Got a tattoo that’s looking faded or dull? Don’t fret – the right tattoo revival cream can help restore your ink to its original vibrancy and clarity.
But with so many aftercare products out there, how do you know which reviving cream is ideal for refreshing your body art?
In this guide, I’ll review the 9 best tattoo revival creams on the market this year.
I had wanted to review 25 of them but then again I thought, “what’s the need of letting you go through an unnecessarily long list of best tattoo restoration creams when you can simply get the best of the best?”
Here, you’ll learn which products use safe, natural ingredients to rehydrate skin and pull faded ink back up to the surface.
I’ll cover the pros and cons of each revival cream, plus tips for choosing the right formula to revive your tattoo.
Let’s dive in to explore the top 9 best tattoo revival creams and get your ink looking crisper than ever!
How Do Tattoo Revival Creams Work?
Before reviewing the products, let’s understand what tattoo revival creams do:
- They rehydrate the skin to plump cells and create better clarity.
- Active ingredients exfoliate to remove dead skin dulling your tattoo’s appearance.
- Natural herbal extracts penetrate deep to pull more faded ink to the surface.
- Brighteners give the optical effect of freshening and brightening up dull pigment.
- Moisturizing agents condition skin for better ink vibrancy.
Using a revival cream can’t completely restore a heavily faded tattoo. But they can provide a visible boost to fading or cloudy body art. Now let’s look at the top options!
Top 9 Best Tattoo Revival Creams
Below is the list of the 9 best tattoo revival creams you can find anywhere.
1. Hustle Butter Deluxe
Key Features
- Intensive moisturizing formula
- Natural ingredients like shea, mango, and aloe
- Fades and brightens dull tattoos
- Hydrates without feeling greasy
Overview
Trusted by artists worldwide, Hustle Butter Deluxe uses only natural ingredients like shea and mango butter to refresh and brighten dulling tattoos. The non-petroleum formula restores vibrancy without leaving skin feeling oily.
Pros
- Provides instant brightening effects
- Butter blend deeply moisturizes skin
- No harsh chemicals that can degrade ink
- Light tropical scent
Cons
- Not as effective on severely faded tattoos
- Multiple applications may be needed
Price:
Click to see the current price on Amazon
Hustle Butter’s time-tested natural ingredients make it a winner for restoring tattoo vibrancy and hydration without harsh additions.
2. After Inked Tattoo Moisturizer & Aftercare Lotion
Key Features
- Hydrating lotion formula
- Antibacterial and antimicrobial
- Fades away dull skin for better ink clarity
- Soothing for irritation and itching
Overview
After Inked lotion uses tea tree oil and other ingredients to hydrate, soothe, and gently exfoliate away dead skin that causes tattoos to look faded and unclear. The formula moisturizes without feeling overly oily.
Pros
- Brightens dull-looking tattoos
- Eliminates dryness and itching
- Light gel-lotion texture
- Antibacterial protection
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Not strong enough for significantly faded tattoos
- Multiple applications are usually needed
Price
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As an affordable antibacterial lotion, After Inked excels at restoring hydration and gently smoothing away dull skin to revive tattoo clarity and vibrancy.
3. Tattoo Goo Renew
Key Features
- Exfoliates and moisturizes
- Improves clarity of cloudy tattoos
- Made for aging tattoos
- Easy twist-up applicator
Overview
From respected brand Tattoo Goo, Renew uses a precise blend of fruit enzymes and oils to slough off dead skin and deliver hydration. This exfoliating formula noticeably improves the appearance of aging body art.
Pros
- Boosts vibrancy of dull tattoos
- Scrubs away dead skin buildup
- Softens rough patches on tattoos
- Portable twist-up tube
- Fragrance and dye-free
Cons
- Not strong enough for badly faded tattoos
- Multiple applications are often needed
Price
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Thanks to its skin-exfoliating fruit acids, Tattoo Goo Renew is a leading choice for freshening up lackluster tattoos without harsh ingredients.
