Best Soap for Tattoos

Getting a tattoo is a big decision and one that involves careful thought. You’ve chosen the art, vetted the artist, and endured the pain. Once it’s done, you’ll want to make sure you take care of it the right way not only to facilitate proper healing but also to keep it colorfast for years to come. While you probably know of tattoo creams, oils, and balms, you should know that what you use to cleanse your tattooed skin is just as important. Without tattoo-appropriate soap, you could end up with dryness, tattoo fading, and discoloration over time.

Image	Name	Top Choices	Latest Pricing
	Dr. Bronner’s - Pure Castile Soap	Our Favorite	Amazon
	H2Ocean - Blue Green Foam Soap	Premium Pick	Amazon
	Tattoo Goo - Deep Cleansing Soap for Tattoos & Piercings	Great Value	Amazon
	Dr. Numb - Topical Anesthetic Disinfectant Foam Soap		Amazon
	Dial - Gold Liquid Antibacterial Hand Soap		Amazon

What to Look for in a Soap for Tattoos

Unless you’re already using a gentle, chemical-free product, it’s highly recommended for you to switch to a soap that’s appropriate for tattooed skin, especially if your ink is brand new. Here are some qualities you should look for:

1) Antibacterial

Treat new tattoos like you would any open wound. Washing it with antibacterial or antiseptic soaps will reduce the risk of infection and speed up healing. Consequently, you also minimize itching and the possibility of scarring. However, be careful with some antibacterial soaps as they could be overly drying and could make matters worse.

2) Fragrance-Free

Artificial fragrances are something you should avoid, especially if you have sensitive skin. This is particularly important for new tattoos with skin that’s still healing. Fragrances are typically made of harsh chemicals, and exposure to them could irritate the skin and interfere with the process of healing. 

3) Pain Relief

Depending on your tolerance for pain, you might need some help to feel more comfortable as your new tattoo heals. You could look into cleansers that contain anesthetics to partially numb the area and minimize the pain and itching that commonly occurs for the first few weeks. But, if the pain doesn’t bother you, anesthetics aren’t necessary.

4) Petroleum-Free

It’s fairly common practice to apply petroleum jelly on new tattoos to keep it moist. But, petroleum can actually cause pores to clog, bacteria to buildup, and infections to develop. Luckily, there are plenty of petroleum-free products that can safely cleanse your skin without drying it out.

5) No Parabens

Parabens are used as preservatives in many personal care products. However, many now prefer to avoid it because it is increasingly being linked to certain cancers. Additionally, it could be too harsh on raw skin, so it’s best to avoid it, especially on new tattoos.

6) No Alcohol

Many think that alcohol is good to use on open wounds because it kills bacteria and helps minimize the risk of infection. However, using alcohol on new tattoos and raw skin could actually damage your skin cells. It could cause severe dryness, itching, swelling, and even burning. It’s better to find a soap with antibacterial properties but without alcohol. 

7) No Sulfates

Sulfates help create a rich, foamy lather, so they are commonly used in soaps and detergents. While there have been no conclusive studies on sulfates being carcinogenic, what’s known is that they’re actually pretty harsh on the skin. Using soap with sulfates could dry up your skin and cause itchiness and irritation that could keep your new tattoo from healing properly.

8) No Dyes

Dyes are often made of acetone, petroleum, or tar. While such artificial coloring on your soap is not likely to be absorbed by the skin and cause your new tattoo to discolor, it could be too harsh or drying. Color doesn’t change the effectiveness of personal care products. So, it’s better to opt for soaps that aren’t dyed at all. Or, you could at least find those that are colored with natural ingredients.

Best Soaps for Tattooed Skin

Here’s a list of the top 5 soaps that are recommended by tattoo artists and their clients alike:

1) Dr. Bronner’s – Pure Castile Soap

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Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap is an excellent option for tattooed skin because it formulated with no foaming agents nor synthetic preservatives. In fact, 90% of its formulation is composed of organic ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil, hemp oil, and jojoba oil. Although all scents should be gentle enough for your skin, the Baby Unscented variant is probably your best choice. The best part is that pure castile soap is concentrated and is meant to be diluted depending on what you need it for. You can keep it extra mild as your skin is still healing and then a little bit stronger for everyday use to keep your tattoo from fading over time.

2) H2Ocean – Blue Green Foam Soap

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The Blue Green Foam Soap by H2Ocean is an excellent choice for newly tattooed skin because it is a potent antibacterial but also has moisturizing effects thanks to its vegan formulation, which includes aloe leaf juice. It has no alcohol, parabens, nor artificial fragrances that could be too harsh for your skin. Additionally, it comes in a pump bottle that dispenses foam to conveniently and gently cleanse your skin. Because of its antibacterial effects, it’s best to use this when your tattoo is healing. After it has healed, it’s best to switch to a gentler body wash for daily use.

3) Tattoo Goo – Deep Cleansing Soap for Tattoos & Piercings

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The Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Soap was specifically formulated for tattoos and piercings. It has antibacterial and antimicrobial effects. Plus, it is pH balanced to support skin health. Note that this product lists sodium lauryl sulfate as an inactive ingredient. It also uses olive oil for its nourishing and moisturizing properties. Nevertheless, it is one that’s highly regarded among ink enthusiasts. Although a potent antiseptic, it’s not overly drying and is even safe to use up to 4 times daily on new tattoos.

4) Dr. Numb – Topical Anesthetic Disinfectant Foam Soap

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The Topical Anesthetic Disinfectant Foam Soap by Dr. Numb is useful when caring for new tattoos, especially if you have a relatively low tolerance for pain. It contains 4% lidocaine, which is a potent anesthetic. So, not only does it disinfect your skin, but it also gives you immediate relief from any pain and itching you might experience after getting a tattoo. All you need to do is pump some foam over your new ink. Let it sit for 5 minutes before washing it off with running water. Not only will it kill 99.9% of microbes but also give you up to 24 hours of pain relief, so you don’t need to experience any discomfort as your skin heals.

5) Dial – Gold Liquid Antibacterial Hand Soap

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Dial Gold is the standard recommendation for tattoo aftercare not merely because of its incredible value for money but also because it is an effective antibacterial. In fact, it promises to kill 99.9% of bacteria, which will help minimize the risk of infection when you have a new tattoo. Note that this product contains both perfume and alcohol, but it is generally regarded as harsh only on germs. On the skin, it is fairly gentle and even has moisturizing effects. Plus, the scent is often described as refreshing. 

Tips for Caring for Your New Tattoo

Your tattoo artist is the best person to take advice from when it comes to tattoo aftercare. Nevertheless, here are some tips to help you take care of your new tattoo:

• Keep the bandage on. Make sure you keep your tattoo covered until it’s completely healed to avoid attracting dirt and bacteria from your environment. 
• Avoid sweating. Excessive sweat and physical activity might keep your skin from healing properly. In the first few days of getting a new tattoo, avoid strenuous physical activities that would cause you to sweat.
• Shower and pat-dry. Bathe regularly and thoroughly cleanse your skin with your chosen tattoo cleanser. After bathing, take a clean towel and dry your tattooed skin with gentle pats to avoid irritation.
• Moisturize. Most tattoos flake as they heal. To keep your skin supple and healthy, use a good moisturizer, skin balm, or tattoo oil.

While using the right soap is most critical when your tattoo is new, it still does make a difference for older ones. It will not only help your tattooed skin heal properly and beautifully but also protect against fading and discoloration. Select from the list of best soaps for tattoos and follow it up with the right balm to enjoy it for as long as you live.