15 Best Tattoo Lotions to Heal New Ink Beautifully, According to Experts and 2023 Reviews

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.

• Key ingredients: petrolatum (helps locks in moisture)
• Size: 7 oz.
• SPF: None

THE REVIEW: "I bought this on the recommendation of my tattoo artist," writes one reviewer "It is a must have for new tattoos. It kept me from scratching the tattoo, and it kept my skin moisturized. I used it more than four times a day, just when I thought my skin was dry or itchy. It really did the trick, and my skin healed nicely from the tattoo. I'll be using this product again when I get another tattoo."

If you have dry skin, this intensely hydrating ointment is a great option to use on new tattoos. It applies oh-so-smoothly onto skin, and can be used on the face, hands, and body. Plus, the formula is free of dyes, fragrances, and parabens (if you’re not into using them).

• Key ingredients: microcrystalline wax (protects); dimethicone (traps in hydration)
• Size: 2.5 oz.
• SPF: None

THE REVIEW: "This is the best sh*t I’ve ever had the pleasure of lathering on my skin," writes one reviewer. "I put this on my lips, I put this on my dry skin, I put this on my tattoos, I put this on my breakfast cereal. It is just straight up pure moisture to the dermis my man. I have eczema and allergic hives and my skin seems to like this stuff the most by FAR, it just sucks it right up! It’s only wet for a little bit but it’s never greasy like some other products I’ve used. Kinda pricey but totally bomb, def recommend."

Another expert-approved pick? Aveeno’s Unscented Daily Moisturizing Lotion, says Goold, who recommends it for its gentle formula (no irritating fragrances here). It also makes a solid lotion for the rest of your body.

• Key ingredients: glycerin (protects against irritation), petrolatum (locks in moisture)
• Size: 18 oz.
• SPF: None

THE REVIEW: "This is the best moisturizer I've ever used," writes a tester's review. "It does everything you expect it to but what really makes it stand out to me is how well it absorbs into the skin. You can wash your skin after putting this on and you won't get that slick/slippery feeling of the lotion being washed off. I highly recommend this."

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 nongreasy—so you can moisturize your tattoo and go live your life.

• Key ingredients: glycerin (protects against irritation), citric acid (buffering), grape seed soil (soothing)
• Size: 24 oz.
• SPF: None

THE REVIEW: "I've been using Lubriderm for quite some time," writes one reviewer. "I like the subtle scent and how well it moisturizes and absorbs so quickly."

If creams and lotions aren’t really your vibe, you’ll love this cult-favorite tattoo salve. It’s easy to apply, nongreasy, 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.

• Key ingredients: olive oil (moisturizing), beeswax (soothing), cocoa butter (helps form a protective layer on skin)
• Size:. 75 oz.
• SPF: None

THE REVIEW: "I have over 40 tattoos," writes one reviewer. "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."

“Hustle Butter is made specifically for tattoos and feels really great,” says Goold. 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.

• Key ingredients: shea (softens and hydrates), mango and aloe butters (anti-inflammatory), coconut (retains moisture)
• Size: 5 oz.
• SPF: None

THE REVIEW: "This was recommended by my tattoo artist," writes one reviewer. "Easy to apply, and great coverage for my new tattoo. I highly recommend this brand. It's a little pricy but worth the investment to heal my artwork completely. It really is smooth like butter. I will continue to use, even after my tattoo heals, to keep the color vibrant."

To keep your ink vibrant, protecting it from the sun is extremely key. This sunscreen from Neutrogena is a drugstore classic, top rated by reviewers for its lightweight, ultra blendable texture and high dose of SPF 70.

• Key ingredients: avobenzone (sun protection)
• Size: 3 oz.
• SPF: SPF 70

THE REVIEW: "I am a big fan of Neutrogena products and this product confirms my love for their products," one reviewer writes. "It is not a thick application and once it is on my skin (facial area) it does not feel like it is caked on. So much though that I forget about it after it dries. In my past I have worked with skincare and the importance of UVA and UVB protection is absolutely a must. This is the product for that."

