Unveiling the art etched on your skin, a newly minted tattoo, is just the beginning of an enriching journey that demands careful attention and care. The best soaps for tattoos play a pivotal role in this adventure, ensuring that the vibrant hues and intricate designs remain as fresh and engaging as the day they were imprinted.

As your tattoo journeys from being an open wound to a stunning visual treat, it demands more than just casual attention. It requires dedicated and well-informed care that begins with cleansing, the first line of defense against potential infections and irritations. Washing your tattoo isn't about mindlessly grabbing any soap. It's about selecting the right one, one that cleanses without disrupting the skin's natural balance and accelerates the healing process.

The search for the perfect soap for your tattoo can feel like navigating through an endless maze, with countless options on the shelves, each proclaiming to be the best. However, not all soaps are identically created. Just as tattoos vary significantly in style, size, and color, so do the soaps designed to keep your tattoo site sterile. And, that’s the point where our curated list comes into play.

Based on our first hand experience, we have scrubbed through the overwhelming options, toiled, and tested to bring you refined results. The aim is not just to list the 12 best soaps for tattoos but to help you understand what makes them stand out. From their gentle formulas and skin-compatible pH levels to their moisturizing properties and absence of harmful additives, we have examined every facet.

• 1
  Most Affordable

  H2Ocean Blue Green Foam Soap

  Buy on Amazon

Infused with nutrient-rich sea salt from the Red Sea, this all-natural H2Ocean foam soap can gently cleanse the skin around new tattoos and promote healing. This unique formula is an excellent no-rinse replacement for traditional green soaps. The foam soap for tattoos is also free from artificial colors that could dry out your skin and cause irritation. Instead, it utilizes benzalkonium chloride, a pharmaceutical-grade cleaner and preservative, and aloe vera and 82 essential trace minerals to protect your body art. Also, this vegan product ensures your tattoos heal perfectly and look vibrant.

2

Promotes Fast Healing

HEMERA SUPREME NATURALS Tattoo Soap

Buy on Amazon

Experience the ultimate care for your tattoos with Hemera Supreme Naturals tattoo soap. Crafted by experts and made with care, this foam-based soap is the perfect solution for maintaining the vibrancy and longevity of your tattoos. With its blend of natural ingredients, this antibacterial foam is also designed to cleanse, protect, and nourish your skin art. Addedly, the refreshing scent of rosemary, aloe vera, and chamomile adds a soothing touch to your tattoo care routine. Last but not the least, suitable for all skin types, this premium tattoo soap creates a rich foam that gently removes dirt, excess oil, and impurities without causing irritation. So, why wait? Indulge your senses with the invigorating scent of this tattoo cleaning soap while pampering your tattoos.

3

Professional Grade Soap

Dragon Art Green Soap Prep Wash

Buy on Amazon

The Dragon Art green soap prep wash is an effective detergent and cleaner that eliminates dried blood and protein soils. With a generous 16.9oz ultra-concentrated soap form, this product also comes with an 8oz squeeze bottle for easy dispensing. Moreover, infused with a refreshing peppermint scent, it not only cleanses your tattooed area but also revives your senses. Addedly, trusted by professional tattoo artists and piercers worldwide as one of the best soaps for tattoos, it comes in handy for cleaning equipment and instruments, making it a versatile addition to your tattoo aftercare routine.

4

Best for Sensitive Skin

HUSTLE BUBBLES DELUXE Tattoo Soap

Buy on Amazon

Meet your tattoo's new best friend - the Hustle Bubbles Deluxe tattoo soap, ideal for post tattoo and piercing care. This is the best soap for new tattoos to keep them clean throughout the healing process, reduce irritation, and fend off potential infections. This all-natural foam soap also eliminates bacteria without drying out your skin, and this specific quality has made it popular among worldwide artists. Lastly, made for sensitive skin, it gently removes dead skin cells and impurities that can dull your ink by adhering to the quality-assuring standards of the brand.

5

Most Hydrating

AFTER INKED Foam Cleaner Tattoo And Piercing

Buy on Amazon

Boasting off a specially formulated blend, After Inked tattoo and piercing foam cleanser effectively takes care of your tattoos and piercings. This vegan-friendly, made-in-the-USA tattoo body wash gently removes dirt and grime without dehydrating the skin. Precisely its ingredients are also carefully chosen to enhance the healing process post piercing and tattooing, causing minimal discomfort. To note more, it's proudly used by many professional tattoo artists, piercers, and PMU artists worldwide, ensuring quality and effectiveness. Moreover, it suits every skin type and is free from sulfates, parabens, and fragrances, providing optimal aftercare.

6

ELEMENT TATTOO SUPPLY GREEN Soap

Buy on Amazon

A vital tool for tattoo artistry, Element Tattoo Supply green soap boasts off a skin-friendly, hospital-grade disinfectant for preparing and restoring your skin throughout the tattooing process. To add more, the pleasant lavender scent and organic ingredients make it one of the best soaps for tattoo care offering a pleasant experience while maintaining a sterile environment. For the best results, dilute it using a 1:8 ratio with distilled water, and it's ready for use, ideally paired with a squeeze bottle. What's more is that it is available in multiple sizes, catering to all skin types while complying with the brand's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

7

Best Antimicrobial Soap

SANIDERM CLEANSING AND NOURISHING Face & Body Bar

Buy on Amazon

Crafted to heal and moisturize your inked skin, Saniderm face and body cleansing soap makes tattoo aftercare a breeze. Infused with sea buckthorn oil and oats, this antibacterial bar soap accelerates healing and keeps the skin well-hydrated, preventing your tattoo from peeling. Furthermore, leveraging the goodness of lemon oil, it cleanses your skin from any potential tattoo-harming irritants. To note more, its natural formulation also boasts off ingredients, including tangerine oil that makes it gentle for all skin types and a versatile solution for skin ailments like acne. Lastly, this USA-made, paraben-free, and vegan soap is an ode to mindful skincare with its allergen-free promise.

