The Best Tattoo Remover Creams of 2023 and how they work

If you’re checking out the best tattoo removal creams because you hate your ink, you aren’t alone. Gitnux cites a report from IBISWorld that shows 36 percent of Americans aged between 18 and 34 have tattoos. Of those, 37 percent regret the ink. Apart from the obvious, exes’ names, tribal tattoo trends, generic Asian characters, and poorly executed booze-fueled flashes all top the list when it comes to disappointing designs.

Poor artistry also leads to disaster. It is also a problem if a studio does not have essential equipment, such as numbing cream of premium quality and professional tattoo ink. The result is also affected by the aftercare. So, if you haven’t done your research and used ink-friendly tattoo lotions and soaps, you may also be partly responsible for your tragic tatt.

The cost of tattoo removal surgery is high. According to board-certified dermatologist Robyn Gmyrek, M.D., when considering dermabrasion, “a small tattoo may be removed for less than $100, but a larger tattoo may range from $1000-5000.”

The good news is you can get rid of your tattoos without dermabrasion or laser surgery. Better yet, when you choose the best tattoo removal cream, you won’t need to max out your credit card.

The best tattoo removal product is an inexpensive, non-invasive way to fade a tattoo or remove it partially. You can also go back to your drawing board and tattoo over the area. It’s important to note that the removal cream isn’t going to completely restore teh skin to its pre-tattoo appearance.

Find out my top FOUR tattoo removal creams. 

What you need to know 

While searching for the best creams to remove tattoos, I read a lot of reviews from real people and scientific studies. There are many factors to consider when choosing the best tattoo cream. For me, however, three things were most important. Skin type, ingredients, application are the three main factors.

The crown for Best Overall came down to two ‘must-have’ criteria. I wanted a cream made of 100% natural ingredients to treat sensitive skin. Second, I wanted a product that was fuss-free, easy to use and only required one step.

Tattoo Destroyer is my top pick. I’ve got it all and more. Wreckingball Tattoo Removal Cream is my runner up because of its more than 1300 Amazon ratings. 27% are 5-star. This may not appear impressive compared to the results of other health products. Remember, though, the success of tattoo removal creams is affected by skin type, the tattoo’s age, color, and design. 

How do the best tattoo remover creams work?

Love dies, but tattoos last forever. According to Dr. Myro FIGA, anesthesiologist in Los Angeles and medical school teacher, tattoos penetrate deep into the body. Removal creams are designed to fade tattoos rather than remove them. The best tattoo removal creams work by reducing the ink’s visibility. They achieve this by either bleaching or stripping the skin’s epidermis, which is its outermost layer.

Some creams include active ingredients, such as trichloroacetic acids (TCAs) and hydroquinone. TCA works like salt when used in a natural cream for tattoo removal. It removes the dead skin, revealing new skin beneath. Hydroquinone, like fresh lemon juice, is helpful for lightening areas of the skin, which is why this product isn’t recommended for those with dark skin. 

Tattoo Removal Creams: Risks

For a tattoo to fade successfully, you need a formula that is intense. Before buying any over-the-counter products for tattoo removal, it’s a sensible idea to check the ingredients list and identify anything you may be allergic to. You should also look for any warnings on the product label about potential side effects. These could include scabbing, bleeding and other adverse reactions caused by harsh acids or peels. Other side effects include redness, irritation, scarring or permanent discoloration of the skin, burning, and peeling. Stop using the cream as soon as you feel any of these symptoms.

The best tattoo removers for men who have sensitive skin use 100% natural ingredients. Even still, I’d always suggest a patch test. Rub a small amount on an area that is not tattooed. You can use the inside or crooks of your elbow. Then wait 24 hours before you use the cream to remove tattoos on larger areas.

Why it’s Great: Tattoo Destroyer promises to have no harmful side effects and claims that it contains 100% natural ingredients. Better still, being chemical-free, it won’t burn or scab the skin’s top layer. Another positive tick is that it’s a simple one-step, fuss-free cream.

How it feels/How it can be used: This cream should be applied gently to the tattoo at least twice daily. The cream is said to penetrate the epidermis at the lowest level over time.

There are flaws, but they’re not fatal. The cream’s container has enough product to last for 14 days, so you will have to order more to get results. Neem oil is the cream’s primary ingredient, and, man, does it smell bad! But that’s a small price for a powerful fading agent, especially considering laser removal can often cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Key Ingredients: Neem Oil, Mineral Oil, Liquid Paraffin, Sophora Root Extract Skin Type Pale or Fair Size: 1oz 

Why it’s great? Ropalia Tattoo Removal Cream, priced at just under $9 dollars, is a great buy. It removes the pigments on the skin by breaking them down into smaller molecules and removing them through the body’s metabolism. The manufacturers claim that this formula is scar-free and painless.

What it feels like/How to use: It’s very easy to use. It’s very easy to use. Apply the cream evenly to the ink using cotton swabs and massage gently until it absorbs. Create a hot compress to help the cream absorb faster by wetting the towel with warm water. Use for a couple of weeks.

