Safety

Are Temporary Tattoos Safe? Ingredients, Allergies and the "Black Henna" Risk

Q: What are the ingredients?

Our super-secret (okay, maybe not) lineup includes: Acrylates Copolymer, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Genipa Americana Fruit Extract, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Polyvinyl Butyral, Rosin Acrylate, Glycine Soja Oil, Paraffinum Liquidum, CI 42090

Mattia By Mattia Updated October 14, 2026 5 min read

In short

Temporary tattoos sold in the EU are cosmetic products and need a safety assessment under the EU Cosmetics Regulation. Tattup ink was tested by a laboratory and rated safe. As with any cosmetic, an allergic reaction can never be ruled out completely – a patch test helps if your skin is sensitive. The real danger is "black henna" with the hair-dye chemical PPD, which is not allowed on skin in the EU.

A tattoo that disappears after two weeks sounds harmless – and it usually is. But "temporary" says nothing about what is in it. Here is what you should know about ingredients, testing and allergies, and how to spot the products you should stay away from.

How is the safety of temporary tattoos regulated?

In the EU, temporary tattoos applied to the skin count as cosmetic products. That means the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 applies: before a product can be sold, a qualified safety assessor has to evaluate it in a cosmetic product safety report, the ingredients must be listed on the packaging and forbidden substances must not be used.

Tattup ink was tested by a laboratory and rated safe in such a safety report – as required for every cosmetic product in the EU. On top of that it is vegan, never tested on animals and gluten-free.

What is in a Tattup 2-week tattoo?

The full ingredient list (INCI):

Acrylates Copolymer, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Genipa Americana Fruit Extract, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Polyvinyl Butyral, Rosin Acrylate, Glycine Soja Oil, Paraffinum Liquidum, CI 42090

Ingredient	What it does
Genipa Americana Fruit Extract	The active ingredient from the jagua fruit. It reacts with proteins in the top skin layer and creates the dark blue to black color.
Acrylates Copolymer, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Polyvinyl Butyral, Rosin Acrylate, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate	Film formers and resins that hold the design on the transfer paper and release it evenly onto your skin.
Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate	Keeps the film flexible.
Glycine Soja Oil, Paraffinum Liquidum	Soybean oil and mineral oil, which keep the formula smooth.
CI 42090	A blue colorant.

Can you be allergic to a 2-week tattoo?

It is possible, but rare. Every cosmetic contains ingredients your skin may not know yet. Allergic contact dermatitis to genipin from jagua has been described in individual case reports. That is why we recommend:

Patch test on a small spot first if you have sensitive skin or known allergies.
18 and older: we recommend Tattup for adults only.
Not on the face and not on broken or irritated skin.
Pregnant or breastfeeding? Ask your doctor first.

If your skin reactsWash the area and stop using the tattoo right away. A soothing cream helps with mild redness – please do not scratch. If itching or redness continue, see a doctor. If ink gets into your eyes, rinse them thoroughly with water.

Why "black henna" is the real risk

Most serious skin reactions to temporary tattoos come from one product: "black henna". Natural henna is orange to red-brown. To make it black, some sellers add para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a hair-dye chemical. In the EU, PPD is allowed in hair dyes but not in products applied to the skin. On skin it can cause blisters, open wounds and scars, and people who become sensitized may react to PPD and related dyes for the rest of their lives.

Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) warns against black henna tattoos, and the US FDA lists it as a known risk. One case report measured 15.7% PPD in a black henna mix.

	Natural henna	"Black henna"	Jagua / 2-week tattoo
Color	Orange to red-brown	Black within hours	Dark blue to black after 24–48 h
Coloring agent	Lawsone from the henna plant	Often PPD (hair dye)	Genipin from the jagua fruit
Typical seller	Henna artists	Beach stands, street artists on holiday	Cosmetic brands with an ingredient list
Our advice	OK	Avoid	OK, patch test if sensitive

How do you recognize a safe temporary tattoo?

Full ingredient list on the packaging or product page.
A company you can contact, based in the EU or Switzerland.
No "black within an hour" promise – jagua needs 24–48 hours, instant black often means PPD.
Clear warnings on use, age and skin reactions.
No street stand on holiday where nobody can tell you what is in the paste.

Snake 2-week tattoo on the upper arm — Real customer photo.

More about the differences between henna, jagua and stick-on tattoos in temporary tattoos compared, and how to apply a Tattup correctly in how to apply a temporary tattoo.

Matching tattoos

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Sources

Frequently asked questions

Are Tattup tattoos safe?

Yes. Our formula was tested by a laboratory and rated safe in a safety report under the EU Cosmetics Regulation – as required for every cosmetic product in the EU.

As with any cosmetic product, an allergic reaction can never be ruled out completely. If you have sensitive skin, do a small patch test first. We recommend Tattup for ages 18 and up.

What are the ingredients?

Our super-secret (okay, maybe not) lineup includes:

What should I do if I get a skin reaction?

Our formula contains a few ingredients your skin may not know yet – so there is a small risk of allergy.

If you notice irritation, wash the area and stop using the tattoo right away.
A soothing cream helps with mild redness – and please don’t scratch.
If itching or redness persists, see a doctor.
If ink gets into your eyes, rinse them thoroughly with water right away.

What are the warnings?

For external use only.
Do not apply to the face or to broken or irritated skin.
Not suitable for babies and young children – keep out of reach of children.
Avoid contact with eyes. If anything gets into your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water right away.
If you notice itching, burning or redness, wash the area and stop using it. If symptoms persist, get medical advice before trying again.

Are Tattup tattoos safe for kids?

We prioritize safety, as children’s or infants’ skin can be extra sensitive. We recommend patch tests for everyone, and generally suggest Tattup for folks 18+.

Is Tattup safe while pregnant or breastfeeding?

We always advise consulting your healthcare provider first to make sure you’re in the clear.

All answers in the Help Center

Mattia Tattup Team

Mattia is part of the team behind Tattup, the 2-week tattoo brand from Switzerland. We write about what we know from thousands of orders and our own tests – no hype, just facts.