4. Eucerin Intensive Tattoo Lotion
Key Features
- Rich moisturizing lotion
- Improves clarity of aging tattoos
- Fragrance, dye, and paraben free
- Dermatologist recommended
Overview
This lotion from trusted skin experts Eucerin uses natural moisturizers like sesame oil and licorice root extract to intensively hydrate dry skin causing tattoos to look faded. It restores clarity without irritants.
Pros
- Noticeably brightens and smooths dull tattoos
- Non-greasy formula absorbs quickly
- Soothes irritation and itching
- Dermatologist tested for sensitive skin
- Fragrance and additive-free
Cons
- Not strong enough for severely faded tattoos
- Multiple applications often needed
Price
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Eucerin’s clean clinical formula hydrates and revives tattoo vibrancy without harsh ingredients that can degrade ink over time.
5. Redemption Tattoo Lubricant
Key Features
- Rich whipped texture
- Hydrates and exfoliates
- Clarifies aging tattoo color
- Made with vegan ingredients
Overview
This lush vegan-friendly lubricant from Redemption Tattoo Supply relies on natural oils and butters like coconut, sunflower seed, and shea to gently smooth and deeply hydrate skin. It restores vibrancy and clarity to dull tattoos.
Pros
- All-natural formulation
- Provides instant brightening optical effectRich hydration improves tattoo clarity
- Can prevent scabbing during healing
- Crafted in small batches
Cons
- Requires multiple applications
- Not effective on severely faded tattoos
Price
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Redemption Tattoo Lubricant’s natural oils gently smooth and nourish skin to refresh faded tattoo color and vibrancy without harsh ingredients.
6. H2Ocean Sea Salt Tattoo Lotion
Key Features
- Blend of sea salts and oils
- Light exfoliating action
- Improves clarity of aging tattoos
- Ozone-friendly spray lotion
Overview
H2Ocean’s sea salt-infused spray lotion provides light exfoliation from natural salts along with nourishing oils to smooth and brighten the appearance of lackluster tattoos without taxing the environment.
Pros
- Gently buffs away dead skin
- Quick burst of moisture
- Refreshes vibrancy and clarity
- Ozone-friendly spray application
- Can prevent scabbing during healing
Cons
- Requires frequent reapplication
- Not effective on severely faded tattoos
Price
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Thanks to smart sea salts that lightly exfoliate, H2Ocean’s ozone-safe spray helps revive dull tattoos whenever skin needs a quick moisture boost.
7. Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Lotion
Eventhough this is not a tattoo product, it can still be used to restore faded creams.
In fact, you can use Vaseline to so many things that you’d never have thought of.
Key Features
- Hydrating lotion with cocoa butter
- Improves clarity of aging tattoos
- Smoothes flaky and dry skin
- Dermatologist recommended
Overview
Vaseline’s iconic lotion infused with cocoa butter provides intensive moisture to hydrate and smooth dry, dull skin that causes tattoos to lose vibrancy. It gently restores clarity and brightness.
Pros
- Seals in moisture with rich cocoa butter
- Affordable drugstore price
- Formula won’t clog pores
- Smooths rough patches on tattoos
- Dermatologist tested
Cons
- Requires consistent application
- Not effective on severely faded tattoos
Price
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Thanks to time-tested cocoa butter, Vaseline Intensive Care lotion excels at locking in hydration to revive and smooth aging tattoo artwork over time.
8. Sorry Mom Tattoo Renewal Serum
Key Features
- Glycolic and lactic acid AHA blend
- Antioxidant-rich formula
- Brightens and refines aging tattoos
- Hydrating squalane base
Overview
This concentrated serum from Sorry Mom uses a combo of glycolic and lactic acids to safely exfoliate away dull skin while antioxidant squalane oil nourishes for a brighter, more vibrant tattoo appearance.
