Tattoo Aftercare Cream — What to Look For and Why It Matters
Tattoo Aftercare Cream — What to Look For and Why It Matters
The right tattoo aftercare cream is fragrance-free, alcohol-free, non-occlusive, and absorbs into the skin rather than sitting on top of it. Applied 2–3 times daily from day one, it keeps healing skin hydrated, reduces itch, minimises scabbing, and protects colour integrity through the peeling phase. The wrong product — petroleum-based, fragranced, or occlusive — can trap heat, cause breakouts, and interfere with ink settling.
Ink Nurse Remedy Cream is a lightweight, petroleum-free, fragrance-free aftercare cream made in Melbourne. The only Australian tattoo aftercare brand partnered with the Australian Tattooists Guild. Stocked in 600+ Chemist Warehouse stores nationwide.
What makes a good tattoo aftercare cream
- Fragrance-free — not just ‘unscented’; fragrance compounds (including masking fragrances) are a leading contact allergen on compromised skin
- Alcohol-free — alcohol strips the skin barrier and increases trans-epidermal water loss, slowing healing
- Non-occlusive — absorbs into the skin rather than forming a surface barrier that traps heat and bacteria
- Petroleum-free — no Vaseline-type ingredients; these occlude the wound and are not designed for open-skin healing
- Lightweight — applies in thin layers and absorbs within 5 minutes; heavy creams encourage over-application
- Suitable for sensitive skin — paraben-free and minimal ingredient list for reactive skin types
Ink Nurse Remedy Cream — available in two sizes
Remedy Cream 100ml
The standard size. Covers the full 4-week surface healing period for most medium tattoos at 2–3 applications daily. The right choice for a single session or first-time buyer.
Remedy Cream 500ml Pump
The studio and frequent-collector size. Significantly lower cost per use. Pump format reduces contamination risk — no dipping fingers into a pot. Suited to artists, households with multiple tattoos, or collectors with multiple active healing sessions.
Why a tattoo-specific cream outperforms a general moisturiser
General moisturisers — even fragrance-free ones — are formulated for intact skin with a functioning barrier. A healing tattoo is a wound in the dermis. The skin barrier is compromised, ink particles are settling, and the skin is simultaneously healing and shedding. A product formulated for this environment accounts for those factors. A general body lotion does not.
How to apply correctly
- Wash the tattoo with Foam Nurse Tattoo Soap Wash
- Pat completely dry with a clean paper towel
- Apply a small amount of Remedy Cream — rub in until fully absorbed
- Repeat 2–3x daily for the full 4-week surface healing period
Get the complete healing kit
Remedy Cream + Foam Nurse Wash + free second-skin film squares in one box. The Tattoo Healing Essentials Kit is the complete day-one routine — everything needed from session to healed tattoo. For the highest-volume option, the Tattoo Aftercare Mega Bundle Kit includes both the 100ml and 500ml pump.
Best for / Not ideal for
Ink Nurse Remedy Cream is best for: all skin types from day one of healing, including sensitive, eczema-prone, and reactive skin. Fragrance-free, paraben-free, petroleum-free, vegan.
Not ideal for: use over actively infected skin without medical clearance. Not a treatment for skin infection.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use any fragrance-free cream on my tattoo?
Fragrance-free is the minimum requirement, not the complete specification. The cream also needs to be non-occlusive, alcohol-free, and lightweight enough to absorb properly. Many general fragrance-free creams contain occlusives like petrolatum or beeswax not suitable for wound healing.
How much cream do I need for a full healing cycle?
For a medium tattoo at 2–3 applications daily, 100ml covers most people for the full 4-week surface healing period. Larger tattoos or more frequent applications may benefit from the 500ml pump.
Is Ink Nurse Remedy Cream available in Chemist Warehouse?
Yes — stocked in 600+ Chemist Warehouse stores nationwide. Also available online with free second-skin squares included with every order.
Can I use Remedy Cream on other skin conditions?
Yes. The formulation is suitable for eczema-prone, psoriasis-affected, and generally sensitive skin as a daily moisturiser. It is fragrance-free, paraben-free, and petroleum-free.
What’s the difference between Remedy Cream and Bepanthen?
Bepanthen is an occlusive wound cream designed for nappy rash on intact skin. Ink Nurse Remedy Cream is non-occlusive and formulated specifically for tattooed skin. See the full Ink Nurse vs Bepanthen comparison.
Is Remedy Cream vegan?
Yes. Vegan, cruelty-free, and Australian made in Melbourne.
→ Read the full Tattoo Care Bible | Shop Remedy Cream 100ml | Shop Remedy Cream 500ml | Shop Healing Essentials Kit
