Cooking oils, baby oil, and petroleum jelly are the safest and most effective options for removing tar from skin. These work because tar is a petroleum-based substance that dissolves in oils and fats but resists water and soap alone. In most cases, you can remove tar at home without any specialized products.
Why Oil Works Better Than Soap and Water
Tar is lipophilic, meaning it bonds with fats and oils rather than water. Scrubbing with soap and water alone will barely budge it, and aggressive scrubbing can irritate or damage your skin. Oils break down tar by dissolving the sticky petroleum compounds, loosening the bond between tar and skin so you can wipe it away.
A 2018 medical review published in the journal Burns found that edible oils like vegetable oil and butter successfully emulsified and removed adherent asphalt from skin, sometimes within a few hours. The researchers concluded that edible oils are useful as a first approach based on their efficacy, safety, availability, and low cost. This matters because it means the most effective solution is probably already in your kitchen.
Best Household Options for Tar Removal
Several common household products dissolve tar effectively. The best choice depends on what you have available:
- Olive oil or vegetable oil: Apply generously, let it soak for 15 to 30 minutes, then gently rub with a cloth. Reapply as needed for thicker deposits.
- Baby oil (mineral oil): Works the same way as cooking oils. Its thinner consistency can make it easier to spread over larger areas.
- Butter or margarine: The fat content dissolves tar on contact. Particularly useful for small spots.
- Petroleum jelly: Apply a thick layer over the tar, let it sit for several minutes, then wipe away. The jelly softens the tar and lifts it from the skin surface.
- Mayonnaise: The oil content in mayo makes it a surprisingly effective option. Apply it thickly and let it sit before wiping.
- Coconut oil: Works well and leaves skin moisturized afterward.
For all of these, the key is patience. Let the oil sit on the tar long enough to penetrate and soften it before you try to rub it off. Rushing the process leads to unnecessary skin irritation.
Step-by-Step Removal Process
Start by applying your chosen oil liberally over the tar-covered area. Use enough to fully coat the tar rather than just a thin layer. Let it soak for at least 15 to 20 minutes. For thick or dried-on tar, you may need 30 minutes or longer.
After soaking, gently rub the area with a soft cloth or paper towel using circular motions. The tar should begin lifting away. For stubborn spots, reapply oil and wait another 10 to 15 minutes before trying again. Once the tar is removed, wash the area with warm water and mild soap to clean off the residual oil. Follow up with a moisturizer if your skin feels dry.
Avoid using sharp objects, abrasive scrub pads, or wire brushes to pick tar off your skin. These can cause cuts, abrasions, and scarring, especially if the skin underneath is already irritated.
What About Commercial Tar Removers?
Commercial and industrial tar removers exist, but most are formulated for use on vehicles, concrete, or tools rather than human skin. Many contain citrus-based solvents like d-limonene, which dissolve tar quickly but can cause skin irritation. Product safety data sheets for industrial tar removers typically classify them as skin irritants and warn against prolonged skin contact.
If you do use a citrus-based cleaner, apply it briefly, rinse thoroughly, and stop immediately if you notice redness or burning. For most people, household oils work just as well without the irritation risk.
Removing Tar After a Burn
Hot tar burns present a different challenge. When molten tar lands on skin, it cools and hardens in place, and pulling it off can tear damaged tissue underneath. If you’ve been splashed with hot tar, cool the area immediately under running water for at least 20 minutes. Do not attempt to peel the tar away.
In clinical settings, doctors use a medical-grade emulsifier called polysorbate 80, sometimes combined with antibiotic ointment, to safely dissolve tar on burn wounds. This agent lifts the tar without damaging the healing skin beneath it. At home, the same oil-soaking technique described above can begin loosening the tar while you seek medical attention, but a burn from hot tar needs professional evaluation to assess the depth of injury and prevent infection.
Preventing Tar From Sticking
If you work around tar or asphalt regularly, applying a barrier cream or a thin coat of petroleum jelly to exposed skin before starting can make cleanup much easier. The barrier prevents tar from bonding directly to your skin, so it wipes off with minimal effort afterward. Wearing long sleeves, gloves, and closed-toe shoes is the most reliable prevention, but a barrier layer on your face, neck, and forearms provides an extra line of defense on hot days when full coverage isn’t practical.