Tar face mask: recipes and use

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Author Natalia Danchishak Reading time 8 min. .4k. Published 08/31/2016

Birch tar is a product of distillation of birch bark, leaves and buds. This product is dark in color with a rich and not very pleasant smell, which, however, has many beneficial properties for the beauty and health of facial skin.

• Methods of use for beauty and health of the face
  Ingestion
• Use in its pure form (for acne)
• With store-bought cosmetic products

  Cleanser

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• Anti-wrinkle mask
• Ointment for scratches and wounds
• Tar soap (for skin diseases)
• Cleansing with cream mixture
• Mask for blackheads and pimples

The benefits of tar

Tar is obtained from birch bark. The wood is subjected to dry distillation, as a result of which complex chemical compounds break down into small ones: cresols, phenols, organic acids, resinous substances, etc. The composition has the form of a viscous liquid, which is subsequently amenable to fractional distillation to separate the technical material from the medical one.

Some components in tar are characterized by an aggressive effect, for example, cresols and phenols. Many will be surprised, but they are used to disinfect technical rooms and service tools. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to apply pure tar to the skin, as this will lead to burns. In cosmetology and medicine, a diluted substance is used, for example, in the form of tar masks. However, the presence of aggressive chemicals in the composition does not negate the beneficial properties of tar. Even in ancient times, women used it in home cosmetology. The main properties of tar:

• drying;
• pain reliever;
• anti-inflammatory;
• antimicrobial.

The substance not only cleanses the skin, but also treats many diseases: dermatitis, fungal infections, parasitic infestations, hair loss, etc. Tar dries out acne, cleanses the skin, tightens pores, saturates cells with oxygen, and improves the regeneration process. Tar-based preparations treat burns, heal large wounds and minor scratches. In addition to cosmetology, tar is used in medicine to treat the following diseases:

• angina;
• chronic otitis;
• atherosclerosis;
• scabies;
• bronchial asthma;
• pathology of the rectum;
• psoriasis;
• gangrene;
• bedsores;
• frostbite of the skin, etc.

The smell of birch tar can hardly be called pleasant, but the benefits it brings are invaluable in comparison with this factor.

Properties of the substance

The range of uses of this folk remedy is quite wide. With its help, you can get rid of acne that appears due to problems with the gastrointestinal tract (internal use) or formations caused by increased work of the sebaceous glands (external use). Let's talk in more detail about what positive results the use of birch tar will bring. First of all, these include:

• Light drying effect; reducing the fat content of the epidermis; positive effect on the secretion of the sebaceous glands.
• Antibacterial and antiseptic effect. Elimination of various bacteria that have a direct impact on the development and appearance of acne.
• Anti-inflammatory and healing effect. Elimination of a number of unpleasant sensations that often accompany formations on the skin. For example, itching, pain or tingling.
• Regeneration effect by improving internal circulatory processes.
• Cleansing pores of impurities and sebaceous plugs.
• Accelerating the maturation of inflammation, extracting pus.

The use of tar in medicine and cosmetology

Tar is used externally and internally. In the second case, a solution of tar is used - a liquid with a specific odor, which is sold in pharmacies. Internal administration and dosage should be prescribed by a doctor, since the substance has contraindications and can cause allergies. With the help of tar water, our ancestors cleansed the body of toxins. Among supporters of traditional medicine, this method remains relevant. In this case, tar water is used: add 10 drops of a pharmaceutical solution to a glass of water and leave for two days. The product is taken daily, 2 tablespoons.

To treat skin diseases, such as scabies, sulfur-tar ointment is used. Wood resin in the ointment is used for insecticidal and disinfectant effects.

But most often tar is used in cosmetology. They treat acne and improve the appearance of the skin. The easiest way to treat rashes is to regularly wash your face with tar soap. Already from the first use, a positive effect is observed: the skin becomes soft and velvety. Regular washing neutralizes inflammatory areas, irritation and oily shine. The skin is cleansed and acquires a matte tint.

