Best Tattoo Aftercare Lotions of 2026
* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Tattoo aftercare lotions are essential in maintaining the quality of a newly inked tattoo. These lotions are specially formulated to moisturize and protect the tattooed area, promoting healing and preventing infections. They are made with natural ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera, which provide hydration and nourishment to the skin. Some aftercare lotions also contain vitamins and minerals that aid in skin cell regeneration, ensuring a vibrant and long-lasting tattoo. It is important to choose a high-quality aftercare lotion that suits your skin type and needs to ensure optimal healing and preservation of your tattoo.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Tattoo Aftercare Lotions
Tattoo Goo Aftercare Kit
This 3-piece Tattoo Goo Aftercare Kit includes Antimicrobial Soap, Balm, and Lotion to help maintain vibrant color and glow, provide broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antibacterial protection, and speed up the healing process. Customers have found the products to be gentle on sensitive skin, and have praised the soap for its ability to clean piercings thoroughly without burning. The balm and lotion have been found to keep tattoos looking fresh and new, and the kit has been praised for its ability to help with healing a tattoo long-term.
Hustle Butter Tattoo Aftercare Lotion
Hustle Butter Lotion is your go-to for daily tattoo care. This lotion deeply hydrates your skin, leaving it soft and smooth, rejuvenating your tattoos and moisturizing your skin. You can use it all over your body, not just on tattoos, for glowing and moisturized skin. Made with vegan and cruelty-free ingredients like Shea Butter, Aloe, and Jojoba Seed Oil, this lotion replenishes your skin's moisture. The tropical fragrance adds a vacation vibe to your skincare routine. With Hustle Butter Lotion, your tattoos will always look fresh and vibrant.
After Inked Tattoo Moisturizer & Aftercare Lotion
After Inked Tattoo Moisturizer & Aftercare Lotion is the exclusive tattoo aftercare of the TV Show Ink Master. It's been used and recommended by world-renowned artists for over 15 years, a testament to the quality of our ink aftercare treatment. This moisturizer is clinically and dermatologist tested, non-allergenic, and non-irritant. It helps soothe itching due to dry skin, and it will not stick to your clothes. It is paraben-free, fragrance-free, and made to fit every lifestyle and skin type.
H2Ocean Ocean Care Tattoo Aftercare Lotion
H2Ocean Tattoo Aftercare Lotion is a water-based unscented lotion that provides extreme healing and soothing for both new and existing tattoos. It effectively reduces redness and swelling of new tattoos, while also moisturizing and nourishing old tattoos. The lotion is alcohol, fragrance, and dye-free, ensuring that it won't dry out your skin or cause irritation. The key ingredient in this product is nutrient-rich sea salt from the Red Sea, which contains over 82 trace minerals essential for healing. H2Ocean, the original producer of sea salt-based tattoo and piercing aftercare products, has been committed to providing all-natural solutions since 2001. Made in the USA, this lotion is the perfect choice for tattoo enthusiasts looking for a reliable and effective aftercare solution.
Mad Rabbit Tattoo Balm & Aftercare Cream
Mad Rabbit Tattoo Balm & Aftercare Cream is a color-enhancing and reviving product for both old and new tattoos. It is made with natural ingredients and is petroleum free. It helps to protect and moisturize skin, while enhancing the vibrancy of the ink. It is also great for sensitive skin and is Inked Magazine's preferred tattoo aftercare brand.
Hustle Butter Tattoo Balm
Hustle Butter Balm is a must-have tattoo aftercare essential with over a decade of experience in the market. It is the top choice for artists and clients alike due to its safety for new and older tattoos. Made from vegan and naturally derived ingredients, including Shea Butter and Coconut Oil, it nourishes and moisturizes the skin during the healing process. This balm, recommended by artists worldwide, ensures colors go in easier while not removing stencils or clogging tubes.
LiftAura Tattoo Aftercare Moisturizer 3.4 oz
The LiftAura Tattoo Moisturizer is designed to support your skin’s healing process by keeping it nourished and well-hydrated, which is essential for proper recovery after getting a tattoo. It also offers a calming effect to reduce any discomfort you might experience, helping your skin feel more comfortable. This lotion keeps your tattooed skin feeling fresh and clean, so you can enjoy a healthy look every day. Additionally, it helps preserve the brightness and sharpness of your tattoo colors, ensuring your artwork stays vibrant for longer. Using this moisturizer can make tattoo aftercare easier and more effective.
