Pine tar soap has been around for well over a century. It was used by farmers, outdoorsmen, and tradesmen long before modern skincare existed — not because it was fashionable, but because it worked.
Here's what it actually does, why it works, and who should be using it.
What Is Pine Tar?
Pine tar is a dark, viscous substance produced by the high-temperature carbonization of pine wood. It has been used medicinally since ancient times and was a staple of 19th and early 20th century grooming and skincare.
Its active properties are well-documented: pine tar is anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and antipruritic (meaning it reduces itching). It works by slowing the growth of skin cells and reducing the inflammatory response that causes itching and irritation.
Who Should Use Pine Tar Soap
People with dry skin: Unlike sulfate-based soaps that strip natural oils, pine tar soap preserves the skin's moisture barrier. If your skin is tight after every shower, pine tar is worth trying.
Outdoor athletes: Trail runners, hikers, and climbers expose their skin to UV radiation, wind, and environmental particulates for hours at a time. Pine tar's anti-inflammatory properties help skin recover between sessions.
People with eczema or psoriasis: Pine tar has been used as a treatment for both conditions for over a century. It's included in some prescription formulations for exactly this reason.
Anyone with itchy or irritated skin: The antipruritic properties are real and fast-acting. Many people notice relief within a few uses.
What Pine Tar Soap Won't Do
It won't make your skin smell like a spa. Pine tar has a distinct earthy, woody scent that some people love and some don't. Our Pine Tar Rugged Bar has a natural pine scent — not perfumed, not masked, just what pine tar actually smells like.
It won't fix skin problems overnight. Pine tar works over time. Two weeks of consistent use is where most people start noticing a real difference in dryness and irritation.
How to Use It
Use it like any other bar soap. Lather in your hands or with a washcloth and apply to skin. For best results with dry or irritated skin, let the lather sit for 30 seconds before rinsing — this gives the active compounds time to work.
Store the bar on a dry surface between uses. Pine tar soap softens more than most bars when kept wet, so a soap dish with drainage extends its life significantly.
Pine Tar vs. Coal Tar
These are often confused. Coal tar is a byproduct of coal processing and is used in some prescription dermatology products. Pine tar comes from pine wood. Both have anti-inflammatory and antipruritic properties, but pine tar has a more favorable safety profile for daily use and is considered natural.
Our Pine Tar Rugged Bar Soap uses pine tar derived from pine wood — not a synthetic version, not coal tar. Real pine tar. Real results.
Beyond Clean, Beyond Ordinary.