Bepanthen: the honest verdict.
The Bayer-owned multipurpose ointment that became the Australian tattoo aftercare default by accident. Tested for tattoo aftercare specifically.
- Position
- Mass market · Multipurpose
- Founded
- Bayer · Germany
- Available at
- Chemist Warehouse + Coles + Woolworths
The Glow read.
Bepanthen is a nappy cream that became the Australian tattoo aftercare default in the 2000s because it was cheap, available everywhere, and did the job. The 5% dexpanthenol (vitamin B5) base supports skin healing through cellular renewal, and the lanolin + soft white paraffin emollient base creates a protective occlusive layer over a fresh tattoo.
It works. The criticisms are real but minor: lanolin is occlusive enough that some artists argue it traps bacteria, the petroleum-derived emollients aren't the editorial-preferred ingredient class, and the tattoo industry has moved toward purpose-built alternatives (Dr Pickles) over the last decade.
Buy Bepanthen if you want budget tattoo aftercare from Coles and aren't precious about formulation. Buy Dr Pickles if your budget allows $25-35 per product and you want the editorial-preferred option.
What works
- Cheap and available — $12 at Coles in the nappy aisle
- 5% dexpanthenol supports skin healing through cellular renewal
- Decades of off-label tattoo aftercare use confirms it works
- Pharmacy-grade manufacturing standards
What doesn't
- Occlusive lanolin + paraffin base traps bacteria according to some tattoo artists
- Petroleum-derived emollients are not editorial-preferred
- Off-label use — the product was designed as nappy cream, not tattoo aftercare
- Outperformed by Dr Pickles on formulation and artist recommendation
The buy.
Affiliate disclosure: Glow earns commission from qualifying purchases. Read more.
What's actually in it.
- Actives
- 5% dexpanthenol (vitamin B5 — credible for skin healing).
- Preservation
- Anhydrous formulation — no preservative needed.
- Allergens
- Lanolin (potential allergen — patch test if you're known lanolin-reactive).
- Editorial concerns
- Petroleum-derived emollients (soft white paraffin, white petrolatum) — safe but not editorial-preferred. Lanolin allergy is the only flag.
Index grade is editorial, not paid. The grade reflects what's in the product against Glow's v1.0 watch list — it sits beside the Glow score, not instead of it. Bepanthen earns a Grade C because the formulation is safe and effective but uses petroleum-derived emollients that aren't editorial-preferred. For purpose-built tattoo aftercare with cleaner formulation, Dr Pickles (Grade A) is the upgrade.