6 Expert-Approved Ways to Remove a Temporary Tattoo Without Damaging Your Skin

Close up of a woman with temporary tattoos

@inked.bydani / Instagram

If you've been debating getting a tattoo, but don't want to commit to a permanent one, you can always opt for a temporary tattoo. While temporary tattoos are known for their short lives, they can actually be harder to remove them from skin than you’d think.

To save you the trouble (and the pain), we reached out to Dani Egna, owner of temporary tattoo company INKED by Dani, Allison Wilcoxen, owner of NatureTats, a hand-drawn temporary tattoo company, and two board-certified dermatologists for their tips on how to remove temporary tattoos with ease.

Meet the Expert

Why Should You Wear Temporary Tattoos?

“Temporary tattoos are a good way to visualize what your body might look like with one,” says Egna. “And honestly, it's just a fun, inexpensive thing to do alone or with friends!”

How Do You Apply Temporary Tattoos?

The application remains as simple as you may remember: Placing the design on your skin, wetting the back of it with water, and peeling the paper off to reveal your new faux ink. Another thing that hasn't changed? The discomfort of removing the dull and faded remnants once it's passed its prime on your skin– which may be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Why are Temporary Tattoos Hard to Remove?

“The discomfort comes from the stickiness (skin adhesive) they sometimes have,” says Wilcoxen. “When you try to remove that, especially early on, it can pull little hairs out with it.” Temporary tattoos aren’t easily removed with soap and water either, otherwise, they wouldn't be able to withstand even a day of wear. But that can make it confusing when it does come time to remove your temp tat. This often leads to people scrubbing and picking at a temporary tattoo to take it off, irritating and sometimes even breaking the skin.

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Chemical Products

There are a number of household products that contain the correct chemicals to quickly get rid of a temporary tattoo. Don’t worry, these won’t burn your skin; instead, chemical products will quickly fade the pigments and break up the particles of the transferred design itself.

The best products to use if you’re interested in this method are rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover, though hydrogen peroxide and hand sanitizer would also work.

To use these products, simply rub the remover of your choice onto the temporary tattoo with a gentle cloth. Use circular motions for about 30 seconds at a time, careful not to press too hard, as you may irritate the skin. Take a break between each pass, but be sure to keep an eye on the tattoo, as you should be sure to wash off any excess as soon as it’s removed from the skin.

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Oil-Based Makeup Remover

An extremely common method for removing temporary tattoos is oil-based products that are typically used to remove makeup. "Temporary tattoos are designed to be waterproof thus oil is effective at breaking down the tattoo," explains dermatologist, Onyeka Obioha. "I like coconut oil or olive oil."

"This will gently clear the remains without stripping the skin barrier of its natural oils," says dermatologist, Dendy Engelman. This removal method will easily get rid of the unnatural material (the temporary tat) without getting rid of the natural one (your body’s oil).

Removing a temporary tattoo with this method is easy. All you have to do is apply the product to the tattoo and rub it into the skin in circular motions until the design begins to flake off.

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Household Tape

Yep, you heard that right—household tape can be used to remove a temporary tattoo. Rather than removing the entire design at once, though, each strip of tape removes small bits of the temporary tattoo at a time, so it will require a few passes.

This method is a great choice if the temporary tattoo is fairly new or if it’s quite large. You can use household Scotch tape or something stronger, like packing tape or medical tape, but be sure that it’s not so sticky that it could actually damage your skin in the process.

All you need to do is cut a piece of tape large enough to cover the tat and completely adhere it to the skin. Once it’s pressed down firmly, simply peel the tape off.

Just beware that if it's a particularly hairy area, this may not be the most comfortable method of removal.

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Cold Cream

While you may assume cold cream is an oil-based product, it actually combines both oil and water for a different kind of formulation. Using it is potentially even easier than an oil, considering you can spread the cold cream without it running all over your skin.

To use cold cream, apply a liberal amount over the temporary tattoo and let it sit for at least an hour. And make sure that the design is fully covered (double-check!) for complete removal once your time is up. Don’t be alarmed if it’s absorbed by your skin—it’s supposed to be. Once the hour is up, gently wipe away the excess with a wet washcloth, or rinse away the former temporary tattoo under running water.

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Baby Oil

Similar to oil-based makeup removers, baby oil is a great drugstore find for gently removing temporary ink. "Baby oil is a safe option and great for sensitive skin," explains Dr. Engelman. "I recommend first dabbing the area with a clean pad and baby oil. After the tattoo and skin have absorbed the oil you can begin to gently wipe in a circular motion until it is all gone."

“At the end of [a] shower, I’ll use some kind of oil like baby oil or coconut oil and a cotton pad to rub it off easily and painlessly,” echoes Wilcoxen.

Byrdie Tip

Obioha suggests letting the oil sit for up to five minutes before gently rubbing off with a cotton pad.

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Gentle Cleanser

While a gentle face or body wash may not have the mettle to start the process, it's a great option for cleaning up any temporary tattoo remnants after more effective alternatives. "For any residual tattoo, use a gentle cleanser and cloth to rub the tattoo," says Obioha. "Avoid harsh scrubbing which can irritate the skin."

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