Cuticle oil is a product for regular skin care around the nails. Often the cuticle dries out so much that it becomes prickly, clings to clothes and causes a lot of inconvenience. Burrs form - hard pieces of exfoliated cuticle, and many simply tear them off, “so as not to interfere,” opening the way for diseases such as panaritium (inflammation of the periungual ridges), paronychia (inflammation of the cuticle), fungal diseases, etc. Cuticle oils not only help maintain a natural protective barrier, but also soften, nourish and strengthen the skin and nails, prevent the formation of hangnails, relieve incipient inflammation, accelerate nail growth and have a regenerating effect.
Why does the skin around the nails need this product, why is it applied?
Cuticle and nail oil is used mainly to moisturize and strengthen them, although it also has other purposes. To create a modern European manicure, the cuticle must be smooth and elastic, and this is exactly what the oil will do. When doing a cut manicure, the product prevents drying and inflammation of the cut areas, retaining moisture on the skin and forming a protective film.
It contains a range of natural ingredients and essential oils that help treat a variety of skin problems, including dryness, cracks, fungal infections and even ingrown toenails.
Thus, the oil has an antiseptic and antimicrobial effect, while significantly improving the condition of the rough cuticle.
Composition and functions of a good product
Typically, this oil is a combination of several types of oils that are isolated from the leaves, seeds or fruits of plants. It is also useful for caring for the skin of hands and nails, is considered an absolutely natural product, has a fragrant aroma and is quickly absorbed.
Below are the most popular components used in its manufacture:
- Shea butter or cocoa butter, which moisturizes and soothes inflamed skin.
- Lemon juice. Prevents nails from growing into the skin.
- Sesame oil. Helps moisturize the skin.
- Tea tree oil. Helps eliminate microbes, including fungal infections.
- Aloe juice. Acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
- Wheat germ oil. Protects the skin around the nail from external damage.
These are just some of the ingredients that may be included in the care product. Depending on the composition, you can achieve one or another effect in hand skin care.
What is cuticle oil and why is it needed?
The oil composition for the skin around the nails is a product based on essential natural oil extracts, which helps in the care and fight against imperfections, providing:
- hydration;
- softening;
- regeneration;
- recovery;
- stopping inflammatory processes;
- strengthening;
- healthy look.
Selection rules
In any cosmetics store you can find different types of these special oils, although the choice is often difficult due to the price range or composition. There are several criteria for making the right choice:
- Release form. This product can be available in liquid or solid form. The liquid form remains fluid at different temperatures and can contain almond, orange and other types of oils. The solid form retains its consistency even at high temperatures; it can be shea butter and others.
- Packaging can be made from various materials, which determine the shelf life or preservation of protective properties.
For example, metal packaging increases shelf life, and a dark glass bottle protects from exposure to direct sunlight. Some manufacturers produce their products in the form of a pencil; it can be carried in a purse, which is convenient for daily use. - The composition of the product usually includes no more than five oils, so you should pay attention to the presence of auxiliary components.
Additional substances are included in various natural oils, extracts of which are used in the manufacture of the product. For example, vitamin E, wax or collagen are found in varying quantities in some flowers and plants. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the list of ingredients; the fewer additives it contains, the better. - Brand. Almost all brands that produce such oils are engaged in the production of cosmetic lines for face and body care. It is better to choose proven brands or follow the recommendations of a manicurist.
- Manufacturer country. This factor mainly affects the cost. For example, oil with the same composition from Europe can cost an order of magnitude more than its domestically produced counterpart. Here the choice is up to the buyer himself, especially since one cannot be completely sure that a foreign product is original.
Why is care so important?
As mentioned above, all oils are divided into professional and natural. Of course, responsible manufacturers also use natural ingredients for their products, but flavor them with synthetic additives that can cause allergies. This happens very rarely with natural remedies.
