5 Ways To Remove Temporary Tattoos - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Remove Temporary Tattoos PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Barbie Ritzman

Last Updated: October 6, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Scrubbing
    • |
  • Peeling
    • |
  • Cold Cream
    • |
  • Nail Polish Remover
    • |
  • Make Up Remover
    • |
  • Expert Interview
    • |
  • Expert Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
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  • Things You'll Need
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This article was co-authored by Barbie Ritzman. Barbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,732,778 times.

Temporary tattoos are great for kids, a costume party, or for a night where you just feel like looking hardcore without the commitment of a real tattoo but they can be stubborn to get off. Whatever your reason for putting a temporary tattoo on, at some point it will start to peel and you'll want to remove it. Follow these different methods to rub, peel, and soak your tattoo away.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 5:

Scrubbing

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 1 Apply a small amount of baby oil to the temporary tattoo.[1] Keep in mind that most temporary tattoos are able to stand up to water and soap, so oil is generally the best way to go if you want to scrub a temporary tattoo off. You could also try to use a face or body scrub. The beads from the scrub should help remove the tattoo from your skin.[2]
    • Alternatively, you can use special temporary tattoo remover wipes like Limisan. Those wipes contain silicons which ensure easy removal of the temporary tattoo.
    • Alternatively, you can pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball[3] or piece of paper towel.[4] Be aware that rubbing alcohol may burn a bit.
    • If you do not have baby oil, you can use olive oil on your tattoo as well.[5]
  2. Step 2 Let the baby oil sit on the tattoo for a minute. 2 Let the baby oil sit on the tattoo for a minute. Doing this will allow the baby oil to soak into the tattoo (and your skin) making it easier to rub the temporary tattoo away.[6] Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 3 Get a washcloth and rub the tattoo vigorously. The tattoo should begin to become clumpy and start to peel off and rub away. Keep rubbing until all of the temporary tattoo has been removed.
    • You can use a paper towel in place of a washcloth.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 4 Wash the remaining oil off with warm water and soap. Wash your skin until there is no oil left. Pat the area dry with a towel.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 5:

Peeling

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  1. Step 1 Rip several pieces of tape off of its roll. 1 Rip several pieces of tape off of its roll. Clear tape, such as Scotch tape, works better than masking or painter’s tape. Hang the tape pieces by one end off of the side of a table or counter (wherever you will be working).
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 2 Press a piece of tape down onto the temporary tattoo.[7] Make sure that you press it down firmly so that it attaches to the surface of the temporary tattoo. Use a finger to rub the tape down along your skin.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 3 Peel the tape off of your skin. The temporary tattoo should peel off with the tape. This process might take several tries, particularly if it is a large temporary tattoo.[8]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 4 Rub an ice cube on the spot where the temporary tattoo was. Do this after all of the temporary tattoo has been removed. Doing this will reduce the redness caused by peeling the tape from your skin.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 5:

Cold Cream

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 1 Apply cold cream to the temporary tattoo. Make sure that the tattoo is fully covered by the cream.
  2. Step 2 Let the cold cream sink into the skin. 2 Let the cold cream sink into the skin. You should leave the cream on for an hour or so to make sure that it thoroughly works its magic on the temporary tattoo.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 3 Rub the cold cream away with a washcloth. Use warm water and soap to remove any remaining cold cream.
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Method 4 Method 4 of 5:

Nail Polish Remover

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 1 Wet a cotton ball with nail polish remover. If you do not have nail polish remover, you can also use rubbing alcohol.[9]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 2 Rub the temporary tattoo with the cotton ball. Scrub at the tattoo so that it begins to flake off of your skin. You may need to wet the cotton ball again or get a new cotton ball, depending on how large your temporary tattoo is.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 3 Wash your skin with warm water and soap. Use a washcloth to rinse your skin where your temporary tattoo was. Use warm water and soap to remove any of the acetone left behind by the nail polish remover.[10]
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Method 5 Method 5 of 5:

Make Up Remover

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 1 Soak make up remover into a cotton ball.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 2 Rub over the temporary tattoo. Rub gently.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 3 Wash off with soap and warm water.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 4 Allow to air dry or dab with a soft towel.[11]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Temporary Tattoos 5 Repeat if needed.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

