Remove Permanent Marker from the Skin

Permanent marker is designed to stick to the surface it’s applied to and stay there, so it can be one of the most difficult ink stains to remove. If you accidentally stain your skin with permanent marker, you may be frustrated that no matter how hard you scrub, the stain stays put. Luckily, there are several powerful cleaners you can use to get rid of permanent marker that can be safely used on your skin. In fact, many alcohol-based household products such as hand sanitizer and even hairspray are effective at completely erasing a pesky permanent marker stain.

Steps

Using Alcohol-Based Cleaners

  1. Spray the stained skin with hairspray. Hairspray that contain alcohol are great for removing permanent marker stains. Move into a well-ventilated area and spray the hairspray onto the stain so that it is completely coated with the liquid. Use your fingertip or a cloth to rub in the hairspray to the stain. When most of the ink has been dissolved, wash your skin off with soap and a bit of warm water and pat dry.[1]
  2. Clean with hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer contains a good amount of alcohol, which works to thin and erase the ink from a permanent marker stain. Squirt out some hand sanitizer onto your hand, and then rub it onto the marking on your skin using a circular motion. Doing this for 15-30 seconds should cause the marker to dissolve slowly, mixing in with the sanitizer. Rinse your skin off with warm water, and repeat the process until all the ink has been removed.[2]
  3. Spray the stain with bug spray. Similar to hand sanitizer, insect repellent contains isopropyl alcohol, which dissolves permanent marker ink. Spray on a heavy amount of bug spray over the marker and use your finger or tissue to rub it into your skin. Continue spraying on the repellant and rubbing the marker stain until it dissolves completely, then wash your skin with soap and water.[2]
  4. Use rubbing alcohol. Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol is nearly guaranteed to get rid of your permanent marker stain.Simply pour some rubbing alcohol directly onto the stain or a rag, and use your fingertips or a rag to rub it onto the marker stain. The marker should fade relatively quickly; continue rubbing until all the ink is gone. Finish off by washing your skin with warm water and a bit of soap, and pat dry.[3]
    • Use a rag or towel you don’t mind getting dirty, as permanent marker will stain the cloth.

Using Oils and Creams

  1. Wipe the stain with coconut oil. Before you use the coconut oil to remove the stain, 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.
  2. Pour on a bit of sunscreen. Coat the marker stain with a thick layer of sunscreen, then rub with your fingertips in a circular motion. Continue adding sunscreen and rubbing it in until all the marker has been dissolved. Rinse off the remaining sunscreen and ink with warm water.[2]
    • Both cream and spray-on sunscreen work well to remove permanent marker stains.
  3. Rub with baby oil or baby lotion. Baby oil and baby lotion are gentle but strong cleansers that effectively remove permanent marker stains. To use, apply the baby oil or lotion to a tissue and use it to blot and rub at the marker stain. Then wash the area with warm water to remove the marker and the excess oil or lotion.[2]
  4. Use shaving cream. To use shaving cream, apply a generous amount directly on the stained area of skin. Then use your fingers or a tissue to rub the shaving cream into the stain, applying more if necessary. Continue rubbing until all the ink lifts from your skin, then wash with warm water.[2]

Using Other Methods For Removing Stains

  1. Wipe off the marker with baby wipes. To remove a permanent marker stain with baby wipes, simply grab a baby wipe, rub at the marker stain until it is dissolved, and rinse off with warm water. Try to use baby wipes as opposed to heavy-duty wipes, as baby wipes are more gentle on the skin.[2]
  2. Use makeup remover or makeup remover wipes. To use a liquid makeup remover, apply a small amount onto a paper towel or cloth, then rub at the stained area of skin. If you are using makeup wipes, simply rub and wipe the stain away.[2]
  3. Use white cream toothpaste. To clean permanent marker stains with toothpaste, first choose a white cream toothpaste, as gel toothpaste won’t work as well. Run warm water and dampen your skin where the mark is, and then spread on a thick layer of the toothpaste. Let the toothpaste set for 1-2 minutes, then use your fingertip or a damp rag to rub the toothpaste into the skin. Rub until the ink has dissolved, and then rinse off the paste with warm water.[4]
  4. Spread butter over the marker stain. 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.
  5. Use nail polish remover or acetone. Not technically a ‘skin product’, nail polish remover and acetone will dissolve permanent marker ink without damaging your skin. Unfortunately, nail polish remover evaporates fairly quickly, so you may have to use multiple applications if necessary. Pour some of the remover/acetone onto a cotton ball or rag, and rub the mark on your skin with it. Continue adding more polish remover and rubbing until the mark is gone. Wash off your skin with warm water and pat dry.[4]

Tips

  • Always use skin-safe products to try to remove permanent marker before moving on to household products.
  • Remember to moisturize skin after using these methods as some of them may dry out your skin.

Warnings

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

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-remove-a-permanent-marker-stain-from-skin#b
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 https://www.verywell.com/how-to-remove-marker-stains-from-skin-289579
  3. ↑ http://athriftymom.com/how-to-get-sharpie-marker-off-your-skin-diy-fastest-way-to-remove-sharpie-tip-sharpie/
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.homeremedyhacks.com/18-easy-home-remedies-remove-permanent-marker-stains/
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