Washing Your Tattoo: What Soap To Use? (12 examples)

Washing your tattoo is an important process to the healing time of your tattoo.

The question is what soap is acceptable to use?

We have listed 12 different brands letting you know the pros and cons of each so you can make your own mind up if it is a good choice to wash your new tattoo.

Some of the below brands are known brands and others are less known but you can find all of them online at stores such as amazon. Thanks for reading.

Johnson and Johnson Baby Soap good for Tattoos

Johnson and Johnson Baby Soap is gentle on the skin and can help ensure that tattoos stay vibrant. The soap is safe for daily use and can be used to help maintain the tattoo during the early phases of healing. The ingredients used in this soap include coconut oil, vitamin E, and aloe.

Pros

-It has no allergens or dyes
-It doesn’t contain fragrance or lanolin, which can irritate the tattoo.
-The soap is inexpensive and widely available.

Cons

-It may cause the tattoo to fade if used too early in the healing process.

Dettol antibacterial soap for Tattoos

Dettol is antibacterial and can be used as part of the standard tattoo aftercare routine. It should not be used on recently completed tattoos or those with an unhealed scab.

If a scab is present, do not wash with Dettol. It should also never be used as the only post-tattoo wash. Dettol must be mixed at a ratio of one part Dettol with ten parts water.

Water alone can dry out the skin and add stress to the tattooed area, but Dettol does not have that drying effect when used in the correct proportion. It’s also safe to use on piercings when diluted correctly.

Ingredients used in Dettol include thyme oil, eucalyptus oil, and isopropyl alcohol. Dettol must be kept away from eyes and mouth. In case of contact with either, rinse thoroughly with clean water immediately.

Pros:

-Antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties
-No harmful chemicals
-Can be used as an additive to the standard tattoo aftercare routine without causing harm

Cons:

-It May cause skin irritation or allergic reaction for some people.

Equate Soap good for Tattoos

Equate brand liquid antibacterial soap is a great daily use product for washing your tattoo. It is recommended by many reputable tattoo shops because it doesn’t contain any fragrances or additives that may irritate the skin.

Equate also makes a sensitive skin version of their product which can be used as a soap substitute for those with skin allergies.

The ingredients in Equate Liquid Antibacterial soap: Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamide Mea, Lauramide DEA, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Dmdm Hydantoin.

Pros:

Pharmacy product

Affordable

Alcohol and fragrance-free

Cons:

Can be too gentle for some washes (especially after workouts or other exercises)

Dial Unscented soap for Tattoos

Dial liquid hand soap is another alcohol, fragrance, and dye-free option. Many tattoo shops will recommend Dial as a daily use liquid soap, and it has been known to rinse off dried blood on tattoos with no problems.

The ingredients in Dial Liquid hand soap: Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamide MEA, Lauramide MIPA, Sodium Tallowate or Laureth Sulfate, Lauramide MIPA, Fragrance, Sodium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA.

Pros:

• Pharmacy product
• Alcohol and fragrance-free
• Affordable

Cons:

Not recommended for use on the face (irritating to eyes)

Dr. Bronners Castile Liquid Soap for Tattoos

Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Pure -D castile soap contains no fragrance and replaces it with double the olive oil, so it won’t dry out your skin.

Its ph balanced to have a neutral effect on your skin, which is how our skin should be: neither too oily or too dry. This makes Dr. Bronners perfect for tattoo aftercare. The castle oil comes from pressing the seeds of olives, which are then cold-pressed to produce high-quality castile soap.

Dr. Bronners is also certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program. It is biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and versatile for everything that life brings your way.

Dr. Bronners is made with certified fair trade ingredients and packaged in bottles that are at least 70% post-consumer recycled plastic.

It is biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and versatile for everything that life brings your way; body care, hair care, dishes (liquid or bar soap), mopping, pets, washing your car or even the laundry.

Cons

Its con is that it’s too mild on the skin, so if you have sensitive skin, this soap might not be for you at first.