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  • Question What is the best remover for temporary tattoos? Barbie Ritzman Barbie Ritzman Beauty & Skincare Specialist Barbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry. Barbie Ritzman Barbie Ritzman Beauty & Skincare Specialist Expert Answer Applying a mixture of baking soda and water as a paste can help loosen the tattoo and make it easier to wipe off. Just be patient and gentle with skin as you apply it to avoid irritation. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 8
  • Question If I don't do any of these methods, how long will my temporary tattoo last? Community Answer Community Answer All temporary tattoos are different, but it may last up to one week. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 18 Helpful 47
  • Question Is it safe to put nail polish remover on my neck? Community Answer Community Answer Since nail polish remover has alcohol in it, it can irritate your skin. You most likely would not want to try it on your neck. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 21 Helpful 47
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

  • Be careful with the rubbing alcohol! Don't overdo it, because it will sting. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Lots of tattoos fade on their own or in the shower, so if you're uneasy about being hard on your skin then just wait a few more days--the tattoo will peel off on its own. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Use a makeup wipe to get tattoos off. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Use baby oil and let it sit on your skin for a minute. Then get a clean rag and wipe the tattoo and oil off.
  • You can also use petroleum jelly to remove temporary tattoos.
  • You can use olive oil to remove a temporary tattoo.
  • Regular lotion works best in my experience.
  • For me, nail polish remover works the best!
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Cotton balls
  • Baby oil or olive oil
  • Cloth/paper towel
  • Scotch tape
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Soap
  • Water
  • Makeup or nail polish remover
  • Soft towel for drying

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about skincare, check out our in-depth interview with Barbie Ritzman.

References

  1. ↑ Barbie Ritzman. Beauty & Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.psychreg.org/how-remove-henna-easy/
  3. ↑ Barbie Ritzman. Beauty & Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-to-know-about-taking-off-a-temporary-tattoo
  5. ↑ Barbie Ritzman. Beauty & Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://www.psychreg.org/how-remove-henna-easy/
  7. ↑ Barbie Ritzman. Beauty & Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ https://play.qagoma.qld.gov.au/_hosted/eX_de_Medici_Temporary_Tattoo_FAQ_sheet.pdf
  9. ↑ https://play.qagoma.qld.gov.au/_hosted/eX_de_Medici_Temporary_Tattoo_FAQ_sheet.pdf
More References (2)
  1. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-to-know-about-taking-off-a-temporary-tattoo
  2. ↑ https://play.qagoma.qld.gov.au/_hosted/eX_de_Medici_Temporary_Tattoo_FAQ_sheet.pdf

About This Article

Barbie Ritzman Co-authored by: Barbie Ritzman Beauty & Skincare Specialist This article was co-authored by Barbie Ritzman. Barbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry. This article has been viewed 1,732,778 times. 10 votes - 60% Co-authors: 59 Updated: October 6, 2025 Views: 1,732,778 Categories: Tattoos and Piercing | Temporary Tattoos Article SummaryX

To remove temporary tattoos, apply a small amount of olive oil or rubbing alcohol to the tattoo and then scrub it off with a washcloth. If you don't have olive oil or rubbing alcohol, try using nail polish remover instead. You can also get temporary tattoos off using clear tape. Just press a piece of the tape onto the tattoo and then slowly peel it off, which will cause the tattoo to peel off with it. For more tips, like using cold cream or makeup remover to get rid of temporary tattoos, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Anonymous

    Anonymous

    Jun 25, 2016

    "Eye makeup remover worked great. I saturated a cotton ball, applied it to the site, and let it soak in for a few..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Barbie Ritzman Co-authored by: Barbie Ritzman Beauty & Skincare Specialist 10 votes - 60% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 59 Updated: October 6, 2025 Views: 1,732,778 Anonymous

Anonymous

Jun 25, 2016

"Eye makeup remover worked great. I saturated a cotton ball, applied it to the site, and let it soak in for a few..." more Krizzy Macali

Krizzy Macali

Aug 15, 2022

"In all honesty, temporary tattoos are just a fun, affordable thing to do by yourself or with friends. They're..." more Anonymous

Anonymous

Aug 12, 2017

"What helped me was the different ideas. I like how there is always more than one method in case the first..." more Anonymous

Anonymous

Oct 22, 2016

"The scotch clear tape worked the best for me. It removed it like no other. Thank you for your help!" Anonymous

Anonymous

May 22, 2018

"Peeling with tape worked perfectly, first time got every bit off." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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