How Nopsor, MG217, and T/Gel Compare — and What to Know Before Choosing
If you're researching coal tar products for psoriasis, three names come up consistently: Nopsor, MG217, and Neutrogena T/Gel. All three are over-the-counter, all three use coal tar as their primary active ingredient, and all three have real patient experience behind them. But beyond that shared foundation, they work quite differently — and understanding those differences matters before you spend money or commit to a routine.
Two important notes up front. First, as of early 2025, Neutrogena T/Gel has been discontinued in the United States and the UK — that's a confirmed, widely reported manufacturer decision. Second, and more recently: MG217's coal tar shampoo is showing clear signs of disappearing from major retailers too, though this situation is less clear-cut than T/Gel's and is covered in detail below.
Disclosure: Nopsor is our product. We've done our best to represent MG217 and T/Gel accurately and fairly — including where they have advantages over Nopsor. We've linked to primary sources throughout so you can verify the facts independently. Always consult your dermatologist before starting any new psoriasis treatment.
How Coal Tar Works for Psoriasis
Psoriasis causes skin cells to turn over 5–10 times faster than normal, producing the raised, scaly plaques that characterize the condition. Coal tar slows that accelerated cell cycle — reducing scaling, itching, and inflammation without suppressing the immune system the way steroids do.
The AAD includes coal tar in its psoriasis treatment guidelines as an established, safe option for long-term use.1 The NPF similarly recognizes coal tar as an effective non-prescription ingredient.2 It's been used clinically for over 100 years — not because there's nothing better, but because it continues to work for a large proportion of patients, particularly those who can't or don't want to use steroids or biologics long term.
The concentration of coal tar in a product matters — but not in a linear way. Research has found that lower concentrations can sometimes be equally or more effective than higher ones, depending on the delivery vehicle and how the product is formulated.3 How long the product stays in contact with the skin is often more important than the raw percentage.
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What's Happening With MG217's Coal Tar Shampoo
Unlike T/Gel, there has been no official announcement from MG217's manufacturer confirming a discontinuation. What exists instead is a pattern worth being transparent about, because if you're specifically trying to buy MG217's coal tar shampoo right now, you may run into it yourself.
- Retailer delisting: As of this writing, Walgreens lists MG217's coal tar shampoo products as "no longer available" on its site — this applies to the coal tar shampoo specifically, not MG217's full product catalog.
- Customer reports: Shoppers on Amazon have asked directly whether the coal tar shampoo has been discontinued, reporting they can no longer find it through normal retail channels.
- Pending litigation: A class action has been filed alleging that MG217 coal tar shampoos did not adequately disclose benzene levels in the product. This is an allegation, not a proven or admitted fact, and the case's outcome isn't yet settled. We're noting it because it's part of the public record and may be a factor in the product's reduced retail presence — not because we're asserting the allegation is true.4
What this does not appear to mean: MG217 as a brand is not confirmed to be shutting down, and MG217's salicylic acid shampoo line and some ointment/gel listings appear to still be available separately through some retailers and Amazon. If you're specifically looking for MG217's coal tar formula, the honest answer right now is: check current availability directly before counting on it, since the situation may continue to change.
Why this matters if you were using MG217 for coal tar specifically: If you relied on MG217's coal tar shampoo and can no longer find it, you're not imagining things — you're one of a growing number of people running into the same gap. Whatever the underlying cause turns out to be, the practical result is the same as what happened with T/Gel: another long-standing coal tar option becoming harder to reliably access.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Nopsor | MG217 | T/Gel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available | Yes — US online | Coal tar shampoo uncertain — check current listings | Discontinued |
| Form | Two-step system (shampoo + overnight pomade) | Individual products (shampoo, ointment, gel — sold separately) | Shampoo only |
| Coal tar % | 2.2% (shampoo) / 1.6% (pomade) | 0.5% or 3% (shampoo) / 2% (ointment) | 0.5% or 1% (shampoo) |
| Salicylic acid | Yes — both products | No (separate salicylic line available) | No |
| Herbal blend | Yes — 8 botanicals | No | No |
| Leave-on overnight | Yes — pomade step | Ointment can be left on, when available | No — rinse-off only |
| Treats body + scalp | Yes — both products | Historically yes, when both products in stock | Scalp only |
| Steroid-free | Yes | Yes | Was yes |
| NPF recognized | No | Was yes | Was yes |
| Price (shampoo + body) | $68 combo set | ~$25–28, when in stock | N/A — discontinued |
| In-store availability | Online only | Coal tar line increasingly hard to find in-store | No longer available |
| Money-back guarantee | 40-day guarantee | Standard retailer return policy only | N/A |
Key Differences That Matter in Practice
Rinse-off vs. leave-on
This is the most functionally significant difference between the products. T/Gel and MG217's shampoo are rinse-off — coal tar is in contact with the scalp for a few minutes before being washed away. MG217's ointment can be left on, but it isn't part of a coordinated two-step system. Nopsor's pomade is designed to stay on skin overnight — several hours of sustained contact vs. a few minutes. How long coal tar stays in contact with skin directly affects how much work it can do.3
Salicylic acid — why it matters alongside coal tar
Psoriasis causes a buildup of scale on top of plaques. Salicylic acid is a keratolytic — it breaks down and lifts that scale. This matters because coal tar (and any topical treatment) works better when it can penetrate through to the skin beneath, rather than sitting on top of scale. Nopsor includes salicylic acid in both the shampoo and the pomade. MG217's coal tar line does not include salicylic acid — though they sell a separate salicylic acid product line. T/Gel had no salicylic acid either.