There are a large number of tar face masks that are prepared at home and do not require much expense. Depending on the composition, the masks are applied for 10-20 minutes. The main disadvantage of tar is its specific smell, which remains on the skin for a long time.

Important! If an allergic reaction occurs, use of the product must be stopped.

Composition and beneficial properties of birch tar

The product contains organic acids, creosols, resinous substances, phytoncides, guaiacol, dioxybenzene and others. The content of these components allows birch tar to accelerate wound healing, get rid of skin fungus, increase blood circulation and cleanse the body, have a beneficial effect in the treatment of sore throats, diseases of the genitourinary system, as well as normalize blood pressure and stimulate metabolism.

The product is especially widely used for improving facial skin, exhibiting the following effect:

• antioxidants cleanse pores, relieve inflammation and remove harmful substances;
• tar makes the skin elastic and accelerates its renewal;
• organic acids help eliminate oily shine, and the functioning of the sebaceous glands is also normalized due to resins;
• thanks to phytoncides, skin color improves and fatigue is relieved;
• tar perfectly tightens the skin and eliminates fine wrinkles.

Masks, creams and ointments with tar help with the following problems:

• diathesis;
• demodicosis;
• dermatitis;
• pimples, acne of various etiologies;
• allergic rashes;
• fungal infections;
• scabies.

Recipes for effective tar masks

The skin of the face becomes velvety after the first experience of using a tar mask. After 2-3 applications, the skin rash goes away, the texture of the face is evened out, and the skin acquires a matte tint. Regular application of tar masks will lead to the following results:

• pores will narrow, blackheads will disappear;
• acne will go away within a week;
• inflammatory areas will disappear;
• redness will disappear, the skin will acquire a healthy matte shade;
• cellular respiration is normalized;
• expression and age wrinkles will be tightened.

Tar masks can be used by teenagers who suffer from acne. Contraindication for use is dry skin. Let's look at popular tar masks that have shown the greatest effectiveness.

Tar mask with soda

Before using the product, first steam the pores, so the beneficial substances will penetrate into the deep layers of the dermis and accelerate the appearance of the positive effect. Effect of the mask on the skin:

• cleans and disinfects;
• rejuvenates and softens;
• pulls up;
• like peeling, it eliminates roughness and unevenness;
• whitens (freckles, age spots become less noticeable);
• cleanses pores, restores water-alkaline balance.

Recommended frequency of use: 1 time per week. Before applying the product, be sure to thoroughly cleanse your skin.

Lifting mask

Action on the skin:

• reduction of wrinkles;
• pull-up;
• relief leveling;
• improvement of tissue regeneration;
• elimination of rashes and redness.

Recommended frequency of use: once every 2 weeks. A lifting mask has a tightening effect; usually the product is applied before going out. In a few minutes, women will receive the effect of a salon lifting. Don't forget to apply moisturizer after removing the mask.

3. Tar mask for rashes with pumpkin and raw potatoes

Action of the mask:

• elimination of rashes, redness, inflammatory areas;
• improvement of tissue regeneration;
• refreshing and improving skin tone.

Recommended frequency of use: 1 time per week. Instead of a solution, you can use tar soap foam.

Mask against demodicosis

Demodicosis is caused by parasitism in the body of a pathogenic mite. Most often the disease is localized on the face. Birch tar is a remedy that parasitic ticks are afraid of. Tar cannot be applied in its pure form. The effect will be faster, but you may burn your skin. Ingredients for cooking:

• 0.5 teaspoon of metronidazole in powder form.
• a teaspoon of zinc paste;
• a few drops of liquid tar.

Mix the ingredients and apply for 60-90 minutes before bedtime. The longer the mask lasts, the faster the effect will occur.

Important! The mask is characterized by an unpleasant odor and greenish-brown color. When you first use it, you will want to wash it off as quickly as possible. But you shouldn't do this. The product should remain on the face for at least an hour. For complete recovery, the procedure is repeated for 10-15 days.

