How To Find The Best Tattoo Balm

You took the leap and got a new tattoo. Congratulations on your new masterpiece. While it may feel like the hard part is over, in reality, your journey’s just getting started. Tattoo aftercare is essential, not just during the healing process but forever after to keep your healed tattoos vibrant and feeling their best.

After your tattoo session, your artist will likely recommend a tattoo aftercare regimen. Regardless of your specific tattoo or artist, we can almost guarantee that they will recommend using a tattoo balm. It’s a pillar of the tattoo aftercare process because it is made to moisturize and nourish the skin and ink.

When building out a tattoo aftercare routine, you should think through how you will care for your ink during the healing stage and forever after. Balms are the gold standard because they were created for both aftercare and tattoo maintenance, giving you the most bang for your buck. Lotions, while perfect for long-term tattoo maintenance with a thinner formula and mess-free pump, are often better introduced after the tattoo is healed.

A trusted tattoo balm plus a daily moisturizing lotion (down the line when your tattoo is healed) will keep the tattooed area looking bright and sharp for life. So now that you know tattoo balm is crucial, you may be wondering if any tattoo balm will do. Let us fill you in on a little secret: not all balms are created equal. To find the one that will work best for you, you have to first know what your skin and art need. So let’s get into it.

Look for a Tattoo Balm Made with Naturally-Derived Ingredients

Now that you are sold on tattoo balms, it’s time to pick the best one so you can be on your way to nourishing your tattoo. But you may be confused by all of the options with all the different ingredients - we don’t blame you. The secret is: you want to look for naturally-derived ingredients. Things you know and can pronounce. Things you can feel good using. Naturally-derived ingredients can keep your tattoo looking and feeling good without added irritants or synthetics.

So a word to the wise, here’s what you want to look for:

Shea Butter and Coconut Oil

Shea butter and coconut oil are an undefeated combo when it comes to skincare, especially if you already have dry skin. Shea butter has vitamins A and E, which are known to keep skin soft and nourished. And then there’s coconut oil. Coconut oil doesn’t just smell great, it’s a key moisturizing ingredient found in many of the best body lotions out there. It provides deep nourishment, which keeps skin glowing. Plus with intense moisturization, it can help fight off drying and flaking.

Aloe Vera and Vitamin E for Hydration

You might have heard about using aloe vera for burns, but when it comes to skincare, aloe can also work wonders. With its nice, cool feeling, it can help soothe skin and keep it feeling fresh. But aloe isn’t just great on its own - it’s even better when paired with Vitamin E. This dynamic duo keeps skin hydrated. Vitamin E is known to help act as an extra layer of protection on your skin’s barrier, which can be helpful in keeping out anything that might contaminate the area while keeping moisture locked in.

Vitamin C and Sunflower Oil

Vitamin C and sunflower oil are the perfect pair of antioxidants for skincare. Sunflower oil is light and non greasy making it a great option for people who have oily or combination skin. Since it also contains Vitamin C, sunflower oil can also help to soothe skin and improve skin tone and texture.

Understanding Your Skin's Specific Needs Needs

Finding a tattoo balm that's right for your skin can be a struggle. The trick is finding a salve that is gentle yet effective, especially since we are talking about an open wound. With a sensitive area, like a fresh tattoo, we typically recommend products made with the naturally-derived ingredients we already discussed. We also suggest looking for products that are dermatologist-tested.

Plus, it’s 2024 and kindness is cool (why was it ever not?). Choosing cruelty-free and vegan tattoo aftercare products like vegan balms and healing ointments isn’t just for show, it’s a conscious choice you’re making to only use the best on your skin and art.

Choosing the Right Tattoo Aftercare Balm and Long-Term Lotion

Now that we have gone over the nitty-gritty of what to look for in a tattoo balm, let’s start thinking about some of the other qualities that we think make a great tattoo balm stand out from good tattoo balms. And while we are at it, why don’t we also talk about what makes a great long-term tattoo lotion? Because how you take care of your tattoo determines how it looks in life.

A tattoo balm is designed to be used during the healing process - a product that is thick yet breathable to give your skin deep hydration while it is at its most vulnerable. Lotions, on the other hand, are great for everyday maintenance to keep those masterpieces looking good for life. With a thinner, easier-to-spread formula and a convenient pump top, daily lotions are great to use all over your body - ink or no ink. Regardless of their use cases though, there are a few things that are important to look for in both a balm and a lotion.

These are some things to think about when you’re shopping…

Texture and Absorption: What Works Best

The right tattoo care products should feel good on your skin, not like a sticky mess or a greasy layer that never sinks in. You want something that's absorbed easily, providing moisture and protection without clogging your pores.

Tattoo Artist vs. Dermatologist Recommendations

You may be wondering: who can I trust to help me find the right product for me? My tattoo artist? My derm? We’re here to tell you it’s actually not an either/or thing. Your artist and dermatologist probably agree on a lot more than you’d think when it comes to skincare. Both of them want you to choose a regimen that will keep your skin nourished post-tattooing, and a regimen that you will stick with.

You've probably heard of petroleum jelly as a key ingredient for tattoo aftercare. While some artists and dermatologists out there are still recommending these products, many are now realizing that petroleum-free products made with naturally derived ingredients are actually the better way to go. These are products made specifically for tattooed skin. They let your skin breathe while moisturizing, an important quality for fresh tattoos. You don’t want something that is going to suffocate your skin.

Unlocking Your Tattoo's Potential

Doesn’t matter if you just got new ink or you’re covered in older tattoos, we’ve got your back. No more dull colors or lackluster ink. Hustle Butter was designed to keep your skin and art glowing today, tomorrow, and forever. So try our products and see for yourself.

There is a reason why we are the #1 artist-recommended tattoo aftercare. If you are new here, we recommend starting with our OG product and the one that made us famous - The Hustle Butter Deluxe Tattoo Balm. It checks all the boxes mentioned above - it’s made with naturally-derived ingredients and is vegan and cruelty-free. It’s also dermatologist-tested, clinically tested, and made with a non-irritating formula. And if you want another suggestion (why not?!) our Daily Rejuvenating Lotion is the perfect long-term aftercare solution to keep your skin and ink nourished for life. It’s silky smooth and keeps your tattoos popping. Plus it keeps your skin next-level soft. And if you’re new to the game, we got you. Check out ourblog for more aftercare tips. Got more questions? Hit us up anytime.