Moisturizing your tattoos should be a part of your skincare routine, tbh.
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There are a few key pieces of info to have before getting a tattoo, like how much to tip your tattoo artist, or what the best sunscreens for tattoos are. But the most important thing to know (other than what you design you want to get) is the best lotion for tattoos. “After you get a tattoo, the skin is in a vulnerable state, and moisturizing can help it heal properly,” says Liz Goold, general manager of Nice Tattoo Parlor. “If you don’t moisturize—which even I’m guilty of with a few of my tattoos—your tattoo can develop hard scabs that can cause the ink to fall out with the scab.”
Basically, if you’re going through the trouble of getting (and paying for!) a tattoo, you don't want to ignore your after-care routine, because those first few weeks can be critical to the health of your skin and the quality of your tattoo. That’s why it’s very important to (a) stock up on the best tattoo lotion and (b) make sure you’re applying it regularly. To help ya out, I talked to the experts, polled Cosmo editors, and combed through reviews to find the very best lotions out there for your new ink. You're welcome!!
Still not sure where to start? Keep scrolling for all the best tattoo lotions, creams, balms, and salves (as well as expert tips on helping your body art heal!).
The general rule of thumb when looking for a tattoo lotion? Choose a formula that's simple, unscented, and gentle. According to Goold, Aquaphor is a go-to in most tattoo shops, since it's super effective at soothing and moisturizing fresh ink. "It's great for both the initial healing period and afterward," she says.
Cosmo assistant news editor Sam Olson loves using Aquaphor on her fresh tattoos. She has 11 and says that "every artist has recommended Aquaphor." She loves that it isn't sticky and feels lightweight despite its thick consistency. "I rub Aquaphor into my tats," she says. "They're still fresh and bright, even years later!"
Glowing Customer Review: "I got this on the recommendation of my tattoo artist for aftercare, and it works wonderfully! Now that my newest tattoo is healed and I have this large tub, and it keeps them super soft."
“Hustle Butter is made specifically for tattoos and feels really great,” says Goold (and Cosmo art director Mary Fama can confirm). After washing your skin with a gentle antibacterial soap (Tattoo Goo and Dial Antibacterial Soap are both legit options), smooth a small dollop of the lotion over your tattoo. You’ll want to repeat this process two to three times a day until your skin is totally healed.
Glowing Customer Review: "This tattoo lotion is amazing! It smells really good and it highlights your tattoo. I have used it ever day this week and I can see a huge difference in the color."
Say goodbye to endless re-applying with the Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion, which boasts 48 hours of moisture. Of course, new tattoos require a little extra TLC, but this lotion is a great option for those who don't want to constantly be piling on creams throughout the day. Developed to soothe dry skin, the Advanced Repair Lotion is enriched with ceramides to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier. It's also sensitive skin-friendly, with zero perfume added.
Glowing Customer Review: "Great for tattoo aftercare. I like that it's thick, hearty, and non-scented. It stops the tattoo itch. It's moisturizing and nourishing. I love the texture!"
The Mad Rabbit Repair Soothing Gel isn't just a moisturizer—it's also a cooling gel with anti-inflammatory ingredients to keep your new tattoo from getting irritated. The gel uses glycerin to moisturize, panthenol and aloe vera to soothe, and vitamin C to brighten. But what really sets it apart from the rest is its light texture.
Cosmo video editor Sarah Ng has many tattoos but hates the feeling of heavy lotion on her skin. Mad Rabbit, however, made her a convert. "It's lightweight, doesn't make me feel oily, and leaves your tats looking fresh," she says, adding that she also uses the Mad Rabbit Replenish Body Lotion regularly.
Glowing Customer Review: "I'm very picky about the products I use on my tattoos because I have supremely sensitive skin and I'm a bleeder, which can lead to infections. I got the soothing gel and the balm and they are pretty dang good. The soothing gel felt so good and cool the first three days. It helped with the inflammation and discomfort I was having fresh out of the shop."
Yes, the packaging on this tattoo balm is adorable, but no, that's not the only reason you should try it. This salve is made with just 10 USDA-certified organic ingredients, so you know exactly what you're getting with your purchase. The balm uses coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, and castor oil as moisturizers, paired with tamanu oil to soothe any redness or irritation, as well as antioxidant-packed sunflower oil.
Glowing Customer Review: "I love it! It does feel greasy at first, but it rubs in smoothly and then really feels light. It's done a great job of keeping my new tattoo moisturized without feeling like I'm slathering heavy cream and suffocating it, and it lasts hours. I've already found myself using it on my older tattoos, and it does help brighten them up."
