How to Wash Permanent Marker Stains Off Your Skin

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The best cleaners for scrubbing away Sharpie and other marker stains

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: September 28, 2024 Fact Checked

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Best Ways to Remove Sharpie from Skin

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Is permanent ink unsafe for skin?

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How long for permanent ink to fade?

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Removing Hair Dye

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Removing Glue

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Expert Q&A

Permanent markers are great when you want to label an item or draw a picture, but not so great when they get on your skin. Luckily, you won’t have to live your life with a permanent marker smudge on your hand or leg. We talked to board certified dermatologist Mohiba Tareen, MD to bring you the best cleaners to rid your skin of permanent marker, including alcohol-based cleaners, oil-based products, and others. We’ll also show you how to remove hair dye and stubborn glue!

Easy Ways to Clean Permanent Marker Off Skin

Scrub the stain with rubbing alcohol.
Lather your skin with hand sanitizer.
Rub white cream toothpaste onto the stain.
Wipe the stain with olive oil or coconut oil.
Rub the stain with baby oil or hand lotion.
Wipe the stain with makeup remover.

Section 1 of 5:

Best Ways to Remove Sharpie from Skin

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1
Rubbing alcohol Even the most stubborn permanent marker stains are no match for the powers of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Simply pour some rubbing alcohol directly onto the stain and use your fingertips or a paper towel to rub it onto the marker.^{[1]
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Research source} Continue rubbing the mark until all the ink is gone. Finish off by washing your skin with warm water and a bit of soap.
- Use a rag or towel you don’t mind getting dirty. Permanent marker will stain your rag just like it stained your skin.
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Coconut oil Tareen tells us that coconut oil is an effective stain remover, plus it gives your skin a little extra sweet-smelling moisture. Wash your skin with warm water and a little bit of soap, and pat it dry. Apply a small amount of the coconut oil to your marked skin with your hands. Rub and wipe the coconut oil against your skin with your fingers or a tissue until the marker is completely gone.
- You may need to rinse the oil off with warm water, then reapply it several times before the stain is gone.
- Olive oil is also an effective alternative.
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Hand sanitizer Hand sanitizer contains a good amount of alcohol, which works to thin and erase the ink from a permanent marker stain.^{[2]
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Research source} Squirt some hand sanitizer onto your hand, and then rub it onto the mark using a circular motion for 30-60 seconds. Rinse your skin off with warm water, and repeat the process until you've conquered the stain. As a bonus, your skin will be germ free!
- Or, use cleansing wipes that contain alcohol as an alternative to using hand sanitizer.
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Sunscreen Sunscreen is your skin's best friend in the sweltering sun and during permanent marker stain crises. Coat the marker stain with a thick layer of sunscreen, and then rub it with your fingertips in a circular motion. Continue adding sunscreen and rubbing it in until all the marker has been dissolved. Rinse everything off with warm water, and you're good to go.^{[3]
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- Either cream or spray-on sunscreen will work.
Tareen says that baby oil “can attach to the excess oil on the skin and the marker ink to help remove the ink pigments.” It’s a gentle but strong cleanser that can remove permanent marker stains while moisturizing your skin. Apply the baby oil or lotion to a tissue and use it to blot and rub the marker stain. Then wash the area with warm water to remove the marker and the excess oil or lotion.
Shaving cream is another great oil-based marker remover.^{[4]
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Research source} Apply a large dollop directly on the stained area of skin. Then use your fingers or a tissue to rub the shaving cream into the stain. Continue rubbing the mark until you lift all of that stubborn ink from your skin, and then wash your skin with warm water.
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Soap & baby wipes Permanent marker on skin will automatically fade away with time. Speed up the process by washing the stain with warm water and hand soap.^{[5]
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Research source} Or, grab a baby wipe, rub at the marker stain until it is dissolved, and rinse your skin with warm water.
- Try to use baby wipes as opposed to surface cleaning wipes, as baby wipes are more gentle on the skin.
To use a liquid makeup remover, apply a small amount onto a paper towel or cloth, and then rub at the stained area of skin. If you are using makeup wipes, the process is even easier. Simply rub and wipe the irksome stain away.^{[6]
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Choose a white cream toothpaste—gel toothpaste won’t work as well. Run warm water and dampen your skin where the mark is and spread on a thick layer of the toothpaste. Let the toothpaste set for 1-2 minutes before you use your fingertip or a damp rag to rub the toothpaste into the skin. Rub it until the ink has dissolved completely, and then rinse with a little warm water.^{[7]
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Tareen says that butter has properties similar to oils, which makes it effective. Take a dollop of butter and smear it on the permanent marker stain. Let it set for 2-3 minutes, and then use a rag to rub it into the stain. Continue rubbing until the ink has dissolved, and then use hot water and soap to rinse off the butter and the ink.
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Nail polish remover or acetone Although not technically a “skin product,” nail polish remover and acetone will dissolve permanent marker ink and nail polish alike, all without damaging your skin.^{[8]
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Research source} Pour some of the remover/acetone onto a cotton ball or rag, and rub the mark with it. Continue adding more polish remover and rubbing until the persistent smudge is gone. Then, wash off your squeaky-clean skin with warm water and pat dry.
- Nail polish remover evaporates fairly quickly, so you may have to use multiple applications.
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Dish soap & baking soda In a small bowl, mix together equal parts of dish soap and baking soda. Then, use your finger or a paper towel to lather the mixture into your skin. The mild abrasive of the baking soda will help scrub the stain away.^{[9]
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Research source} Meanwhile, the dish soap breaks down the ink.
- Keep lathering and rinsing until the stain is gone!
- Similarly, you might also try rubbing a sea salt scrub or a bar of lava soap onto the stain.
Similar to hand sanitizer, insect repellents often contain alcohol.^{[10]
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United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices

