10 Best Antibacterial Soaps for Tattoos & How-To Guide

Body art is a traditional and substantial kind of personal, spiritual, and creative expression.

People from different parts of the world have been pierced and tattooed for plenty of years already.

Currently, with the availability of many tattoo aftercare products, you can find the best antibacterial soap for tattoos without going through a lot of trouble.

Quick Navigation 10 Best Antibacterial Soaps for Tattoos & How-To Guide   1. H2Ocean Blue Green Foam Soap   2. Provon Antimicrobial Lotion Soap   3. Cosco Tincture Tattoo Green Soap   4. Dial Hand Gold Antibacterial Soap   5. Cuticura Medicated Antibacterial Soap   6. Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Soap   7. Blue Soap Cleansing And Soothing Solution   8. Billy Jealousy Make Your Mark Tattoo Wash   9. Ink-Eeze Tattoo Products Prebiotic Foam Soap   10. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap, Baby Unscented

After getting inked, your tattoo should be taken care of well and should be kept clean all the time. All the same, they are significantly open wounds and should therefore be secured from infection.

Activities such as washing a new tattoo with the use of soap and water two times a day and drying are significant parts of handling the tattoos.

Caring for a fresh tattoo may get complex. Nonetheless, with the best soap, it is possible to heal the skin faster and make the tattoo look colorful and lively with no hassle at all.

But how do you find the best antibacterial soap? Well, it doesn’t have to be exhausting if you get to know the products that are proven to work effectively in cleaning a new tattoo.

Top 10 Best Antibacterial Soap for Tattoos

Tattoos are a kind of art printed on the body. There is no question, too that the body is your temple. Hence, anyone should be careful in handling their ink, particularly if it is freshly made.

Considering the fact that it is still new, it is still considered an open wound that could be susceptible to infection if you fail to put in enough effort. It is important that you use the best antibacterial soap.

If you have just gotten a new tattoo, the first thing to do is get an unscented antibacterial soap to make sure that the design stays healthy and vibrant.

Bear in mind that the tattooed skin is similar to an open wound.

Hence, proper aftercare is needed to prevent the possibility of tainting the sensitive lines.

Many tattoo artists will probably recommend a bar soap that they promote or use, but you might also want to check the list of antibacterial soaps that are proven effective.

1. H2Ocean Blue Green Foam Soap

If you are susceptible to irritation when using fragrant soaps, then you will find this soap most suitable for you. H2Ocean Blue Green Foam Soap is a credible aftercare antibacterial soap for a tattoo.

It is specifically developed to productively wash a new tattoo without inflicting dryness or too much injury.

For those who have just gotten a tattoo, they may find it best to use Blue Green Foam Soap to make sure that they experience a much ideal tattoo healing.

This soap uses active and inactive ingredients. Its active ingredient is the benzalkonium chloride 0.13 percent which kills 99 percent of germs.

Its inactive ingredients include purified water, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, poloxamer 188, sea salt (minerals), and disodium edta.

It does not develop any tingling mark on the skin while in the process of tattoo healing. It simply implies that users will experience a painless procedure.

It also facilitates a reduction in inflammation and redness in the skin, which are typical to happen after getting a tattoo. Managing the entire side effects developed by a tattoo is its forte. 

Fortified with minerals and aloe vera, H2Ocean Blue Green Foam Soap helps in moisturizing the skin while cleansing the tattoo.

This soap is quite more reliable as compared to rough chemical soaps which could scorch the skin. It is antibacterial, antimicrobial, and has no fragrance.

When using this soap, you just have to thoroughly wash the tattoo with warm water 3 to 4 times a day. Apply medium pressure in your fingers while you wash the tattoo to help eliminate any dried discharges in the skin pores.

The use of warm water when washing the tattoo helps open the derma pores and safely disinfect the ink and blood plasma to provide the skin a thorough clean to avoid the formation of scabs.

H2Ocean Blue Green Foam Soap is an on-the-go soap so you can comfortably bring it wherever you are bound to go.

2. Provon Antimicrobial Lotion Soap

Provon Antimicrobial Lotion Soap is a gentle and reliable liquid soap that is suggested by the Association of Professional Piercers.

It was formulated with conditioners, emollients, and gentle skin cleansers. This soap works efficiently in cleaning a tattoo and can be applied once or two times a day.

Its notable active component is the 0.3 percent chloroxylenol which blends efficient far-ranging antimicrobial activity.

It is a disinfectant and antiseptic that mends the itchiness, redness, and infection that develop with tattoo piercing. 

