The Best Cuticle Oils To Nourish Your Nails, According To Experts  

Why cuticle oil? Our nails often get overlooked when it comes to regular moisturising. However, just like our hands, they are exposed to all kinds of harsh, drying conditions and lack some much-needed TLC – cue chapped, cracked, and dry nails. 

You can also save your nails from current and future breakage by adding another step to your daily beauty regimen – applying cuticle oil. Trust us, your nails will thank you for it. 

Find out exactly how to use cuticle oil, the benefits it has on your nails and what the pros recommend.  

Why is it important to keep your cuticles healthy?

Our nails are naturally low in oil and moisture content; therefore, they can easily become dry and damaged as a result of cooking, cleaning, hand washing, sanitising, and even dry weather.  

Cuticle oil can combat this, because healthy cuticles equal healthy nails! 

“It’s important to keep your cuticles healthy as they protect your nail matrix from damage,” says Dr Mia Jing Gao, Consultant Dermatologist at the Royal Free Hospital, London. “The nail matrix is where nails grow from and any damage to this leads to nail problems,” she adds. “Cuticles are part of your skin and should be kept moisturised, so  cuticle oil is helpful in this respect.”   

What is cuticle oil?  

Cuticle oil is a nourishing and moisturising product specifically made for your cuticles and nails, as well as the skin around the nail. It stimulates nail growth and maintains overall nail health. It should definitely belong to everyone’s beauty stash! Wait until the end to see what the pros recommend before you go cuticle oil shopping!  

While cuticle oil ingredients vary, most of them are formulated with emollients that act as a barrier to lock in moisture around the cuticle area. These are usually plant oils packed with moisturising, nourishing, and anti-inflammatory ingredients all working hard to strengthen and hydrate your nails.  

If you paint your nails yourself, cuticle oil can also give your nail polish a long-lasting shine.  

If, on the other hand, you’re a salon appointment kind of girl, you’ve probably noticed that after your gel manicure, your nail aesthetician applies a tiny dab of oil to your cuticles; this is to keep your nails healthy and hydrated.  

Benefits of a cuticle oil

Cuticle oil speeds up nail growth

If your nails grow slower than average, applying cuticle oil religiously can speed up your nail growth. Experts say cuticle oil increases circulation around the nail. The better your circulation, the faster your nails will grow. 

Cuticle oil prevents nail from chipping

If you are looking for ways to repair and regenerate your dry or damaged nails, massaging some cuticle oil over the top of each one will do the trick. You’ll notice less chipping and healthier-looking nails. It can also help to protect your nail and cuticle against trauma.  

Cuticle oil helps strengthen nails

Cuticle oil is often formulated with ingredients rich in nutrients that can strengthen your nails. It also helps restore the skin around and beneath the nail, which makes nails tougher, stronger, and less prone to breakage. 

What ingredients should we be looking for in cuticle oil or cream?   

“Any good skin moisturiser can be used on your cuticles as well. I recommend ointments such as petroleum jelly but good moisturisers with shea butter, glycerin, castor oil, and ceramides are all helpful,” says Dr Gao.  

Beauty Daily recommends the Hand and Nail Treatment Balm, £24.50. This is the new, richer version of the iconic Hand and Nail Treatment Cream.  

The formula is enriched with organic baobab oil, which strengthens nails and nourishes cuticles. The organic shea butter strengthens the skin around it and boosts skin’s moisture levels, in addition to protecting your hands, nails, and cuticles against environmental damage. Plus, the all-new formula targets age spots. What we do love is that it’s a cream hand and nail cream, which has a non-sticky texture that blends and absorbs instantly, so you can keep it in your purse or pocket all day.  

When to apply cuticle oil

Making cuticle care a part of your daily routine will really boost your nail health. The best time to apply cuticle oil or cuticle cream depends on your lifestyle; it can be in the morning or at night. If you prefer at night, keep a bottle of cuticle oil or your cuticle cream beside your bed. Apply it just before lights out and leave the oil to soak in overnight, as this will give you the desired results. This will enhance the strength, hydration, and high-impact shine of your nails.   

5 of the best cuticle oils you should know about

1. Little Treasure Nourishing Cuticle Oil, £17.50  

This formula is deeply hydrating, protecting, and rejuvenating, making it particularly good for those who wear acrylic or gel nails. 

This cuticle oil is powered with concentrated sweet almond oil and a moisture-restoring multivitamin complex to address all your nail and cuticle concerns.  

2. Aquaphor Ointment, £8.82

This multi-purpose dry skin cream deserves a spot in your beauty cupboard as it not only addresses your cuticle concerns but all kinds of dry skin woes.  

It is highly recommended by dermatologists, including America’s top physician and CEO at Atlanta Dermatology, Darren Casey. “My favourite cuticle ‘oil’ is Aquaphor since it mixes water with petroleum oil. It hydrates and provides a moisture barrier.” 

3. Sally Hansen Moisturising Cuticle Rehab Oil, £6.26 

This easy-to-apply, brush-on gel can help restore and revitalise severely dry and ragged cuticles. Thanks to jasmine, rose extracts and vitamin E, which are known to calm and soothe, it prevents you from suffering from nail breakage.  

4. Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil, £6.83 

This apricot cuticle oil absorbs quickly and instantly conditions and protects cuticles from dryness and provides nourishing moisture maintaining nail suppleness. Simply massage the cuticle oil into nails and cuticles two times a day and leave to dry and wash hands once dry.  

5. Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, £6.49 

For whenever you want a little nail treat, this lemon butter cuticle cream bursts with a fresh, cheery lemon scent. It’s made to nourish dry, brittle nails as it moisturises and softens cuticles. It is formulated with hardworking ingredients, sweet almond oil and cocoa seed butter which helps moisturise and soften cuticles.   

Are DIY cuticle oils any good? If you want an inexpensive natural alternative to store-bought cuticle care products, try Casey’s recommendation. “My favourite DIY solution is coconut oil, but it works best after a shower.”  

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