With the development of modern cosmetology and the information they have read on the Internet, most girls prefer to use store-bought lotions, foams and similar products to wash and cleanse their skin. Replacing commercially-produced commercial acne masks with homemade masks with tar soap will “show” a visible result and “bring” the expected effect.
Tar soap for the face against acne has been popular for centuries and is rightfully still relevant today. It’s not for nothing that our grandmothers used tar as a universal remedy for many problems. Using soap with tar, they even got rid of lice, facial mites, scabies and lichen. But the most effective and widespread use was and remains the fight against facial rashes and skin diseases: pimples, blackheads, ulcers, boils, pigmentation, acne, eczema and the like.
Composition and properties of tar soap
The classic recipe implies the content of toilet soap (90%), birch tar (at least 10%). This natural component has many unique and healing properties.
Tar soap can have completely different compositions. Typically the product includes:
- sodium salts (fatty acids), which are skin-safe plant extracts (sodium);
- Birch tar;
- water.
Additional components include:
- amino alcohol, which softens the aggressive effects of birch tar;
- thickeners;
- benzoic and citric acids;
- binding components that have a stabilizing effect and create a protective film.
Important! The fewer additional components in tar soap when treating acne, the more effective it is. Additional ingredients often negatively affect the condition of the skin, causing dryness and unwanted reactions.
The composition of the product provides unique properties:
- relieving the inflammatory process;
- improving tissue blood supply;
- healing and drying of wounds;
- antiseptic effect;
- elimination of redness and allergic rashes;
- stabilization of the work of the so-called sebaceous glands;
- elimination of oily shine.
Healing soap has a whitening effect. When using it, the tone of the face is evened out, and the intensity of age spots gradually decreases.
Indications for use of tar soap
Products based on birch tar are popular due to their natural composition. Tar soap normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, which helps get rid of acne. The product is effective for inflammatory, chronic and allergic skin diseases.
Experts name the following indications for using the product:
- acne;
- acne;
- psoriasis;
- eczema;
- seborrhea.
The use of tar soap is recommended for diaper rash or bedsores. A good effect from use can be expected for scabies, lichen, frostbite of the skin or burns. Tar soap helps with acne spots. It can also be applied to age spots and cracks on the feet.
Body cleansing
Also, tar soap has found wide use in cleansing the body. Acne occurs not only on the face, but also on the chest, abdomen, thighs and back. Most often, acne on the body occurs in the back area. Sometimes individual pimples merge, turning into large local inflammations. This causes a lot of inconvenience and pain. This is especially true for people with oily skin types.
To get rid of acne on the back and body, you need to make a special solution of tar soap and wash your back and other problem areas with it for a week. After the cleansing procedure, you can wipe your back with lotion. It is better not to use an alcohol base, as this can dry out the skin and add additional irritated areas to the acne.
Separately, it is worth mentioning its specific smell. This smell comes from birch tar, which is part of the soap. It can be compared to the smell of rotted birch brooms. Usually, after using this product several times, the smell dulls. If it irritates you greatly, you can try wiping your face or body with some perfume lotion after washing.
How to use tar soap for acne and blackheads
The product is available in bar and liquid form. To eliminate acne, you can use any form of release. The cosmetic product can be used in different ways.
Washing
This method is considered the simplest and most accessible. For oily skin, washing can be done up to 2 times a day. If your facial skin is dry, it is advisable to wash your face with healthy soap no more than 4 times a week.
Carrying out the washing procedure requires following several basic rules. You should wash your face 1-2 hours before going outside or just before bed. This is due to the unpleasant odor that remains after the procedure. During treatment, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of the skin. If dryness appears, the course of treatment is interrupted.
Important! Washing your face helps dry out pimples and prevents their formation.
Daily application of tar soap requires a course of up to 4 weeks. Then you need to take a break.
Spot applications
For dry or sensitive skin, you can apply the product directly to the inflamed areas. For this purpose, a small piece of tar soap is grated. If the product is in liquid form, take 1 drop. Add water to the soap and rub it with your palms. The resulting foam should be applied to pimples and washed off after 5 minutes.
Attention! The advantage of this method is that it does not affect healthy areas.
Scrubbing
It is known that the scrub helps eliminate inflammation, dry out multiple pimples, and speed up the skin restoration process. Two tablespoons of dissolved soap are mixed with a teaspoon of sea salt. The resulting mixture is used as a scrub.
The benefits of tar
An excellent HELP for problem skin - TAR SOAP!
The main beneficial properties of tar-based soap are the following:
- Antibacterial action;
- Antifungal effect;
- Drying inflammation;
- Disinfectant effect;
- Activation of blood circulation;
- Strengthening cellular renewal and repairing damage;
- Mattifying effect, manifested in the normalization of the sebaceous glands;
- Lightening of pigment formations;
- Fighting post-acne;
- Acceleration of healing of dermatological damage.
Modern cosmetics are made using new technologies and improved formulas, which makes it possible to avoid such disadvantages of tar soap as a peculiar aroma and drying of the dermis. For sensitive and dry skin types, a use regimen that includes washing three to four times a week is suitable. This applies to the use of soap on the face. All other areas of the body can be well cared for using the product in question without any restrictions.
Tar has the property of forming a film on the surface of the skin that protects against external factors. This action of soap allows the dermis to recover and minimizes inflammatory processes.
To achieve clean and smooth skin on the surface of the shoulders, arms, legs and chest, a technique such as whipping soap foam and applying it to the body for ten minutes will help. This period of time is enough to dry out the rashes, as well as cleanse the pores. The more common method of wet use also gives excellent results, however, the longer the skin is in contact with the treatment, the better the effect is expected.