There are flaws, but they’re not fatal. Many users are frustrated by the lack instructions on how to use tattoo removal cream. The manufacturers recommend applying the cream continuously over a period of a few weeks for best results.

Key Ingredients: Active Natural Ingredients Skin Type Pale or Fair Size: 0.45oz 

Why it’s Great: This product is made with 100% natural and safe ingredients. It absorbs quickly. It’s this feature that I find makes it more expensive than other options. Moreover, it won’t clog up the pores, so your skin is more likely to be zit-free.

What it feels like/How to use: You simply need to massage the cream into the tattooed area using a circular motion. It can take up to 8 months to see a tattoo noticeably fading, but hey, if you hate your ink, it’s worth the wait. As one Amazon reviewer explains, “I have been using it for 8 months now, one time a day, and finally 8 months later, my tat, is really fading away, I noticed some reviews are bad, but they’re only giving it a month or two, it takes a lot longer than that! You must wait and be dedicated to the 10 seconds a day to put it over the tat.”

There are some flaws in the design, but these are not major problems. This product is among the best, gentlest creams for tattoo removal on the market. Some people with more sensitive skin may feel a slight warmth when using this cream. This cream may not be suitable for those with dark or large inks.

Key ingredients: Aqua, Cetearyl, Alcohol, Decyl Oleate, Soya Oil, Petrolatum, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Pilewort Extract, St Johns Wort, Comfrey Extract, 2-Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutyl paraben, Horsetail Extract, Imidazolidine Urea Skin Type Pale or Fair Size: 3.4oz 

Why it’s Great: Wrecking Balm’s 3-step process only takes 3 minutes per day. It’s this that makes it a firm favorite for Amazon customers searching for the best tattoo removal cream. The system is a combination of three technologies. First, the FDA-approved handheld device is used to exfoliate skin’s outer layer. Second, a chemical-based serum is applied to the lower and deeper layers of skin in order to naturally fade the tattoo. If patience isn’t one of your virtues, no worries; the system also includes a tattoo concealer cream.

What it feels like/How to use: You need to first squeeze a small amount of Suffusion Gel onto the DemoMatic device supplied with the Erosion Head. After that, rub the gel in circular motions for about 45 seconds. Rinse well, then pat dry. Apply Hydravescent to the tattooed skin to moisturize and soothe it. Depending on the tattoo’s age, position, size, and coloring, you may feel some discomfort during that first step.

There are flaws, but they’re not fatal. Certain ingredients in the liquid scrub (suffusion gel) may cause allergic reactions or itching, if your skin is sensitive.

Key Ingredients: Miner Oil, Shea Butter, Aloe, Cocoa Emollient Base. Gel: Walnut Shells and Salicylic Acid Skin Type Pale or Fair Size: 12.8oz

Buying the Best Tattoo Remover Creams

Skin Type

The best skin tone for tattoo removal is fair or light. If you have darker skin, hydroquinone products may cause permanent skin lightening and discoloration, which will leave your canvas looking blotchy instead of blank. This means that it’s even more important to test first.

It is best to have pale, light skin. This is the type of skin that does not tan and never burns. A fair skin type that burns or tans only minimally is also suitable. If you have sensitive, choose a product that contains 100% natural ingredients. My Best Budget Buy Ropalia Tattoo Remover Cream is a good example.

Ingredients

There are two types of tattoo-removal creams. Some remove tattoos, others just peel off a thin layer of skin. Skin-lightening lotions are exactly what they promise and do lighten the complexion. They do this by reducing the skin’s melatonin, slowly and gradually fading the unwanted ink.

They contain hydroquinone which is a skin bleaching chemical. This type of tattoo removal cream won’t eradicate the ink, but it can lighten the tattoos’ visible appearance, making them less noticeable. Other creams and systems gradually remove the top layer by replacing the skin. Some of these products include trichloroacetic (TCA) acid.

Approval

Wreckingbalm Tattoo System, for example, is a three-step application process. This product speeds up tattoo removal by using microdermabrasion. This product starts with a suffusion solution that is easily applied using the DemoMatic head. Second, the hydravescent product will soothe your skin.

Lastly, to make your tattoo less noticeable, you can apply concealer. If you’re a commitment-phone looking for something a little less labor intensive, opt for Tattoo Destroyer which can be rubbed straight onto skin once a day.

Why you should trust us

I’m a regular FashionBeans contributor, so I get to try out, research, and review many fashion and grooming products. First and foremost, though, I’m what I like to call a tattoo collector. Inkings allow me to preserve memories and mark milestones.

No regrets regarding my body art. But when my younger brother wanted rid of his embarrassing lad’s holiday inking for his wedding day, it was time to check out tatt-removal options. After spending hours researching expensive, painful laser removal, dermabrasion or surgical removal as well as scrolling through the internet, I have finally found my favorite tattoo removal cream.

Final Verdict

Tattoo removal creams offer a non-invasive alternative to expensive surgery. They are painless, topical and completely non-invasive. Tattoo Destroyer gets top marks for its 100% natural, one-step neem oil. This agent has antiseptic properties and fades tattoos. It promotes healing, reduces inflammation and increases collagen formation.