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Byrdie / Alli Waataja
TL;DR
Overall, our favorite soap for tattoos is La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+, a dermatologist-recommended formula that heals, soothes, and helps prevent bacterial infections. Vanicream Gentle Body Wash is a great budget option (also dermatologist-approved), and you can find it at almost any drugstore.
When you think of a tattoo for what it really is—aside from bodily art and personal expression—you're looking at hundreds (if not thousands) of teeny-tiny punctures to the skin. Of course, our miraculous bodies work as quickly as possible to mend damaged tissue. But you still need to take special care, and that means using soap with a gentle yet effective formula.
"Tattoos are at high risk for infection, especially within the first five to seven days, as the skin is still healing and may have openings that can allow bacteria in," says dermatologist Tiffany L. Clay, MD. As you embark on the tattoo healing process, she recommends washing with hydrating formulas containing glycerin (which treats extreme dryness and repairs skin elasticity) and niacinamide (aka vitamin B3, which has anti-inflammatory properties, preserves hydration, strengthens the skin barrier).
With that in mind—and with intel from a tattoo artist and tattoo care brand’s SVP—our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, effectiveness, and value—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Those insights helped us create this list of best-in-show buys.
Best Overall
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+
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Generous amount
Healing and soothing
Dermatologist-recommended
Contains PEGs
Key Ingredients: Thermal spring water, glycerin, niacinamide, shea butter | Cruelty-Free: No
Clay recommends this Lipikar Wash, calling it a "very gentle soap that's great for cleansing skin with tattoos." The formula blends glycerin and niacinamide, her go-to hydrators for aftercare. Like all products from La Roche-Posay, it also contains mineral-rich thermal spring water, which has been shown to have healing, soothing, and antibacterial properties.
The icing on the cake: This body wash locks in moisture with shea butter. It has a nice foaming effect that really feels like it's cleaning without stripping your skin. We also love that you can use it on your face or body. And the generously sized pump bottle should last you a while. We don't love that it contains PEGs, so we can't give it our clean seal.
Who It’s For
Anyone and everyone can benefit from La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Body & Face Wash. The ultra-gentle formula won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin, making it a great pick for all skin types. That said, it’s especially great for folks looking for a dual-use product, as this wash is designed for both face and body use.
Best Drugstore
Vanicream Body Wash
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Gentle yet effective
Supports healing
Dermatologist-recommended
Not the most moisturizing
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin B5 | Cruelty-Free: No
Vanicream makes a great budget option, and it's got Clay's stamp of approval. As the name suggests, this body wash is super gentle but still totally effective. It contains one of our favorite ingredients, glycerin, plus vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), which has shown to have a healing effect. And while it's not the most moisturizing formula, it promises not to dry out your skin.
Who It’s For
Anyone looking to run into a drugstore for a high-quality tattoo soap?. This budget-friendly, fragrance-free formula is especially great for folks with dry skin, as it’s accepted by the National Eczema Association.
Best for Sensitive Skin
Bushbalm Unscented Nourishing Body Wash
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Generous amount
Fragrance-free
Dermatologist-recommended
Some will prefer a stronger cleansing agent
Key Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Clay also likes Bushbalm's Nourishing Body Wash, as it's made with sensitive skin in mind. The fragrance-free formula contains glycerin, aloe vera, and vitamin E to cleanse without irritation. Then, it calls on jojoba oil to nourish and replenish lost moisture. Since it's gentle, if you are looking for that squeaky clean feeling, this isn't the best formula.
Who It’s For
If you dislike fragrant body washes and/or have sensitive skin, the Bushbalm Unscented All-Over Nourishing Body Wash is a great pick. It’s also a shoo-in for folks with dry skin, as it’s formulated with hydrating jojoba oil and soothing, moisturizing aloe vera.
