Nopsor Pomade is an overnight psoriasis treatment — a petrolatum-based ointment containing coal tar, salicylic acid, and a proprietary blend of 8 botanical herbs. It's the second step in the Nopsor two-step system, designed to stay on the skin all night and deliver extended treatment contact while you sleep. This guide covers exactly what's in it, why the formulation works the way it does, and how to apply it correctly for best results.
What Nopsor Pomade is — and what makes it different
Nopsor Deep Moisturizing Pomade is a leave-on overnight treatment for psoriasis. It was developed by José Luis Aguilar Sánchez — an engineer with a chemistry background who formulated it after his own severe psoriasis diagnosis in 1999, after conventional treatments had failed him repeatedly. The same formula has been used by psoriasis patients in Mexico since 2000 and in the US since 2018.
What makes it different from most OTC psoriasis products is the delivery system. Most topical psoriasis products are either rinse-off (shampoos, washes) or thin creams that absorb quickly. The pomade uses a thick petrolatum-based occlusive vehicle specifically chosen to keep active ingredients in sustained contact with the skin throughout the night — the period when the body's natural skin repair cycle is most active.
The active ingredients are the same FDA-recognized compounds used in psoriasis treatment for over a century. The delivery vehicle and the botanical formulation alongside them are what distinguish it from generic coal tar products.
What's in it: the active ingredients
At 1.8% concentration, coal tar in the pomade sits within the FDA-approved OTC range (0.5–5%) for psoriasis treatment. The concentration is intentionally lower than in the Nopsor Shampoo — not because it's weaker, but because the overnight contact time means far more total active ingredient reaches the skin per application. A leave-on product at 1.8% applied for 7–8 hours delivers substantially more treatment than a rinse-off product at a higher concentration applied for 3 minutes.
Coal tar slows the abnormally rapid skin cell production that creates psoriasis plaques, reduces inflammation, and calms itching. The AAD notes it can produce complete clearing and extended remissions with consistent use — one of the most clinically significant properties of any OTC psoriasis treatment.
Salicylic acid in the pomade serves as both a scale softener and a penetration enhancer. As a keratolytic, it dissolves the bonds between dead skin cells — continuing the scale-lifting work begun by the shampoo in Step 1 and keeping the skin surface clear throughout the night. This ensures the coal tar in the pomade is always working against cleared skin rather than sitting on top of new scale buildup.
The 8-herb blend
The botanical blend is the element that separates Nopsor Pomade from basic coal tar ointments. José Luis Aguilar Sánchez selected these eight herbs specifically for psoriasis — not assembled from a generic herbal formula. Each has documented anti-inflammatory, skin-calming, or barrier-supporting properties that complement the coal tar and salicylic acid foundation:
- Thyme — anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial; calms surface irritation and supports the skin's natural defense function
- Rosemary — antioxidant and anti-inflammatory; reduces oxidative stress at the skin surface that worsens psoriasis inflammation
- Elderflower — traditional skin-calming herb with anti-inflammatory properties; particularly soothing on irritated, reactive skin
- Walnut leaf — astringent and anti-inflammatory; helps reduce redness and supports the skin barrier
- Mastuerzo (Garden cress) — used in traditional Mexican dermatological remedies; anti-inflammatory properties
- Saponaria (Soapwort) — gentle cleansing and anti-inflammatory action; historically used in skin condition treatments
- Espinosilla — a traditional Mexican medicinal herb with skin-calming properties
- Oregano (Lippia sp.) — antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory; the Lippia genus oregano has stronger skin-active properties than culinary oregano
The herbs work as a complementary layer — they don't replace the clinical action of coal tar and salicylic acid, but they add anti-inflammatory and barrier-supporting activity on top of it, particularly relevant during flares when skin is most reactive.
Why the petrolatum base matters
Petrolatum (the base ingredient in products like Vaseline) is one of the most effective occlusive agents known — it forms a barrier on the skin surface that significantly slows water loss and keeps active ingredients in place rather than evaporating or migrating off the skin overnight.
For psoriasis treatment, this matters for two reasons. First, the occlusive layer itself supports barrier function — psoriasis compromises the skin's natural barrier, and petrolatum directly compensates for this deficit by providing an external seal. Second, the sustained contact time for coal tar and the botanical herbs is what produces the therapeutic effect — without the occlusive vehicle keeping them in place, the same ingredients applied in a lighter cream would largely evaporate or absorb within 1–2 hours rather than staying active for 7–8 hours overnight.