Go to source} Alcohol helps dissolve permanent marker ink. Cover the stain in bug spray and and use your fingers or tissue to rub it onto your skin. Then wash your skin with soap and water. Repeat until the stain is gone.
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Hairspray Hairspray is an effective, if surprising, way of removing permanent marker. Choose an alcohol-based hairspray, move into a well-ventilated area, and spray the hairspray onto the stain so that it is completely coated with the liquid.^{[11]
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Research source} Use your fingertips or a cloth to rub the hairspray into the stain. When most of the ink has been dissolved, wash your skin off with soap and a bit of warm water and pat it dry.
- Note that hairspray may irritate sensitive skin. Test the spray on a small patch of skin and wait 15 minutes to see if you have a negative reaction before using more.

Section 2 of 5:

Is permanent ink unsafe for skin?

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No, permanent ink isn’t dangerous for your skin. If you accidentally get a few marks on your skin, don’t worry! While it should never be ingested, it only sits on top of your skin, and won’t cause negative symptoms for most people. That said, you probably shouldn’t make a habit of writing on yourself in Sharpie, since they are considered toxic.^{[12]
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- If you have sensitive skin, permanent marker ink may cause mild reactions, like rash or itchiness. Consult a doctor if this occurs.
- Permanent marker fumes are also toxic. Avoid intentionally inhaling permanent marker ink.
- If you do want to write on your skin, opt for washable children’s marker’s, which often contain zero toxic ingredients.

Section 3 of 5:

How long does it take for Sharpie to fade on its own?

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On its own, it’ll take a few days for the mark to go away completely, and that’s assuming you’re showering or bathing regularly. You can help speed it along by washing the spot with warm soap and water 3-4 times a day.^{[13]
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Section 4 of 5:

Removing Hair Dye from Skin

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Use alcohol or oil-based products to remove hair dye. If you’ve got hair dye on your hands or hairline, reach for either an alcohol or oil-based cleaner. Rubbing alcohol, hairspray, baby oil, makeup remover, and olive oil all work well. Lather the cleaner onto the stain, then rinse it under warm water, and repeat until the stain is gone.^{[14]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Hair dye also fades over time, but can be helped along simply by washing it with warm water and soap.

Section 5 of 5:

Removing Glue from Skin

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Use an oil-based product to get glue off your skin. Oil-based materials, like coconut oil, vegetable oil, petroleum jelly, hand lotion, or mineral oil, work best when it comes to breaking down all kinds of glue. Lather them onto your skin, using your fingers to rub, then rinse the glue under warm water, and repeat until the glue is gone.^{[15]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Acetone products, like nail polish remover, also work like a charm.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Is it safe to draw on your skin with Sharpie?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Sharpie is marked as nontoxic to the skin. However, Sharpie can have harmful effects on the body if it enters the bloodstream, so use it with caution.

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Question

Is Sharpie toxic on skin?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

According to the ACMI, Sharpie is nontoxic to the skin and will not cause any ink poisoning. However, occasionally someone may experience a negative allergic reaction to the sharpie.

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Question

What removes Sharpie marker from skin?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Sharpie can be easily removed from skin. You can use an alcohol-based cleaner, such as rubbing alcohol, hairspray, or hand sanitizer. Or, if you prefer, you can rub a glob of sunscreen or coconut oil into the Sharpie until it is gone then wipe it away with a tissue.

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Tips

Always use skin-safe products to remove permanent marker before moving on to household products.

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Remember to moisturize your skin after using these methods as some of them may dry it out.

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Make sure to tell an adult if you are under 18 and choose to use acetone.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you can't get the marker off with any of these methods, it will eventually wear off on its own. If the mark is small or not offensive, this might be the easiest course of action.
Try using an Expo dry erase marker, then Expo marker spray to wipe off the Expo marker.
Use an old toothbrush to rub the toothpaste in to avoid getting messy.

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Warnings

Always be careful when using rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, and hairspray near an open flame as these products are highly flammable.

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