These Expert-Approved Tattoo Aftercare Products Start at Just $10 (2024)

Our senior editor Eunice Lucero-Lee has body ink, so Saunders immediately asked for her go-to tattoo aftercare products. Lucero-Lee's tattoo artist advised applying this vegan body butter on new ink for 2 to 4 weeks, but she’s been using it longer on non-tattooed areas because it’s super moisturizing. The combination of vitamin E complex, coconut and sunflower oils, aloe vera, shea butter, and mango butter keeps her skin supple and soft throughout the day.

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Madfes’ top pick is the Badger Tattoo Balm because it’s free of harsh dyes, fragrances, and synthetic chemicals. Instead, it’s made with easy-to-pronounce organic ingredients, like extra virgin olive, coconut, and sunflower oils to nourish the skin. “I also love that for a balm, the texture is so light, and it’s hydrating as well,” she says. "It also contains tamanu oil and coconut oil that optimize healing."

The New York-based derm is not the only fan — Amazon reviewers consider this the best of the best for tattoo aftercare products. Beyond sharing impressive before and after photos on Amazon, reviewers say its super hydrating formula keeps their tattoos fresh, not faded.

“If you want a nice, clean, plain balm for your ink and other skin that needs a little TLC, I don’t see how this one can be [beaten]. Great product, great price,” says one Amazon reviewer. She adds that this tattoo aftercare product works on her dry skin and fresh ink, while also enhancing the vibrancy of tattoos on her husband’s older ink on his oily skin.

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Aquaphor is a cheap, but classic multiuse product for tattooed skin, chapped lips, rough hands, and even calloused feet.

Our digital content producer Amber Joglar also uses Aquaphor in the initial few days after getting tattooed when her skin is peeling and cracking. "It keeps the area moist without feeling overly slathered in product. It’s also great for sensitive skin because it’s non-irritating and unscented, and helps speed up the healing process. I even use Aquaphor on my face for dry patches and slugging," she says.

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Robert Boyle, the founder of Foreverist Skincare, naturally uses his skincare products, like the Healing Cream and Hydrating Cream, but notes this top-rated body lotion is also part of his rotation. Boyle, who prefers dry-healing his tattoos (a method that lets the tat dry in the open air with minimal to no hydration), applies this unscented lotion after his tattoo has healed some.

We're also into Eucerin because it's enriched with one of the most important skincare ingredients in the game: ceramides. The fatty acids hydrate, strengthen the compromised skin barrier, and protect the sensitive tattooed skin against environmental damage.

Joglar also relies on Eucerin's popular cream in her tattoo aftercare routine. "I use Eucerin after the tattoo has healed a bit and doesn’t need constant moisture. It’s lightweight but still hydrating, and absorbs quickly so you’re not left with that greasy residue. Even years after getting tattooed, sometimes my ink still gets itchy and I always have this lotion on hand for those flare-ups," she says.

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Saunders doesn't have tattoos, but considers this a solid option for those with body ink because it hits all of the expert-suggested criteria, including being fragrance-free and rich in hyaluronic acid and ceramides. It's also from CeraVe, one of the most expert-loved skincare brands in the game, and is known for its line of gentle, yet effective products.

As Madfes and Hibler previously pointed out, using a skincare product made for eczema-prone skin is fantastic for delicate, freshly-inked skin. CeraVeHealing Ointment is the only option on our list that earned a coveted seal of approval from the National Eczema Association, indicating it's beneficial for those with sensitive, eczema-prone skin.

If you need further proof, the casual 4.7-star average from nearly 24,200 Amazon reviewers proves it's worth buying. One Amazon reviewer originally purchased this as a winter hand cream, and found it is a fantastic and cost-effective option because the tube lasts for what feels like forever.

They also happened to run out of their usual Aquaphor but used this product instead on their fresh tat. "Used it in a pinch on a new tattoo — it healed so well!! I've used it on my past two tattoos, and I plan on using it on my fresh ink from now on," says their 5-star review.

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Sunscreen is absolutely essential for the face, lips, and even scalp, so it should be no surprise that the pros say it's especially important to wear sunscreen after getting tatted.

"Repeated and excessive sun exposure will cause the loss of tattoo pigment and result in fading. Using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, such as Mad Rabbit SPF 30 Tattoo Sunscreen, and applying it every 2 hours during sun exposure will help prevent fading," says Love, who is also a fellowship-trained Mohs Surgeon and board member for Mad Rabbit Tattoo.

This unscented mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide to block UVA and UVB rays, while antioxidant-rich vitamin C, rosehip oil, and carrot extract offer environmental protection. It also contains anti-inflammatory ingredients and fatty acids to help rebalance your skin's barrier.

Amazon reviewers say this Mad Rabbit's tattoo aftercare product is 100% worth using while exposed to the sun. "After using several products, especially sunscreens, I absolutely love this product. I think it goes on easy, doesn't have that sunscreen smell, and will protect your tattoos," says one 5-star review. "I use the SPF when I know I'm gonna be exposed to the sun for long periods of time. Otherwise, I use the lotion daily. Awesome products!"

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Lucero-Lee says all tattoo artists she's worked with emphasize the importance of antibacterial soap, especially during the first week post-tattoo, to ensure the area stays sterile and doesn’t get infected.

"This is a top recommendation, and I love it because it’s gentle, effective, easy to find, and around $5 for one bottle," she tells us. "It also has a very light, fresh, clean scent — almost to the point of it being unscented, actually — and the liquid soap format makes it easy to use on areas like your arms and hands, even when you’re not in the shower. I also used the bar version for my back and side tattoos."

Thousands of Amazon reviewers also agree that Dial soap is worth using because it doesn't sting or irritate their fresh ink. It's also incredible since it doesn't overly strip the skin.

A bonus: Saunders uses this as her daily handsopa and notes it's also excellent for cleansing makeup sponges, such as the popular Beautyblender.

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Hibler suggests using this top-rated body lotion after your skin has peeled and healed, which is typically two weeks after getting tatted. He appreciates that it contains ceramides to help maintain a healthy skin barrier.

The fast-absorbing cream is also made with niacinamide, an ingredient known for calming inflammatory skin conditions, such as redness from acne and eczema. There's also shea butter, which is like a tall glass of water that hydrates your sensitive skin.

La Roche-Posay promises 48 hours of skin hydration, but since many of the Amazon reviewers report taking daily showers, they can't accurately confirm if it genuinely lasts for 2 full days.

That said, they love using this fragrance-free body lotion on their tats and non-inked body parts. “I tend to be a chronically dry person. This cream has really minimized the dry skin on my elbows and has helped hydrate new tattoos safely,” says one reviewer.

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Saunders is the first to admit $210 is a lot of money to invest in a skincare product, but she says this cream is well worth the princely price tag.

Speed up the skin's recovery time with this award-winning treatment. It helps strengthen delicate skin before and after procedures, like surgery, peels, lasers, and microneedling.

Regenerating Skin Nectar relies on skin-calming ingredients, like arnica, phytoene, phytofluene, and naringenin to ensure tattooed skin remains smooth, bright, and youthful. There's also the brand's proprietary trihex technology to boost collagen and elasticn production.

Online reviewers describe it as the "best product ever," "an absolute must-have," and "straight magic." To quote one 5-star review, "This is one product that does what it says and you don’t have to wait months for results. I use after microneedling and other laser treatments, and it makes a huge difference in recovery time if you use this product."

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