The thick texture of the pomade is not incidental — it's the mechanism. The petrolatum base is what makes overnight extended-contact coal tar treatment possible without a prescription wrap or bandage. Switching to a lighter formulation would undermine the core design of how the product works.
How to use it: step-by-step
For best results, apply the pomade after washing with Nopsor Shampoo. The shampoo removes scale and opens the skin surface so the pomade's active ingredients reach the skin beneath rather than sitting on top of buildup. If using the pomade alone (for mild flares or maintenance), ensure affected areas are clean and dry before applying.
- Pat skin dry after washing — slightly damp skin absorbs active ingredients better than bone-dry, but excess water dilutes the formula
- Scoop a small amount with clean fingertips — significantly less than you think is needed. A thin, even layer is more effective than a thick application and easier to remove in the morning
- Apply directly to affected areas — spread with fingertips using gentle circular motions. For scalp application, part the hair in sections to reach the scalp surface directly — the pomade needs to touch the skin, not just coat the hair
- Do not rub aggressively — the pomade should sit on the skin surface, not be worked in like a regular moisturizer
- Do not rinse off — leave on overnight. This is the treatment phase
- Use old pillowcases and sleepwear — coal tar stains light-colored fabric. This is expected and permanent
Wash off the pomade in the morning with a gentle, fragrance-free, sulfate-free shampoo or cleanser. This step is required for two reasons: coal tar significantly increases photosensitivity, so going outside with pomade residue on the skin increases sunburn risk substantially. And residue buildup overnight blocks the next evening's application from penetrating effectively.
The morning wash does not need to use Nopsor Shampoo — a gentle daily cleanser is sufficient. The treatment application happens at night.
Pomade alone vs. the two-step system
| Situation | Recommended approach | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mild flare, light scale | Pomade alone | Scale is minimal; pomade reaches skin without preparation step |
| Moderate flare, visible plaques | Two-step: Shampoo + Pomade | Shampoo lifts scale so pomade penetrates more effectively |
| Thick, adherent plaques | Oil pre-treatment + Shampoo + Pomade | Oil softens scale first; shampoo lifts it; pomade then reaches cleared skin |
| Maintenance after clearing | Pomade alone 2–3x per week or Shampoo only | Reduced frequency sufficient to prevent recurrence once psoriasis is controlled |
| Body psoriasis (non-scalp) | Two-step: Shampoo as body wash + Pomade | Shampoo doubles as a body wash; same two-step logic applies |
Application by body area
Scalp
Part hair in sections to expose the scalp directly. Apply a small amount to the scalp surface — not the hair shaft. Work across all affected areas. The pomade will make hair feel heavy overnight; this is normal and washes out in the morning. Use old pillowcases.
Hands and feet (palmoplantar psoriasis)
Apply a generous layer to affected areas on palms or soles. Cover with thin cotton gloves or cotton socks overnight — this provides light occlusion that significantly improves penetration on these thicker-skinned areas. The gloves and socks method is particularly effective for palmoplantar psoriasis, which is among the most treatment-resistant locations.
Body plaques
Apply a thin layer to affected areas. For large surface area coverage, work in sections — treating all areas simultaneously uses more product than necessary and makes it harder to track where the pomade has been applied. For extensive psoriasis covering large body surface areas, start with the most affected areas and expand coverage as those areas clear.
Do not apply to the face, genitals, or broken skin unless directed by a dermatologist. Coal tar is not recommended for children under 2. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before use.
What to expect
The first sign that the pomade is working is typically reduced itch — usually within the first week of consistent nightly use. This is followed by scale softening and plaque thinning in weeks 2–3. Visible clearing for mild to moderate psoriasis typically occurs within 4–6 weeks of consistent daily application.
Results depend heavily on consistency. Coal tar requires daily sustained contact to accumulate its effect on skin cell production. Sporadic use — most nights but not every night — produces noticeably slower results than daily unbroken application.
If you recently stopped prescription steroids, expect a rebound phase in the first 2–4 weeks — this is steroid withdrawal, not the pomade failing. Stay consistent through this window. Results typically appear clearly once the rebound period has resolved.
Nopsor Deep Moisturizing Pomade — coal tar, salicylic acid, 8 herbs
Available on its own for $35, or as part of the Nopsor Treatment Set (Shampoo + Pomade) for $68. The two-step set produces significantly better results than the pomade alone for active plaques.
Get the Nopsor Treatment Set →Also available: Pepepsor Cream — steroid-free daytime moisturizer
40-day money-back guarantee · No prescription needed
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