If creams and lotions aren’t really your vibe, you’ll love this cult-favorite tattoo salve. It’s easy to apply, non-greasy, and formulated with skin-soothers like olive oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter to help aid the healing process. Just peep the thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon, and you'll see why it’s a true staple in the tattoo world.
Glowing Customer Review: "I have over 40 tattoos, 39 of them have majority of vibrant colors in the artwork. This product rejuvenates sun-faded ink and is a great item to use on new ink or new tattoos and for maintenance on our investment. I haven't found any other product on the market that could even come to a close second to this item."
Another expert-approved pick? Aveeno’s Unscented Daily Moisturizing Lotion, which is recommended by Goold for its gentle formula (no irritating fragrances here). It also makes a solid lotion for the rest of your body. Personally, I love it because it dries down quick, meaning it won't stick to your clothes.
Glowing Customer Review: "I used this lotion for my tattoo aftercare at the recommendation of my artist and it worked great! Kept the area moisturized and I had basically no itchiness throughout the whole healing process."
It's always a good idea to wear sunscreen, but it's a must if you've got tattoos to heal. This sunscreen from Mad Rabbit combines all the great, skin-soothing ingredients of the brand's other tattoo-maintenance lotions with a mineral SPF. Aloe vera and rosehip oil will keep your skin moisturized, while the zinc oxide will protect your tattoo from getting dried out or discolored by the sun.
Glowing Customer Review: "I recently got my entire head tattooed and wanted to protect it from the Florida sun. I also HATE sunscreen for how greasy it tends to make me feel, but this stuff felt more like lotion and absorbed easily without the greasy feel. My tattoo still looks amazing and I couldn't be happier with the product!"
This lotion is formulated specifically with tattoos in mind, so it’s no surprise that it’s earned tons of glowing reviews on Amazon. The superstar ingredient: grape seed oil, an emollient and antioxidant that works to moisturize and protect the skin. You're going to want to make sure you keep this puppy on hand during the healing process, and even beyond (since it also works as a great daily moisturizer!).
Glowing Customer Review: "Literally the best tattoo lotion on the market. Healed my tattoos so nicely. I got my first bottle from my artist and had to purchase more because of how well it performs. Smells great!"
Dealing with dryness and flakiness? Ya gotta give this cult favorite ointment a try, which manages to infuse the protective hydration of petrolatum onto skin without that weird residue feel. It's also fragrance-free and safe for sensitive skin. Reviewers love how it "sticks" to skin and locks in allllll the moisture. Another bonus? You can use it for pretty much anything, from dry, cracked heels to chapped lips. I personally love it as a nighttime intensive hand cream.
Glowing Customer Review: "I bought this for healing my tattoos. I have very sensitive skin, and healing tattoos can be challenging for me. I love CeraVe products—they are great for sensitive skin and scent free...which is exactly what you need when healing a tattoo. And the size of this tube will last me quite some time."
Palm seed oil is combined with vitamins A, B, C, D, and E in this tattoo lotion that heals your ink while also keeping it moisturized and protected. A little goes a long way with this bb (you’ll only need a small dollop), and it features bisabolol—aka chamomile oil—an antioxidant that helps soothe irritation and redness while also preventing dryness and scabbing.
Glowing Customer Reviews: "They sell these at the tattoo shops and an artist recommended this. You only need to apply a thin layer. I found that it worked great during the healing process of my tattoo. I will keep some on hand for when I get the next tattoo!"
There’s a reason coconut oil is so highly recommended for new tattoos: It’s loaded with skin-soothing acids and vitamins, which work to heal and moisturize your ink ASAP. This balm-like formula from Kopari makes it easy to cover your tattoo without, you know, dipping your hand into a jar of coconut oil. It does have a slight scent, but it's not too overwhelming and disappears pretty quickly, so it won't interfere with any perfumes or other body products.
Glowing Customer Review: "I love this melt! It smells amazing, makes my skin oh so soft, and absorbs quickly. It’s worth it. I’ve tried many brands of coconut oils, and this is the best melt I’ve tried! I use this also for my tattoos and they pop! Love this product!"
The coolest thing about this tattoo care kit is that you can use it to heal new ink or freshen up an older piece. It comes equipped with a lightweight balm (spiked with vitamin E and olive oil for extra hydration), an antioxidant-rich lotion, and a gentle wash that’s made with soothing ingredients like cucumber extract and hydrolyzed oat protein. Not bad for $30, IMO.