Hustle Butter Tattoo Aftercare Balm
Hustle Butter Deluxe Tattoo Aftercare Balm is an all-natural, vegan, and petroleum-free product designed to help heal and protect new tattoos while also rejuvenating older tattoos. It is made from Shea, Mango, Aloe butter, Coconut, Sunflower, Rice Bran oils, Rosemary Oleoresin, Green Tea, Vitamin E Complex, Mint Arvenis Essential Oil, as well as the essence of Papaya, Coconut. It is used and recommended by artists worldwide and is certified cruelty-free.
Mad Rabbit Repair Tattoo Aftercare Soothing Gel and Moisturizer
Mad Rabbit Repair Tattoo Aftercare Soothing Gel and Moisturizer is a fragrance-free product that uses clean ingredients like Sweet Almond and Argan oils to nourish new tattoos and prevent skin irritation and damage. The gel maximizes skin regeneration and health, providing fast soothing without harshness through the use of Aloe Vera, Allantoin, and Bisabolol. For a boost of moisture, it's recommended to follow with their Daily Lotion or Tattoo Balm.
Mad Rabbit Tattoo Balm & Aftercare Cream
Mad Rabbit Tattoo Balm & Aftercare Cream is a color enhancement product that revives old tattoos and hydrates new tattoos. It is made with natural ingredients and is petroleum free. It is great for sensitive skin and works on all skin colors and ink colors. It helps to maintain and restore the vibrancy of tattoos, while also preventing ink discoloration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you use any lotion for tattoo aftercare?
While tattoo artists often recommend Aquaphor for tattoo aftercare due to its hydrating properties, you can also use other unscented moisturizing ointments that contain petrolatum and lanolin. These ingredients help keep the tattooed skin moisturized and promote healing.
2. Does Aquaphor make tattoos fade?
There is no official study on whether Aquaphor can remove or fade tattoo ink. Some tattoo artists claim that they have not seen ink loss in clients who use Aquaphor for aftercare. However, it is best to take these claims with a grain of salt and consider individual experiences.
3. When should you start putting lotion on a new tattoo?
According to tattoo artists, you should start applying lotion to a new tattoo once it starts to dry. It is important to wait until the ink is no longer wet to avoid any potential smudging or irritation.
4. Why not to use Aquaphor on tattoos?
Aquaphor is not specifically formulated for tattoo aftercare. Continuous use of Aquaphor on tattoos may lead to clogged pores and potential acne breakouts, especially for individuals with sensitive skin. It is important to choose products designed specifically for tattoo aftercare to ensure proper healing and minimize any potential skin issues.
During our tattoo aftercare lotion research, we found 48 tattoo aftercare lotion products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 437,815 customer reviews through our big data system to write the tattoo aftercare lotions list. We found that most customers choose tattoo aftercare lotions with an average price of $18.01.
The tattoo aftercare lotions are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of tattoo aftercare lotions, including Tattoo Goo, Hustle Butter Deluxe, After Inked, H2Ocean, Mad Rabbit. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 2,200 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.
Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.
Tattoo Aftercare Lotions Comparison Table
|
#TOP1
|
#TOP2
|
#TOP3
|
#TOP4
|
#TOP5
|
#TOP6
|
#TOP7
|
#TOP8
|
#TOP9
|
#TOP10
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Tattoo Goo | Hustle Butter Deluxe | After Inked | H2Ocean | Mad Rabbit | Hustle Butter Deluxe | LiftAura | Hustle Butter Deluxe | Mad Rabbit | Mad Rabbit |
| Item Volume | - | 9 Fluid Ounces | 90 Milliliters | 2.5 Fluid Ounces | 1.7 Fluid Ounces | 30 Milliliters | 3.38 Fluid Ounces | 150 Milliliters | 3.4 Fluid Ounces | 1.7 Fluid Ounces |
| Age Range (Description) | - | Adult | Adult | 18-65 | Adult | Adult | Adult | Adult | Adult | Adult |
| Special Feature | - | Cruelty Free, Hydrating, Rejuvenating, Vegan | Enriched with Grape Seed Oil, Fragrance Free, Hypoallergenic, Travel Size, Vegan | Hypoallergenic, Natural Ingredients, Travel Size, Unscented | Clean Ingredients | Cruelty Free, Natural Ingredients, Travel Size, Vegan | Travel Size | Travel Size | Anti Aging | - |
| Item dimensions L x W x H | - | - | 6 x 6 x 6 inches | 2.13 x 1.38 x 5.38 inches | 1.26 x 2.4 x 2.44 inches | 2 x 2 x 1.75 inches | 1.85 x 1.85 x 2.68 inches | 2.1 x 2.3 x 2.4 inches | 2.4 x 2.44 x 7.05 inches | 1.26 x 2.4 x 2.44 inches |
| FTB Score |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Where to Buy |