Best for Healing
Hustle Butter Deluxe Revolutionary Refined Rinse
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Antibacterial
Calms inflammation
Gentle formula
Contains PEGs
Key Ingredients: Benzalkonium chloride, aloe vera, arnica, witch hazel | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you're in the aftercare stage, reach for Hustle Bubbles. The hero of this all-over foaming cleanser is benzalkonium chloride, a harsh-sounding but actually gentle ingredient that helps prevent bacterial infections. It also contains calming aloe, anti-inflammatory witch hazel, and arnica, which can help minimize the chance of scarring. Keep in mind that this pick contains PEGs, which some may prefer to avoid.
Who It’s For
If you prefer formulas that are hyper-specific in terms of their purpose, Hustle Butter Hustle Bubbles Deluxe Revolutionary Refined Rinse will make you swoon. It’s specifically formulated for tattoo care, making it one of the best tattoo soaps possible. “Hustle Bubbles was created specifically for tattooed skin because, in the early days of the healing process, you need a soap that is gentle on the skin but tough on germs,” says Hustle Butter tattoo artist Pierre Bustos. “Hustle Bubbles is safe to use on fresh tattoos and keeps the area clean and free of dirt, germs, and bacteria, helping to reduce the chance of infection.”
Best Cleansing Bar
VI Tattoo Soap Sea Buckthorn Berry Tattoo Bar Soap
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Natural ingredients
Reparative
Prevents discoloration
Very faint scent
Key Ingredients: Sea buckthorn berry, coconut oil, shea butter | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This cleansing bar leans on natural ingredients to wash, moisturize, and protect even the most sensitive skin. Rich in reparative sea buckthorn, plus coconut and olive oil, the nourishing, anti-inflammatory formula is ideal for aftercare. Plus, it promises to keep old tattoos vibrant and prevent discoloration. Just don't expect a bold fragrance.
Who It’s For
If you pride yourself on your natural skincare routine, you’ll want to add the VI Tattoo Soap Sea Buckthorn Berry Tattoo Bar Soap to your regimen. Made with 100 percent natural and organic ingredients, it’s the greenest soap for tattoos.
Best for Old Tattoos
Mad Rabbit Refresh Body Wash
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Gently cleanses
Moisturizing
Nice scent
Fragrance could be irritating
Not recommended for new tattoos
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, plant collagen, green tea, hyaluronic acid | Cruelty-Free: Yes
For older ink, Mad Rabbit is a fab pick. While it's not recommended for aftercare, this Refresh Body Wash will help existing tattoos look their best on all skin tones by gently cleansing and replenishing lost moisture. The formula flaunts a comforting coconut-vanilla aroma that's not too overpowering. Just bear in mind that fragrances can sometimes irritate sensitive or damaged skin.
Who It’s For
Mad Rabbit Refresh Body Wash is designed for people with and without ink. It’s a high-quality sudsing gel that will make you squeaky clean from head to toe—all without irritating your already-healed ink.
Best Unscented
Fur All Body Wash
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Gentle formula
Velvety lather
Replenishes skin barrier
Took more product to produce a lather
Key Ingredients: Fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, vitamin E | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If fragrances aren't your forte, go with Fur. The brand's All Body Wash is a super-gentle oil-based formula that starts as a liquid and transforms into a velvety lather (which admittedly takes more product than expected). We like that you can use this no-nonsense cleanser from head to toe, including on your pits and bits. Helping to hydrate and protect while replenishing the skin's barrier, it's perfect for tattoos.
Who It’s For
Fur All Body Wash is designed for anyone and everyone. Since it's gynecologically tested, it’s particularly great for those in need. What’s more, it’s formulated to neutralize sweat, making it a fantastic pick for people who sweat a lot, too.
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Incredibly gentle
Made with fair trade organic oils
Can be used 18 ways
Meant to be diluted, which can get messy
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, olive oil, and hemp seed oil | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Baby Unscented Pure Castile Liquid Soap is beloved by thousands of shoppers. The multipurpose cleanser comes in a 32-ounce bottle, giving it the most value of any soap on this list. According to Erin Murray, the SVP of Marketing at tattoo care brand Mad Rabbit, this formula is one of the best, most easy-to-procure soaps for tattoos and beyond. It’s sold in many grocery stores, at Target, and on Amazon, and can be used on fresh ink.
