10/26/2026
I wanted to post an in-depth informational for the Ink & Pine tattoo care remedies since I finally got them all finished up for Brass Tacks. I also have some loaded on the website for my far away folks!
But first I wanted to give a break down of this week- I have all shipment orders situated, and as mentioned I will be pulling the farm stand this week (towards the end of the week). I will continue to have free delivery Thursdays available on the website for my local folks! And farm stand pickup is still an option, however it will be at the shop instead. Thank you again for your love and support. It means the world to my little family 🤗
Here’s the informational for the tattoo care remedies!
🖤Ink & Pine Collection🖤
-Ink & Pine Ointment
Rooted in the natural beauty of the Northwoods, this botanical tattoo aftercare ointment brings together pine hydrosol, soothing cattail gel, aloe vera, and pine-infused vegetable glycerin to moisturize and care for fresh ink.
The first few days after getting a tattoo are especially important. Proper aftercare helps protect the skin, support its natural healing process, and preserve the appearance of your new ink. Keeping the area clean, applying appropriate moisture, and allowing the skin to breathe are all essential parts of this process.
Pine is at the heart of this formula, valued for its traditional use in skin care and its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Combined with lightweight, moisture-supporting ingredients, this ointment is designed to care for freshly tattooed skin without leaving behind a heavy, occlusive layer.
Recommended use: Gently wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap, then pat dry with a clean towel. Apply a layer of ointment to clean skin, morning and evening, during the first three days, or as directed by your tattoo artist. Avoid overapplying, as freshly tattooed skin needs to remain clean and should not be excessively coated.
The Botanicals Behind the Formula
Pine — The Heart
Pine is the primary botanical in this formulation, valued for its traditional use in skin care and its antimicrobial and soothing properties. It appears in two forms, each offering a different way to work with the plant: pine hydrosol and pine-infused vegetable glycerin. I’ve been enchanted by hydrosols for many years. To me, they are a true alchemical art form, connecting us to an ancient tradition of working with plants through water and steam. A hydrosol is not simply essential oils added to water, nor should it be thought of as merely a byproduct. It is the aromatic water collected during the distillation of plant material, containing water-soluble plant constituents alongside trace amounts of volatile aromatic compounds. I like to think of it as the plant’s cellular water. Hydrosols are gentle, versatile, and a beautiful expression of plant distillation. Their quality and stability depend on the plant material, distillation process, handling, and storage; not every hydrosol is self-preserving. When properly produced and handled, they offer a wonderful way to incorporate the water-soluble qualities of a plant into skin care. Definition, courtesy of Jeanne Rose: Hydrosol: The aromatic, non-alcoholic distillate left from the distillation process of organically grown plants, containing water-soluble cellular parts of the plant material—its cellular water. I personally harvest and distill all of my hydrosols, including the pine hydrosol used in this formula. Every batch is an opportunity to work closely with the plants and capture a different expression of their character.
Vegetable Glycerin — Moisture and Balance
Vegetable glycerin is a humectant, meaning it attracts and helps retain moisture in the outer layers of the skin. In this formula, the pine-infused glycerin helps incorporate water-soluble plant constituents while supporting skin hydration. The goal is to provide light, balanced moisture without leaving the skin feeling overly coated.
Cattail Gel — A super gel like no other
Cattail gel is one of the most fascinating ingredients in this formula. Naturally gel-like and soothing, it brings a unique texture and botanical character to the ointment. Cattail gel is like a super gel. It has numbing properties and is an incredibly strong antiseptic, it helps speed up the wound healing process- think of it like Aloe but dare I say better.
Aloe Vera — A Familiar Favorite
And, of course, there’s aloe vera. Many people already know and love aloe for its cooling, soothing, and moisturizing qualities, making it a familiar addition to this botanical blend.
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🖤Ink & Pine Balm🖤
Created for the later stages of tattoo healing and ongoing ink care, Ink & Pine Balm is a rich, botanical blend crafted to moisturize, condition, and nourish the skin while helping maintain the appearance of your tattoo.
Made with pine resin infused in tallow, pine-infused hazelnut oil, and beeswax, this balm brings together traditional ingredients straight from the borealis forest.
The Ingredients
Tallow — A Time-Honored Tradition
Tallow has a long history in traditional skin care, offering a rich, emollient base that helps soften the skin and support its moisture barrier. Sometimes, the most enduring traditions remind us that caring for our skin doesn’t always require complicated ingredients. Unlike many plant oils, which vary in their fatty acid composition and susceptibility to oxidation, tallow has a relatively stable fatty acid profile. It contains a combination of saturated and monounsaturated fats, along with smaller amounts of polyunsaturated fats. Its composition makes it a rich, traditional option for creating a nourishing balm. In this formula, it serves as a conditioning base for the pine resin, helping create a balm that leaves skin feeling soft, supple, and protected.
Hazelnut Oil — Silky, Lightweight Nourishment
Hazelnut oil is the second nourishing base in this balm, and it’s an ingredient I wish we saw more often in skin care. It absorbs beautifully, feels wonderfully silky, and lends a lightweight elegance to the finished formula. Rich in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), hazelnut oil is valued for its emollient properties. It helps soften and condition the skin, leaving it feeling smooth, supple, and moisturized. Hazelnut oil also contains naturally occurring antioxidants, including vitamin E, as well as other plant compounds that contribute to its unique composition. Its fatty acid profile and silky texture make it a lovely complement to the richness of tallow and beeswax, creating a balm designed to nourish the skin and maintain the appearance of healed ink.
Pine Resin and Needles — The Spirit of the Northwoods
Pine brings the spirit of the forest into both products, but it plays a different role in the balm than it does in the ointment. Pine has a long history of traditional use in topical preparations for skin discomfort and minor skin concerns. Its resin contains oil-soluble compounds that differ from the water-soluble constituents captured in pine hydrosol. In the ointment, the emphasis is on pine hydrosol and its water-soluble plant constituents. In the balm, pine resin and pine needles are infused into the oil and tallow bases to draw out oil-soluble compounds and create a richer, resinous botanical preparation. Pine is one of my favorite botanicals for treating irritation and inflammatory conditions and wound care. It’s been shown to help strengthen the skin, promote circulation, soften scar tissue, aid with an even complexion and so much more.
This distinction is part of what makes the Ink & Pine Collection special: two preparations, one beloved forest botanical, and two different approaches to incorporating pine into skin care.
Inspired by the Northwoods and crafted with intention, Ink & Pine brings together the character of the borealis forest and the art of botanical formulation to care for your ink beyond the needle.
