The Best Lotions for Tattoos, According to Tattoo Artists
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The process of tattooing is violent out of necessity. It’s repetitive. It draws blood. The aftermath is beautiful, rather than gruesome, but requires aftercare to stay that way. A key part of the post-parlor regimen is applying a lotion regularly, in addition to using tattoo soap, so the skin stays moisturized and heals faster.
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The best lotions for tattoos ensure that skin doesn’t dry out and become unsightly and itchy during the healing process. A somewhat common occurrence with new tattoos, itchiness is not only a nuisance, but can make the skin more prone to breakage and infection. Lotion, on the other hand, helps restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
There are lotions marketed towards new tattoo recipients looking for top-tier care, but plenty of general-purpose lotions are just as effective, if not more, at giving freshly tattooed skin what it needs. One shouldn’t spend more than $10 on the bottle, if that. All should be applied daily, whether to a bicep tribal tattoo or a pair of four-letter words on the knuckles, and used in concert with a soap that will keep the tattooed area clean and free of infection.
What the Experts Say
Sources within tattooing and dermatology are united in their opinion that the simplest tattoo lotions are the best. For this story, SPY spoke with Dr. Bruce Katz, director of the JUVA Skin & Laser Center and member of the American Academy of Dermatology, and Luke Zampas, a Los Angeles-based tattoo artist, to help sort through the best tattoo lotions available now.
“I wouldn’t recommend using lotions until it’s completely healed,” says Katz. “They can get into the injection sites and cause a reaction. But once it’s healed, if the skin is dry, you can use anything.” He does advise, though, that lotions with fragrances can cause a reaction in some cases.
“What you want is to rehydrate the tattoo,” Zampas says. “Treat it as you would a scab.” That means a light layer of ointment after removing any aftercare wrap and then, one to two weeks after the tattoo, a similarly light layer of unscented lotion. “Less is more when it comes to healing a tattoo,” he adds.
The Best Tattoo Lotions
BEST OVERALL
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Body Lotion
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Zampas says that an unscented Neutrogena lotion is his “personal favorite” for tattoo aftercare, and it’s easy to see why. The fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula promises 48-hour moisture for dry, sensitive skin, making it great for recently tattooed skin as well.
The bottom line is that this lotion is extremely unlikely to cause any kind of reaction — even on fragile, recently tattooed skin. It’s also just a quality moisturizer, promising longer protection than the competition at an eminently reasonable price.
BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Aveeno Daily Moisturizer Body Lotion
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Made For: Aveeno is a good choice in part because it’s non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores. Mikhail Andersson, owner of NYC studio First Class Tattoos, says that “for lotions, my go-to is Aveeno unscented.”
Why It Stands Out: This lotion contains oatmeal, a naturally soothing ingredient commonly associated with eliminating itch from children’s chicken pox sores. If it works on an itchy day home from school, it’ll likely soothe fresh ink.
BEST ALL NATURAL
Raslok Aloe Vera Gel
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Made For: Aloe vera is the main ingredient in this gel, so it’s great for those looking to avoid putting long-named ingredients on their body.
Why It Stands Out: Jingxi Gu, tattoo artist and owner of LA studio Patch Tattoo Therapy, prefers aloe vera the most because it’s “water-based and less oily than other lotions. We find it to be gentle and that it pulls out the ink less.”
BEST CREME
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
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Made For: Those looking for a simple solution. “I always recommend a white, unscented dry skin cream like CeraVe,” says RK, tattoo artist at Brooklyn studio Atelier Eva. “It’s simple and reliable.”
Why It Stands Out: Instead of a viscous lotion that comes out of a bottle, this is a scoopable cream that’s easier to get a little bit of and spread precisely onto the skin. It’s satisfying to use and, because it’s so thick, a little goes a very long way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lotion for Tattoos
Why is lotion important for recently tattooed skin?
Tattooing can be a traumatic experience for the skin, causing dryness and/or itchiness as it heals. A good lotion can alleviate these issues, a process analogous to “rehydrat[ing] the tattoo, and treat it as you would a scab,” per veteran tattoo artist Zampas.
When and how should lotion be applied to a recent tattoo?
Once the tattoo has healed, meaning all of the injection sites have closed up, a thin layer of lotion should be applied. “When it comes to application, less is more when it comes to lotions and moisturizing tattoos,” says RK. “The thinner the layer the better. The goal is to still let the tattoo breathe while the lotion moisturizes.”
Are the best tattoo lotions expensive?
They’re not, so it’s easy to start saving for your next tattoo or, less ideally, the laser tattoo removal you’ll need to not feel like a big dummy every time you look down and see your ex’s name on your bicep.
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