What Is The Best Lotion For A New Tattoo?
Best Lotion For Tattoos
- After Inked Moisturizer And Tattoo Aftercare Lotion.
- Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion.
- Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion.
- Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Extra Dry Skin Lotion.
- Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion.
- Cetaphil Fragrance Free Moisturizing Lotion.
Contents
What is the best lotion to put on a new tattoo?
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Byrdie / Chloe Jeong Tattoos deserve to be shown off, but before you can flash your new ink around, you have to diligently care for your tat to ensure proper healing.
One of the most important steps in the aftercare process is choosing a lotion that will keep your fresh design moisturized, free of infection, and without irritation, according to tattoo artists. Because a tattoo is technically a wound, tattoo lotions are incredibly important to not only keeping your ink looking good but to aiding in the healing process as well.
Finding your perfect lotion isn’t as easy as it sounds, however, and it’s not as easy as asking for help; everyone has their own favorite products. “I think what lotion you use depends a lot on climate and skin type. Also how much you apply is important too,” says Olive, the tattoo artist behind Oregon-based Damn Zippy.
- “I prefer not to rep a certain brand because everyone is different and I want my clients to use what works for them, which might not necessarily be what works for me;
- ” Though it can be hard to choose from the array of lotions available, go in knowing what you want (vegan? water-based? budget or splurge?) and what will work best for your skin and new tattoo;
“I generally recommend that the person uses whatever they find most comfortable,” says hand-poke artist Harper of Melbourne’s Pocaharper. “After all, they have to wear it on their skin every day. ” Read on for the best tattoo lotions available now. Ulta What We Like
- Super hydrating
- Seals moisture into skin
- Helps keep tattoo looking vibrant
What We Don’t Like
- Not Byrdie Clean
Who else recommends it? Cosmopolitan, NBC News, and Verywell Health all picked Aquaphor Healing Ointment. What do buyers say? 88% of 59,600+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 5 stars. Aquaphor’s Healing Ointment is of the most widely used tattoo aftercare treatments, and you’ll find a lot of artists quick to recommend the old stand-by. Because the petrolatum-powered formula has occlusive properties, it creates a semi-permeable layer on top of the skin which allows moisture to be kept in and everything else to be kept out. oz | SPF: None | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No What We Like
- Calms and soothes skin
- Not greasy
- Can help with itching
What We Don’t Like
- Not Byrdie Clean
Aveeno may be a name you are used to hearing, and there’s a reason for that: It works. All of Aveeno’s products feature colloidal oatmeal , which moisturizes and calms inflammation while creating a protective barrier on top of your skin, meaning it’s great for both soothing and protecting your healing ink. This lotion is also free of parabens and fragrance, so it won’t irritate a fresh tattoo.
- By holding in the skin’s natural moisture, it helps keep your tattoo fresh and promotes healing;
- Active Ingredients: Petrolatum | Skin Type: All | Size: 14 fl;
- Plus, it comes with a super affordable price tag, making it a must after any and every tattoo;
Active Ingredients: Dimethicone | Skin Type: All | Size: 18 fl. oz | SPF: None | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No What Our Testers Say “Aveeno’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion will give you soft, silky, properly hydrated limbs. ” — Emily Algar , Product Tester What We Like
- Byrdie Clean and cruelty-free
- Contains antioxidants
- Moisturizing
What We Don’t Like
- Strong scent
Although Billy Jealousy’s Tattoo Lotion is a bit on the pricier side, it’s packed with skin-soothing elements like shea butter, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, green tea leaf extract, and more. One thing to note is that this lotion does feature lavender and rosemary oils for fragrance, and most artists will tell you to stay away from lotions with fragrances. However, Billy Jealousy’s fragrance comes from essential oils, so it gets an okay from me! This lotion will keep your tattoos looking fresh and clean. oz | SPF: None | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes What We Like
- Made with clean, natural ingredients
- Smells great
- Hydrates
What We Don’t Like
- Small bottle
Another option that Harper suggests is Hustle Butter , a vegan alternative to traditional tattoo lotions. “It is all-natural and great for the skin, although not as accessible or cheap as the other two options,” says Harper. The product smells amazing and comes in a variety of sizes for everything from small line art to the heavy blackwork. Hustle Butter moisturizes and seals the ink to keep it looking new and feeling soft even after it’s healed. oz | SPF: None | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes Courtesy of Amazon What We Like
- Unscented
- Contains vitamin E
- Hydrating formula
What We Don’t Like
- Small bottle
The last thing you want to apply to a fresh tat is something harsh, and this aftercare cream from Stories & Ink is extra gentle. Not only is it fragrance-free, paraben-free, and hypoallergenic, but it contains a soothing, fatty acid-rich blend of panthenol, bisabolol, and vitamin E meant to help calm inflammation and deeply moisturize the skin. It certainly doesn’t hurt that it’s also vegan and cruelty-free. oz | SPF: None | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes Courtesy of Amazon What We Like
- Cooling feel
- Contains vitamin C
- Helps with itching
What We Don’t Like
- Can dry a little sticky
If you’ve been tattooed before, then you know that your skin doesn’t necessarily feel the greatest post-tattoo session. That’s why you’ll love this soothing, cooling gel from Mad Rabbit to gently calm and heal your freshly inked (err, punctured) skin. It contains aloe vera, a known skin soother that’s rich in antioxidants and stimulates cell regeneration, as well as reparative vitamin C and argan oil.
