Table of Contents
Going to a great place and getting yourself inked with a design is not the only step toward owning a good tattoo. Proper maintenance of the area’s skin post-tattooing is critical to prevent adverse effects. A tattoo is a wound that needs to be taken special care of, similar to other injuries, to heal correctly.
The tattooed area can get infected or become dry and itchy or become scarred if it’s not taken care of correctly. Here you will find a list of soaps for adequate healing of your new tattoo.
Best Overall | Basis Sensitive Skin Bar Soap |
Runner Up | Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar |
Best Unscented | Dr.Bronner Liquid Baby Soap |
Best for Sensitive Skin | Dove Sensitive Skin Bar Soap |
Best for Oily Skin | Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Soap |
Best Organic Soap | Void Soap Tattoo Recovery Bar |
Best Cleansing Bar | Neutrogena Transparent Cleansing Bar Soap |
Best Foam Soap | H2Ocean Foam Soap |
Best Drugstore Pick | Cuticura Original Soap Bar |
Best Ointment Spray | Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray |
Best for Old Tattoos | Billy Jealousy Make Your Mark Tattoo Wash |
How To Choose The Best Soap For Tattoos
Choosing the best soap for tattoos is not as easy as it seems. To select a perfect tattoo soap, you need to know and analyze the ingredients, and their effects on the skin. Randomly selecting a product can do more harm than good, so go through this list we have prepared below for some tips on shopping for a good soap for tattoos:Fragrance-free
The fragrance and artificial flavors in soaps may contain harmful chemicals. While not all soaps with fragrances are harmful, a lot of them are. If harmful chemicals are present, they can irritate your new tattoo and damage the skin there. So it is essential to choose a trusted fragrance soap, or fragrance-free soap for tattoos where possible to reduce potential exposure to harmful chemicals.Regular vs. Antibacterial
Antibacterial soaps contain specific chemicals intended to help combat bacterial infection. However, according to the FDA, there is no real benefit to using antibacterial over regular soap.Natural ingredients
Certain natural ingredients have natural healing properties that can help with your tattoo aftercare. Aloe vera, for example, has anti-infammatory chemical compounds that reduce swelling and discomfort.Best 11 Soaps for Tattoos
Once you’ve finally gotten your tattoo, you need to maintain it well until the tattoo heals. Your tattoo artist would have given you a timeframe for keeping your plastic wrap applied, so follow their suggestion on when to take it off and when to wash the tattoo with soap. When you’re ready, wash it under lukewarm water with a tattoo soap. Glance through our list of tattoo soaps that we have compiled considering different factors and choose one that suits you the most.Best Overall: Basis Sensitive Skin Bar Soap

Main benefits:
- Contains chamomile and aloe vera
- No fragrances or harsh chemicals
- Good for normal and sensitive skin
- Dermatologist-recommended
Runner Up: Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar

Main benefits:
- Hydrates the skin
- Designed for dry, sensitive skin
- Detergent-free
Best Unscented: Dr.Bronner Liquid Baby Soap

Main benefits:
- Vegan-friendly
- 90% organic ingredients
- Unscented
- Gentle on skin
Best for Sensitive Skin: Dove Sensitive Skin Bar Soap

Main benefits:
- Gentle on skin
- Multipurpose
- Environment-friendly
- Backed by skin specialists
Best for Oily Skin: Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Soap

Main benefits:
- A great choice for new tattoos
- Unscented
- Antimicrobial action
- Deep cleansing ability
Best Organic Soap: Void Soap Tattoo Recovery Bar

Main benefits:
- Clinically and dermatologist tested
- Fragrance-free
- Completely organic
Best Cleansing Bar: Neutrogena Transparent Cleansing Bar Soap

Main benefits:
- Fragrance-free
- Economical
- Antibacterial
- A great choice for sensitive skin
Best Foam Soap: H2Ocean Foam Soap

Main benefits:
- Vegan
- Fragrance-free
- Easy handling
- Moisturizing properties
Best Drugstore Pick: Cuticura Original Soap Bar

Main benefits:
- Recommended by dermatologists
- Deep cleansing ability
- Protects the skin from drying
- Good for sensitive skin
Best Ointment Spray: Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray

Main benefits:
- Moisturising property
- Easy application
- It gives a radiant glow
- Hypoallergenic
Best for Old Tattoos: Billy Jealousy Make Your Mark Tattoo Wash

Main benefits:
- Rejuvenates old tattoo
- Exfoliates dead skin
- Antibacterial
- Contains natural ingredients
Tattoo Aftercare Tips
After you get your tattoo, it’s important that you take good care of it to ensure it heals well. Here are a few useful tips you should keep in mind after you get your tattoo:- Keep it moisturized – Apply scent-free moisturizer or lotion to your tattoo at least twice a day or whenever it’s dry. Always apply it after a shower, as the warm water can dry out your skin. Check out our list of the best lotions for tattoos.
- Keep it out of direct sunlight – Exposure to UV rays from the sun can break up the ink of your tattoo. Even after the tattoo is healed, long exposure to the sun can fade your tattoo faster. When your tattoo is healed, consider wearing sunscreen when you know you’re going to be in the sun for long periods.
- Don’t pick or scratch – While your tattoo may be irritated and itchy while it’s healing, keep yourself from picking or scratching at it. Doing so can cause infections, as your fingernails can harbor bacteria beneath them which could compromise the tattoo.
- Ask your artist questions – If you’re ever worried about something during the healing stage, flick your tattoo artist a message so they can ease your worries. They’re professionals, and they know exactly what you should do to take care of a healing tattoo.
Conclusion
When buying a soap for tattoos, try to look for ones that are fragrance-free and made from all-natural and organic ingredients. Doing so ensures your tattoo will heal nicely and look healthy post-healing. Once healing is complete, take care of your tattoo by regularly applying sunscreen when it’s exposed to sunlight and keeping the skin hydrated.Tattoo Soap FAQs
We recommend the Basis Sensitive Skin Bar Soap as it does a great job at cleaning your tattoo without causing a harsh reaction.
No, antibacterial soap is not needed for a healing tattoo. Instead, look for a high quality soap that can clean your skin and keep it hydrated.
We recommend the Neutrogena Transparent Bar Soap as it can gently cleanse your tattoo without causing irritation.
Wash your tattoo under warm water with a soap for tattoos that can clease it and keep it hydrated.
Avoid soaps with added chemicals and look for soaps that are made from natural ingredients. Chemicals with scents may sometimes contain harmful chemicals, so also try to shop unscented where possible.