The Best Cuticle Oils & Cream To Nourish Your Nails, According To Experts
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 or cuticle cream. Trust us, your nails will thank you for it.
Find out exactly about cuticle oil benefits, how to use and some recommended cuticle oil alternatives in this article.
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
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.
3 benefits of 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.
Prevents nails 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.
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.
Top cuticle oil alternative
“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.
For cuticle oil alternatives, we recommend these two cuticle creams to nourish your nails and hands.
1. Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Balm
Clarins
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.
2. Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream
With its calming Sesame Oil and strengthening Japanese Mulberry extract, Clarins
This is the best cuticle cream that helps to strengthen nails and condition cuticles for naturally clean, soft, and youthful-looking hands.
When to apply cuticle oil and cream
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.
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