Best Lotions for Tattoo Aftercare: Top Lotions for New Tattoos

What is the best tattoo lotion for tattoos?

Also, which is the best tattoo lotion for tattoos after they’re healed?

Those are just a few of the questions we’ll answer with our article today.

You probably know that using a good tattoo lotion is a crucial part of your tattoo aftercare products. The issue is that a lot of products fall short. Luckily we have the experience and expertise to help you choose the right product It is also important to choose the right aftercare product for your skin type.

Read on to find out the best tattoo lotions and which ones we recommend avoiding. Some products may slow down the tattoo healing process or damage your tattoo.

Quick Comparison

If you don’t want to read the full article then check out our favorite products in the table below.

20 Best Lotions & Moisturizers for New Tattoo Aftercare in 2020

1. Bepanthen Diaper Care Ointment

The tattoo artist will apply an ointment and wrap your tattoo before you leave the studio. They should give you instructions on how to care for it.

Most likely they’ll suggest leaving the bandage on for a few hours. Once you remove it, you’ll wash with a tattoo antibacterial soap and pat it dry.

Next, for the first couple of days, apply a thin layer of ointment or cream daily to prevent infection, and encourage healing.

Surprisingly, this diaper cream is one of the top recommendations. Bepanthen reduces irritation and redness, soothes itching, and accelerates healing. This is one of the best lotions out there.

It’s also free from artificial fragrances, dyes, and preservatives

2. After Inked Tattoo Moisturizer & Aftercare Lotion

After Inked’s moisturizing tattoo lotion made an appearance on Inked Masters. Inked tattoo moisturizer is vegan and tested by dermatologists to be hypoallergenic for sensitive skin.

Although it contains ingredients from around the world, this tattoo lotion is blended and packaged in the USA.

It features grape seed oil that’s proven to boost healing. The humectants and emollients keep the skin soft and speed up healing. This is one of the tattoo lotions out there.

At the same time, it has Vitamin C and amino acids to make old ink vibrant again.

3. Hustle Butter Deluxe – Tattoo Butter

Hustle Butter is one of the most popular tattoo aftercare products. Not only can you use Hustle butter to protect your new tattoo, but a tattoo artist might apply it to prepare the skin before inking.

It doesn’t have petroleum, so it lets the skin breathe. It also lacks parabens.

The blend of natural ingredients like shea and mango butter, coconut oil, and Vitamin E condition the skin to prevent infection and scarring. This also is one of the finest tattoo lotions out there.

Hustle Butter is all-around useful in the studio and at home. If you’re in doubt as to which moisturizer to get, you can’t go wrong with this one.

– The Team’s take

4. H2Ocean Aquatat Moisturizer

H2Ocean’s Aquatat is FDA-approved and contains pharmaceutical-grade ingredients. It’s a fragrance-free ointment rich in nutrients and antioxidants that stimulate the healing process.

Make sure you apply just a little and it goes a long way. Also make sure you apply this tattoo lotion daily for the first couple of days, then switch to a lightweight tattoo lotion to complete the healing process.

5. Skinfix Inked Tattoo Balm

Skinfix is used by tattoo artists and recommended by dermatologists. It won’t leach ink from tattoos or alter the color.

Once you apply a thin layer, it melts into the skin. It won’t leave the surface greasy.

Plus, it doesn’t have gluten, soy, perfume, petrolatum, lanolin, parabens, or phthalates.

This may be the best tattoo lotion to keep your tattoo bright in the future, too.

6. Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Aquaphor healing ointment is sometimes applied by tattoo artists on tattoos. It forms a protective barrier that keeps out germs and seals in daily moisture lotion.

Although it’s fine for the first couple of days, it’s not the best choice for daily long-term moisturization.

Part of the problem is that it’s somewhat greasy and based on artificial components like petrolatum and essential oils. It may end up trapping germs and too much moisture, causing an infection.

7. Weleda Skin Food Light Nourishing Cream

Weleda may not have made their Light Nourishing Cream for healing tattoos, but it’s actually ideal. When you’re ready to switch to a lightweight tattoo lotion (after the first three days or so), try this one.

