Birch tar is made from the dry distillation of the bark of Birch trees. This process is old—really old. There is evidence that people were dry distilling birch tar in what is now Germany 40,000 years ago to make a glue necessary to create hunting weapons.
In Finland, wood tar was once considered a panacea to heal "even those cut in twain through their midriff." A Finnish proverb states that if sauna, vodka, and tar won't help, the disease is fatal :)
People have benefited from the restorative qualities of birch tar for centuries. Acne, seborrhea, dandruff, and itchy skin have all been successfully treated with birch tar. Because of the naturally occurring salicylic acid and methyl salicylate in birch tar, it acts as a natural exfoliator that sloughs off dead skin and tones new skin.
This soap has a very strong tar smell, but it is not unpleasant. You can use it every day or sometimes a week. It is good for the face and body. If you have dandruff, you can wash your hair once or twice a week with this soap.