Editorial Team··9 min read
Dr Pickles Original Tattoo Balm is the most-recommended Australian-made tattoo aftercare on our editorial team's list — and on most of the working artists we surveyed for the 2026 buyer guide. Here's the in-depth review, the trade-offs, and who shouldn't use it.
The verdict in one paragraph Dr Pickles is the best all-rounder Australian tattoo aftercare balm in 2026. It's vegan, fragrance-free, contains pawpaw and D-Panthenol (the active ingredient combination most clinical aftercare studies support), and it's available at every Woolworths and Coles in the country. The 50g tube heals one medium tattoo with some left over. The 75g tube is better value if you have a sleeve or multiple tattoos.
What we tested We applied the 50g Original Tattoo Balm across three healing tattoos: - A 12cm fine line forearm piece (fresh) - A 25cm thigh blackwork piece (fresh) - A 5cm wrist tattoo (touch-up)
Each tattoo was washed twice daily with fragrance-free soap, dried, and a thin layer of Dr Pickles applied 2–3 times per day. We compared the texture, application feel, and 30-day heal against control tattoos using Bepanthen and Hustle Butter Deluxe.
What it does well - **Texture.** Smooth, non-greasy, absorbs in under 2 minutes. Doesn't leave skin shiny or sticky. - **Smell.** Faint, neutral. Not perfumed, not unpleasant. - **Healing.** Tattoos went through the peeling stage cleanly with minimal flaking. Day 14 surface healing was visibly cleaner than the Bepanthen control. - **Tube design.** The 50g tube has a controlled-flow nozzle — easier than the gloopier squeeze tubes from competitors.
What it doesn't - **Not for use during tattooing.** Unlike Hustle Butter, you can't use it as a glide. The Dr Pickles "Tattoo Glide" is a separate product for that. - **Pawpaw allergy.** Roughly 1 in 5,000 people react to papaya extracts. If you have a known papaya / latex allergy, patch test first. - **Premium pricing.** $24.95 for 50g is more expensive than Bepanthen ($14.99) but cheaper than Hustle Butter Deluxe ($39.95). Most customers find it the best price-quality balance.
Who should buy it - First-time tattoo client looking for one product that covers the full 30-day heal - Anyone with sensitive skin or wanting a vegan, fragrance-free formula - People sourcing from Australian retail (Woolies, Coles, pharmacies) - Studios that want a single recommendation to give every client
Who shouldn't - People wanting a single product for during AND after the session — get Hustle Butter instead, or pair Dr Pickles with their separate Tattoo Glide - Budget-only buyers — Bepanthen is half the price and works fine for the first 3 days - Confirmed papaya / latex sensitivities
Where to buy - Woolworths (75g tube, ~$32.95) - Coles - Discount Chemist - Direct from drpickles.com (50g, 20g, plus the rest of the range) - Most independent tattoo studios
See the full [where to buy guide](/articles/where-to-buy-dr-pickles-australia) for current pricing across retailers.