Ingredient
Pinus Palustris Wood Tar
Pinus Palustris Wood Tar is flagged for pregnancy, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, postpartum, PCOS and general use. The concern behind the strongest flag is absorbed into the body and fetal development.
- Pine Tar
- Longleaf Pine Tar
- Wood Tar
Verdict by profile
Truva checks every ingredient against six profiles. Jump to any of them for the full assessment.
- Strongest verdict
- Not Recommended
- Its verdict for pregnancy, the profile this one is worst in
- Profiles flagged
- 6 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 3 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Pinus Palustris Wood Tar and pregnancy
Not Recommended
- Absorbed into the body
- Fetal development
Pinus Palustris Wood Tar is a dark, viscous substance derived from pine wood through a heating process. It contains complex organic compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), some of which have raised safety concerns. Wood tar products can be absorbed through the skin, and certain PAHs in wood tar are classified as possible carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). While data specific to pregnancy is limited, the potential for systemic absorption of compounds that may affect cellular development creates theoretical risks during fetal development. Dermatologists typically recommend avoiding wood tar products during pregnancy due to these concerns about PAH exposure and insufficient safety data. Most obstetricians and dermatologists advise pregnant women to avoid wood tar preparations as a precautionary measure, especially given that safer alternatives exist for most skin conditions. The EU has implemented restrictions on wood tar in cosmetics due to PAH content. If treatment with coal tar or wood tar is deemed medically necessary during pregnancy, it should only be used under direct physician supervision with careful risk-benefit assessment.
Pinus Palustris Wood Tar and breastfeeding
Not Recommended
- Absorbed into the body
- Infant exposure
Pinus Palustris Wood Tar contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other complex organic compounds that can be absorbed through the skin. While primarily used in therapeutic preparations for skin conditions, its use in cosmetics raises concerns for breastfeeding mothers. The potential for systemic absorption of PAHs and their detection in biological fluids creates theoretical risks of transfer to breast milk. Additionally, direct contact between the infant and treated skin areas could result in infant exposure to these compounds. The AAD notes that dermatologists generally recommend avoiding coal tar and wood tar products during breastfeeding due to insufficient safety data and the availability of safer alternatives. Most medical professionals advise breastfeeding mothers to postpone use of wood tar products until after weaning. If medically necessary treatment is required, it should be under physician supervision, applied to areas away from the breast, and covered to prevent infant contact. Safer alternatives for common skin conditions are generally preferred during the breastfeeding period.
Pinus Palustris Wood Tar and postpartum
Caution Advised
- Irritant
- Increases sun sensitivity
Pinus Palustris Wood Tar can be used postpartum by women who are not breastfeeding if needed for specific therapeutic purposes, though it comes with precautions. The product is known to cause skin irritation and increase sun sensitivity significantly. Women using wood tar products should avoid sun exposure or use comprehensive sun protection, as the ingredient makes skin much more vulnerable to UV damage. The strong odor and dark color of wood tar preparations may also be cosmetically unacceptable for some users. Given these considerations and the availability of modern alternatives, wood tar is typically reserved for specific dermatological conditions resistant to other treatments.
Pinus Palustris Wood Tar and trying to conceive
Not Recommended
- Absorbed into the body
Pinus Palustris Wood Tar contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that can be absorbed through the skin. While specific data on fertility effects is lacking, the precautionary principle suggests avoiding potential exposure to these compounds when trying to conceive. Most healthcare providers recommend discontinuing wood tar products when actively trying to conceive, as you may not know immediately when conception occurs. This allows time for any absorbed compounds to clear from the body before pregnancy. Safer alternatives are available for virtually all skin conditions that might be treated with wood tar preparations, making it prudent to switch to these options during the preconception period.
Pinus Palustris Wood Tar and PCOS
Caution Advised
- Irritant
Pinus Palustris Wood Tar has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that have been used historically for various skin conditions. However, it does not specifically address PCOS-related skin concerns and comes with notable side effects. While wood tar has no direct hormonal effects, its irritating nature and comedogenic potential make it poorly suited for PCOS-related acne management. The product can cause significant skin irritation, photosensitivity, and may actually worsen inflammation-related skin issues. Modern alternatives are generally more effective and better tolerated for acne and oily skin associated with PCOS. Women with PCOS seeking treatment for skin concerns should consider gentler, more targeted ingredients like niacinamide, salicylic acid, or azelaic acid rather than wood tar preparations. Wood tar's high comedogenicity may exacerbate breakouts in acne-prone PCOS skin.
Pinus Palustris Wood Tar and general use
Caution Advised
- Irritant
- Increases sun sensitivity
- Carcinogen concern
Pinus Palustris Wood Tar is a traditional medicinal ingredient derived from longleaf pine wood through destructive distillation. It has historically been used in preparations for psoriasis, eczema, and other skin conditions due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its use in modern cosmetics is controversial. The primary health concern is that wood tar contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), some of which are classified as possible human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Wood tar is also a known skin irritant and photosensitizer, meaning it significantly increases the skin's sensitivity to sunlight and risk of burns. Studies have shown that repeated exposure to coal tar and wood tar compounds may increase skin cancer risk, particularly with UV exposure. The EU Cosmetics Regulation heavily restricts wood tars in cosmetics due to PAH content, limiting their use to specific therapeutic applications with concentration and purity requirements. In the US, pine tar is permitted in over-the-counter drug products but faces scrutiny in cosmetics. Modern dermatology has largely moved toward safer alternatives with better efficacy profiles. If wood tar use is deemed necessary for a specific condition, it should be under medical supervision with strict sun protection measures.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
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Ingredients that raise the same concerns.
Where this came from
Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. These assessments have not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.
Assessment last pulled from the ingredient database on .
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