It doesn't matter if you are painting a wall or a painting, there will be an inevitable moment when your skin will be smeared with paint. Ink removers, however, are extremely toxic and cannot be used on the skin. Fortunately, there are several cleaning methods that use ingredients you probably already have at home.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using Oil and Alcohol (Any ink)
Step 1. Rub the skin lightly with soap and water to remove the bulk of the ink
Wash as much as you can, carefully. Don't worry if the ink doesn't come off soon - this part of the method is just so you don't have to use so much oil. Always start with soap and water - many watery and latex-based paints can be easily washed off this way.
The sooner you wash your skin, the better. After drying, the ink will be a little more difficult to remove
Step 2. Cover the stained area with a thin layer of mineral or baby oil
Mineral oil is best as it works with water, latex or oil based paints. Pour in enough to cover the stained area. Rub lightly and let it act for about three minutes.
Use any vegetable oil you have, such as coconut oil, linseed oil, olive oil, etc
Step 3. Rub in circles to remove ink from skin
With your fingertips, rub the oil on the stained part and remove as much ink as possible. Use your hands, if you like, massaging in circles to mix the oil with the ink and remove it.
Step 4. Dip cotton balls and apply them to the toughest stains
If you have a rag, use that too, although it will likely get stained. What you're going to need is something that's a little rougher to rub into your skin. Rub lightly, in a circular motion, to remove paint.
Step 5. Try rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover if you still can't remove the paint
Dip a cotton ball in the alcohol and apply it to the most persistent stains. Some people also use makeup removers.
Alcohol can make your skin dry. Use a moisturizer after cleaning your skin to prevent cracking or peeling
Step 6. Rinse your hands thoroughly with soap and water
After removing everything, use soap and water to remove the remaining oil and alcohol smell.
If you still can't remove the ink, it's probably oil-based. For this you will have to use other oils and products
Method 2 of 3: Using Vegetable Oils (Hard Spots’')
Step 1. Wash the stained area with hot water and liquid soap
Lather the skin and then rinse it off. Doing so will remove some of the ink and make it easier for the oil to penetrate and remove the rest.
Step 2. Use an essence or cooking oil to remove the paint
Just cover the affected area with the oil and let it work for a while before rubbing. You can use a variety of oils, as they all have cleansing properties. Use whatever you have at home, including:
- Vegetable oils;
- Coconut oil;
- Olive oil;
- Essential oils such as lavender or rosemary.
Step 3. Rub the skin with oil and water until the ink is removed
Use a cloth or hand to scrub. Rinse to see if the paint has come off and apply more oil if needed.
Step 4. For a deeper clean, exfoliate with salt
Combine equal parts of salt and oil, and rub the mixture into the skin to remove the ink. Any oil will do. However, it is better to use coarse salt instead of refined salt, to scrub more.
Step 5. Use turpentine oil for more serious stains
If, even after trying the above methods, the stain still doesn't come off, turpentine oil may solve your problem. Pour it onto a cloth or cotton, never directly on the skin, and use it to rub and remove ink. Do this in a well-ventilated area and use as little as possible. Although not fatal, turpentine releases toxic fumes into the lungs.
Rinse area with soap and water immediately after finishing
Step 6. Wash skin until clean
After rinsing your skin with warm water, take a shower to remove any sticky residue from the product.
Method 3 of 3: Cleansers and Natural Remedies
Step 1. Use liquid soap to create a thick layer on the region
Apply plenty of soap and see how much of the paint you can remove just by rubbing it with your hands or a cloth. Rinse and repeat if foam turns dark, the color of paint.
Step 2. Mix a natural remover for tougher paints like spray paint
Mix 1/2 cup coconut oil (although vegetable oils work too) with 1/2 cup baking soda. Mix well and use an old toothbrush to remove paint. No need to use chemicals.
Step 3. Use mayonnaise to remove oil paint stains
Mayonnaise will remove paint naturally, especially if it's oil-based. Pour a little onto the skin and let it act for about 3 minutes before rubbing with soap, water and a cloth.
Step 4. Try using Vick Vaporub
Vick contains turpentine, but in smaller, safer amounts. Cover the ink stain with a layer of Vick Vaporub and let it sit for a few minutes. Then scrub with a cloth, soap and water.
Step 5. Use a sugar scrub to remove ink and moisturize your skin
Wet your hands and the affected area and pour a spoonful of sugar over the top. Gently rub into the skin to leave it clean and soft.
This can be a great way to cleanse your skin after using more aggressive methods like oil or Vick
Step 6. Try ink remover wipes
If you always mess with ink, you probably get dirty frequently, so it might be a good idea to use tissue removers. They are specially made to remove ink without harming the skin and are biodegradable, natural and almost always effective. Among the best known brands are:
- NewLine;
- Safewipes;
- ManicPanic;
- Ricca.