Cuticle oil is an oil used to hydrate and moisturize the nail bed. Most cuticle oils contain nourishing ingredients such as avocado, vitamin E, and almond oil, which work to heal, hydrate, and delete dryness. For healthy nails, I suggest applying cuticle oil daily.
Here’s everything you need to know about cuticle oil so you can get your best nails!

Why Should You Use a Cuticle Oil?

Your cuticles are prone to dryness and peeling, especially if you expose your hands to aggressors, like hot water and cleaning products, which dry out and irritate the skin. Anyone say hand sanitizer?

Cuticle oil restores moisture in the cuticles and wards of dryness and infection while helping them heal.
For strong, healthy nails, experts recommend making cuticle oil a part of your skincare routine – much like your face cream or hand cream.

Some even say using cuticle oil regularly can also boost nail growth.
If you want to maintain strong, shiny nails, give cuticle oil a leading role in your nail care routine.

What Ingredients Are in an Effective Cuticle Oil?

A good cuticle oil typically contains a blend of fruit and nut oils. Some of the best ingredients to look for in a cuticle oil include jojoba oil, coconut oil, sesame seed oil, almond oil, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil. These are all great hydrators that quickly absorb into the skin and soften the cuticles.
Other effective cuticle oil ingredients include aloe vera, vitamin E, cocoa butter, and tea tree oil, which boast hydrating, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties to moisturize, heal, and soothe the skin.

How to Apply and Use Cuticle Oil

To strengthen nails and stimulate growth, apply cuticle oil every night before going to bed so that it can go to work while you sleep. For best results, use every night. Remember, consistency is key when it comes to healing your skin.

Cuticle oil can be applied with your fingers or an applicator.

Simply apply a drop to each nail and massage it into the cuticle, nail, and around the nail – to treat dry, flaking skin.

Always apply after hand washing so you don’t end up washing it away too quickly. It needs to stay on your cuticles for at least one hour to have any effect.

You can apply cuticle oil as often as you like.

You can also use it before painting your nails so that you have a nice, healthy base and prevent the gel from chipping. However, make sure it’s thoroughly absorbed before painting, otherwise the polish won’t adhere properly.

You really don’t need much cuticle oil to nourish your nails. One to two drops per nail is ideal. Apply anytime your cuticles appear dry.

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Benefits of Cuticle Oil

There are so many benefits to using cuticle oil daily. Here is just a handful. (Ah sorry, you know I can’t just let a pun just waiting in the wings like that!).

Strengthens Your Nails

Massaging the oil into your nails stimulates blood supply which in turn strengthens your nails. However, you will need to use it daily in order to see results. Massage it in every night after washing your face and applying your serums so it can work its magic overnight. Within a couple of weeks, you should feel your nails getting stronger – and breaking A LOT less!

Promotes Nail Growth

To have strong, long nails, the nails and cuticles need to be hydrated. Cuticle oil works by hydrating the cuticle and nail bed, which can be extremely beneficial when growing your nails.
Besides offering hydration, cuticle oil can increase the circulation around your nails, which helps to stimulate nail growth. It also prevents them from breaking, which impedes nail growth.

Prevents Fungal Growth

Cuticle oils are usually packed with minerals that are antimicrobial, which helps to prevent the development that fungus. Fungal infections can impede nail growth, make your nails look gross, and generally just weaken your nails.
Since most cuticle oils are spiked with tea tree, a natural antimicrobial, they’re great for keeping your nails and cuticles healthy and fungus-free!

Helps Your Manicure Last Longer

Yes, cuticle oil really can lengthen the lifeline of your manicure. How? When the cuticles and base area of your nails get too dry, your gel can dry out and start to lift. And when it lifts, it’s pretty hard to resist the temptation of picking the lifted pieces off. This is so bad for your nails and it can lead to splitting.
By applying a thin layer of cuticle oil before a manicure, you can make it last way longer.

Helps Thicken Your Nails

Because most cuticle oils contain vitamin-packed ingredients that hydrate and nourish the nail and cuticle, it means they can also help to thicken your nails. Provided that you choose a formula designed to infuse vitamins and minerals into your nails, you can expect stronger, thicker nails as a result.

Moisturizes and Hydrates the Skin Around Your Nail

You don’t need to apply cuticle oil to the cuticles only. In fact, it’s definitely worth doubling it up as a nail hydrator too. Cuticle oils are excellent for moisturizing the skin around your nails, making hands appear healthier, smoother, and fresher.

How to Make Your Own Cuticle Oil

Interested in making your own cuticle oil from home? You can do it – easily! All you need are a few simple ingredients and a few spare minutes. Here’s a super easy DIY cuticle oil recipe just for you.

Ingredients
• 2 tsp almond oil
• 1 tsp vitamin E
• 6 drops tea tree oil

Steps

  1. Before making your homemade cuticle oil, thoroughly clean and dry your storage bottles (a glass dropper bottle will work great).
  2. Using a small funnel, pour your oils into your bottle, or another container of choice.
  3. Shake well to combine.
  4. Store the solution in a cool, dry place to keep your cuticle oil fresh and effective for as long as possible.
  5. Your cuticle oil is now ready to use!

The Takeaways about Cuticle Oil

Cuticle oil is essential in any nail care routine for keeping the nail bed and cuticles strong, healthy, and smooth.

In addition to strengthening and thickening the nails, cuticle oil can also encourage nail growth and ward of fungal infections.

As makeup artists, we have an unspoken obligation to look after our hands. Especially in this age of hand-sanitizer fixation.


I recommend purchasing a cuticle oil formulated with natural, nourishing nut and plant oils like coconut, argan, almond, and jojoba oil. These are clinically proven to hydrate and heal the skin, making them ideal for boosting cuticle health.

Or, as I mentioned, why not make your own? I think I shall 🙂

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Featured Image by Cat Han

Sources:
Byrdie
Well and Good
Elle
A Life Adjacent
A Beautiful Mess

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