Ladies, it’s 2024, and it’s time to step up your nail game. Achieving beautiful nails is more than picking a pretty color and flexing a buffed surface. Healthy nails require proper care, and cuticle oils and creams are the perfect addition to your routine.
Most people neglect nail care, not realizing that cuticles are delicate and prone to damage. Dry, weak nails can result from constant overuse of gel and acrylic techniques, increased hand washing, and harsh winter weather.
“Cuticle oil is essential in keeping your skin and nail plate hydrated,” says Kristin Valdez-Dougherty, a San Francisco-based nail artist via People magazine. “Hangnails are the first sign of dry skin, which could become painfully irritated or even affected. Hydrated cuticles are your first line of defense to prevent that discomfort.”
How often should cuticle oil be used?
It’s best to use cuticle oil frequently throughout the day, mornings, and nights. When applying, cover the cuticle area, the sides of the nail, and under the free edge of the nail plate. Using cuticle oil regularly will help keep your nails looking and feeling healthy and hydrated.
When looking for the perfect oil, you want it to have the right ingredients, like sunflower, grapeseed, jojoba, or apricot oils. These oils provide optimal hydration for your cuticles. Cuticle oil also improves skin elasticity, increases nail growth, and reduces cracked nails. These oils keep dryness at bay and provide nourishing moisture that lasts.
Ready to jumpstart your journey to beautiful and strong nails? Here are 10 of our favorite cuticle oils and creams.
1. Cuccio Revitalizing Milk and Honey Cuticle Oil ($9.98 Amazon.com)
This cuticle oil is a godsend! It’s lightweight and absorbs quickly. This sunflower-based oil is non-greasy but will still leave your nails super-hydrated and silky smooth.
2. CND Solar Nail Oil and Cuticle Conditioner ($9.41+, Amazon.com )
This sweet, almond-scented oil will save your cuticles! Supremely nourishing, this product contains naturally light oils such as jojoba, vitamin E, rice bran, and sweet almonds. The oil absorbs quickly to penetrate and moisturize nails and skin.
3. OPI ProSpa Nail and Cuticle Oil ($10.82+, Amazon.com)
It’s no surprise that OPI creates top-tier nail care treatments. If your nails need extra love to combat constant dryness, look no further. The ultra-hydrating oil contains a healthy dose of avocado, grape seed, sesame, sunflower, kukui, and cupuaçu oils.
4. Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream ($10.99+, Amazon.com)
With dry winter weather, your cuticles can suffer from major wear and tear. Weleda’s Ultra Rich Cream is a heavy-duty moisturizer that refreshes skin. The cream is a hydrating cocktail of glycerin, sunflower and sweet almond oils, calendula, and chamomile. With one application, your cuticles will feel rejuvenated.
5. Bee Naturals Nail and Cuticle Oil ($11.98, Amazon.com )
Heal cracked and rigged nails with Bee Naturals Cuticle and Nail Oil. This small bottle is the answer to repairing your nails. Bee Naturals features ingredients such as vitamin E and lavender. Do yourself a favor and revitalize your cuticles with Bee Naturals.
6. Qtica Intense Cuticle Repair Balm ($18, Amazon.com)
You can never go wrong with a nighttime treatment. Apply Qtica’s formula before bed, and let this blend of beeswax and vitamins A, D, and E repair your cracked cuticles. This creamy offering will transform your nails with just a few uses.
7. Ella + Mila Oil Me Up Lavender Cuticle Oil ($10.49, Amazon.com)
This vegan, cruelty-free lavender oil will save weak and thin nails! This product contains a blend of natural oils, including vitamin E. Massage a few drops onto your nails, letting them fully absorb, and you will have salon-worthy nails in no time.
8. essie Cuticle Care Apricot Nail & Cuticle Oil ($24.00, Amazon.com)
The essie Apricot Cuticle Oil Cuticle Hydrator is perfect for softening and nourishing cuticles. The 8-free, vegan product contains cottonseed and soybean oils that penetrate the skin. It also has vitamins A and E and hydrolyzed collagen, which helps strengthen nails.
9. Christian Dior Abricot Nail Creme ($51.29, Amazon.com)
Known as the crème de la crème of cuticle creams, the Christian Dior Creme Abricot Fortifying Cream has strengthened nails since 1963. Their luxurious formula is infused with apricot oil and seaweed extract. Within the first few applications, you can expect healthy-looking nails and cuticles.
10. Blossom Scented Cuticle Oil ($7, Amazon.com)
This oil smells as good as it looks! The Blossom Beauty by Bloom Scented Cuticle Oil is infused with real flowers and is available in strawberry, rose, juicy peach, and honeysuckle scents. This cuticle oil is a favorite among customers and nail techs alike.
Don’t get caught slacking this year, ladies. Switch things up on the nail care front, and add one of these cuticle oils to your routine ASAP.
Which cuticle oils would you use? Comment and let us know!
Follow MEFeater on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for more beauty tips and updates.