If it’s your first time getting a tattoo, you might be surprised how that stinging sensation can linger around even long after you’ve left the chair. If this isn’t your first, then you probably already know better than to leave yourself without a good ointment.
Tattoo ointments are an essential aftercare product that helps fresh tattoos heal faster and cleaner. These products are specifically designed to provide the skin enough nourishment and support so that you can proudly display or comfortably hide away your tattoos sooner rather than later. Are you itching to get the healing process over and done with? Find the best ointment for tattoos by following this all-around buyer’s guide.
Top 10 Tattoo Ointments Chart
| Picture | Name | All Natural | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Vaniply Ointment for Dry Skin Care/Skin Protectant, 2.5 Oz (3pack) | No | $$$$ | 4.7 |
 | 2. Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment Skin Protectant 14 Ounce Jar | No | $$ | 4.7 |
 | 3. Ora's Tattoo Salve, Tattoo Aftercare | Yes | $$ | 4.7 |
 | 4. After Inked Tattoo Moisturizer & Aftercare Lotion 3oz Tube | No | $$$$ | 4.7 |
 | 5. Hustle Butter Deluxe – Tattoo Butter for Before, During, and After the Tattoo Process | Yes | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 6. H2Ocean Ocean Care Tattoo Aftercare, 2.5 Ounce | No | $ | 4.5 |
 | 7. Tattoo Goo - The Original Aftercare Salve - 3/4 Ounce Tin | No | $ | 4.5 |
 | 8. Dynarex Vitamins A & D Ointment, 15 oz Jar | No | $ | 4.4 |
 | 9. The Honest Company Healing Balm Soothing Protection & Relief for Sensitive Skin & Diaper Rash,3 oz. | Yes | $$ | 4.2 |
 | 10. Redemption Tattoo Care .25 ounce | No | $ | 4.2 |
A Guide to Choosing the Right Tattoo Ointment
Lots of different tattoo ointments and tattoo care products can make it a little bit of a challenge to choose the best one for your needs. Considering the fact that a fresh tattoo can also be very sensitive, it’s imperative that you take the time to make sure your tattoo ointment won’t cause further irritation or pain.
If you’re not quite sure which tattoo ointment you should spend on, try to look for these qualities to pinpoint a worthy choice.
- Gentle, Mild, or Hypoallergenic. The process of creating a tattoo involves using a fine needle to embed ink underneath the surface of the skin. The tip of the tool breaks the topmost layer of skin and injects pigment into deeper yet still superficial layers to preserve the ink and to create the desired image.
It’s because of this process of breaking through the skin that you might tend to feel a stinging, burning, or painful sensation across the affected area immediately and several days after you get a tattoo. Treat this wound with the wrong products and you risk infection and further irritation.
For that reason, it’s best that you keep an eye out for tattoo ointments and aftercare products that promise to give your skin sufficient care without the risk of complications.
You’ll be able to tell that a particular option is good for your skin by reading the label. Often, products will indicate on their packaging whether or not they’re hypoallergenic and mild. In case you manage to find a product that doesn’t readily state this however, you can read the list of ingredients. If it doesn’t have fragrances, dyes, and preservatives, it’s likely a good choice.
- Convenient Use. We don’t all have the convenience to choose whatever time we want to take care of a fresh tattoo. So really understanding how to use a product will give you a better idea of whether or not it’s something you can truly get the best of.
For instance, some balms and ointments need to be applied multiple times in a day. If you’re at work and your new tattoo is somewhere on your backside, do you really think you’d be keen on getting undressed in the office bathroom to clumsily apply ointment on your tattoo during your lunch break? Probably not.
Be sure to read how a product is used before making a purchase so you can be sure it’s something you can maximize and really benefit from.
- Potent Healing Properties. The main reason you’ll want to use a tattoo ointment in the first place is to help your tattoo heal as fast as possible. This should be your top priority, with protection and skin nourishment following in as your second and third, respectively.
To make sure you’ve chosen a product that will really help your painful skin heal, check the list of ingredients to find out whether or not it contains one of these potent and effective healing agents:
- Petrolatum
- Aloe vera
- Dimethicone
- Olive oil
- Beeswax
- Vitamin E
Top 3 Best Ointment for Tattoos Reviews
1. Vaniply Ointment for Dry Skin Care
While it’s not explicitly advertised as a tattoo aftercare product, the ingredients in Vaniply Ointment for Dry Skin Care & Skin Protectant make it one of the best ointment for tattoos available on the market today. This potent skin protectant prevents dryness and supplies ample nourishment to encourage skin healing and regeneration.
The main active ingredient in the formulation is dimethicone, which is a highly effective skin protectant that prevents further damage to sensitive, weakened skin. It also contains several other ingredients that work to seal in moisture to prevent itching, flaking, and dryness.
Although it isn’t the cheapest option, it definitely is one of the most reliable. So if you’re looking for a product that won’t fail your newly inked skin, Vaniply Ointment for Dry Skin Care & Skin Protectant is definitely worth a try.
2. Aquaphor Healing Ointment Skin Protectant
This healing, hydrating formulation is ideal for people who want a versatile product that they can use for more than just tattoos. The Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment Skin Protectant is an all-around formulation able to bring skin back to perfect health and balance.
The formula is mainly composed of petrolatum – a thick pasty substance that neutralizes the skin’s surface, nourishing it and protecting it from harmful elements. This thick coat effectively prevents any contaminants and environmental substances from making contact with the skin, thus preventing further damage and irritation.
Although its label doesn’t readily identify it as a tattoo aftercare product, it definitely has the right stuff to be able to speed up the tattoo healing process.
3. Ora’s Tattoo Salve, Tattoo Aftercare
Made completely from different herbs and natural ingredients, Ora’s Amazing Herbal Tattoo Salve is one of the safest products on the market, posing little threat for side effects and adverse reactions. This green colored salve aims to heal fresh tattoos, soothe and relive pain and discomfort, and prevent inks from leaching out of the skin.
The tattoo salve can be used continuously over the tattooed area long after it has healed, working as a pigment intensifier, preventing the fading and blurring associated with older tattoos. Aside from that, Ora’s Amazing Herbal Tattoo Salve can also be used as a remedy for minor cuts, burns, and dry skin, making it yet another great investment if you’re looking for a versatile, all-around product.