How to Get Pen off Your Skin

So that cute girl finally gave you her number by scribbling it on the back of your hand. You're super excited, except you don't want to get home and have your nosy little sister start questioning you about whose digits are on your skin. Or maybe you've been taking notes at school all day and end up with pen ink smeared all over the side of your hand (this is a daily struggle if you're a lefty). Even worse, maybe the kid you're babysitting for got hold of a ballpoint and decided to scribble all over her face. Whatever the reason is, you want that ink wiped out without a trace. Read on to learn different methods for safely removing pen marks from your skin.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Pen Ink with Household Items

1
Wash the ink off with soap and water. This is probably the easiest and most accessible solution. If the ink is oil-based, as many ballpoint pens are, you may not have much luck, but if the pen uses water-soluble ink, it should wash off right away.
- Water-based inks tend to seep through paper and take longer to dry, so they are more likely to smear and get on your skin.^{[1]
  X
  Research source}
- Roller ball pens and some gel pens are usually water soluble.
2
Rub vegetable shortening or butter on the ink. It will be kind of gross and may get messy, but the oils in these products will help dissolve the oil contained in the ink. Dissolving the ink will bring it to a liquid state, and when you clean off the butter or shortening with a dry paper towel, the ink should start to come off.
- This same principal means that oils like coconut oil, baby oil, or olive oil will also help dissolve the ink. Pour some oil onto a paper towel and use it to scrub off the ink.
Advertisement
3
Squirt non-gel toothpaste onto the ink and rub it into the skin. Toothpaste contains baking soda, which will pull the ink off the surface of your skin.^{[2]
X
Research source} The toothpaste may cause your skin to tingle. Use a damp cloth or water to rinse off.
- Look for toothpaste that isn't see-through (or gelled) or sparkly. It should be an opaque paste and will often be white.
4
Rub a cooled, used teabag over the pen ink. After making yourself a cup of tea, set the tea bag aside and allow it to come to room temperature. Once cooled, scrub the ink with the tea bag. It should rub off easily.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- The oils in the tea, combined with the rough fabric of the bag, will work together to break down and lift the pen off your skin.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
- Don't be too harsh when you rub the tea against your skin, or you may break the bag and spill tea leaves everywhere.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Removing Pen Ink Using Solvents

1
Squirt hand sanitizer onto the ink and rub in small, circular motions. The alcohol in hand sanitizer will break down and loosen the pen. Wipe the area with a clean cloth and the ink will wipe off with the sanitizer.^{[6]
X
Research source}
2
Wet a cotton ball or washcloth with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol or surgical spirit) and scrub the ink off your skin. Rubbing alcohol is often your best bet for removing the oil-based ink found in most pens. It dissolves oils, allowing you to wipe the ink off your skin.^{[7]
X
Research source} Many other cleaning agents use alcohol as the main solvent, so using it straight should give you the best results.
- Try not to use the rubbing alcohol in a small, confined space, as the smell is very strong.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
- Isopropyl alcohol and its fumes are extremely flammable, so don't use it around an open flame or heat source.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
- The alcohol will also remove your body's natural oils along with the pen, so you should moisturize after rubbing it on your skin.
3
Spray the pen marks with hairspray and wipe them off with a clean towel. If you don't have rubbing alcohol on hand, look for an alcohol-based hairspray instead.^{[10]
X
Research source} The alcohol will break down the ink. Depending on the concentration of alcohol used in the hairspray, it may take a few applications to remove the ink.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- The hairspray will leave behind a sticky residue, so once the ink has been removed, rinse your skin with soap and water.^{[12]
  X
  Research source}
- Hairspray is highly flammable, so be careful when you are spraying it. You should never use it anywhere near an open flame.
4
Use a cotton-ball soaked with acetone nail polish remover to rub off the ink. The solvent acetone will cause the pen ink to break down and dissolve, similar to rubbing alcohol. It is also highly flammable like alcohol, and the vapors can be toxic in large amounts, so use in a well-ventilated area.
- Acetone can be very harsh on your skin, so use it sparingly and be sure to rinse your arm with soap and water and moisturize afterwards.
- The amount of alcohol in hand sanitizer varies. Look for one that is 60%-90% alcohol.^{[13]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
5
Spray or wet the area with white vinegar, then use a paper towel to rub away the ink. Vinegar contains the acetic acid,^{[14]
X
Research source} which is an effective solvent that can dissolve oil and many other compounds.
- Using a rough paper towel will help exfoliate the skin,and remove layers of dead skin cells that are stained by the ink.

Community Q&A

Question

Why can't I get the ink off with soap and water?

Community Answer

Sometimes the ink sticks to your skin, try rubbing shaving cream on it, then washing it again.
Question

What can I do if I don't have these things?

Community Answer

Try washing it with simple soap and scrubbing your skin with a little bit of pressure while the soap is still on.
Question

Can I get ink poisoning from drawing on my skin?

Community Answer

Yes; however, it is very hard to get it. You'd need massive amounts of ink to contract ink poisoning. Try to stay away from using a Sharpie and don't draw on a cut or open sore on your skin. A small doodle won't hurt though.