How Cuticle Oil Can Revive Your Nails
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Why You Need It
“Cuticle oil is usually a blend of several different oils. It’s used to condition, nourish and hydrate the nail plate and the surrounding skin. Hydrating the nail keeps it flexible, which is important for avoiding breakage. It also often comes in a balm format, which melts down into an oil as you start massaging it into the skin.” – Natasha Doroshenko, manicurist
How It Works
“Cuticle oil not only nourishes the skin around the nail, but also penetrates the nail plate, helping to maintain the keratin layers. Just like conditioner for your hair, cuticle oil protects against splitting, encouraging healthy, strong nails. Another key benefit is that regular use will help your gel manicure last longer, since the oil works to nourish the nail underneath and prevent the gel layer from lifting off.” – India Allen, manicurist
Which Ingredients To Look Out For
“It’s important to use oils that can be absorbed easily. Oils that have larger molecules tend to struggle to penetrate the nail plate and end up sitting on the surface. Go for blends that contain jojoba, almond and avocado oils – each of these have small enough molecules for them to be effective. Another popular ingredient is vitamin E, a great hydrator which also serves as an antioxidant.” – Natasha
When To Use It
“If you are using cuticle oil within your manicure routine, always make sure you apply it as the last step, otherwise it can affect the longevity of your regular or gel polish. I also recommend using it after any scrubs and creams as oils are heavier in texture. There is really no limit in terms of frequency – it’s genuinely quite hard to overdo it – but ideally everyone should aim to use a cuticle oil at least twice per day.” – Natasha
How To Apply It
“I prefer to apply cuticle oil at night, so it has time to get to work. Gently massage the oil around the skin and over the nail in circular motions. Don’t forget to go all around the nail, including the tip so the oil can work underneath the nail too. If you suffer from dryness, apply your oil twice daily. My top tip is to keep it on your desk or in your make-up bag to help you remember.” – India
“Do take your time with it and make it a little self-care moment. Use an orange stick or a gentle cuticle pusher to lift the cuticle off the nail plate. Then massage the oil into the nail and the skin surrounding it, as well as underneath the nail – a part many people tend to forget.” – Natasha
Which Ones The Experts Rate
“There are a few cuticle oils that I always find myself reaching for: Manucurist Huile Verte, Elim Cuticle MD, Hermès Les Mains and L’Occitane Shea Nail Cuticle Nourishing Oil – this last one is a great travel-sized option.” – India
“Ukrainian brand GA&MA’s Dry Oil is hard to get hold of, but it’s one of my go-tos. The lightweight formula sinks in quickly, which is perfect when you don’t have much time or are on the go. The Cuticle Balm by Navy is great when you want to do a longer nail massage, as it has a coconut oil and shea butter base which melts when you rub it into the skin – especially handy when your nails are feeling very dry. Kinetics Grapeseed Nail Serum is another lightweight option, but it’s full of nourishing oils such as grapeseed and almond, as well as all-important vitamin E. This one layers well under other heavier cuticle oils or balms, so it can be used as an add-on.” – Natasha
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