The formula is based on plant extracts like chamomile, calendula, and pansy. These help the skin to recover and stop itching.

Moreover, there are no synthetic fragrances, preservatives, parabens, or phthalates in it. It’s a certified natural tattoo lotion. Looking for the best tattoo lotion? This surely fits the bracket.

8. Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Extra Dry Skin Lotion

Yes, Lubriderm advanced therapy for dry skin makes an aftercare lotion for tattoos. It moisturizes for up to twenty-four hours after you put it on. It’s also free of synthetic perfumes, and it doesn’t feel greasy.

But if you check the label of the Lubiderm daily moisture, you’ll see that it has petrolatum and mineral oil. If you’re trying to avoid these ingredients, look for a different tattoo lotion other than the lubiderm daily moisture.

9. Vanicream Lite Lotion Pump for Sensitive Skin

Vanicream also includes petrolatum in their fragrance-free aftercare tattoo lotion. But on the upside, this is a product that has the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association. It’s specially made for sensitive skin.

In fact, it avoids almost as many irritants as it contains ingredients. If you need to skip dyes, fragrances, masking fragrances, lanolin, parabens, formaldehyde, and formaldehyde releasers, this lotion is for you.

On the downside, you can probably find other products that do more than simply moisturize.

10. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

CeraVe daily moisturizing lotion has an advantage over Vanicream as it moisturizes plus provides ceramides to support healthy skin. Ceramides aid the skin in maintaining a protective barrier.

Also, this cream is fragrance-free.

11. H2Ocean Ocean Care Tattoo Aftercare

H2Ocean makes a water-based lotion that doesn’t have petroleum or fragrances in it. It features ingredients like Vitamin E, aloe, and jojoba oil to soothe and moisturize your healing tattoo.

Additionally, this is a good lotion for reviving the color of old tattoos.

12. Tattoo Goo – The Original Aftercare Salve

Tattoo Goo’s salve is useful even after your tattoo has healed. It’s also good for chapped lips, scrapes, and mild sunburn. Just a little spreads nicely over a large area.

There is no petroleum, lanolin, or mineral oil suffocate your skin or clog pores. It won’t stain clothing, either.

A glance at the label shows that it has natural healing ingredients like olive oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, lavender, and rosemary.

13. Dr. Pickles Premium Tattoo Balm

Dr. Pickles comes from Down Under. It’s made in Australia from natural ingredients like beeswax, coconut oil, and vitamins instead of petroleum. As a result, it doesn’t feel greasy, but it moisturizes well also it will help keep the tattoo looking fresh.

This balm not only takes care of your new tattoo, but it’s also safe to use after piercings and tattoo removal.

One other benefit is that the company offers a money-back guarantee.

14. Badger Tattoo Balm

Badger created their balm from organic coconut and tamanu oils. It’s a vitamin-rich salve that conditions the skin and keeps the tattoo crisp and clear. Use it on new ink or old.

15. Ora’s Amazing Herbal Tattoo Salve

Ora’s Tattoo Salve only requires a thin layer to protect and nourish tattoos and other wounds. It stops itching and won’t make the new ink bleed.

It contains no dyes, perfumes, parabens, lanolin, gluten, or mineral oil. But this is not fragrance-free Instead, the mild fragrance comes from essential oils of tea tree, rosemary, and cedar.

With grape seed oil, calendula, comfrey, coconut oils, and other organic ingredients, this lotion encourages quick healing and keeps the skin soft it has anti-inflammatory properties and is perfect all skin types also it will help keep the tattoo looking fresh.

16. Tattoo Goo “The Lotion” with Healix Gold Formula Special

Tattoo Goo’s lotion is approved by dermatologists for use on your face and other sensitive areas. It features panthenol and olive oil but no petrolatum or lanolin. Therefore, it absorbs fast and doesn’t leave a residue on the surface. This one of the finest aftercare product out there for any skin type.

If you apply this to old tattoos, it revives the color.

17. Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion

Cetaphil’s daily moisturizing lotion is often recommended by dermatologists, and it’s a top choice of users with sensitive skin. It’s mild enough to use anywhere on your body, including your face.

