If you are planning to get a new tattoo during the summer, then you need to stock up on sunscreen. The sun will make it difficult for the freshly tattooed area to heal, and you might also need a high-quality ointment to help with that. However, protecting tattoos from the sun is something that you will need to do every summer if you want them to look great. There is no way around it. This is why finding the best tattoo sunscreen is so important.
What no one tells you about getting inked is that you can’t simply get the tattoo and never take care of it. If you do that, the tattoo will start decoloring, and you will need to get it inked again after a couple of years. Here is where tattoo sunscreens come in and save the day. Getting a premium tattoo sunscreen will guarantee that your ink lasts for a lifetime and that you don’t have to worry about the color fading away. With that in mind, let’s review the top 8 best tattoo sunscreens.
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INK-EEZE Ink Shield
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The protection power that a sunscreen lotion provides is measured in SPF. The INK-EEZE Ink Shield sunscreen stands out with an impressive rating of SPF 30. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about getting sunburns on your tattoo or the color fading out anytime soon. The high SPF rating is not the only impressive thing about this product. The INK-EEZE Ink Shield uses cucumber and coconut in its formula to provide all-natural protection from the sun.
The most significant benefit that you will get by going for an all-natural product such as INK-EEZE Ink Shield is that natural ingredients have the ability to moisturize the skin. This is quite important because moisturizing your skin will ensure that the tattoo is going to last and look great for the decades to come. In addition, the lotion has a refreshing fragrance.
Pros:
• Designed especially for tattoos;
• Vegan friendly;
• It uses natural ingredients;
• SPF 30+;
• Moisturizes the skin.
Cons:
• It’s pricey.
Coppertone Sunscreen Spray
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The Coppertone Sunscreen Spray has an excellent rating of SPF 50. Thanks to this, the lotion provides high-level protection from UV rays, and your tattoo is not going to fade away. What’s great about the Coppertone Sunscreen Spray is the fact that it is designed to stay on you at all times, even if you are working out and sweating. The tattoo sunscreen is water-resistant (80 minutes) so that you can wear it anywhere, even at the pool.
Even though water-resistant lotions are not ideal for tattoos because they don’t let the skin breathe, this is not the case for the Coppertone Sunscreen Spray. The manufacturer has created a unique formula that lets the skin breathe. To make things even better, the formula contains Vitamin E to boost your skin’s antioxidant defense. If you keep your tattoos covered in this sunscreen lotion, you will benefit from skin protection of up to 98% from the sun’s UV rays.
Pros:
• SPF 50 rating;
• Water-resistant (80 minutes);
• It contains Vitamin E;
• It doesn’t let the skin dry;
• Sticks to your skin even when wet.
Cons:
• It leaves a sticky feel.
Thinksport Sunscreen
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Thinksport Sunscreen is ideal for people who are passionate about tattoos and want to protect them from damaging UV rays. The lotion has an SPF 50 rating, and it uses a non-nano zinc oxide formulation with a particle size smaller than 100 microns. The annoying thing about getting inked in the summer is that you can’t jump in the pool. The water makes it easier to get sunburns, and fortunately, the Thinksport Sunscreen is here to save the day. The sunscreen is water-resistant, and it lasts for up to 80 minutes underwater.
One downside about using water-resistant lotions is that they have a sticky feel. Luckily, this is not going to be a problem if you choose to buy the Thinksport Sunscreen. The reason why we are saying that is because the sunscreen absorbs quickly into the skin, and it doesn’t feel oily or sticky. Not just that, but the special lotion doesn’t have a strong fragrance. The last thing that we want to mention about this product is that it is available in two sizes.
Pros:
• SPF 50 rating;
• Water-resistant (80 minutes);
• Mineral-based formula;
• It quickly absorbs into the skin;
• Reef safe;
• It provides maximum protection for tattoos.
Cons:
• Hard to wash off.
Sun Bum Original
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Sun Bum Original is perfect for tattoos, and it works so well that you are going to want to use it regularly. The sunscreen has an SPF 50 rating, and your tattoos are going to thank you for using it. Your skin will be protected at all times, and more importantly, it will also be moisturized so that the color of your tattoo stays intact. Even though many other products offer a high SPF rating, Sun Bum Original stands out withs its environmentally-friendly formula.
The formula doesn’t use any chemicals, and therefore, anyone can use the sunscreen, even people with sensitive skin. Also worth mentioning is that the formula contains Vitamin E that works as a moisturizer and anti-aging agent. If the UVA/UVB protection provided by the Sun Bum Original is not impressive enough, then you should know that the lotion is also water-resistant and oil-free.
Pros:
• SPF 50 rating;
• Water-resistant;
• Reef safe;
• Environmental-friendly;
• Oil-free;
• It contains Vitamin E;
• Available in 3-ounces and 8-ounces.
Cons:
• Some people may not like the scent.
Australian Gold Tattoo Stick
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Are you looking or a top-rated tattoo sunscreen? If that is the case, then your search ends here. The Australian Gold Tattoo Stick offers high-level SPF 50 protection from the sun’s damaging rays, and it guarantees to keep your tattoos safe and shiny. If you start regularly using the Australian Gold Tattoo Stick, then you don’t have to take any extra measures to prevent the ink from fading or discoloring. Not just that, but the sunscreen also provides healthy moisturizing that doesn’t make your skin feel greasy.
As the sunscreen’s name implies, the Australian Gold Tattoo Stick is available in the form of a stick. This is actually a good thing because it makes it much easier to cover a wider area of the skin in a single pass. You don’t have to waste ten minutes rubbing the lotion as you would with other products. In addition, the tattoo sunscreen is ideal for all seasons thanks to the excellent SPF rating that makes sure the tattoo will not discolor.
