Aftercare · Buyer guide

Best Tattoo Aftercare Products in Australia (2026)

Ranked by working Australian tattoo artists and our editorial panel. Real prices, real ingredients, no fluff.

#1 Pick · Editor's Choice

Dr Pickles Original Tattoo Balm

4.6$24.95

The best Australian-made all-rounder. Single product covers the full healing window — most other balms only work for 3 days or only at the end of the heal.

Pros

· Australian-made (Brisbane, since 2010)
· Pawpaw + D-Panthenol + Safflower Seed Oil
· Vegan, fragrance-free
· Stocked at Woolworths and Coles
· Works for the full 30-day heal

Cons

· Premium price vs Bepanthen
· Not for use during the session (separate Glide product)

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#2 Pick

Hustle Butter Deluxe

4.7$39.95

The artist-favourite all-rounder. Worth the price if you want one product for the entire tattoo lifecycle.

Pros

· Use during AND after the session
· Vegan formula
· Most artists keep it at the chair

Cons

· Premium price
· Coconut scent isn't for everyone
· Imported from the US

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#3 Pick

Bepanthen Antiseptic Cream

4.4$14.99

The budget pick. Pair with a lighter moisturiser from day 4 onwards.

Pros

· Cheap
· Pharmacy-grade
· Available everywhere
· Almost every Australian artist has used it

Cons

· Greasy
· Best only for first 3 days
· Contains lanolin (not vegan)

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#4 Pick

Mad Rabbit Tattoo Balm

4.5$28.00

The maintenance king. Use weekly to keep older tattoos looking fresh — but reach for Dr Pickles or Hustle Butter for fresh healing.

Pros

· Excellent for ongoing brightness
· Light, non-greasy
· Vegan

Cons

· Better for healed tattoos than fresh ones
· Less stocked locally

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Reviews, comparisons, ingredient deep-dive, application schedule and where to buy.

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Affiliate disclosure: We earn commission on some Dr Pickles purchases made through links on this page. Editorial coverage is independent of any commercial arrangement — we recommend products our editorial team and panel of working artists actually use. Pricing and availability accurate at time of publication.