There is no rule that says pens have to be limited to paper. Drawing on one’s skin is incredibly popular, especially for those who like to express themselves through skin art but don’t want the permanence of a tattoo. Skin art can be a great way to express your individuality, through designs ranging from intricate to fun.
So what are the pens that write well on the skin? Our top picks are listed as follows:
- BIC BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Markers
- Toysmith Ink-a-Doo Shimmery Tattoo Pens
- Vicsot Mini XL Surgical Markers
- LabAider Surgical Tip Skin Marker Pens
- Hildbrandt Tattoo Skin Scribe Pens
- Alex Spa Sketch Sparkle Tattoo Pens
- Easy.Ink Premium Freehand Ink
The rest of this article will tell you everything you need to know about these pens and which aspects to consider when choosing a pen for body art.
Table of Contents
What Should I Consider When Choosing a Body Art Pen?
Body art enthusiasts come in a wide range of ages, talents, and interests. From children to teens to cosplayers and sports enthusiasts, there are various things to consider before choosing a pen.
Does this pen follow cosmetic regulations?
Aside from making sure that the pen is sterile and medical-grade, make sure the pen doesn’t contain any chemicals that violate your country’s cosmetic regulations.
While most pens sold in stores will have gone through rigorous testing to ensure their safety to the public, other pens that come from online dealers or sometimes outside of the country can contain dangerous ingredients. Remember to do your research before purchasing a body art pen.
How long does the ink remain on my skin?
A child making fun designs on his or her face has different needs from a body art pen than a body art enthusiast creating a temporary tattoo.
Some ink pens wash off within a few hours, while others – specifically the surgical markers – are designed to remain vividly on the skin for days or weeks at a time. Make sure you choose the correct set for your individual needs.
What colors and line thickness am I looking for?
Depending on the design you want, it’s important to find a pen with the right colors and line thickness. Some of the pens on our list come in a wide range of colors while others have a more limited palette.
As for line thickness, the packaging should have this information.
What are the Pens That Write Well on Skin?
BIC BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Markers
Coming in a set of multiple colors, BIC BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Markers are a great option for both body art amateurs and professionals alike. The flexible pen tips minimize skin discomfort while also being capable of various line thicknesses.
This set also comes with 9 stencils and an inspirational “look book” if you are unsure about which design you want. The colors, ink quality, and ink durability make this pen a great option for temporary body art.
A multicolored 8-pack, which includes 3 stencils, is only around $35 on Amazon.
- Express yourself with BodyMark by BIC Temporary Tattoo Markers
- Skin safe cosmetic-quality ink provides vibrant, long-lasting color so you can create the kind of body art you've always...
- Fine tip designed for thin lines and detailed designs
- Perfect for enhancing your style for special occasions, parties, festivals, sporting events, Halloween and more
- Features black, brown, red, blue, green, purple, pink and light blue vibrant color markers
Toysmith Ink-a-Doo Shimmery Tattoo Pens
These fun pens come in shimmering multiple colors, perfect for kids and teens. They wash off easily, making them an ideal option for fun birthday parties or sleepovers. Each pack also comes with 3 stencil sheets, giving kids a wide range of designs to choose from.
Safe for ages 6 and up, these pens are available on Amazon in two packs of 6 for $15.99.
- Bundle Includes 2 Sets of 6 Pens Each and 2 Sets of 3 Stencil Sheets, Totaling 18 Pieces!
- Create your own design or use the included stencils
- Just ink, wash and repeat....Great activity for a birthday party or sleep over.
- Perfect for travel, party favors, giveaways, schools, organizations, stocking stuffers, & so much more!
- For Ages 6 and up
Vicsot Mini XL Surgical Markers
Designed to give surgeons accurate and precise instructions on people going in for surgery, Viscot Mini XL Markers deliver fine, precise lines. They are sterile, medical-grade, and individually wrapped.
Keep in mind that these surgical markers were designed to withstand scrubbing with surgical prep solutions, so the ink may remain on your skin for days or even weeks at a time.
