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Best Tattoo Aftercare Cream UK: What to Use and What to Avoid
You don't need an expensive product to heal a tattoo well. You need a clean, unperfumed balm used sparingly, and to leave the tattoo alone. Here's what to look for, the products UK artists and clients commonly use, and what to keep off fresh ink.
Tattoo Love earns a small commission from some links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It doesn't change what we recommend. Always follow your own artist's aftercare instructions first.
What to look for
- Unperfumed. Fragrance is the most common cause of irritation on a fresh tattoo.
- Light, breathable texture. You want a thin layer that lets the skin breathe, not a thick seal.
- Simple ingredients. Panthenol (vitamin B5), shea butter, cocoa butter and plant oils all have a good track record.
- Small tube or tin. You'll use very little, and a small tube stays cleaner than a big tub you dip your fingers into.
Popular tattoo aftercare creams in the UK
Bepanthen Tattoo (ointment)
Probably the most widely recommended aftercare in UK studios. It's a panthenol-based ointment in a version made specifically for tattoos. It's easy to find in Boots and supermarkets. Use a very thin layer.
Bepanthen Tattoo on AmazonHustle Butter Deluxe
A vegan, petroleum-free butter that many artists use during tattooing as well as after. It has a light natural scent from its oils, so patch-test it first if your skin is sensitive.
Hustle Butter on AmazonWhitfield's tattoo balm
A UK tattoo balm that studios sell over the counter, including Timebomb in Bournemouth. A little goes a long way.
Whitfield's tattoo balm on AmazonSecond skin film (Saniderm, Dermalize)
Not a cream but a breathable film that protects the tattoo for the first few days. Your studio may apply it. It's useful to have a roll at home if your artist asks you to re-apply. See tattoo healing stages for how to use it.
Second skin film on AmazonUnperfumed antibacterial soap
A gentle, fragrance-free liquid soap for washing the tattoo 2 to 3 times a day. Liquid is better than a shared bar of soap.
Unperfumed liquid soap on AmazonSPF 50 tattoo sunscreen
Once your tattoo is healed (from about a month), sun is the biggest cause of fading. A daily high-SPF stick or lotion keeps colours bright for years.
SPF 50 tattoo sunscreen on AmazonWhat to avoid on a fresh tattoo
| Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| Perfumed body lotion | Fragrance and alcohol can sting and irritate healing skin. |
| Thick layers of petroleum jelly | Heavy layers trap moisture and can pull ink. A thin film is fine. A greasy coat isn't. |
| Antibiotic creams (unless a doctor says so) | Not needed on a normal healing tattoo, and some people react to them. |
| Surgical spirit, alcohol wipes, hydrogen peroxide | They dry and damage the healing skin. |
| Sun cream on unhealed skin | Wait until the peeling stage is completely over. Until then, keep it covered instead. |
How to apply aftercare cream
- Wash your hands.
- Wash the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and unperfumed soap. Don't scrub.
- Pat dry with clean kitchen roll, not a used towel, and let it air dry for 10 minutes.
- Rub a pea-sized amount between your fingers and apply a very thin layer. It should look slightly shiny, not greasy.
- Repeat 2 to 3 times a day for about 2 weeks, then switch to a plain unperfumed moisturiser.
How long do you need to use aftercare cream?
Usually about 2 weeks of balm, until the peeling stage is finished. After that, a plain unperfumed moisturiser keeps the skin supple while the deeper layers settle over the next month or two. Find out what to expect each day in our tattoo healing guide.