Mask made of tar and baby soap

Action of the mask:

• elimination of rashes and inflamed areas;
• tightening the skin and giving it elasticity;
• improvement of dermis color.

Recommended frequency of use: 1-2 times a week. To smooth out wrinkles and enhance the anti-inflammatory effect, you can add a pinch of table salt to the composition.

To avoid preparing the product every time, you can make soap at home. To do this, you need to grate a bar of baby soap and melt it for steam, then add 3 tablespoons of liquid tar and pour into molds. Cosmetologists recommend washing your face with this soap every day. This will avoid skin problems and keep it fresh.

Brightening masks for pigmented skin

Action on the skin:

• brightening and providing a matte skin tone;
• facial cleansing.

Mask with chamomile infusion:

Recommended frequency of use: once every 2 weeks. Reviews say that after regular use, freckles and age spots become significantly lighter, and the dermis will take on a more matte hue.

Mask with cottage cheese and sour cream:

Recommended frequency of use: 1 time per week. After removal, the skin becomes soft and velvety.

7. Anti-inflammatory mask

Effect of tar mask:

• elimination of ulcers and minor rashes;
• improvement of the regeneration process;
• smoothing the skin texture;
• elimination of inflammatory areas and redness.

Recommended frequency of use: 1-2 times a week. The mask is applied in 3 layers.

Blue clay mask and lotion

Action on the skin:

• cleansing;
• relieving inflammation;
• matting of the dermis;
• drying effect;
• smoothing the skin texture.

Preparation of the mask:

Recommended frequency of use: 1-2 times a week. Reviews say that many are allergic to blue clay. Before use, be sure to do an allergy test.

Preparation of lotion:

Recommended frequency of use: up to 3 times a week. When the lotion infuses, shake it at least once a day.

9. Anti-aging masks based on tar

Action of the mask:

• rejuvenation and improvement of skin tone;
• lifting effect;
• elimination of inflammation and redness;
• improvement of skin color;
• elimination of facial and age wrinkles.

Recommended frequency of use: 1-2 times a week. Many people online advise preparing masks with extra supplies. The product is placed in a glass container, tightly closed with a lid and sent to the refrigerator. However, cosmetologists do not support this method. Tar masks must be prepared from fresh ingredients before each application, otherwise the composition loses some of its beneficial substances. In this case, the efficiency decreases.

Masks for narrowing pores

Action of the mask:

• narrowing of pores;
• elimination of blackheads;
• brightening effect;
• increasing skin elasticity;
• improvement of complexion.

Recommended frequency of use: 1-2 times a week. When washing off the mask, you can add lemon juice to cool water, which will tighten the pores.

Mask for oily skin

Action of the mask:

• normalization of sebum production;
• improvement of tissue regeneration;
• lifting effect;
• healing of small cracks;
• treatment of demodicosis;
• removing redness and rashes.

Recommended frequency of use: 1 time per week. Girls can prepare a mask without patchouli oil, since it is intended to smooth out wrinkles.

Contraindications

• as already mentioned above, a mask, both cleansing and any other, is not suitable for people with sensitive skin or allergies
• dry skin is also an obstacle to using an ingredient such as birch tar in a mask.

There are many positive reviews about a purchased, ready-made mask based on birch tar. The 100% naturalness of such a product may be questioned, but, nevertheless, the composition of the mask is as close as possible to a home recipe. It is worth noting that such funds are not very expensive and are also suitable for any family budget. However, making a mask with your own hands is not only a guarantee of naturalness, but also a more economical way to get your own skin in order, cope with many problems and forget about acne and sagging skin for a long time.

Tar, together with other folk remedies, can work wonders on the skin and, perhaps, after using the mask correctly, reviews telling about the positive effects of tar will be replenished with another fan of this inexpensive but effective product. And small subtleties of use are characteristic of all natural ingredients, and this is rather not a disadvantage, but, on the contrary, an advantage, as it emphasizes naturalness and closeness to nature.