Not only is it fragrance-free, but it contains Vitamin B5and E to promote healing.

18. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast With Vitamin B5

The Cicaplast Repairing Balm is based on glycerin and shea butter, not petroleum or lanolin. It’s a fragrance-free and paraben-free lotion.

The formula is expressly for healing irritation and dryness. It’s gentle enough for faces, and it won’t clog pores.

19. Healing Ointment for Babies by Era Organics

Era Organics’ baby balm is an ideal lotion for delicate skin. It soothes itchiness and helps the skin to recover as soon as possible.

Besides that, it reduces inflammation, it’s naturally antimicrobial, and it improves circulation. Some of the highlights include chamomile, calendula, and avocado oil.

Parents use this for cradle cap and diaper rash on their children. Adults use it for chapped lips. And some folks with tattoos use it to help heal their skin faster. If that third category applies to you, just remember you only need a thin layer of the cream.

20. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Sensitive Skin

We’ve been asked if you can use Aveeno daily moisturizing lotion aftercare product for tattoos. Yes, you can – just choose the lotion for sensitive skin. It is fragrance-free lotion. Although it has petrolatum, it’s fourth on the list of ingredients also it’s blended up with natural colloidal oatmeal and rich emollients ,you’ll discover the anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal.

Is Vaseline Good for Tattoo Aftercare?

Perhaps you’ve heard that Vaseline is good for new tattoos. That’s not true.

Vaseline forms a barrier that seals in the daily moisture lotion and prevents air from getting to your skin. This can cause your tattoo to heal more slowly or even become infected.

Is It Safe to Put Coconut Oil on a New Tattoo?

On the other hand, it’s probably safe to put coconut oil on a healing tattoo. Coconut oil is a traditional remedy that’s been studied in modern times. It has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.

But the best lotion for new tattoos may be something as unexpected as diaper cream.

A word about petrolatum in lotions for tattoo aftercare

Some tattoo artists will tell you that lotions with petrolatum may leach the new ink from your new tattoo. Greasy, heavy lotions may also cause problems by not allowing air to reach your skin.

When in doubt, choose a tattoo aftercare lotion.

How to Care for a New Tattoo

Once the tattoo artist has finished, they’ll wrap your skin in a sterile bandage. Leave that alone for at least two or three hours so that the bleeding stops.

Next, when you remove the bandage, let the skin air out a bit. Don’t get it wet.

The swelling may take up to two days to go down. If you notice that your tattoo continues to ooze or produce pus, contact your doctor about treating the infection.

Now that you’ve allowed it to settle down and dry a bit, it’s time to wash it with mild antibacterial soap. Splash water on it and carefully smooth the soap over the skin. Never scrub or rub so that you don’t wash out the new ink in the tattoo.

Once you’ve gently pat it dry with a towel, you can apply tattoo moisturizer and aftercare lotion.

Stay patient and repeat the washing and moisturizing twice a day until the scabs are gone and the skin is healed.

Which Tattoo Inks Fade the Most? And What Can You Do to Keep Them Vibrant?

A black ink tattoo stays crisp and clear for longer than any other color. Blue and purple also fade slowly.

Meanwhile, red and pink are more prone to fading. But yellow, green, and orange are harder to care for yet.

Finally, white ink tattoos are most likely to fade in a short amount of time.

But applying the best lotion for old tattoos helps revive the colors. Rich moisturizers that boost the skin’s softness will help. Try Hustle Butter, After Inked, or Skinfix products.

Most importantly, remember to apply sunscreen, too. This prevents UV rays from dimming the pigment.

Conclusion

As you shop for a tattoo aftercare lotion, stick to ones that fragrance-free because you’re putting them on an open wound.

Pick one with plenty of nourishing ingredients and moisturizers. Then remember to faithfully apply it each time you wash your skin.

If you found a lotion that you enjoyed using to care for a new tattoo, please let us know in the comments below.

We wish you all the best – enjoy your new tattoo!

Resources:

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/vaseline-for-tattoo Written by Kristeen Cherney,

2. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/coconut-oil-on-tattoo Written by