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).