Recommendations for applying masks and precautions

To avoid problems after applying tar masks, adhere to the following:

• Do not use tar on dry skin. Application is allowed only if the soap is diluted with sour cream or cream.
• Do not use tar soap unless you have a skin problem.
• Before applying the mask, perform an allergy test.
• To effectively treat acne and other skin problems, initially steam your face to open the pores. This will speed up the effect of nutrients.
• Apply the product with massage movements. Pay attention to the method of application (one or more layers).
• Keep the mask on for 10 to 20 minutes (depending on the ingredients). Do not overexpose the product, otherwise an allergic reaction may occur.
• Wash off the masks first with warm water (to wash away all substances), then with cold water (to tighten the pores).
• After removing the product, moisturize your face with cream. This will relieve skin tightness and the unpleasant smell of tar.
• Do not use tar masks more than 2 times a week. There may be exceptions in special cases.

The tips described above will help you avoid unpleasant consequences, such as an allergic reaction.

What does birch tar treat?

Birch bark extract is used both as an internal and external remedy. It is useful for people suffering from chronic diseases, and for those suffering from ailments with inflammatory processes, and for those who have problems with the skin on the face and body. The list of diseases that tar can treat is almost endless, so it is worth citing only some of the ailments for which tar is a cure:

• atherosclerosis;
• angina;
• bronchial asthma;
• tuberculosis;
• gangrene;
• proctitis

Birch extract is one of the most effective remedies in the fight against skin diseases:

• eczema;
• psoriasis;
• dandruff;
• acne, etc.

The product successfully fights skin parasites and helminths. Thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, tar helps the rapid healing of wounds, ulcers and bedsores. In the well-known Vishnevsky ointment, one of the components is birch tar. It accelerates the metabolism necessary for rapid tissue regeneration.

How to get rid of acne using tar soap

Tar soap itself is good at fighting acne and rashes. It can be used as a daily cleanser. The product can replace expensive cosmetics that are full of chemicals. To get rid of rashes, follow these recommendations:

• Wash your hands with tar soap several times a day. Many people do not want to do this because of the unpleasant odor that remains on their hands after washing. However, this method will reduce the number of pimples, since most breakouts occur as a result of touching your face with dirty hands. Microbes enter the pores and form pustules.
• Wash your face with soap foam morning and evening. This will disinfect the skin and restore the skin. Those with dry skin with isolated rashes can apply soap foam pointwise. Please note that the skin is treated with foam, not soap. To prevent skin tightness, apply a moisturizer to your face after washing your face.
• Soap foam can be applied directly to blackheads and left overnight. In the morning, the rash will noticeably dry out and the healing process will speed up.

Important! If after using tar soap your acne problem has not been resolved, consult a dermatologist. Perhaps the persistence of the rash is caused by diseases of the internal organs.

Internal use

A person can speed up the metabolism in the body by taking birch tar internally. In addition, drinking products containing it helps normalize blood pressure, improve the tone of the heart muscle, get rid of ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract, and cleanse the body of toxins and waste.

One of the easiest to prepare means for preventive and therapeutic use is tar water. Its recipe has been known for several centuries. To do it, you need to take:

• 0.5 kg tar;
• 4 liters of pure spring water.

The ingredients are thoroughly mixed, after which the container with them is tightly closed for 48 hours. During this time, the birch bark hood will settle. The jar with the solution must be carefully opened and the foam removed from its surface. The tar water is carefully poured into another container, which is also tightly closed. Adults can take this water daily. You need to drink it 20 minutes before breakfast, 1 glass.