Essential oils for cuticles
| View | Properties |
| Apricot | The best product for moisturizing the epidermis. This is a base oil that has not only moisturizing, but also regenerating properties. In addition, apricot is completely hypoallergenic. Used mainly before manicure. |
| Avocado oil | Fatty and rich, extremely nutritious. This is an excellent remedy for combating hangnails and brittle nails. In addition, it is rich in vitamin F, making it an excellent antioxidant. |
| Orange | It does not differ in any special properties, with the exception of a pleasant and bright aroma. Like many essential oils (lemon and others), the product is used only in tandem with vegetable oils. |
| Argan | It is also called Moroccan gold. There is an opinion that due to the huge amount of vitamins and minerals, it helps to accelerate the growth of nails, get rid of hangnails and cracks on the cuticle. Suitable for daily use and can be used both at home and after a manicure. |
| Grape seed oil | This is probably the most popular product for deeply moisturizing skin, hair and nails. The main advantage is the huge amount of tocopherol in the composition. It is suitable for all girls and is often used in professional beauty salons. |
| Jojoba | An effective protective agent. Essentially, it is a natural wax that helps to moisturize, nourish and restore the epidermis. This is a good remedy for relieving inflammation after a deep manicure or protecting the cuticle from infection. |
| Castor | A cheap and effective remedy for eliminating excessive dry skin. It is most convenient to apply it with a varnish brush. There may be some inconvenience when using - the product is very liquid, spreads quickly and stains clothes. But it heals inflamed hangnails. Its analogues are sea buckthorn and flaxseed. |
| Coconut | There is refined and unrefined. Naturally, unrefined is best suited for medicinal purposes. Ideal for caring for cuticles after trimming. It saturates the plate and epidermis with vitamin E and A. |
| Linen | By itself, it is ineffective (unless you take it orally). But in combination with other vegetable oils it gives an amazing softening, moisturizing and nourishing effect. |
| Almond | Almonds are full of fatty acids necessary for the normal development of nails and cuticles. Thanks to this, it copes with the problem of delamination, the constant appearance of hangnails and weathering. |
| Peach | Contains the rarest vitamin B15. Actively restores the cuticle and nail bed after a European manicure, prevents the appearance of fungus and inflammation. |
| Sunflower | If you don’t have any oil on hand, and your hands require hydration and nutrition, then the most common oil will do – sunflower oil. It is actively used to nourish dehydrated skin and treat chapping and frostbite. It is important that it is better not to apply it with a pipette to each finger separately, but to soak your hands in an oil bath. |
| Burdock | Rarely used to restore skin, but it helps saturate the nail with minerals. This restorative agent is suitable for regenerating the plate after gel polish or extensions. |
Base oil
If you don’t want to prepare oil mixtures or do baths yourself, then it’s better to buy a ready-made regenerating product. To determine which is better, we compared reviews of different cuticle oils and compiled a review rating.
All Season Nails. Liquid moisturizer. Its significant disadvantage is its poor absorption. It consists of a natural oil base (base) and vitamins. Organic Shop Nail Oil Ideal Cuticle is extremely similar to it.
All Season Nails
Almond Kinetics from Kinetics Orange (Almond Kinetics). A real find for thrifty girls. The product is cheap, but it works well. Used for daily skin hydration. If you can’t find it in stores, then use an analogue - Lianail or floral Naomi Flower oil Lily.
Almond Kinetics by Kinetics Orange
Treatment Oil Smart Enamel “Cuticle Scrub” by Frenchi. Super high-quality restorative product for flaking and dry nails. You need to smear it not only after a manicure or pedicure, but every day. The course lasts a month, after which there is a break.
Healing oil Smart Enamel
Essie Аpricot cuticle oil (Essie Apricot). It is worth choosing if there is a serious problem with the cuticle. This is a European-made product that contains natural orange oil, vitamins A and E, as well as mineral compounds. Inm Premium Mango Cuticle Oil is very similar.
Essie Аpricot cuticle oil
Arabia Professional Cuticle Oil (Arabia). Contains cold-pressed sweet almond, jojoba and olive oil. The benefits from it are noticeable immediately. Nutrition and hydration are carried out on the deep layers of the skin, this helps to prolong the effect. A more affordable, but not as effective analogue is Vogue Nails.
Arabia Professional Cuticle Oil
OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil to Go. OPI is a unique cuticle oil in a tube. The product is very thick, which saves consumption - it lasts for a long time. The composition includes sunflower, grape seed, sesame and cookie oils.
OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil to Go
The Body Shop. This company separates its products for men and women. The main difference is the smell and composition. The product for ladies contains soft essential oils, and for men - aromatic and plant extracts.
The Body Shop
Bohemia Professional (Bohemia Line). Sweet and healthy oil for nails and skin. Helps nourish the epidermis and restore it after a deep manicure. It is easily replaced by Jess nail Cyticul oil (Jess) and Smart products.
Bohemia Professional
Giorgio Capachini Oil moistening. This is not a moisturizer, but a purely nourishing product. A distinctive feature is cherry extract and vitamin cocktail. If hydration is required, we recommend paying attention to a very similar product - Eveline Cosmetics Nail Therapy Professional (Eveline).
Giorgio Capachini Oil moistening
Domix Green Professional (Domix). Professional product for restoring the nail plate and cuticle.
Domix Green Professional
Belweder cuticle care oil comes in Aromatic and Regenerating (Belweder). The pronounced smell of orange is the calling card of this product. Externally it looks like an oil mixture with a varnish brush. The product is easy to apply and can be used daily.
Belweder
Cuticle Care Complex from Orly (Orly). This is a real panacea for dry epidermis and brittle nails. The product contains extracts of herbs (sage, myrrh, and others), fruits and vitamin compounds. This is a slightly cheaper analogue of Singer.
Cuticle Care Complex by Orly
Bali Spa 428 from EL Corazon (El Corazon). This is a product for removing cuticles, not restoring or nourishing them. In order to make a simple unedged manicure, you only need this product and an orange stick. Its complete analogue is Kodi Professional (Kodi).
Bali Spa 428 by EL Corazon
Essence Studio Nails Repairing Nails. Designed specifically for gentle care. Due to polyunsaturated fats, it regenerates the plate and protects the cuticle from drying out and cracks.
Essence Studio Nails Repairing Nail
Oil for treating cuticles in a pencil Mavala Mavapen Nutritive Oil for Cuticles (Mavala). This product can replace regular trimming of overgrown skin. Active substances quickly restore metabolic processes, moisturize the epidermis and protect it from the effects of fungi and inflammation. A little cheaper, but the same gel in a pencil - Lidan and MDS Cuticle Revitalizer Oil.
Mavala Mavapen Nutritive Oil for Cuticles
FENNEL cuticle oil. It is also a very affordable product. Consists of vitamins and base oils. With constant use, you can draw a parallel with a cheaper product from Irisk - IRIS'K Tango Strawberry.
FENNEL cuticle oil
In'Garden Premium Nail{amp}amp;Cuticle Oil. Cosmetics from the premium segment, but at an affordable price. Contains a vitamin complex and plant extracts.
Which product is better: review
In order to make it easier for you to choose a quality product for caring for the nail plate and the skin fold at its base, we have compiled a rating of the best oils to guide your purchase.
CND Solar Oil
It has an active composition, is quickly absorbed and shows excellent results in nail care. It is based on sweet almond extract, which, in combination with other components, helps speed up the renewal of the nail plate and moisturizes the cuticle. The use of this American product has a cumulative effect and therefore requires regular application.
Angelica from l'Etoile
It has an unusual pencil shape, which is convenient for economical use. The complex of nutritional components contributes to high-quality care, and the light consistency helps it to be quickly absorbed. With regular use, Angelica promotes healthy epithelium and evens out the color of nails.
Argan Oil Cuticle Drops by Orly
It is an excellent option for relieving inflammation of the skin around the nail. At the same time, the active component in the form of argan oil helps restore dry cuticles and moisturize them. The bottle is equipped with a convenient dispenser pipette, thanks to which you can evenly distribute the contents.
Belweder
The main property of Belweder is its ability to renew skin cells from the inside. Convenient packaging and applicator allow you to apply the product evenly. Belweder not only moisturizes the cuticle, but also eliminates minor damage, including hangnails.
TNL
This is an inexpensive cosmetic product from South Korea that not only moisturizes, but restores the water balance of the skin. With its regular use, a visible effect is noted: the nail plate acquires an even shade, and the skin around it becomes soft. A special advantage is the pleasant aroma of TNL.
