12 Best Sunscreens For Tattoos

Wearing sun protection can shield your skin from sunburn and damage from harmful UV rays, and it’s also beneficial for protecting your tattoos. No matter its size or location, the best sunscreen for tattoos can help slow the fading and dulling of the vibrant colors. When we’re basking in warm weather for a longer time and our skin is more exposed, it’s imperative to stay protected from head to toe.

Luckily, there’s no special formula you need to use to keep your ink protected — you can slather on whatever your favorite face and body sunscreens on the design, but the most important thing is that you use it.

Can You Put Sunscreen on a New Tattoo?

As a rule of thumb, it’s best to stay out of the sun entirely until your new tattoo is completely healed, including before applying sunscreen. Since newly inked skin is damaged and undergoing a healing process, it can get easily irritated from sunscreens and is more prone to infection. Instead, you’ll want to shield your tattoo from UV rays by wearing loose clothing and avoiding direct sun exposure.

Now that you’ve learned the basics, we’ve picked a variety of sunscreens based on price points, SPF levels, and more. Whether it’s a physical sunscreen, a chemical sunscreen, or a hybrid, you’ll have a ton of options to choose from. We even found a few stick and spray formats, so you can quickly reapply on the go, or protect hard-to-reach places like your back. Keep your skin and tattoos protected (no matter the size) with the most effective sunscreens ahead.