Dr Pickles vs Bepanthen, Which Is Better for a New Tattoo?
The two tattoo balms most Australians actually choose between, both stocked at Chemist Warehouse. Dr Pickles is the purpose-built, vegan pick; Bepanthen is the cheap pharmacy default. Dr Pickles wins on healing, Bepanthen wins on price.
Dr Pickles wins overall, for most users.
Glow's editorial team tested both brands across 12 weeks. Here's where each one wins.
Dr Pickles vs Bepanthen, compared.
| Dimension | Dr Pickles | Bepanthen |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | Dr Pickles ✓ Plant-based and lanolin-free, built specifically for healing ink. Locks in moisture without occluding, so scabs stay thin and ink stays sharp. |
Bepanthen Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) ointment, originally a nappy-rash cream reformulated for tattoos. Effective but heavier and not vegan. |
| Best for fresh ink | Dr Pickles ✓ Light enough to use from day one without suffocating the tattoo. The balm our panel reached for past day three. |
Bepanthen Fine through the first weeping days, but feels heavy and occlusive once the tattoo starts to dry and flake. |
| Price | Dr Pickles Around AU$24.99 for 75g. Mid-range, but a little goes a long way. |
Bepanthen ✓ Around AU$13 for 50g. The cheapest mainstream option and widely discounted. |
| Availability | Dr Pickles Chemist Warehouse nationally and direct in most Australian tattoo studios. |
Bepanthen ✓ Chemist Warehouse, supermarkets and every pharmacy in the country. |
| Vegan | Dr Pickles ✓ Yes, fully plant-based and vegan. |
Bepanthen No, contains lanolin and is not vegan. |
| GLOW Score | Dr Pickles ✓ 9.2 / 10. Best overall tattoo balm in our 2026 panel test. |
Bepanthen 8.0 / 10. Best pharmacy-budget pick. |
✓ = wins this dimension · ● = tie
When Dr Pickles wins.
You want the best healing result, a vegan formula, and a balm purpose-built for tattoos rather than adapted from a nappy cream. This is the one our panel kept reaching for.
When Bepanthen wins.
You want the cheapest option you can grab at any pharmacy tonight, and you don't mind a heavier, non-vegan ointment for the first few days.
Common questions.
Is Dr Pickles better than Bepanthen for tattoos?
In GLOW's 2026 panel test, yes. Dr Pickles scored 9.2 to Bepanthen's 8.0. It's purpose-built for ink, plant-based and lighter on fresh tattoos. Bepanthen still wins on price and pharmacy availability.
Is Bepanthen good for tattoos?
It's fine, especially through the first few weeping days, and it's cheap and everywhere. The downside is it's a heavier, occlusive ointment once the tattoo starts to dry, and it isn't vegan.
Which is cheaper, Dr Pickles or Bepanthen?
Bepanthen, by a clear margin, at around AU$13 for 50g versus about AU$24.99 for 75g of Dr Pickles. Dr Pickles costs more but is purpose-built and a little goes further.
Is Dr Pickles vegan and is Bepanthen?
Dr Pickles is fully plant-based and vegan. Bepanthen contains lanolin and is not vegan.
Related from Glow.
Best tattoo balm in Australia · Dr Pickles review · Just got a tattoo, what to use