8

Editor’s Pick

Piercing Care Kit by Tattoo Goo

Buy on Amazon

Tattoo Goo's Piercing care kit brings a comprehensive solution for your tattoo and piercing aftercare. The kit includes a 3 oz antimicrobial tattoo safe soap formulated with olive oil for a deep yet gentle cleanse, ridding the skin of bacteria without causing dryness. Moreover, the kit has a 2 oz alcohol-free all-natural cleansing spray and sterile disinfectant for oral and dermal use, promoting healing and moisturization. It also comes with 24 no-mess antiseptic swabs for convenient use, promoting swift recovery and preventing infection. Lastly, clinically-tested, PETA-approved, and USA-made, this kit showcases the dedication of this brand to superior skin care.

9

Versatile Use

CleanSkin Cleansing Soap Wipes

Buy on Amazon

For an efficient aftercare of your tattoo, CleanSkin has come up with pre-soaked soap wipes that bring convenience to tattoo procedures as well. In fact, the solution of the wipes eliminates the need for additional cleaning supplies. Formulated with natural ingredients, you can use these wipes to remove dried blood, protein soils, and topicals while not affecting anesthesia. Unlike traditional green soaps for tattoos, the skin-friendly wipes are free from alcohol and fragrance, ensuring pigment color preservation. The best part? The easily accessible, no-mess packaging reduces prep time and potential contamination, making this product a standout solution for tattoo care.

10

SANIDERM Foam Soap

Buy on Amazon

Saniderm foaming soap provides a versatile cleansing solution that serves both tattoo artists and tattoo enthusiasts alike. This organic and natural soap, featuring a calming lavender scent, eradicates dirt and free radicals without compromising the skin's moisture. Also, it ensures a smooth tattoo aftercare experience, minimizing scarring and promoting faster healing. Apart from tattoo care, this soap doubles up as a daily hand cleanser, promoting healthy habits. The organic formulation also has nourishing ingredients like sea buckthorn, coconut, and lavender oil, all known for their skin-enriching benefits. Lastly, made in the USA, this tattoo wash soap is free from common allergens, ensuring skin safety.

11

Best for All Skin Types

VI Tattoo Soap

Buy on Amazon

Revive and protect your ink with VI tattoo soap. An efficient, unscented, and natural soap to use on a tattoo as an aftercare product, it comes with potent ingredients like sea buckthorn berry, hemp seed oil, and shea butter to ensure optimal hydration and nourishment for your skin, thereby promoting quick healing. Notably, it is a gentle yet powerful solution that suits all skin types, whether dry or oily. So, why wait? Bid adieu to harsh, generic soaps and trust this vegan, tattoo-specific cleanser that supports the healing process and keeps your tattoo fresh for years.

12

Natural Ingredients

MAD RABBIT REFRESH GENTLE Cleansing Soap

Buy on Amazon

Get ready for a gentle cleansing session with Mad Rabbit's Refresh cleansing soap. This coconut-scented antibacterial soap for tattoos is enriched with clean, plant-based oils that nourish your skin while keeping it hydrated. The dynamic blend of glycerin and coconut works in harmony to purify the skin, leaving a radiant, healthy glow. Plus, aloe vera soothes the skin, promoting firmness and brightness. Addedly, suitable for all skin types, it works wonders on tattooed areas too. For the best results, lather the soap onto your body, focusing on the tattooed area, rinse thoroughly, and voila! Your refreshed and rejuvenated skin awaits!

As per our expertise and thorough research, here are the 12 best soaps for tattoos promising long-lasting vibrance of your inked art. Apart from accelerating the healing process, these exceptional aftercare products ensure that your body art remains true to its original form. 

Here are a few aspects to consider before vouching for the best soaps for tattoos - 

Browsing Through Soaps

The type of soap you use can make or break your tattoo's healing process. The market is filled with different soap options from heavily perfumed to antibacterial types. Having a gentle, hypoallergenic, and chemical-free soap is important. So, your aim should be to find a soap that cleanses the tattooed area without irritating or drying it out.

Antibacterial But Fragrance-Free

It may sound paradoxical, but it's crucial. While antibacterial soaps are often recommended for new tattoos, it's crucial to avoid those containing perfumes. The fragrances in soap can be harsh on your skin and may slow the healing process. Instead, look for antibacterial soaps that are explicitly labeled as fragrance-free. These soaps will help keep your tattoo clean and free from infection without causing unnecessary irritation.

The pH Balance

The pH level of the soap you choose can also significantly impact your tattoo's health. Our skin has an acidic pH, around 5.5 that helps maintain its barrier function. Using a soap that aligns with your skin's natural pH can prevent infections and promote healing.

Moisturization Factor

The more hydrated your skin is, the happier your tattoos will be. Your new tattoo will be similar to a fresh wound, and just like any healing skin, it needs to stay well-hydrated. A soap with moisturizing properties can aid in this process. Avoid soaps that strip your skin of its natural oils. Ingredients like glycerin and aloe vera are good indicators of a moisturizing soap.

Reading Labels

Know what's inside the package you are buying. When choosing a soap, read the label to understand what's in it. Avoid soaps with alcohol, as they can dry out your skin and hinder healing. Similarly, soaps with sulfates can be harsh on your skin and should be avoided. Natural soaps for tattoos are often the safest choices.