The 8-herb botanical blend
This is specific to Nopsor. The herbs — thyme, rosemary, elderflower, walnut leaf, mastuerzo, saponaria, espinosilla, and oregano (Lippia sp.) — have anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. There are no peer-reviewed clinical trials comparing this proprietary blend to standard coal tar alone. What exists is more than 25 years of patient experience in Mexico and the US. We mention it transparently — it's a meaningful difference from MG217 and T/Gel, but the mechanism is not separately proven in isolation from the complete formula.
Availability and price
MG217 historically had a clear practical advantage here: broad availability at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Target. That advantage is now uncertain for the coal tar line specifically, as covered above. Nopsor costs more upfront — $68 for the combo set vs. roughly $25–28 for MG217 shampoo and ointment together, when available. That said, Nopsor customers typically use it 2–3 times per week during maintenance, and report a set lasting several months. Shawn Paul, one of our customers, bought his first set roughly four to five years before needing to reorder.
Who Each Product Is Best For
You have psoriasis on both scalp and body and want one coordinated system. You've tried other coal tar products and want a leave-on overnight approach. You prefer steroid-free, and want a formula with a longer contact time. You're willing to order online and are looking for a 40-day guarantee before committing. You've found MG217's coal tar line hard to locate and want a reliably available leave-on alternative.
You can confirm current local or online availability of the specific product you need — the coal tar shampoo's availability is uncertain, so check before counting on it. You have primarily scalp psoriasis and prefer a shampoo-only approach. You're looking for the lowest upfront cost to try coal tar, when in stock.
Looking for a T/Gel alternative? If T/Gel worked for you, the coal tar mechanism it relied on is available in other products — though MG217's coal tar shampoo, once the most direct like-for-like replacement, now has its own availability questions (see above). T/Gel was a scalp-only, rinse-off shampoo with 0.5–1% coal tar and no salicylic acid. Nopsor's shampoo is a step up in both coal tar concentration and the addition of salicylic acid, plus it pairs with an overnight pomade — a different approach altogether, and one that doesn't depend on a single retailer's in-stock status. For a full guide to T/Gel alternatives, see: Neutrogena T/Gel Is Discontinued — What Psoriasis Patients Need to Know.
Bottom Line
All three products share the same foundational active ingredient — coal tar — and the same underlying mechanism: slowing the accelerated skin cell turnover that drives psoriasis plaques. The differences are in how they deliver that mechanism, how long it stays in contact with skin, what else is in the formula, and — increasingly — how reliably you can actually get your hands on them.
T/Gel is no longer an option, confirmed. MG217's coal tar shampoo is looking less reliable, unconfirmed but increasingly apparent. For most people choosing between the three today, the decision is less about feature comparison and more about a practical question: do you want a system that's consistently available online, or are you comfortable checking local stock before committing to a product that may or may not be there.
If you're unsure, the honest recommendation is to consult your dermatologist — especially if you're dealing with moderate to severe psoriasis. OTC coal tar products work well for many people, but your dermatologist can help match the product format to where and how your psoriasis presents.
Related reading: For a detailed look at how coal tar and salicylic acid work together, see Coal Tar and Salicylic Acid for Psoriasis: How They Work. For real patient experience with Nopsor, see Shawn Paul's Story and Michelle's Story.
Coal tar, salicylic acid, and 8 botanical herbs. Overnight. Steroid-free.
The combo set includes both the shampoo/body wash and the deep moisturizing pomade — everything you need for the full nightly routine, reliably available online.
See the Nopsor Treatment Set — $6840-day money-back guarantee · No prescription needed
References
- American Academy of Dermatology. Coal Tar for Psoriasis. Accessed 2025.
- National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis OTC Topicals. Accessed 2025.
- Saraswat A. An evidence-based review of the efficacy of coal tar preparations in the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2010;11(4):275-83.
- Truth in Advertising. MG217 Coal Tar Shampoos — Class Action Tracking. Allegation regarding undisclosed benzene levels; case outcome not yet settled. Accessed September 2026 — verify current status before citing as resolved.
