Aftercare is for fresh, healing tattoos: the first 2 to 3 weeks while the skin is repairing. Aftercare products (Aftercare Cream, Aftercare Foam Cleanser) are fragrance free and built for compromised skin.

Maintenance is for healed tattoos: ongoing, lifelong care once the skin has fully recovered. Maintenance products (Daily Moisturiser, Vibrancy Serum, Exfoliating Body Wash, Highlighting Body Oil) are fragranced and contain actives like Vitamin C, AHAs and UV filters that aren't suitable for broken skin.

Roughly 2 to 3 weeks after your session, once all swelling, redness, itching, flaking and scabbing have fully subsided. Surface healing happens first; full dermal healing takes longer. If in doubt, wait another few days before introducing fragranced or active-led products.

Healing tattoo (weeks 1 to 3): Aftercare Foam Cleanser to wash, Aftercare Cream 2 to 3 times a day.

Healed skin (week 4 onwards): Exfoliating Body Wash 1 to 3 times a week, Daily Moisturiser daily, Vibrancy Serum overnight, Highlighting Body Oil as a daytime finish. Layering: Daily Moisturiser first, then Vibrancy Serum, then Highlighting Body Oil.

• New tattoo, want everything covered: Tattoo Starter Pack.
• Just need the heal kit: Tattoo Aftercare Duo.
• Healed tattoos, want them sharper: Tattoo Preservation Pack.
• Faded or dull old tattoos: Tattoo Revival Pack.
• Heavy collector or full gift: Tattoo Care Kit.
• Core routine without the wash products: Tattoo Care Essentials Set.

Can I layer products? Yes. Daily Moisturiser as base, Vibrancy Serum next, Highlighting Body Oil as finish. The serum and oil work on different mechanisms (subsurface vs surface) so they don't compete.

The two aftercare products (Aftercare Cream and Aftercare Foam Cleanser) are fragrance free. The four maintenance products (Daily Moisturiser, Vibrancy Serum, Exfoliating Body Wash, Highlighting Body Oil) are lightly fragranced and intended for healed skin. Full INCI lists are on every product page.

Yes. All six products are 100% vegan and never tested on animals. None of our ingredients are derived from animals.

The aftercare range is hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested. The maintenance range is well tolerated by most skin types but contains fragrance and active ingredients (Vitamin C, AHAs, UV filters). If you have known fragrance sensitivity, eczema or rosacea, patch test on a small area before full use.

The Daily Moisturiser contains UV filters (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane for UVA, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate for UVB) for low daily exposure. It is not a substitute for broad-spectrum sunscreen. For beach, holidays or extended outdoor time, layer SPF 30 or 50 over the top.

Yes. The serum doesn't depend on tattoo age; it depends on skin condition. Customers see results on tattoos 5, 10 and 20+ years old. Most users notice a difference after 14 days of consistent overnight use. It cannot reverse serious UV damage or restore migrated ink.

No. Vitamin C in topical skincare (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate) is an antioxidant that protects skin and ink from oxidative stress. The "fading" association comes from a different chemistry: Vitamin C as part of laser tattoo removal protocols at very different concentrations. Our serum and oil concentrations are antioxidant-level, not depigmenting-level.

No. Tattoo ink sits in the dermis. AHA exfoliation only affects the outermost (dead) layer of skin, the stratum corneum. Regular gentle exfoliation actually makes ink look more vivid because there's less dull surface in the way.

We don't use palm oil directly. One of the active ingredients we use is derived from RSPO-certified responsibly sourced palm oil.

 Cardboard cartons: home cardboard recycling. Aluminium tubes (Aftercare Cream): cut the top off, rinse, recycle with cans. Plastic tubes and bottles: cut, rinse, recycle with plastics. Highlighting Body Oil pump and caps: the pump mechanism is non-recyclable; remove and bin. Glass bottle is recyclable.

Allow 3 to 5 working days from order. If your tracking hasn't updated after that, email info@storiesandink.com. If tracking shows delivered, check with neighbours and household members before contacting us.

Most orders ship via Royal Mail 48 hour. Gift sets and larger orders ship via DPD.

You should receive your tracking number when your order is dispatched. If you don’t receive this in a few days and are concerned about your order please email help@storiesandink.com.

Royal Mail Tracking : https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item#/
DPD Tracking: https://www.dpd.co.uk/service/

Most orders are processed the same day that they are placed, but please allow for weekends/bank holidays as our warehouse will be closed during these periods. Generally orders make it to our customers in 3-5 working days.

All major credit and debit cards, American Express, PayPal, Klarna, Amazon Pay.

Klarna lets you split payment into 3 instalments at no extra cost. Klarna pays us in full at checkout; you pay Klarna back over the following months.

Email info@storiesandink.com with your reason. Refunds are processed immediately and take up to 10 working days to show on your statement.

30 day return window. Items must be unused and in original packaging. Email info@storiesandink.com with proof of purchase.

Stories & Ink is an independent brand and the brainchild of two friends, Simon and Stu. After a decade building surf, skate and lifestyle brands, Simon started his own creative agency, which has gone on to work with some of the most credible global brands. Stu’s passion lies in skincare, with a background in developing consumer-first products that use only the best natural active ingredients and botanical blends. Together, they founded Stories & Ink – to answer a need unmet by anyone else. They noticed that despite the acceptance of tattoos in mainstream culture, there was a severe lack of skincare products for people with tattoos. Sure, there were immediate aftercare serums and nappy rash creams repurposed as repair lotions – but no credible brand to help care for tattooed skin, long-term. So, with that in mind, the two set out to change this. To formulate, develop and launch a skincare range specifically for people with tattoos. No one offs or quick fixes – just quality products that would nourish, define and protect tattooed skin for life. This is dedicated skincare for you and your ink.

Enter your discount code at the last point before the checkout. The discount code is not case sensitive. If your code is not working please email help@storiesandink.com

Sometimes with Royal Mail and DPD tracking the link malfunctions when you try to click through to tracking. Open the tracking page: Royal Mail: https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item#/ DPD: https://www.dpd.co.uk/service/ Copy and paste your tracking code into the search. If your tracking still doesn’t work, please email help@storiesandink.com.