Active Ingredients: Aloe leaf extract, glycerin, olive oil | Skin Type: All | Size: 8 fl. Active Ingredients: Shea, mango, and aloe butters | Skin Type: All | Size: 5 fl. Active Ingredients: Glycerin, hydroxystearic/linolenic/oleic polyglycerides | Skin Type: All | Size: 2 fl.
Active Ingredients: Shea and cocoa butters | Skin Type: All | Size: 3. 4 fl. oz | SPF: None | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes What We Like
- Unscented
- Moisturizing
- Eco-friendly packaging
What We Don’t Like
- Small bottle
H2Ocean Aquatat is a water-based and petroleum-free lotion that promises to create a protective skin barrier that is perfect for all skin types, including sensitive. It’s fragrance-free and anti-inflammatory, and reviews say it helps accelerate your ink’s healing period. Aquatat won’t stick to your skin, but it will leave your tat looking almost as pretty as new. Active Ingredients: Petrolatum | Skin Type: All | Size: 1. oz | SPF: None | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes What We Like
- Won’t clog pores
- Helps relieve chapped, dry skin
- No petroleum
What We Don’t Like
- Small bottle
Having been on the market for ten years, Tattoo Goo lotion is another well-known aftercare product recommended by many artists. Rich in Panthenol (Vitamin B5), it promises to keep your ink moisturized, prevent scabbing, and speed up healing—all without clogging up your pores. Also nice? Tattoo Goo is also meant to help make colors more vivid and is dermatologist tested for your assurance. oz | SPF: None | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes What We Like
- No petroleum
- Hydrating formula
- Helps enhance tattoo vibrance
What We Don’t Like
- Contains alcohol
After Inked is enriched with grape seed oil to provide an extremely moisturizing effect on your new tats. It’s a daily skin product that won’t stick to your clothes and that will naturally help your ink—both new and old—look healthier and better than ever. If you’re looking for a natural aftercare product, After Inked is non-petroleum based, paraben-free, fragrance-free, vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, so you can be certain it fits your needs and still works wonders on your tattoos. oz | SPF: None | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes What We Like
- Contains pure coconut oil
- Multipurpose product
- Inexpensive per ounce
What We Don’t Like
- No other special ingredients added
If you want to be certain your lotion choice is completely all-natural, consider reaching for pure coconut oil. Although it has a seemingly infinite number of uses, it’s also the perfect product for tattoo aftercare due to its reputation for treating wounds and other skin irritants. If you decide to go with coconut oil, make sure you use a clean utensil (or wear gloves) when applying to avoid exposing your ink to any potentially harmful bacteria. oz | SPF: None | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes Courtesy of People of Substance What We Like
- Convenient for travel
- No synthetic fragrance
- A little goes a long way
What We Don’t Like
- Could be more hydrating
This convenient tattoo healing stick is great for healing fresh tattoos and preserving your older ones. Packed with nutrient-rich grape seed, sweet almond, and argan oils, the ultra lightweight formula promises to help soothe and heal the skin while enhancing your tattoo’s lines and color. Pop it in your bag to apply it on the go, just make sure you clean any healing tattoos first.
- 75 fl;
- Active Ingredients: Olive oil, cocoa butter | Skin Type: All | Size: 0;
- 75 fl;
- Active Ingredients: Grape seed oil, glycerin | Skin Type: All | Size: 3 fl;
- Active Ingredients: Coconut oil | Skin Type: All | Size: 15 fl;
Active Ingredients: Caprylic/capric triglyceride, grape seed oil | Skin Type: All | Size: 0. 5 fl. oz | SPF: None | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes Courtesy of Amazon What We Like
- Super hydrating
- Short, simple ingredient list
- No petroleum
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive for a small bottle
Consider this healing balm the ultimate multitasker. It can be used to heal and soothe dry skin and lips, eczema rashes, and burns and scrapes, and also makes a great quick fix for taming flyaways and unruly eyebrows. It’s also especially nice for healing a fresh tat. The simple formula contains only castor oil and glycerin meant to help draw moisture to the skin while repairing damage, and doesn’t contain any unnecessary fillers or fragrance.
