Last Updated on November 11, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
Is cocoa butter lotion good for tattoos is something everyone asks because Palmer’s cocoa butter is sitting in every drugstore and it’s cheap and everyone’s mom used it for everything. You want to keep your new ink looking perfect and you’re trying to figure out if this thick, moisturizing cream is gonna be your tattoo’s best friend or if it’s gonna screw things up. Here’s what we’re covering – why cocoa butter is a popular choice and when you should use it. The short version? Cocoa butter’s too heavy for new tattoos but it’s great once everything’s healed. But there’s more to it than that, so let’s get into it.
Initial Tattoo Aftercare Routine
First thing: your new tattoo is an open wound. I know that sounds dramatic but it’s true. Someone just stabbed your skin a thousand times with needles and shoved ink under there. It’s gorgeous but it’s also trauma. Those first few days are everything. Your tattoo artist wrapped you in plastic wrap, probably said some stuff about keeping it clean, and you nodded along while your brain was still like “holy shit I just did that.” Here’s what actually matters: keep it clean with warm water, don’t scrub it like a maniac, pat it dry. Put a thin layer of whatever they told you to use. That’s literally it for the initial healing phase. Super simple.
What Is Cocoa Butter?
Cocoa butter comes from cocoa beans (yep, the same beans that make chocolate). They ferment the beans, dry them, roast them at high temps, then press them to squeeze out the fat. What you get is this pale yellow solid that’s edible – it’s literally what makes chocolate smooth and creamy. The yellowish fat has got fatty acids in it – oleic, stearic, palmitic. That’s what makes it super moisturizing for your skin. Plus, it has antioxidants and flavonoids that help with inflammation too.
Benefits Of Cocoa Butter For Tattoos
Yeah cocoa butter works but you gotta know what you’re doing. Not all cocoa butter is the same. You got pure cocoa butter which is just the fat from cocoa beans – nothing else. Then you got commercial lotions like Palmer’s that have cocoa butter mixed with fragrances, preservatives, mineral oil, all kinds of extra stuff. Pure or fragrance-free is what you want for tattoos. The commercial stuff with fragrance can irritate healing skin. Here’s why cocoa butter works for tattoos (and skin in general):
- Calms down inflammation: Cocoa has anti-inflammatory effects – the bioactive compounds downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines. Your fresh tattoo is inflamed – red, swollen, pissed off. The anti-inflammatory stuff in cocoa butter calms that down.
- Helps skin rebuild: A study showed cocoa polyphenols have a positive effect on skin restructuring parameters, and that cocoa butter enhances the activity of cocoa polyphenols. Not just moisturizing, it’s actually helping your skin rebuild itself.
- Keeps it moist: The fatty acids lock moisture in. Dry skin cracks, scabs crack, your ink gets fucked up. Cocoa butter keeps everything moist so it heals smooth. Pure cocoa butter enhanced the rate of epidermal migration compared to air-exposed wounds – your skin cells move faster to close up the wound.
- Fights free radicals: The antioxidants in cocoa – mainly polyphenols and flavonoids – fight free radicals and protect against cell death. Free radicals mess with healing and age your skin. Sun creates tons of them which is why direct sunlight kills tattoos.
- Helps with scabbing: Nobody likes scabs but they’re happening. Cocoa butter keeps them soft instead of hard and cracked. Less chance they pull off early and take ink with them.
- Keeps old tattoos looking good: For older tattoos it keeps colors bright and lines sharp. Moisturized skin shows off your ink better than dry flaky skin. The protective barrier shields your tattoo from environmental crap that fades it over time.
Does Cocoa Butter Clog Pores?
Cocoa butter scores a 4 on the comedogenic scale. That’s the scale that measures if something clogs pores. Goes from 0 to 5, 5 being worst. Cocoa butter is rated 4 which means it’s high on the pore clogging scale. Got oily skin or acne-prone skin? Cocoa butter on your face might break you out. On your tattoo though? Depends where the tattoo is. Face tattoo and oily skin – maybe skip cocoa butter. Arm tattoo and dry skin – you’re probably fine. Sensitive skin people gotta be careful too. Even pure cocoa butter might not work for you. Do a patch test first.
Related: Which Skincare Ingredients Are Comedogenic?
When To Use Cocoa Butter on Your Tattoo
Some tattoo artists say wait till your tattoo stops scabbing before you use cocoa butter. Best to wait until your tattoo has finished scabbing over and started to peel. First few days use whatever your artist gave you. Usually Aquaphor or some tattoo balm. Don’t use cocoa butter on a weeping tattoo. Once the scabbing phase is done and it starts peeling, that’s when cocoa butter can come in.
We’re talking like a week to ten days in before you switch to cocoa butter. Maybe longer depending on how your tattoo’s healing. Your artist will tell you based on your specific ink. Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight while it heals. After it’s healed cocoa butter gives some protection but you still need actual sunscreen.
How To Use Cocoa Butter on Your Tattoo
- When you’re ready to use it, apply thin layers. Don’t cake it on. Little goes a long way with this stuff.
- Apply it 2-3 times a day. Morning, midday, night works. Or just whenever your skin feels dry.
- Wash your hands first. Don’t put dirty hands on your healing tattoo. Scoop out a small amount – like pea-sized for a medium tattoo. Warm it up between your hands so it melts a bit. Then gently rub it into your tattooed area.
- Don’t scrub or rub hard. Just smooth it on till it’s absorbed. Your skin shouldn’t look shiny or greasy after. If it does, you used too much.
- For older healed tattoos you can use it whenever. Part of your regular skin care routine. Keeps your ink looking fresh and your skin soft.
Best Ingredients For Tattoo Care
How does cocoa butter fare compared to other man-made and natural ingredients for proper aftercare?
- Petroleum jelly: Most artists recommend this first. It’s pure, doesn’t have additives, creates a protective layer. Not comedogenic even though it’s occlusive. Works great for initial healing.
- Shea butter: Less likely to clog pores than cocoa butter. Shea butter has a comedogenic rating of 0 compared to cocoa butter’s 4. Good alternative if you’re worried about breakouts.
- Coconut oil: Also scores 4 on comedogenic scale. Same pore-clogging risk as cocoa butter. Some people love it, some people break out.
- Aloe vera: Anti-inflammatory, soothing, good for healing. Not as moisturizing as cocoa butter but gentler.
- Tattoo balms: Usually a mix of ingredients designed specifically for tattoos. Often have cocoa butter, shea butter, oils, vitamins. Good option because they’re formulated for this exact purpose.
Cocoa Butter For Older Tattoos
Once your tattoo’s fully healed – we’re talking a month or more – cocoa butter is great for maintenance. Keeps your skin soft, colors vibrant, lines sharp. Use it regularly as part of your skin care. Doesn’t have to be every day but regular use helps. Moisturized skin = better looking tattoos long term. Sun protection is still the biggest thing though. Cocoa butter helps a bit but get actual sunscreen on there if you’re gonna be in direct sunlight.
The Bottom Line
Is cocoa butter good for tattoos? Yeah. But use the right kind at the right time. Fresh tattoo – wait till scabbing’s done, use pure or fragrance-free cocoa butter, thin layers. Healed tattoo – whatever cocoa butter lotion works for your skin. Oily or acne-prone skin – maybe skip it or just use it on tattoos not on your face. Listen to your tattoo artist first. They know your situation better than anyone.
