The Tattoo Balm That Surprised Everyone — Including Us

At Inked Magazine, we’ve seen our fair share of tattoo care products come across our desks. Some promise vibrancy. Others swear they’ll keep your ink looking fresh forever. But how do you know what actually works?

We decided to find out.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, our team set out to conduct a blind product test—no logos, no packaging, no brand bias. Just unmarked samples given to notable tattoo artists. Each balm was used on healed tattoos, and participants were asked to rate based on texture, absorption, effect on the skin, and overall tattoo vibrancy.

One balm consistently rose to the top.

When the results came in and the labels were finally revealed, the standout product turned out to be Papatui, the skincare line created by none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. But don’t let the celebrity name throw you—this isn’t some slap-a-label-on-it vanity project. Papatui earned its praise the hard way: by delivering real results.

What made Papatui stand out?

For starters, its formula. Packed with naturally nourishing ingredients like Mango Seed Butter and Coconut Oil, Papatui struck the perfect balance between hydration and skin barrier support. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and free from sulfates, parabens, and phthalates—making it as clean as it is effective

But it wasn’t just the ingredients that made an impact. Testers loved how it absorbed into the skin and, most importantly, how it made their ink look more vibrant—even on older tattoos.

Beyond the basics: long-term tattoo enhancement

One of the biggest myths about tattoo maintenance is that your job’s done once the peeling stops. The reality? That’s just the first step. Keeping your ink looking bold and vibrant takes ongoing care — and that’s where a lot of people slip up.

Things like over-exfoliating, skipping hydration, using harsh products, or neglecting SPF can all lead to dull, faded tattoos over time. But with the right ingredients — like nourishing butters, protective oils, and skin-loving botanicals — you can boost contrast, saturation, and clarity for the long haul..

Final verdict? Papatui isn’t hype — it’s legit.

We started this blind test expecting a wide range of opinions. What we got was an overwhelming favorite. It’s rare when something lives up to the buzz, but in this case, the product spoke for itself.

So if you’re tired of guessing which balm actually does what it says, or you’ve been disappointed by products that looked good on shelves but didn’t deliver — now you know. We let the inked community decide. And they chose Papatui. See how the blind product test played out in this behind-the-scenes video!

You can get yours now at Walmart, Target or PAPATUI.com. See how the blind product test played out in this behind-the-scenes video!