Can I Use Aqueous Cream On My New Tattoo?
Finding the right product to moisturize your tattoo is crucial but not easy. One of the popular moisturizers found in the market is Aqueous Cream and people constantly searching on the internet- can I use aqueous cream on my tattoo?
In a nutshell, you can use the Aqueous cream on your new tattoo. Thanks to the ingredients of aqueous cream, which excludes the use of any fragrance, it is suitable for use on new tattoos. Still, you should ask your tattoo artist to be on the safe side.
Read on to know details about whether you can use Aqueous cream on your tattoo, the ingredient of the cream, and the possible side effects.
Can I Use Aqueous Cream On My New Tattoo?
Yes, regular Aqueous Cream can be used to hydrate a tattoo. The Aqueous Cream is becoming the product of choice for tattoo artists due to the fact that it is both affordable and easy to use. It is also very advantageous for newly-inked tattoos.
Aqueous cream is a type of moisturizing cream that can be applied to any area of the body to help maintain the skin’s natural smoothness and suppleness. In addition, it can be used as an alternative to soap for the purpose of stimulating the skin while washing or bathing.
Most importantly, Aqueous Cream is an unscented and unperfumed moisturizer that’s the most wanted feature of a tattoo cream. Because any moisturizer with a scented base poses a risk of making the tattoo worse by increasing the likelihood of infection.
Ingredients of Aqueous Cream
It is important to go through the ingredients of a product before considering it good for the tattoo. Let’s look at the ingredients of Aqueous Cream according to Inci Decoder.
Aqua
Simple H2O. Most-used skincare ingredient. It’s frequently the first item listed, implying it’s the most important.
It’s a solvent for components that prefer water to oil.
Petrolatum
Petroleum Jelly, often known as Vaseline. Like mineral oil, it’s a byproduct of distilling crude oil (petroleum) and a combination of hydrocarbons (C18-90+).
Petrolatum is the best occlusive agent available. Petrolatum is more occlusive than mineral oil and plant oils. It lies on the skin and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
Cetearyl Alcohol
It’s a blend of emollient fatty alcohols cetyl and stearyl. A typical component that softens skin and thickens creams and lotions. It helps stabilize oil-water combinations (emulsions) but isn’t an emulsifier. Most cream compositions contain 2-3%.
Paraffinum Liquidum
The well-known, or perhaps infamous, mineral oil. The “cheap by-product” of crude oil refining is a transparent, oily liquid that takes a lot of criticism for having a mysterious pedigree.
We don’t believe the mineral oil peddling lies. For dry and sensitive skin, it’s marvelous. If you don’t like its history or weight, rejecting it is now easier. Mineral oil’s poor image means cosmetic companies rarely use it.
Phenoxyethanol
It’s a preservative. It’s non-toxic and mild, but more significantly, it’s not one of those parabens that everyone seems to be afraid of for no good scientific reason.
It was introduced in 1950 and is used globally at 1%. Green tea has it, but cosmetics use a synthetic form.
Sodium Lauryl
It’s a good cleanser that can irritate the skin. It can generate copious, creamy, luxuriant foam compared to the gentler, more often used Sodium Laureth Sulfate.
If not in a cleanser, it’s an emulsifier or penetration booster.
Sodium Benzoate
It fights fungus and works as a preservative. It operates well at acidic pH values (3-5). It’s too weak to be used alone, therefore it’s usually coupled with potassium sorbate.
Citric Acid
Citrus fruits contain citric acid, which is an AHA. This means that citric acid, like other alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), can be used as an exfoliator to help remove dull, lifeless skin cells and reveal a brighter, healthier layer beneath.
Let’s see the ingredients and their function at a glance below.
| Ingredient | Function |
| Aqua | Solvent |
| Petrolatum | Emollient |
| Cetearyl Alcohol | Emollient, emulsifying, cleansing |
| Paraffinum Liquidum | Emollient, solvent |
| Phenoxyethanol | Preservative |
| Sodium Lauryl Sulfate | Cleansing, emulsifying |
| Sodium Benzoate | Preservative |
| Citric Acid | Buffering |
Possible Side Effects of Aqueous Cream
Yes. According to Gov.uk, aqueous cream can cause skin reactions in some people. These reactions include stinging, burning, itching, and redness of the skin. Yet, a large part of patients with eczema find that aqueous cream is helpful as a leave-on emollient for their condition.