Dove Sensitive Skin Soap for Tattoos

Dove has always been known as a gentle, nurturing soap that cares for your skin while giving you a deep clean. These benefits are just as true for your new tattoo. Its unique formula is designed to care for the special needs of sensitive skin, so it’s one of the best options out there for tattoos.

The pH-balanced formula won’t irritate your skin or leave it feeling dry and tight after washing away dirt and grease. You can use it with confidence on any area of the body, particularly sensitive skin areas like your face and tattoos.

Pros:

Dove is a great choice for sensitive tattooed areas because it has a gentle pH-balanced formula that won’t irritate or dry out your skin. This soap can be used with confidence on any area of the body, especially sensitive skin areas like your face and tattoos.

Cons

It’s not as rich in oils as some other natural soaps, which means there’s a higher chance of it drying out your skin while you’re using it. Dial Unscented Soap for tattoos It won’t interfere with the color or feel of your tattoo and is gentle enough to use on sensitive skin.

Dial Unscented bar soap contains no dyes, so it won’t interfere with the colour or feel of your tattoo and is gentle enough to use. This dermatologist-tested formula can be used on both the hands and body for a versatile clean that leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth after every use.

Irish Spring Soap for Tattoos

You can’t go wrong with the classic clean of Irish Spring. With a blend of essential oils and other ingredients specially formulated to combat body odor, it’s ideal for taking care of your tattoo before you hit the gym or head out on a date night.

Its antiseptic formula also helps to prevent infection and keep your skin clean and fresh while you heal.

Pros:

Irish Spring is a classic bar soap with a blend of essential oils specially formulated to combat body odour. It’s great for taking care of your tattoo before hitting the gym or going on a date night since it will keep you smelling fresh and clean, while its antiseptic formula helps to prevent infection.

Cons:

It may not be as gentle on your skin as other options, so it’s best to use it only on the hands and feet if you’re using it for tattoos.

Ivory Soap For Tattoos

Ivory soap has a rich, creamy lather that will keep your skin clean and nourished. Its antiseptic qualities help to speed up the healing process of your fresh tattoo by fighting off germs before they have a chance to cause an infection.

Pros:

It’s gentle enough to use on sensitive skin areas like your face and tattoos. It has a rich lather that keeps skin clean, with antiseptic qualities that help speed up the healing process of new tattoos by fighting off germs before they have a chance to cause an infection.

Cons:

It may not be as gentle on your skin as other options, so it’s best to use it only on the hands and feet if you’re using it for tattoos.

Tattoo Goo Antibacterial Soap:

Tattoo goo is a very well known brand, and people love it because the soap is antibacterial and unscented. The base is a olive oil which is a nice natural base, and comes in a pump bottle which is easy for dispersement.

Pros:

Leaves no residue on your skin leaving it dry. It also removes dead skin cells and dirt, and is a great antibacterial soap using natural ingredients (free from alcohol).

Cons:

If you prefer a cake of soap Tattoo Goo doesn’t have this, it only comes in a pump bottle.

Goat Milk Soap For Tattoo

Goat milk soap is a great daily cleaning soap. It is also anti aging which means that any new colour you get in the tattoo, it will help with any colour loss. It is also a recommended soap for any dry skin, so if you experience this than goat milk soap is a great choice.

Pros:

Gentle goat milk soap is gentle on skin, that’s why mothers use this as a baby soap. If you have sensitive skin or dry skin the gentle ingredients are a good idea.

Also if you are getting a coloured tattoo the anti aging properties will help with any discolouration while the tattoo is healing.

Cons:

Avoid if you have any dairy allergies as this is a goat milk soap.

Zest Bar Soap For Tattoos

Zest is a very popular soap used mainly in the USA as it is antibacterial with a aqua fresh scent that also has the benefit of vitamin E.

Pros:

A lot of people say it is a refreshing soap to use and that it doesn’t leave much soap scum in the shower. It is made with Vitamin E and the company claims that it is antibacterial, so this is why it would be good for a tattoo.

Cons:

If you have sensitive skin this soap some people find drying. If your skin is this way it may feel itchy or irritated.