When can I start putting lotion on my new tattoo?
You should start moisturizing your tattoo as soon as it starts to dry — not before. This can generally take about 1–3 days after you got your tattoo. Be sure to wash and dry your tattoo with antibacterial soap and choose the appropriate moisturizer as well.
- If you’re new to tattoos, we recommend that you educate yourself on the complete healing process;
- We go into detail on the precautions you need to take, how to get the job done, and how often to moisturize;
If you’re a tattoo-head, it might be worth your while to get a refresher, as well.
What lotions should you avoid with tattoos?
What should you avoid after getting a tattoo?
How do I take care of my tattoo the first week?
Aftercare for Your Tattoo – So, how can you make sure that new tattoo is something you don’t end up regretting? Follow these steps while your new tattoo heals.
- Be sure your artist covers your new tattoo in a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage.
- Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Gently wash the tattoo with antimicrobial soap and water and be sure to pat dry.
- Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don’t put on another bandage.
- Gently wash your tattoo area twice a day with soap and water and gently pat dry before reapplying the antibacterial/Vaseline ointment.
- Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean it to keep it moist.
You should repeat this process for 2 to 4 weeks. Also try not to wear clothes that will stick to your tattoo, and avoid swimming and the sun for about 2 weeks. And take cool showers. Scalding hot water will not only hurt, but it can also fade the ink. Wear a physical blocker sunscreen with at least 7% zinc oxide sunscreen during the daylight hours and/or cover it up (with clothing, a bandage).
Can you moisturize a tattoo too much?
Can You Over Moisturize a Tattoo? – Moisturizing your tattoo is a great way to improve the healing process and give you a vibrant, long-lasting tattoo. However, if you use too much moisturizer on your tattoo or don’t dry it thoroughly after washing, it could hinder the healing process.
You can over-moisturize your tattoo, and this can lead to all kinds of issues. It can prolong the healing process and could even cause an infection. All of this can damage your tattoo and leave you with a less than perfect tattoo on your body that you have to live with for many years.
Your tattoo artist will discuss the tattoo aftercare regime with you before you leave the tattoo studio after getting your tattoo. They know what they’re talking about, so it’s best to listen and make sure that you understand what’s needed before leaving. 
This is FAR too much lotion and some should be blotted off with a paper towel.
How often should I wash my tattoo?
Once you leave the shop, the artist is no longer responsible for the tattoo. Informed aftercare starts from the minute you leave the shop, and this involves washing the area diligently. Treating your new tattoo with appropriate attention and responsibility can make the difference between a well-healed, crisp, long-lasting piece of art and an uneven, distorted shadow of the tattoo you envisioned. Here’s how often you should wash your new tattoo:
- For the first time, within 5–24 hours of getting it
- At least daily until it’s completely healed – ideally twice-daily
- Each time your tattoo becomes contaminated with dirt or bacteria
What do you do first 24 hours after a tattoo?
What to eat to help heal a tattoo?
What to eat to speed healing – To speed the healing process of the skin, you should consume foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, such as omega-3. Foods with the most antioxidant properties include tomatoes, red fruits, citrus fruits like orange, and herbs such as garlic, onion and saffron.
How can I make my tattoo heal faster?
Can I use Vaseline lotion on my tattoo?
How to APPLY Healing Ointment & Moisturizer on a NEW tattoo | THE BEST NEW METHOD I ALWAYS USE
DON’T re-bandage your tattoo, rub, scratch or pick at your new tattoo. DON’T apply alcohol, Neosporin, Vaseline, or petroleum jelly (they can trap dirt and germs and cause infection). DON’T apply a heavy coat of lotion (remember the skin must breathe in order to heal).
Can I use Vaseline on my tattoo?
– Vaseline isn’t the best choice for tattoo aftercare. Petroleum jelly traps moisture and bacteria, which can lead to infections and scarring if your tattoo doesn’t get enough air while it’s healing. You may be able to use Vaseline on old tattoos if your skin is dry. aftercare ointments and lotions While your tattoo artist should give you the supplies you need for your immediate aftercare, you can also purchase extra ointment and lotion online:
- A+D ointment
- Eucerin
- Lubriderm
Can I use coconut oil on my tattoo?
– Coconut oil is gentle enough to use during any stage of the tattoo process. You can apply it to new tattoos, old ones, or even those that are undergoing removal or retouching. This can prove beneficial if you have more than one tattoo, or if you’re thinking about getting additional ink in the near future.