“Sweet almond” Solomeya
It is a natural product containing almond extract particles. It can be used for daily care. The vitamins A and E it contains regulate the water balance of the skin, helping to soften the cuticle and even out the tone of the nail plate. In addition, Solomeya prevents the formation of hangnails and splitting of nails. Solomeya has a convenient brush applicator.
PNB
It features an exclusively natural composition, including grape seed oil extract, ginseng and a complex of vitamins. This combination regulates not only the level of moisture in the cuticle, but also the condition of the nails. In advanced cases, PNB is recommended to be used for two weeks.
Impressionist Bouquet by ONIQ
It produces the effect of a light perfume, as it contains perfume compositions of raspberry, iris and praline. The nutritional complex includes macadamia, olive, avocado, grape seed oils and others. This compound makes it possible not only to moisturize the cuticle, but also to restore damaged hand skin.
Eveline
This is a hand skin care product from Poland that will tidy up your cuticles in a short time. It contains almond extract, which increases the elasticity of the skin fold, and a complex of plant components helps renew the nail plate. Some ingredients slow down cuticle growth and prevent cuticle buildup. Regular use of Eveline strengthens the plate and the skin around it, giving it shine.
Mavala
Swiss-made oil is suitable for thin skin around the nail, because it not only moisturizes it, but prevents the appearance of hangnails and strengthens the nail plate.
Mavala contains active ingredients such as almond and olive extract. It is suitable for regular use before bed, which increases the period of its effect.
Antifungal oils for nails
Oils with an antifungal effect contain components that help destroy pathogenic microflora. Fungi tend to multiply quickly, so the product must work quickly and effectively. Tea tree essential oil works well with them. According to VyborExpert specialists, only one product meets these requirements.
Gehwol Med Protective Nail and Skin
This is the best cuticle oil with antifungal effect. Although it is classified as a medical product, the product can be purchased in specialized stores. The composition contains vitamins A, D and E, besalol and panthenol. Clotrimazole is responsible for the antifungal effect. Gehwol Med Protective Nail and Skin can also be used for treatment, then it is applied in a course twice a day.
The product contains chamomile extract and wheat germ extract. The first eliminates inflammation and has disinfectant properties. The second is responsible for nutrition and care. In general, Gehwol Med Protective Nail and Skin can be called a “3-in-1” product, as it strengthens, softens the cuticle and destroys fungus. It can be used both after manicure and pedicure. The drug is offered in a glass bottle with a spout-shaped applicator.
Advantages:
- Treats fungal diseases;
- Professional product;
- Can be used as a preventive measure;
- The applicator spout makes application easy;
- Fast absorption;
- Does not leave greasy marks.
Flaws:
- Quite a high price.
Gehwol Med Protective Nail and Skin can be used by both men and women.
How should I use it?
The main task of this product is to soften dry skin and accelerate its regeneration after a manicure. It is important to observe regular use.
It is best to apply it once a day - before bed. Two drops are enough.
Using this tool is quite simple:
- First, you need to prepare your hands for application by immersing them in a warm bath for about 5-7 minutes. If your nails are particularly brittle, you can add a few drops of lemon juice to the water.
- Then you need to dry your hands with a cotton towel or napkin, and then apply an emollient composition to the cuticle and area around the nail using a cotton swab or pipette.
- The product is rubbed into the skin for 3-4 minutes.
- Next, you should wait 5-7 minutes until it is absorbed into the skin, and then, if necessary, cut off the excess part of the cuticle.
Cuticle oil is one of the main cosmetic products of the modern woman. Regular use of a complex of nutrients allows you to maintain the health of the skin and nail plate for a long time, and prevents the appearance of hangnails.
Ways to care for cuticles
To make your nails look beautiful and well-groomed, the “non-living” cuticle should be removed. It can be done:
- The traditional method, which is carried out by circumcision. The effect of such a manicure is immediately visible. But there is a minus - the formation of hangnails and rough skin at the base of the nails.
- Chemically. The procedure is carried out using a special product.
According to experts, there is another option. In order not to start the process of formation of rough growths, it is necessary to use cuticle oil for preventive purposes. Its regular use heals nails and the skin around the nail plate.
