Coal Tar + Precipitated Sulphur + Salicylic Acid

Coal Tar relieves itching and has keratoplastic and keratolytic properties. It slows down excessive turnover of epidermal cells. People often apply it to the skin, either alone or with other drugs (for example salicyclic acid or sulfur), in conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis. Precipitated Sulpher is reduced to hydrogen sulfide (H2S), partly by bacteria on the skin. H2S kills bacteria (possibly including Propionibacterium acnes, which plays a role in acne), fungi, and parasites such as scabies mites. Salicylic Acid has a strong keratolytic action and a slight antiseptic action when applied topically. It increases endogenous hydration, so the horny layer of the skin swells and softens, and then the stratum corneum is softened, destroyed and shed (desquamation). At high concentrations, salicylic acid has a caustic effect. It also has weak antifungal and antibacterial activity.