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.
One important note up front: as of early 2025, Neutrogena T/Gel has been discontinued in the United States and the UK. It's included here because many psoriasis patients used it for years and are now looking for alternatives — and understanding what T/Gel did and didn't do helps evaluate what to try next.
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.
Product Profiles
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Nopsor | MG217 | T/Gel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available | Yes — US online | Yes — US retail + online | 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 | No — rinse-off only |
| Treats body + scalp | Yes — both products | Yes — requires buying both shampoo and ointment | Scalp only |
| Steroid-free | Yes | Yes | Was yes |
| NPF recognized | No | Yes | Was yes |
| Price (shampoo + body) | $68 combo set | ~$25–28 (shampoo + ointment separately) | N/A — discontinued |
| In-store availability | Online only | CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target | 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 has a clear practical advantage here: it's available at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Target. If you want something today or prefer to buy in person, MG217 is accessible in a way Nopsor currently isn't. Nopsor costs more upfront — $68 for the combo set vs. roughly $25–28 for MG217 shampoo and ointment together. 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 want something available in-store today. You have primarily scalp psoriasis and prefer a shampoo-only approach. You're looking for the lowest upfront cost to try coal tar. You want an NPF-recognized product and value that third-party endorsement.
Looking for a T/Gel alternative? If T/Gel worked for you, the coal tar mechanism it relied on is available in both Nopsor and MG217. T/Gel was a scalp-only, rinse-off shampoo with 0.5–1% coal tar and no salicylic acid. MG217's 0.5% shampoo is the closest like-for-like replacement in terms of format and concentration. 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. 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 how accessible and affordable they are.
T/Gel is no longer an option. For most people choosing between Nopsor and MG217, the decision comes down to two things: whether you want a coordinated two-step system with overnight application, or a single product available in your local pharmacy today. Both are legitimate approaches depending on your situation, severity, and what you've tried before.
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.
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.
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