A box of 6 costs around $9.
- 6 Pack of Surgical Skin Markers. Individually Sealed, Sterile.
- The medical grade 100% BPA Free plastic handle and medical grade natural gentian ink.
- 2 Tip Size: 0.5MM & 1MM. The thickness of the pen tip can easily draw accurate and clean lines, suitable for...
- Waterproof and sweatproof, long lasting. Can be removed by medical alcohol or low-strength alcohol.
- Multiple uses for eyebrows, plastic surgery, earrings, skin markings, skin positioning, and so on.
LabAider Surgical Tip Skin Marker Pens
The second entry for surgical markers on our list, the LabAider Surgical Tip Skin Marker Pens is sterile and medical grade. As with our previous entry, keep in mind that this ink is designed to withstand scrubbing with surgical prep solutions, so the ink may remain on your skin for a long while.
A box of 4 is available for $9.99 and contains paper rulers for extra precision.
- ✅【Multiple uses】:2 Tip Size: 0.5MM & 1MM. The thickness of the pen tip can easily draw accurate and clean lines,...
- ✅【Reliable quality】:main ingredients of pen ink is gentian violet; Non-toxic and harmless to skin without...
- ✅【Esay to Use】:Waterproof and sweatproof, long lasting. Can be removed by medical alcohol or low-strength alcohol.
- ✅【Skin Positioning】:This skin positioning pen can be used on any part of the body and is ideal for marking...
- ✅【FULL TRUST】: Ksndurn is committed to providing each customer with the best quality products and the highest...
Hildbrandt Tattoo Skin Scribe Pens
Available in blue, black, or red, these tattoo pens deliver precise, quality lines for professional body art enthusiasts. Each pen is dual-tipped, with one tip for fine lines and the other for thicker, shaded lines. The ink lasts a while and is resistant to scrubbing, so keep this in mind when using it.
This pen dries out quickly when left uncapped, so be careful to quickly recap the pen after each use.
A 5-pack is available for around $6.
- Clear and crisp blue color with a thick and thin tip.
- Goes on easy and is smudge resistant
- Provides fine lines and shading without the color spread or bleeding
- Dual tip pens are clog free and easy to use
- Ideal for medical, dental, and tattoo industry
Alex Spa Sketch Sparkle Tattoo Pens
The second entry on our list geared towards kids and young teens, the Alex Spa Sketch Sparkle Tattoo Pens come in multiple fun colors that shimmer and sparkle. They provide hours of fun perfect for birthday parties or sleepovers, and the ink washes off easily with soap and water.
These pens are recommended for ages 8 and up. Keep in mind, that since the ink washes off easily, that sweat can also cause the ink to run and come off.
A pack of 6 costs around $10-15, and each pack comes with multiple stencils for drawing on precise designs.
- Temporary tattoo kit with stencils and gel pens
- Trace trendy designs with stick on stencils then peel off and color
- Tattoo ink washes off with soap and water
- Includes 6 washable tattoo pens and 6 stencil stickers
- Recommended for children 8 years of age and older
Easy.Ink Premium Freehand Ink
Ideal for professionals who don’t want the commitment of a permanent tattoo, Easy.Ink Premium Freehand Ink is a 0.5 oz bottle of ink with 5 different tips used for changing line thickness and quality.
The dark, vivid stain of the ink resembles a real tattoo. It is highly recommended to also purchase stencils, which help with realistic drawing, and the ink is one of the longest-lasting on our list – enduring for 7 – 14 days or more.
The set – which includes the 0.5 oz bottle and five interchangeable tips – costs $14.99.
- 100% real natural & organic fruit based ink. A Premium Temporary Tattoo Ink.
- Darker and more realistic stain - Looks just like a real tattoo
- Extra Long Lasting - Lasts 7-14 days (or more)
- Best consistency - Draw with ease
- Full bottle of our Premium Freehand Ink + 5X needles in different gauges