This lotion is formulated specifically with tattoos in mind, so it’s no surprise that it’s earned tons of glowing reviews on Amazon. Make sure you keep this puppy on hand during the healing process and beyond, since the formula’s grapeseed oil also makes it a great aftercare moisturizer.

• Key ingredients: grape seed oil (soothing), glycerin (protects against irritation), jojoba seed oil (creates moisture barrier)
• Size: 3 oz.
• SPF: None

THE REVIEW: "This stuff is amazing for healing tattoos!" writes one reviewer. "Everything about it is great. The feel, smell, not greasy or sticky, rubs in nice and keeps hydrated! Highly highly recommend!!!"

This body cream is a total power player—it’s spiked with CBD (which is thought to help soothe irritated skin), manuka honey (which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties), and hyaluronic acid (aka the best hydrator of all time).

• Key ingredients: CBD (soothing), Manuka honey (decreases inflammation), aloe vera (retains moisture)
• Size: 3.6 oz.
• SPF: None

THE REVIEW: "I get this lotion specifically for my hands!" reads one reviewer. "I am a compulsive hand washer, so much so my knuckles bleed. But this is the ONLY lotion that doesn’t burn those knicks and cuts. I can use it less often than other lotions but it still keeps my hands in the best shape possible! I will forever be a customer for it!"

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.

• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, lecithin (water-binding), vitamin C (boosts skin's collagen production)
• Size: 1 oz.
• SPF: None

Dealing with dryness and flakiness? Ya gotta give this cult favorite ointment a try, which manages to infuse hydration onto skin without that weird residue feel. Reviewers love how it "sticks" to skin and locks in allllll the moisture.

• Key ingredients: petrolatum (locks in moisture)
• Size: 3 oz.
• SPF: None

THE REVIEW: "It helps to moisturize the skin and helps to protect the skin of our face," writes one reviewer. "If you also apply the face soap, it leaves you very fresh and radiant."

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.

• Key ingredients: coconut oil (hydrating)
• Size: 5 oz.
• SPF: None

THE REVIEW: "I love this product, and I use it every day for my dry skin," writes one reviewer. "I have bought many expensive creams, but this is the best! The scent is beautiful, I am a repeat customer!"

The coolest thing about this tattoo care kit is that you can use it to heal new ink or freshen up old ink. 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.

• Key ingredients: aloe leaf extract (anti-inflammatory), glycerin (protects against irritation), olive oil (moisturizing)
• Size: 13.6 oz.
• SPF: None

THE REVIEW: "Great for new and old tattoos helped brighten some older color tattoos and also helped with keeping new ones clean and radiant," writes one reviewer. "Recommended to anyone who is looking for great product and value."

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 helps soothe irritation and redness while also preventing dryness and scabbing.

• Key ingredients: petrolatum (locks in moisture), glycerin (protects against irritation), bisabolol (anti-inflammatory)
• Size: 1.75 oz.
• SPF: None

THE REVIEW: "They sell these at the tattoo shops and an artist recommended this," one reviewer writes. "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!"

If you're looking for a hydrating, budget-friendly tattoo lotion to stock up on, you can snag this pack of three (!!) Eucerin bottles on Amazon. The gentle, fragrance-free formula is extremely hydrating, according to reviewers, and if you've got large tattoos or sleeves, you won't have to worry about constantly replacing it.

• Key ingredients: avobenzone (sun protection), glycerin (protects against irritation), citric acid (buffering)
• Size: 16.9 oz.
• SPF: SPF 15

THE REVIEW: "I've been using Eucerin unscented on my body for quite awhile now simply because I have super dry skin," one tester writes. "My arms and legs are the main target, and Eucerin just works to keep them feeling soft and supple. The 3-pack is necessary because I never want to run out again. The sun protection is a plus. One point is that I don't use it as a hand cream since on that area it feels tacky, but I appreciate not having alligator skin on my legs anymore.