Furthermore, Provon Antimicrobial Lotion Soap also uses corn oil, coconut oil, and some important fatty acids. These give a defensive coating to the skin and secure moisture to inhibit the dryness of the skin.

It is fortified with unrefined skin conditioners such as vitamin E and aloe vera. It comes with the scent of citrus fragrance and does not use any rough chemicals.

Just make sure to dilute Provon Antimicrobial Lotion Soap first before using it on the tattoos.

The soap provides a full stretch of antimicrobial equations with active components that lessens the escalation of infection despite the fact of being tame to the skin.

You will experience a better healing process after getting a tattoo once you use this soap. Provon Antimicrobial Lotion Soap moisturizes the skin. It also works in hastening the healing process.

With great logic, this soap works to prevent infections, facilitates cure, and also ideal for scrapes.

The use of Provon Antimicrobial Lotion Soap is also very manageable. Simply wet the tattooed area, foam it on your hands, and clean the affected part.

You will eventually notice how your skin reacts pleasantly. If properly used, this soap will not only help in expediting the healing but also lessens the occurrence of itchiness.

You can simply feel confident that this soap can justly work well when cleaning your tattoo. 

3. Cosco Tincture Tattoo Green Soap

Although Cosco Tincture Tattoo Green Soap is not a typical soap that you will use on a daily basis, it is still considered to be one of the best antibacterial soaps for tattoos considering its efficiency and the idea that a lot of tattoo artists would opt to use it.

Cosco Tincture Tattoo Green Soap is the classic accessory in tattoo shops all over the world and is meant to disinfect the skin.

Aside from post-cleansing, this soap can also be employed in conditioning the skin before getting tattooed, and also for cleaning a piece of tattoo equipment. Its main components include pure vegetable oils, glycerin, and lavender.

There can be times that they include olive oil which helps to boost the immune system, secure against digestive issues, and has anti-inflammatory properties.

It is an efficient antibacterial liquid soap as well as a cleanser. It works to get rid of the protein solids and dried blood from the skin during inking. You will also love the idea that it is an environment-friendly soap and does not use rough chemicals.

Even if you got dried blood, and some stencil markings on the skin after finishing the process of tattooing, this soap can easily manage that too.

Mixing this soap with water, you will be amazed by its incredible ability. It is an antibacterial soap that you can never lose trust in.

It also moisturizes the skin. It has glycerol that helps keeps the hydration of the skin. It shields the skin and opens the pores of the skin to permit perspiration which turns the skin healthy and clean.

Cosco Tincture Tattoo Green Soap is highly suited to sensitive skin since it comprises of hypoallergenic qualities and natural substances.

Its non-use of rough chemicals makes it even practical for newborns and infants. It also develops a unique scent because of its natural elements.

4. Dial Hand Gold Antibacterial Soap

We use this Dial hand soap at our bathroom sinks for our users and visitors. It does not come out of the bottle as rapidly as other soaps. It also rinses off easily without leaving a greasy or dry residue on the hands.

We have little children who like to play with the soap, and we have discovered that we can change the top spout so that only a tiny quantity comes out at a time, which has averted a couple of huge messes since they could only squirt a small amount out each time. 

This soap is excellent in removing grime and grease from the hands. It will cut a tiny bit of grease, but if your hands are excessively oily (like when I had to wipe up spread butter), it will not cut as much grease. However, it has only let us down in a few instances.

This soap has a very light smell. We sometimes use it to wash our hands before cooking meals, and it leaves no flavor or odor on the food. We can recommend this soap to others.

5. Cuticura Medicated Antibacterial Soap

Using Cuticura Medicated Antibacterial soap did not particularly excite me for the first few times. They didn’t have any aroma and occasionally smelled medical turned me off.

But, as I became used to the fragrance, this antibacterial soap began to feel comfortable and pleasant on my skin. But it was the excellent outcomes that this bathing soap indeed provided that astounded me.

I observed that my skin was cleaner and dirt-free after applying it twice daily. What shocked me the most was that my itching had almost totally subsided, and my skin felt less clammy and sticky.

Apart from all of these incredible outcomes, what remarkably astonished me was that my pimples, which had first looked to be drying up, eventually vanished from my face – as if they had never been. 

Initially, I was concerned that the soap might dry out my skin since it lathered so effectively.

However, this medicinal soap, which included ‘Triclocarban’ (an antibacterial agent that conditioned the skin), thoroughly cleaned my face, eliminating all the extra filth and oil that was perhaps the underlying cause of pimples and acne.

Because this medicated soap was just $ 2.95, I thought it was a cost-effective and straightforward approach to keep my skin looking healthy and lovely.

6. Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Soap

The formula used in Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Soap was developed through the efforts of dermatologists and tattoo artists. These experts have broad experience on how to efficiently take care of newly tattooed skin.

Hence, this soap is not drying and is particularly designed for piercing and tattoo aftercare.

A reliable formula is preeminent when talking about soap as well as other products for hygienic uses. The formula used in this soap involves an active element known as PCMX-L, which is composed of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate (Lauricidin) and chloroxylenol (PCMX).

Lauricidin is a chain fat that facilitates deep cleansing. PCMX, on the other hand, is an extremely efficient antimicrobial agent.

Having these two powerful ingredients, Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Soap is able to skin the skin without necessarily removing a lot of moisture.

Not all kinds of soaps and cleansers are best for piercings and tattoos. Usually, cleansers that have alcohol are not ideal for fresh piercings.

Nevertheless, this soap is developed to be an efficient sanitizer that is not harmful to the skin, whether it is pierced or tattooed. 

Furthermore, it cannot be argued that new tattoos can develop excessive itchiness. This is not essentially a sad thing. Nevertheless, scratching the skin can hamper the process of healing. The use of this soap may help in alleviating itchiness.

As a result, the desire to scratch the skin is reduced. Sanitizing a fresh tattoo in the right way can help prevent infection.

However, Tattoo Goo Deep Cleansing Soap can do so much more! When used on a daily basis, it can also help the tattoo to heal quickly.

Once you open the lid, many products will likely pour out and it will be hard for you to control it. It is recommended to pop the lid open as it is directed upward to prevent sloppy spills.

7. Blue Soap Cleansing And Soothing Solution

Blue Soap Cleansing And Soothing Solution is a cleansing, relaxing, and healing solution for tattoo enthusiasts. You may use this soap to wash your skin before starting your tattoo appointment.

Because it is a concentrated soap, you will need to dilute it with the required amount of water before using it.

Before being diluted with water, you will obtain nine times the quantity of soap in the container. It is a must-have item for tattoo fans and tattoo artists in the area.

After my inking procedure, the Blue Soap Cleansing And Soothing Solution helped cleanse and calm my skin.

The moderate alcohol gently cleans the skin surface through its germicidal effect while also disrupting the bacterial cell wall. It also contains camphor, which helps to reduce pain, itchiness, and inflammation.

8. Billy Jealousy Make Your Mark Tattoo Wash

Packed with herb extracts, fruit extracts, as well as other skin-nurturing elements, Billy Jealousy Tattoo Wash is surely a must-try.

Aside from being ideal for new tattoos, it can also make the faded and older tattoos look lively again. You will love to experience better tattoo aftercare by using this kind of soap.

Billy Jealousy Tattoo Wash is marketed in a large bottle. However, you do not have to use much each time you go to shower or cleanse the new tattoo.

A little quantity can whip up significantly and provide you plenty of foams. You can manage tattoos of different sizes!

Furthermore, this soap does not pique, irritate, or burn the skin. As a matter of fact, you may even see that it senses good and can work in soothing and calming inflamed skin.

Another thing that you should be watchful of during tattoo aftercare is dryness. It is good to know that Billy Jealousy Tattoo Wash does not dry out the skin or trigger wackiness. If the skin is sufficiently-hydrated, there will be lesser chances that it could get itchy or irritated.

Different from other kinds of soaps that are used for tattoos, this soap is not only ideal for new tattoos.

You can also use this soap to restore older tattoos that are already faded. Billy Jealousy Tattoo Wash can turn colors lively again and keep the edges and lines clear and sharp.

Ensure that your entire tattoos, both new and old, stay lively and intense through the use of this soap. Improve your tattoo aftercare by getting a soap that can keep the looks of your tattoo great despite its age.

Use it as recommended and you will see the reason why it is one of the best antibacterial soaps in the market nowadays.

9. Ink-Eeze Tattoo Products Prebiotic Foam Soap

One of the most famous options among tattoo aficionados is the Ink-Eeze Prebiotics Foam Soap. This soap calms the skin before the tattooing procedure and serves as a vital cleaner afterward.

It contains coconut water and glycerin that works as humectants, retaining moisture in the skin. They also help eliminate the annoying dryness that occurs after the inking procedure.

The antioxidants and minerals in aloe vera and kelp help soften and moisturize rough skin.

The soap also helps to keep natural moisture in the skin and relieves inflammation and redness. It moisturizes and softens the skin.

The unique prebiotic mix helps clean the skin while also reducing redness and swelling.

Because of its balanced pH and the inclusion of aloe vera extract and kelp, this professional treatment wonderfully hydrates dry and extremely dry skin. We love the calming effect. We only wish there were bigger bottles.

10. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap, Baby Unscented

Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap is a kind of medical soap and it has genuine tea oil. This is the explanation of why this soap has been known to be one of the most effective cleansers that provide a positive effect on the tattoo.

It comes with a gentle and woodsy fragrance. If you are aiming to get enhanced and vegan-friendly with unrefined ingredients, then this soap is the best one for you.

You will love to know that this soap utilizes a recycling approach in its packaging. Dr. Bronner’s is redirecting junked plastic from landfills through using and heightening requirements for recycled plastic bottles.

This makes the product environmental-friendly. It also has an antibacterial feature that works to terminate the bacteria in the tattooing part, combats against fungi, and keeps you protected from getting an infection.

This soap does not use any harsh chemicals or artificial preservatives. It was developed with a load of guaranteed natural ingredients to grant you convenience while you are in the process of tattoo healing. It utilizes powerful ingredients to give you smooth skin in just a matter of short time.

Nevertheless, it will also be good to point out that some people develop allergies to tea tree oil. Hence, it is recommended to execute a spot test before using it.

Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap is three times more concentrated as compared to most liquid soaps in the market. More soap in every bottle implies less waste in the packaging.

Having no fragrance and doubling the olive oil, this soap is also recommended to people with sensitive skin as well as on babies. The soap is concentrated, all-around, biodegradable, and effective. 

Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing the Best Antibacterial Soap for Tattoos

When choosing the best antibacterial soap for tattoos, it is most likely that you will be affronted with numerous selections.

However, this does not directly imply that you can just get any kind of soap for your new tattoo. To improve the chance of making the right choice, there are things to keep in mind:

Ingredients

Never take for granted the ingredients used in the soap. Always make an effort to check the label and know the ingredients used. There are numerous soaps that use injurious toxic ingredients that could damage the skin further.

The best antibacterial soaps are those that use organic and natural ingredients. If there are rough chemicals used, there is a big chance that the tattoo can be susceptible to irritation, particularly if you have delicate skin.

When it comes to ingredients, the soap should not contain alcohol since it can be harmful to the tattoo and at the same time develop dry skin.

It is always recommended to check the ingredients of the product. See to it you’re your soap has natural and organic ingredients that could contribute to the fast fealing of the tattoo.

Nevertheless, if you have particular requirements such as if you have a fresh tattoo that is still in the process of healing, it is all the more significant that you check and comprehend what is happening in your skin.

Skin Type

Your choice of soap will also depend on your skin type. In particular, to avoid dryness, get a soap that is made for dry skin.

To avoid irritation and allergies, find a soap that is designed for sensitive skin. If you are concerned about how the skin would respond, you can simply get a baby soap since it is normally very mild yet cleansing.

Scent

The scent is just a matter of one’s choice. However, a lot of people would go for a product that has no fragrance.

Scents in soaps may trigger irritation on the skin, particularly if they have chemicals. If it has fragrance, the latter must be chosen considering the organic ingredients that are used.

Antibacterial Ability

An important thing to keep in mind when choosing a soap for tattoos is whether they have the antibacterial ability.

This feature will help restrict foreign elements that may lead to infection. Go for the soap that is known to break bacterial cell walls and cut down their growth.

Moisturizing Properties

A lot of tattoo soaps that are available with moisturizing features cost the same as normal soaps. So get a soap that has moisturizing features that could not lead to the dryness of your tattoo.

Types of Soap

You can choose bar soap when cleaning your tattoos, but you can also find liquid soaps and foam washes available in the market. You can ask your tattoo artist for some suggestions.

Shops and artists are likely to suggest various products. Some opt to use soap using liquid formula since it can be commonly diluted and sprayed into the skin. They find it easier to manage and use.

However, the good thing about foam soaps over other types of soaps is that they can endure a long way. Furthermore, they are easy to apply and commonly offered in a pump bottle.

In the meantime, bar soaps can be very helpful. However, the ones that are applied for tattoos do not use a formula that is particularly designed for tattoos.

Nevertheless, they are antibacterial and gentle, which is commonly sufficient for tattoo aftercare.

Reviews

Not all people would love to get a tattoo

Tattoos are different from piercings when it comes to aftercare. Hence, if you are planning to buy the best antibacterial soap for tattoos, consider checking what the tattoo artists, tattoo shops, and people having tattoos comment about it.

You should find important feedbacks from the reviews of the product and find a hint of whether the product is worth buying or not. 

There are soaps that are specifically designed for tattoo aftercare.

However, you can also use specific bath soaps that are known to come with gentle and mild properties on the skin.

What is necessary is that it will not irritate or dry the skin and it can efficiently maintain the cleanliness and freshness of your tattoo. 