Pros
- Refined concentration of safe exfoliants
- Antioxidants prevent free radical damage
- Absorbs quickly without greasiness
- Can also fade unwanted tattoos
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Can cause irritation on sensitive skin
- Takes several weeks of use to see results
Price
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Note: As at the time of writing this review, you can still get a coupon for 10% discount on Amazon
Sorry Mom’s smart blend of AHA exfoliants and nourishing oils makes for an ideal tattoo renewal serum that reveals vibrant ink trapped under dead skin.
9. Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Key Features
- Petroleum-based ointment
- Hydrates and protects skin
- Improves clarity of aging tattoos
- Dermatologist recommended
Overview
The iconic Aquaphor healing ointment uses petroleum jelly to coat skin with an occlusive barrier that locks in moisture. This hydrating effect enhances the vibrancy and clarity of tattoos as skin exfoliates.
Pros
- Proven to hydrate and protect skin
- Affordable price for large quantity
- Smooths flaky skin on tattoos
- Softens rough patches
- Dermatologist recommended
Cons
- Requires consistent application
- Not effective on severely faded tattoos
Price
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Aquaphor provides legendary skin protection and hydration that can enhance the vibrancy of aging and healing tattoos over time.
What To Look For In a Tattoo Revival Cream
Now that you’ve seen the top revival cream options, here are the key factors to consider when choosing a product:
– Exfoliants – AHAs like glycolic acid that gently lift dead skin help reveal brighter ink underneath.
– Moisturizers – Hydrating oils and butter improve clarity as they smooth and nourish skin.
– Natural extracts – Botanicals like papaya enzyme offer light exfoliation without chemicals.
– SPF protection – Sunscreens help prevent UV fading and damage to your tattoos.
– Brighteners – Some creams use optical effects to make tattoos look more vibrant.
– Sensitive skin-friendly – Ensure the formula won’t irritate sensitive or healing skin.
Using a revival cream can refresh tattoos that have faded or dulled slightly over time. But be realistic about results – severely faded or blurry tattoos won’t look brand new again without getting a touch-up from your artist.
How To Use Tattoo Revival Creams
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your chosen revival cream:
– Gently cleanse and dry your tattoo before applying the product.
– Use a small amount and thoroughly massage into the skin.
– Apply 1-2 times daily for best results over time.
– Look for visible improvements in vibrancy after 2-4 weeks of consistent use.
– Works great combined with an exfoliating scrub 2-3 times a week.
– Use SPF 30+ sunscreen during the day to prevent more fading.
– See your tattoo artist if your ink still appears too severely faded after 1-2 months.
Conclusion
In this post, I’ve reviewed the top 9 best tattoo revival creams you can find in the market. I also showed you how to apply a tattoo revival cream and what to look out for when buying one.
Kindly let me know the tattoo revival cream(s) you eventually went for, in the comments.
FAQs About Tattoo Revival Creams
How often should I apply the revival cream?
Apply your chosen revival cream 1-2 times per day for best results. Consistent daily use helps improve clarity over time as skin naturally exfoliates.
Do they work on severely faded tattoos?
Most revival creams can provide moderate improvements, but likely won’t restore severely faded or blurred-out tattoos back to full vibrancy. Get a touch-up for significant fading.
Can I use my regular moisturizer as a revival cream?
Your average moisturizer doesn’t contain the necessary ingredients like chemical exfoliants to properly revive tattoos. Stick to a specialized formulation.
How long until I see results from using them?
It typically takes 2-4 weeks of consistent daily application to notice meaningful improvements in tattoo vibrancy, sharpness, and clarity.
Will it damage or fade my tattoo more?
High-quality revival creams contain only safe, tested ingredients that gently exfoliate. They won’t degrade or damage your existing tattoo ink.
Can I use revival creams during the healing process?
Yes, many formulas are safe for fresh tattoos and can help prevent scabbing and drying. But consult your artist before using products on healing tattoos.
How should I store the creams?
Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures to maintain the integrity of the ingredients. Refrigeration is not needed.
