Wright's Coal Tar Soap

Wright's Coal Tar Soap is one of the most iconic personal care brands in British history, recognized for its distinctive orange color and medicinal antiseptic scent. Developed originally by William Valentine Wright in 1860, the soap was marketed as a 'Coal Tar Soap' and became a household staple across the United Kingdom for its purported skin-cleansing benefits and hygienic properties.

While the original formula utilized coal tar (extracted from gas works), modern regulations led to a reformulation. Today, the product uses 'Coal Tar Fragrance' to maintain its signature smell while complying with contemporary cosmetic safety standards. Despite these changes, the branding remains deeply rooted in its 19th-century Victorian heritage.

Manufacturing of Wright's has shifted over the decades. While once a quintessential British export, the production of the soap bars is now primarily outsourced to specialized facilities in Turkey. Ownership has also evolved through several major corporate mergers, eventually moving from the original Wright, Layman & Umney company to global conglomerate portfolios.