How Do You Wash Fresh Tattoos?

Preferably, use an antibacterial soap two times a day to secure the tattoo from infection.

At the very least, you have to wash the fresh tattoos every morning when you wake up and at night before sleeping. See to it that the washing time is short but thorough and dry and clean the area between the washes.

If you notice it to be dirty or sweaty, you should proceed with cleaning it right away. There should be no problem if you take a shower provided that you do not get the tattoo soaked in the water.

Never scratch or scrub the skin where your tattoo is inked. Simply use your hands. The use of a loofah can only lead to the transferring of bacteria.

After rinsing it, pat dries the skin using a disposable paper towel. Do not reuse cloth towels as it can also spread microbes which could trigger infection.

You should know that your tattoo will spill liquid during the first or two days. You might notice a bit of blood or a bit of ink.

However, you should not panic if you see these manifestations because it is normal. Reaching the third or fourth day, you will notice that the tattoo starts to flake.

Do not pick it. Instead, get a fragrance-free lotion to alleviate the itchiness. Put off on the sunscreen until such time that the tattoo heals completely.

Most of the time, it takes around 2 to 3 weeks for the tattoo to completely heal. Do not lose heart and continue washing it. Soon enough, you can go back to your normal lifestyle.

Additional Tips for Washing Your Tattoos Using the Best Soap

Some other tips for washing your tattoos using the best soap can also help you with the aftercare. Here are some tips to remember:

1. Do not re-wrap your tattoo – After 3 hours, take off the bandage to let the skin breathe and start the process of healing. Re-wrapping the tattoo may prevent the exhibition of oxygen and smother the area, resulting in a bad healing quality. Moreover, keeping the bandage on for a long time can trigger the formation of the puss and infect the tattoo.
2. Do not touch the tattoo with a dirty hand – This may seem obvious, however, a lot of people still forget it. Do not forget that it is still an open wound and can be vulnerable to infection.
3. Do not use hot water when washing the tattoo – The skin is very vulnerable during the process of healing, and using hot water on a new tattoo can trigger irritation and could open pores which could potentially make the unsettled ink drip. When you wash the tattoo with the best soap, gently rinse it with lukewarm water.
4. Do not use petroleum – Petroleum can only suffocate the skin which could prevent your tattoo from breathing. This may lead to acne. Aside from this, certain petroleum-based products have elements that can draw out ink from the tattoo. 
5. Do not use excess lotions or creams – The same with re-wrapping the bandage, suppressing the new tattoo with excess lotions or creams, could inhibit the skin from breathing and hamper the process of healing. When applying tattoo aftercare products, consider only applying a thin layer; however, many times a day, to make the skin hydrated as well as moisturized. If you happen to apply too much, slightly blot up the excess with the use of a paper towel. 
6. Control the volume of your alcohol intake – There is nothing wrong with getting a celebratory drink after getting your new tattoo. However, you should be cautious with the volume of alcohol you intake because too much alcohol can be damaging in the manner your tattoo recovers. You should understand that alcohol is described as a blood thinner which means it could hamper the process of healing and heighten the possibility of infection. 
7. Do not shave your newly tattooed skin – Sadly, you just have to embrace the stubble for 6 to 8 weeks after getting tattooed. If you feel embarrassed with the hairy surface, then find comfortable loose-fitting clothes to cover up.
8. Do not allow other people or any of your pets to come in contact with your tattoo – You must go away from infections no matter what. People and pets can be the carrier of bacteria and germs. Politely request them to stay away from your tattoo until it heals completely. 

Final Thoughts

Make your tattoos look in their best appearance and achieve healthy skin by using the best antibacterial soap for tattoos.

The use of antibacterial soap is significant, particularly if you have just gotten your tattoo. It does not only hasten the process of healing; it also inhibits the likeliness of you getting an infection or any other serious health issues.

With antibacterial soaps for tattoos coming in the market in a wide selection, choosing the best one can be challenging. You can find foam washes, liquid formula, bar soaps, and more.

Nevertheless, the principle for the best antibacterial soap for tattoo aftercare can be simplified by some factors.

In particular, it has to be gentle, non-irritating, non-drying and could inhibit infections. Provided that these conditions are achieved, you may consider other things such as the ingredients, fragrance, and more.

Choosing the best antibacterial soap is essential to secure the skin from infection. Also, it maintains the vibrancy of the tattoo. Certain soaps contribute moisture to the skin and inhibit further dryness.

Choose the right antibacterial soap that is featured in the list and you will surely get a safer and more enjoyable tattooing experience. Any of the products above are worth trying.