Top Tattoo Aftercare Brands: Healing Your Ink to Perfection

When it comes to maintaining the vibrancy and health of a new tattoo, choosing the right aftercare products is essential. The array of options available can be daunting, but some brands have consistently stood out for their effectiveness and quality. These brands offer specially formulated products that soothe, hydrate, and protect the skin, ensuring your ink looks fresh and sharp for years to come. Ready to discover the top recommendations for tattoo aftercare products? Read on to explore the best brands that artists and enthusiasts swear by.

Illustration of tattoo aftercare

Best brands of tattoo aftercare in 2025

Hustle Butter Deluxe

Hustle Butter Deluxe, established in 2012 by Richie Bulldog and Seth Love, is a top-rated, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free tattoo aftercare brand, renowned for its natural ingredients like shea, mango, and aloe butters, promoting faster healing and vibrant colors. It is recommended by artists worldwide as a petroleum-free alternative that doesn't remove stencils or clog tubes, with over 22,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

After Inked

Established in 2007, After Inked is a premium, vegan, and PETA-approved tattoo aftercare brand, recommended by world-renowned tattoo artists and featured on TV shows like Ink Master. It offers a patented formula enriched with grape seed oil, which boasts 15,000 times more antioxidant value than vitamin E, ensuring effective skin moisturization, color preservation, and relief from itching. The product is dermatologist-tested, non-allergenic, and non-irritating, free from petroleum and lanolin.

Tattoo Goo

Tattoo Goo, a leading brand in tattoo aftercare since its inception, offers a range of all-natural products, with their original balm being 99% natural and containing ingredients such as olive oil and cocoa butter to aid in the healing process and maintain the vibrancy of tattoos. Their dermatologist-tested products are free of petroleum and lanolin, and are designed for both immediate and everyday care, with a complete kit including antimicrobial soap, healing balm, and aftercare lotion, ensuring that your tattoos remain healthy and vibrant for years to come.

Aquaphor

Aquaphor, a brand established in 1925, is a widely recommended choice for tattoo aftercare due to its hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties, containing 41% petrolatum, which helps to create a protective barrier, and ingredients like lanolin and glycerin that promote moisture retention and healing. Many tattoo artists suggest its use for the initial days of the healing process to minimize scabbing and promote faster recovery. While some prefer lotions, Aquaphor is often favored for its ability to maintain moisture, crucial for proper healing. It's important to apply a thin layer and avoid over-application to prevent clogged pores. You can find more information about the product at Aquaphor's official website.

Mad Rabbit

Mad Rabbit is a leading brand for tattoo aftercare, offering a range of products like soothing gel, tattoo balm, and body wash that utilize clean, vegan ingredients, and are designed for both new and old tattoos to enhance color and promote healing. Their soothing gel can be applied immediately after a tattoo session to alleviate irritation, and they also provide a tattoo balm that can be used daily. Plus, many customers have seen results after only one use, and various retailers like Amazon and Walmart sell Mad Rabbit products. You can explore their tattoo aftercare products.

H2Ocean

H2Ocean has been a trusted leader in tattoo aftercare since 2001, offering a range of products, including their popular Ocean Care Tattoo Aftercare Lotion, which is water-based and contains 82 trace minerals from unrefined Red Sea salt to promote healing and keep tattoos vibrant, and their Aquatat ointment, which is FDA approved and dermatologist recommended, utilizing pharmaceutical grade ingredients for optimal skin health. Additionally, their products are made in the USA and are designed to be antibacterial, alcohol-free, and gentle, with many vegan options available to cater to various needs, all while being reef-safe and environmentally conscious. You can find their products at H2Ocean's website.

Weleda Skin Food

Weleda Skin Food, a multi-purpose cream with over 90 years of history, is considered a top choice for tattoo aftercare due to its rich, natural formula containing organic sunflower seed oil, chamomile, and calendula, which work to hydrate and soothe the skin, while its thick consistency acts as a protective barrier. It is recommended by tattoo artists and users alike for maintaining the vibrancy of tattoos. This product can also be used on dry patches all over the body, and is free from synthetic preservatives, fragrances, and colorants.

Derma E

Derma E, a brand known for its commitment to natural and cruelty-free skincare since its rebranding in 2017, offers effective tattoo aftercare solutions, often incorporating Vitamin E and other skin-nourishing ingredients. Although their Tea Tree Relief Cream is not directly recommended for open wounds, many find their products help soothe and moisturize skin, aiding in the healing process, while avoiding harsh chemicals and petroleum-based ingredients found in some other brands. The brand is widely available in stores such as Ulta, CVS, and Whole Foods, catering to a growing consumer base seeking gentle and effective skincare products. Derma E's dedication to quality ingredients provides a good option for those looking to support the healing of new tattoos and maintain the vibrancy of older ones. While specific tattoo aftercare products are not always highlighted, their general skincare line often contains ingredients beneficial for tattoo recovery. You can learn more about their offerings on the Derma E website.

Skinfix

Skinfix is a leading brand in tattoo aftercare, offering a concentrated balm that helps protect new tattoos and enhance the vibrancy of existing ones. It utilizes ingredients like allantoin and coconut oil to aid healing, featuring a vegetable-based occlusive instead of petrolatum to minimize ink lifting. Suitable for all skin types, even dry and sensitive skin, it boasts a 4.6 out of 5-star rating based on 38 reviews and was launched around 2020.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter

Palmer's Cocoa Butter, a highly recommended brand by tattoo artists, is known for its natural skin-healing properties, providing 48-hour, long-lasting moisture with its formula that includes Vitamin E and antioxidant-rich cocoa butter. This makes it ideal for tattoo aftercare, especially during the healing phase, helping to keep tattoos vibrant and prevent fading over time, with many users reporting its effectiveness in quickly healing tattoos. You can find their products on their official website.