That’s why it is important for you to go through your tattoo artist to make sure that the Aqueous cream will not be bad for your skin.
Aqueous Cream Alternatives
As we have already mentioned, there are many moisturizers that are suitable for use on tattooed skin. Let’s see some of the best alternatives of Aqueous Cream for use on fresh tattoos.
Kopari Organic Coconut Melt
Because of its high concentration of fatty acids and vitamins that help soothe the skin, coconut oil is often advised for fresh tattoos. Kopari’s balm-like composition makes covering tattoos easy without coconut oil.
Eucerin Daily Hydration Lotion
This lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-greasy body lotion combats dry skin. Because it contains glycerin, it’s wonderful for new tattoos. Glycerin is a hydrating humectant that absorbs moisture in the air, keeping dead skin and flakes at bay.
Moreover, this lotion contains SPF 15 that gives 24-hour moisture to dry skin while protecting it from sunburn and long-term skin damage.
Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion
If the very idea of applying load on a ton of body moisturizer makes you feel oily and slime, then this product from Lubriderm is going to be right up your alley. Because it does not have any aroma, it is extremely hydrating, and it does not leave behind any greasy residue, which means that you can hydrate your tattoo and continue living your life.
H2Ocean Aquatat Moisturizer
This tattoo lotion contains palm seed oil together with vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. These vitamins work together to heal your ink without causing your pores to become clogged.
A small dab of this lotion helps alleviate inflammation and redness while reducing dryness and scabbing.
After Inked Tattoo Moisturizer and Aftercare Lotion
Because of its unique formulation, this lotion has received numerous 5-star reviews on Amazon from tattoo enthusiasts. As a result of the inclusion of grapeseed oil in the formulation, this product is an excellent choice for use as a moisturizer throughout the aftercare phase as well as during the healing process. Ensure that you keep it close at hand during the entire procedure.
Let’s look at the alternative to Aqueous cream at a glance below:
| Product Name | Why choosing it |
| Kopari Organic Coconut Melt | Contains coconut oil that helps to soothe the skin. |
| Eucerin Daily Hydration Lotion | Contains SPF that saves your tattoos from the Sun. |
| Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion | It’s odorless, it doesn’t leave any residue, and it’s quite hydrating. |
| H2Ocean Aquatat Moisturizer. | It’s perfect for use on tattooed skin because it doesn’t have any additional chemicals. |
| After Inked Tattoo Moisturizer and Aftercare Lotion | Includes a unique mix infused with grapeseed oil for fresh tattoos. |
Benefits of Using Aqueous Cream to Moisturize a New Tattoo
You already know about the useful ingredients of aqueous cream, let’s see what consequences you’ll get by using the right moisturizer.
It Keeps Your Tattoo Looking Fresh for Longer.
Your tattoo has to be protected while it heals for the first few days. You should get a tattoo that will look great for the rest of your life. Therefore, it is in your best interest to keep it looking fantastic over time.
It Serves as An Effective Antiseptic.
When you don’t take care of your tattoo properly, germs can get in. Your tattooist should immediately apply a dressing after the procedure because your skin will be inflamed. Because of this, it will be protected against contamination.
Healing is Facilitated by Aftercare Items.
Healing is aided by using aftercare items like aqueous cream. Tattoos are like wounds, so the healing process must be attended to.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start applying aqueous cream to my fresh tattoo?
Once your tattoo begins to dry, only then should you begin moisturizing it. After getting your tattoo, this can often take 1-3 days. Use antibacterial soap to clean and dry your tattoo, and then apply a suitable moisturizer like aqueous cream.
What occurs if your tattoo isn’t moisturized?
Lack of moisture may cause your tattoo to itch or burn, making it hard to resist scratching. Larger parts of your skin may get exceedingly dry, scab deeply, and split open across broad swaths, affecting how your tattoo heals.
Should I allow my tattoo to become dry and flaky?
The key point is that peeling is typical (to some extent), but that does not imply that you should remove it yourself.
Maintain a clean and dry environment around the tattoo while it is healing for the best possible results. During the healing process, let your skin do what it normally does for around two weeks.
Parting Words
Congratulations on reading this far. In the weeks at once following tattooing, you need to exercise extreme caution. Aqueous cream can be a good choice for your new tattoo as there is no use of fragrance. Still, you should be aware as there are reports that suggest Aqueous Cream can have some side effects.
As long as you choose your products based on the ingredients and consult with your tattoo artist, there is no need to worry.