To treat certain diseases, birch tar is diluted with milk. This remedy is effective for tuberculosis and internal infectious diseases. The regimen for taking it for tuberculosis is as follows:

1. The course lasts six months. In the first 7 days, you should drink warm milk (50 mg) with 1 drop of tar on an empty stomach.
2. The next week, 2 drops of the extract are added to the milk.
3. In the third week you need to add 3 drops to the milk.
4. At the tenth week of treatment, 10 drops are added to the milk.
5. After this, a 7-day break is taken, after which the intake of tar with milk is resumed according to the same scheme.

Patients with catarrhal cystitis should drink a solution of birch bark extract in milk 3 times a day. Add 10 drops of tar into a glass of milk.

The following recipe will be useful for those suffering from atherosclerosis:

• 1 glass of warm homemade milk;
• ½ teaspoon of tar.

The solution must be drunk for 1.5 months. three times a day before meals. An hour before meals you should drink a glass of the product.

But the following recipe for a drug will help get rid of parasites in the intestines or prevent their appearance. The course of taking the drug is 12 days. It can be done once a year. To prepare the medicine you will need:

• liquefied honey;
• Birch tar.

On the first evening, add 1 drop of extract to 1 teaspoon of honey. The next - 2 drops, etc. The number of drops is increased to 8. The product should be drunk before bedtime.

Reviews of tar masks (from comments on the site)

Marina, 35 years old.

I made a whitening mask with tar and chamomile infusion. Not only did the rash disappear, but the pigment spot also lightened. It used to stand out a lot, but now it’s practically invisible. I really like that the skin is silky after the mask. I tried so many expensive chemical products, none of them had such an effect. Once again I am convinced that expensive does not mean good.

Victoria, 32 years old.

I washed my face with tar soap as a teenager. Adolescence was accompanied by a lot of terrible acne. At that time there was not much choice. Mom bought tar soap and made me wash my face every day. Since then, if a rash appears, I use only this product, but no longer just wash my face with soap, but add it to masks. It costs pennies, but is more effective than most expensive products.

Homemade soap against acne

If you have acne on the back and other parts of the body, you can use tar soap.

The process of preparing it is quite simple:

1. 1 baby soap is ground on a grater with large holes. It must be melted in a water bath to obtain a mass with a homogeneous consistency.
2. Add 10 ml of water and 1 tablespoon of tar to the resulting mixture.
3. All the above ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the tar mass is poured into molds and cooled.

Instead of fragrance, aromatic oils or decoctions of medicinal plants (chamomile, chamomile) are added to soap. Such medicinal plants eliminate redness, relieve pain, and reduce itching.

Useful lotion

If you have acne on your face, an anti-inflammatory lotion can also help. To prepare it, pour 20 ml of alcohol into a separate small bottle.

After this, add 2 drops of salicylic alcohol and ½ teaspoon of tar. The bottle is carefully closed with a lid and vigorously shaken to ensure that all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.

It is recommended to use tar lotion twice a day. The area around the eyes should be avoided.

Ingestion

To treat acne, there is a method when birch tar is taken orally. Since the formation of pimples and acne is often caused by the presence of toxins in the body, this substance, by promoting their introduction, helps to cope with skin problems. How to do this correctly? On the first day of such treatment, in the evening before bed, you need to apply 5 drops of birch substance to a small piece of bread and eat it. The next day you need to apply 6 drops, the next day - 7, and so on until their number reaches 10.

Bread with 10 drops should be eaten before bed for 2 weeks. Then you should reduce the dosage: 1 drop less every day, until their number reaches 5 again. In this case, it is not recommended to drink or eat bread with the medicinal substance. In total, the course of treatment in this way takes 24 days. If you perform all actions in accordance with the recommendations, then during this period the skin will be thoroughly cleansed and the skin will become velvety.

Birch tar can be taken orally and with homemade milk. To do this, add 1 drop of birch product to 150-200 ml of warm milk. As in the previous case, the dosage is increased by 1 drop every day up to 7. And then in the same way it is necessary to reduce the dosage to 1 drop. This method of treating pimples and blackheads will take 14 days.