The salve is recommended for use for the first few weeks after getting a tattoo as it heals. It contains soybean oil, castor oil, olive oil, and cocoa and shea butters to protect the skin and keep your tattoo healing. The lotion, meanwhile, is a more lightweight moisturizer, containing aloe leaf extract to soothe the skin, as well as glycerin and olive oil to hydrate. Testers recommend using the lotion only after your tattoo has healed to avoid irritation.
Glowing Customer Review: "Great for new and old tattoos helped brighten some older color tattoos and also helped with keeping new ones clean and radiant. Recommended to anyone who is looking for great product and value."
If even the thought of loading up on body moisturizer has you feeling greasy and slimy, you’ll love this pick from Lubriderm. It’s fragrance-free, super hydrating, and non-greasy—so you can moisturize your tattoo and go live your life.
Glowing Customer Review: "This is my favorite lotion for tattoo recovery. It's my favorite lotion for anything. It spreads easily, never feels too heavy or oily, and usually one pump is enough for a whole arm, and I've got some big arms! I've never had breakouts from it and I usually begin to se it around day four or five after tattoo sessions, to allow the tattoo to breathe a bit more."
I am one of those people who uses Cicaplast Balm B5 for every skin issue—acne, scabs, dry heels, red cheeks, unexpected rashes, etc. And this miracle lotion can also be used to moisturize tattoos. It's great for day-to-day use because it comes in small tubes that are easy to throw in your purse and the lotion soaks in quickly, leaving your skin moisturized, not greasy.
Glowing Customer Review: "I've used this for years to heal my fresh tattoos and also recommend it to my customers to heal their new tattoos. It's fragrance-free, alcohol-free, non-grease-based, suitable for sensitive skin, and can be used on adults or babies."
Considering this tattoo lotion is made by Dr. Woo (the L.A.-based artist who works with celebs like Justin Bieber and Zoë Kravitz), you can rest easy knowing your ink is in good hands. The formula is loaded with shea butter, vitamin E, and sesame seed oil that come together to soothe, hydrate, and calm your skin during the healing process. Just smooth a thin layer over your ink once or twice a day until you’re nice and healed.
Glowing Customer Review: "I’ve used this after-care lotion for three of my tattoos now. Within two weeks, my tattoos look completely healed. This lotion is super light and gets the job done. I hate using thick lotion, especially when sleeping. Don’t hesitate to use this!"
Before you go reaching for a tattoo lotion, talk to your tattoo artist. Many will have recommendations on how long before you can start using lotion, but generally speaking, it is important to use some type of moisturizer on a new tattoo. “The main goal of lotion during the aftercare process is to keep the skin moisturized,” says Jingxi Gu, owner and lead artist at Patch Tattoo Therapy. “If the skin is too dry during the healing process, there will be tearing which will rip off ink."
Ofc, you don't want to overdo it when it comes to moisturizer, either. "Apply a very thin layer of lotion or moisturizer no more than three times a day," Gu suggests. "Too much moisturizer will clog pores and impact the healing process. Too little moisturizer will not prevent the skin from cracking. Listen to your body, as everyone is different!”
After your session, your tattoo artist will put either a plastic film wrap or plastic adhesive wrap on your tattoo. As Gu explains, the plastic film wrap is similar to cling film and should be kept on for two to four hours. The plastic adhesive wrap (which "is more commonly used nowadays," according to Gu) is a breathable, waterproof, transparent sticker that should be kept on for two to seven days.
After removing either type of wrap, you'll want to gently clean your wound with unscented mild soap and water. "Clean your wound like this at least once a day until it's fully healed," Gu adds.
A few more tattoo aftercare tips from Gu:
Once you're clear to start using topicals on your fresh ink, tattoo lotion is critical to keeping your ink vibrant longterm. “After the initial healing period of three to five days, we recommend using lotion for two weeks to one month after the tattoo has healed,” says Goold. “That said, it can definitely take longer for your tattoo to heal, and to keep it from fading, you’ll want to keep it moisturized regularly—especially if you have color tattoos.”
If you recently had your ink done, you'll want ingredients that can help heal the tattooed skin. You must remember that it has recently been punctured and therefore should be treated as a wound, meaning you should stay clear of any ingredients that can irritate the area. Look for tattoo lotions rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and try to avoid any product that has synthetic fragrance.
Pulling out a big bottle of Lubiderm to moisturize at home is one thing, but when you're out and about, you'll be looking for something a bit more travel-friendly, so a small bottle, jar, or even a stick. Think about your day-to-day life and what form or size of lotion will work best with your schedule.
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle. She loves finding and testing the best skincare products to recommend, like the best tinted sunscreens, and is always researching the best cat accessories for her fur baby. She has over 10 years of experience as an entertainment and culture writer and editor, and her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more.
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.
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