After completing the procedure, you must thoroughly rinse the product from the surface of the skin, pouring it generously with clean water or a decoction of medicinal herbs.
Masks with tar soap for acne
The product can be used as a mask. This method of using tar soap for acne involves its spot application. Before using the mask, you need to steam your facial skin.
With honey against inflammation
The beekeeping product is mixed with soap, maintaining a 1:1 ratio. The mass is applied to the area of inflammation.
With aspirin
To prepare the mask, use tar soap and water in a 2:1 ratio. A crushed aspirin tablet is added to the mixture and applied to the face.
With a decoction of yarrow and St. John's wort
This mask helps eliminate acne and purulent pimples. Yarrow is known to have healing and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. A decoction from the plant eliminates oily sheen. St. John's wort is characterized by soothing, anti-inflammatory and disinfecting properties.
Before applying the mask, first prepare a decoction of the above herbs. Yarrow and St. John's wort (1 teaspoon of dry herb each) are added to 150 ml of water. After boiling, cook the product for 10 minutes. After receiving the decoction, it must be strained.
To prepare a solution for a mask use:
- 1 tablespoon of tar soap (shavings or liquid);
- 2 tablespoons of medicinal herbal decoction.
The ingredients are mixed, foamed and applied to the skin of the face. The mask should be washed off after 15 minutes.
With chamomile decoction
Chamomile soothes irritated skin while providing a gentle effect. Before using the treatment mask, prepare a chamomile decoction. Boil 150 ml of water and 1 tablespoon of chamomile flowers for 10 minutes. Before use, filter the finished broth.
Mask components include:
- 1 tablespoon of tar soap (shavings or liquid solution);
- 2 tablespoons of chamomile infusion.
Important! The mask is suitable for dry skin.
With cinnamon and cream
The mask includes several main components. To 1 tablespoon of soap add a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon, as well as 50 ml of heavy cream. After preparation, the resulting mixture is applied to problem areas.
How to make tar soap at home
Baby soap, including liquid form, is suitable for preparing the product. After it softens, birch tar is added. The soap can be used for its intended purpose after it has dried.
When making a product, you must maintain the correct proportions of ingredients. To 100 g of soap you need to add up to 2 teaspoons of birch tar. If desired, you can add a few drops of essential oils.
Liquid tar soap for purulent acne is convenient to use. To prepare liquid soap, use a bar of natural product, 150 ml of water and 1 tablespoon of glycerin. The soap is grated using a coarse grater and added to boiling water. After 10 minutes, remove the mass from the heat and add glycerin. The product can be used after it has cooled.
Positive reviews
Many people with skin problems prefer to use tar soap instead of modern expensive drugs to treat it. Its benefits are obvious. Birch tar, which is part of it, has an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. There are a lot of positive reviews that this product, despite its low cost, is quite effective in the fight against acne and acne. Some users use soap not only for washing, but also for washing their hair.
In their opinion, this solves several hair problems at once: dandruff, excessive oiliness, hair loss. The main thing that you need to pay attention to here, consumers warn, is the use of the product in courses, and not constantly. After all, if you use such soap daily, it can cause skin and hair problems.
Tar soap for acne during pregnancy
Treatment of acne with tar soap during pregnancy is permitted in the absence of individual intolerance and reactions to strong odors. No other medical contraindications have been identified during pregnancy.
Tar natural soap for purulent acne cannot be used if you are allergic to individual components of the product. If the product is used for the first time, it is necessary to conduct a simple test to exclude allergic reactions. The foam is applied to the elbow area (inner surface) and washed off after a few minutes. The product can be taken if there are no unwanted effects.
Important! Due to hormonal changes, many pregnant women experience oily skin. Tar soap will help eliminate oily shine and prevent acne.
Precautionary measures
Despite the large number of beneficial properties that tar soap has, it has some negative properties:
- dries the skin very much;
- may cause allergic reactions.
Therefore, if you have very sensitive skin of the face or body, as well as an allergy to tar, then it is better to refrain from using this soap.
It should be noted that even if you have normal to oily skin, you should not overuse it. If you wash it five times a day, acne will not disappear instantly, but allergies and irritation may well appear.
Contraindications to the use of tar soap for acne
Using tar soap is not always beneficial. Experts call the following contraindications to the use of the product:
- Dry, as well as thin, sensitive skin. The product has a drying effect.
- Cuperosis. With this pathology, the cosmetic product helps strengthen the vascular network.
- Asthma. A strong odor can trigger an attack.
- Nervous diseases. The product is not used against the background of epilepsy.
- Pregnancy. During this period, intolerance to pronounced odors is often observed.
It is necessary to take into account that the cosmetic product helps with acne due to its antibacterial and drying effects. However, tar soap does not give the skin a natural shine and smoothness. Its regular use dehydrates the skin and makes it dull.
It is recommended to use the product in parallel with moisturizer or toner. These products help restore optimal skin balance, nourishment and obtain necessary substances.
For hair
Many users use this product not only to wash their bodies, but also their heads. How is tar soap useful in this case? It dries oily scalp well, eliminates dandruff, and strengthens hair roots. To do this, you just need to foam a bar of soap under running warm water and rinse your hair with the resulting foam several times.
True, some consumers warn that owners of too thin hair need to be very careful and not get carried away with water procedures with tar soap. After all, it dries out the skin and hair very much. After washing, it is advisable to apply hair balm or a smoothing mask to the curls so that they comb better and remain soft and manageable.
