especially high on an ingredient list. Sources disagree on Coal Tar, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Coal Tar?
Coal Tar has a comedogenic rating of 4/5 (high risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 13 rate higher than Coal Tar, 151 rate lower, and 25 others share its 4/5. The figure is drawn from 2 cited sources, listed on this page.
Is Coal Tar pore-clogging?
It is one of the more likely ones. At 4/5, Coal Tar is in the high-risk band. It matters most when it appears near the top of an ingredient list, where it makes up a larger share of the product. Comedogenic ratings come mostly from rabbit-ear assays and small human patch tests of the pure ingredient at high concentration, so they are a screening guide, not a prediction for your skin or a medical claim.