Congrats on your new ink! Now comes the aftercare routine. If you’re looking for a natural balm to soothe, hydrate and look after your new tattoo, coconut oil is probably on your radar.

This guide will take you through what coconut oil is, why we think it’s THE BEST for new tattoos, and what kind of coconut oil you should use. Coconut oil has some amazing properties that make it great for your fresh ink.

There are a million different tattoo balms out there to buy, so let our guide help you find the best one.

What is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is a natural, fatty oil harvested from coconuts. It’s a moisturizing, healing oil (rather than a drying one) when used for skincare, but it can also be used for numerous other things. Even cooking!

The attraction to coconut oil over other tattoo balms, is that it’s completely natural. Although there are several ways it can be pressed and processed (more on this below) it’s still a very pure and simple treatment to use on your tattooed skin.

Furthermore, coconut oil is affordable and can be used on all your skin – not just the inked areas.

5 Reasons to Use Coconut Oil on Your Tattoo

Coconut oil has some unique properties that make it a better moisturizer for tattoos compared to alternatives (like shea, for example).

Moisturizing – coconut oil locks in moisture and softens your skin. It will keep that hydrating tattoo goo locked into your skin, prevent it from cracking and drying out. Furthermore, coconut oil softens your skin and any scabs that have formed, so they won’t be so painful or itchy as they naturally soften and flake off.

Antiseptic – coconut oil has antibacterial properties, so it can prevent bacteria from growing on your tatt and causing an infection. Furthermore, coconut oil has some anti-inflammatory properties, so it will reduce redness and swelling, which are common when you have a fresh tatt.