Pros:
• The formula has been specially designed for tattoos;
• It covers wider areas in a single pass;
• SPF 50 rating;
• It doesn’t make the skin feel greasy;
• Classic CocoaDreams fragrance;
• It is pocket size.
Cons:
• It is tiny.
Alba Botanica Cool
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Alba Botanica Cool is the best option if you want to provide your tattoos with maximum protection from UV rays. The sunscreen is available in multiple packaging options, and it is an Amazon bestselling product. However, this shouldn’t come as a surprise since the Alba Botanica Cool has more than 2,500 positive ratings. Moreover, the Alba Botanica Cool doesn’t contain any oxybenzone, octinoxate, or gluten in its formula, and it can be used on all skin types.
If you care about the environment, then you should be pleased to know that the Alba Botanica Cool is 100% vegetarian. The product has not been tested on animals, and it is reef-friendly. Therefore, you can wear the sunscreen to your scuba diving adventures. Another essential feature that we want to highlight is that the sunscreen is water-resistant.
Pros:
• 100% vegetarian;
• Reef safe;
• Water-resistant;
• SPF 50 rating;
• Stellar reviews;
• It moisturizes the skin;
• Prevents discoloration;
• It is available in multiple packaging.
Cons:
• It is difficult to get off.
CannaSmack Ink Guard
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CannaSmack Ink Guard is another sunscreen that is specially designed to protect tattoos. The lotion has an SPF 30 rating that blocks 97% of the sun’s rays from reaching your tattoos. The CannaSmack Ink Guard works as a fade shield, and it comes in the form of a stick. Therefore, it is easier to properly apply sunscreen to your tattoos, no matter where on the body they might be. Since the sunscreen works best for tattoos, then it shouldn’t come as a surprise to find out that it contains hemp seed oil. This is one of the best ingredients available for sunscreen because it is rich in vitamins A, B, D, and E.
The formula is hypoallergenic, and it is entirely free of parabens and gluten so that you can use it without worrying about getting a rash or irritation. That’s not all. The formula is based on beeswax, coconut, and aloe vera extra that soothes and moisturizes the tattoos. The sunscreen ships in a convenient and travel-friendly 1-ounce tin. The tin is small enough to fit inside your back pocket. The last thing that we want to highlight is that the sunscreen has a comedogenic rating of zero, and this means that it will not clog your pores. The skin will breathe, and it will not go dry.
Pros:
• Easy application;
• SPF 30 rating;
• Rich in vitamins A, B, D, and E;
• It contains hemp seed oil;
• Compact design;
• Helps soothe and minimize itching;
• Aloe vera extract;
• Vegan friendly.
Cons:
• Some people may not like the scent.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer
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We are going to end our list with a premium product that does a fantastic job of keeping tattoos safe. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer ships in a 3-fluid ounce bottle, and it has a fantastic SPF 100 rating. The sunscreen is so good at preventing sunburns that you are surely going to use it daily. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer stands out from all the other lotions by using Dry-Touch technology that makes it non-greasy and easy to absorb. Moreover, the sunscreen is non-comedogenic, and thanks to this, everyone can use it. Not just that, but you can apply the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer to all areas of your body, including the face, and you will be safe.
One of the best things about the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer is that it has a water-absorbing capacity that ensures it will be captured into the skin for longer than other products. You don’t have to continually reapply the sunscreen on your tattoos to keep them safe. Another great thing is that the sunscreen is not sticky, and it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. However, this does come with a downside. You need to apply it on the tattoos at least two hours before going out in the sun.
Pros:
• SPF 100 rating;
• Dry-Touch technology;
• It is non-comedogenic;
• It doesn’t require a continuous application;
• It is not sticky;
• More than 6,000 positive ratings;
• Fast absorbing.
Cons:
• The removable cap can be annoying.
Buying Guide
Let’s go ahead and take a look at the list of things that you need to take into consideration when searching for the best tattoo sunscreen.
• SPF Rating
The SPF rating is the most critical requirement for tattoo sunscreen. The reason behind this is that the SPF rating displays precisely how efficient the lotion is at blocking the sun’s damaging rays.
• Water-Resistance
Another essential requirement is water-resistance. Sunscreens such as the Sun Bum Original are ideal here because they can last for up to 80 minutes underwater. The water-resistance also means that you can work out with the sunscreen on.
• Ingredients
If there is one thing that you want to make sure when searching for the best tattoo sunscreen, then it has to be that it doesn’t contain any toxic elements. We highly recommend the INK-EEZE Ink Shield here because it uses all-natural ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do you need special sunscreen for tattoos?
Generally, you don’t need a sunscreen lotion that has been specially formulated for tattoos. Still, it does help if you go with a product such as the Australian Gold Tattoo Stick that prevents discoloration.
2. Is SPF 30 enough for tattoos?
Tattoo artists will advise you to get a sunscreen that has a rating of at least SPF 30. However, you are better off getting one that has a higher rating because they do a much better job of blocking UV rays.
3. When can I put sunscreen on my tattoo?
If your tattoo has finished healing, then you should start applying sunscreen as soon as possible. Implementing sunscreen in your daily skin care routine is essential if you want the tattoo to look good over the years.
4. What happens if a tattoo gets sunburned?
The worst thing that can happen if your tattoo gets sunburned is peeling and blisters. Sunburns damage the skin, and this also causes the color and the outlining of the tattoo to fade away. This is why getting a special tattoo sunscreen, such as the Thinksport Sunscreen, is worth the investment.
5. Can you tan with tattoos?
It’s always better to avoid tanning the area of your body that is tattooed. Tanning will cause the tattoo to take longer to heal, and if you get burned, then the color might start fading away.