In terms of the formula, it’s incredibly gentle. Coconut oil, olive oil, and hemp seed oil make this budget-friendly soap a hydrating, soothing solution for new tattoos and so much more. Just keep in mind it’s highly concentrated and meant to be diluted (which means it will last even longer). As such, you may want to use just a tiny bit of the soap on your tattoos or mix a teaspoon into a bottle of water to craft your own tattoo TLC concoction.
Who It’s For
The Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Baby Unscented Pure Castile Liquid Soap is the ultimate choice for folks on a budget. Since it can be used in so many different ways, you’re sure to put every ounce to good use.
Best Body Wash
Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash
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Gentle formula
Doesn’t strip skin
Dermatologist tested
Not cruelty-free
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, calendula extract, vitamin B5, and glycerin | Cruelty-Free: No
If you have sensitive, normal, or dry skin and don’t want to bother buying a cleanser solely for your tattoos, Murray says to consider Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Refreshing Body Wash. The gel-cream formula features a milky lather that works well to rid the skin of sweat, dirt, and bacteria without stripping it of moisture in the process. Do note that this pick isn't cruelty-free.
Who It’s For
The Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Refreshing Body Wash is great for normal to dry skin types, especially if they border on sensitive. Made with aloe vera, calendula extract, and glycerin, this wash helps to clean tattoos and lock in moisture to make them look and feel their best. What’s more, since it’s formulated with vitamin B5, it soothes skin and boosts healing—checking two very important boxes of tattoo aftercare.
Best Hand Soap
Dial Hand Wash
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Gentle formula
Antibacterial
Hypoallergenic
Convenient pump bottle
Refillable
Foam can dissipate quickly
Key Ingredients: Benzalkonium chloride and glycerin | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Another drugstore soap that Murray highly recommends for tattoo care? Dial Complete Clean + Gentle Antibacterial Foaming Hand Wash. This fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested soap comes in a pump bottle that instantly transforms the liquid formula into foam (though you may have to use a bit more product to get a satisfying lather). It melts into the skin to rinse away any built-up bacteria, dirt, or impurities, but it never strips the skin of moisture.
Who It’s For
Dial Complete Clean + Gentle Antibacterial Foaming Hand Wash is the perfect pick for people looking to streamline cleansing. Instead of littering your bathroom counter with a variety of soaps for your hands and ink, this easy-to-use pump soap can be used for both.
What to Look for When Buying Soap for Tattoos
- Ingredients: "Look for soap-free cleansers with ingredients such as glycerin, a water-attracting humectant, and niacinamide, a B vitamin that aids in hydrating the skin barrier," says Dr. Clay. “Some of the best tattoo-friendly body washes also contain healing and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as thermal spring water, vitamin B5, vitamin E, sea buckthorn, aloe vera, plant oils, and arnica."
- Old vs. New Tattoos: Some soaps are intended to help heal new tattoos and prevent infection. These usually contain the reparative, anti-inflammatory ingredients mentioned above and may mention "aftercare" in the product description. Other formulas are meant to be used only with older tattoos that have already healed.
- Fragrance: Unscented formulas are usually best for tattoo aftercare, as added fragrance can irritate damaged skin. However, scented soaps used for older tattoos are usually fine if your skin isn't particularly sensitive.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and product reviewer specializing in skin care, personal hygiene, and wellness. Theresa has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020. You can find more of her work on Travel + Leisure, The Spruce, and People.
Rebecca R. Norris has been covering beauty content for over 10 years. As someone with three tattoos herself, she knows firsthand how to care for fresh ink. To ensure this list was as robust and well-versed as possible, though, she chatted with several experts on the topic, including:
- Tiffany L. Clay, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Atlanta
- Pierre Bustos, a Hustle Butter tattoo artist based in New York City
- Erin Murray, the SVP of Marketing at tattoo care brand Mad Rabbit
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough soaps for tattoos from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at [email protected], and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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