The cuticle is an underrated part of the hand and is dead skin that naturally forms on the nail as the nail grows. While getting a manicure or giving yourself a DIY manicure, it is common practice to cut this skin down, which grows to protect the area around the nail from bacteria. This makes the cuticle a key part of the nail that needs to be cared for.
Cuticle oil is a natural product that is highly recommended by professionals and influencers alike. Cuticle Oil allows for continued moisturizing and healing that is perfect for continued nail health. This natural product is often referred to as a must-have for anyone to ensure nail health and cuticle health.
Your nails are made of a structural protein, which is the same protein that your hair is made of. The use of a conditioner is a common practice to condition and protect your hair. The use of Cuticle oil is like a conditioner for your hair. Without those conditioning products, either for your hair or your cuticles, they will become dry and brittle. If you wouldn’t let that happen to your hair, why would you let it happen to your nails?
What is Cuticle Oil?
Cuticle oil is exactly what it sounds like, an oil that is applied directly to your cuticles. Cuticle Oil is used to moisturize and hydrate the nail bed. It is commonly made with vegetable oils, such as Jojoba Oil, Flaxseed Oil, or Safflower Oil. These oils are naturally hydrating for your nails, but these oils will also have other nourishing vitamins and other ingredients that are beneficial when applied to the cuticle.
What does it do?
Regardless of the climate that you are in, the hands are the part of your body that are exposed to elements such as cold, sun, salty or soapy water, or even chlorine. All of these elements can cause your hands to become dry and chapped, and your nails are not exempt from those effects. The use of cuticle oil on your nail beds can help to repair and restore your nails that have been damaged by these elements.
Cuticle oil is also known to increase circulation around your nails which can help your nails grow longer and stronger and boosts the health and appearance of your nails. The protection that is provided through the use of cuticle oil also aids in reducing hangnails.
How Should You Use Cuticle Oil?
Unlike most products, there is no overuse of cuticle oil, and it is often recommended to use cuticle oil regularly, and some recommend using it multiple times a day. Different types of applicators can make the use of cuticle oil an easy process.
You can brush on cuticle oil using the applicator or you can dab cuticle oil on your nail beds with a cotton swab or cotton ball. When applying the cuticle oil, massage that oil into the nail bed to ensure that all of those essential oils and vitamins are being absorbed into the skin. Using only a few drops daily can make the biggest difference in both the health and appearance of your nails.
It is particularly recommended that cuticle oil is used when the weather is cold and dry to prevent cracking and chapped skin around your nails.
Does Cuticle Oil Help Nail Polish Last Longer?
When using cuticle oil, not only can it be beneficial in hydrating, healing, and protecting your nails, but it can also be key to a long and lasting manicure. Applying cuticle oil to your nails after a manicure can help to protect your nail and the coating that you put on them.
Using cuticle oil after you have painted your nails, can add a few extra days to your manicure by adding an extra layer on top of your nail polish to protect it. By keeping up with the use of cuticle oil with a manicure, the cuticle oil keeps the nail conditioned and hydrated, as well as limiting the risk of chipping and cracking of your nail coating.
When to Apply Cuticle Oil
Cuticle Oil is something that can be applied often, both with natural nails or after your nails have been coated with nail polish. If you are getting a manicure or doing a Do-It-Yourself manicure, use cuticle oil after the final coat has been applied. This will provide an extra layer of protection to your nails that will help give you a long-lasting manicure.
Generally, when getting a professional manicure, the technician will apply cuticle oil for the same reason that you should apply cuticle oil for at-home manicures. Cuticle oil provides so many benefits for your nails and your nail beds, and it should be applied with every manicure.
Along with providing a longer-lasting manicure, using cuticle oil on your natural nails helps to protect your nails and strengthen them. Providing this extra level of nourishment to your nails will help them be more flexible and aid in helping prevent breakage.
Purchasing Cuticle Oil
When purchasing cuticle oil, there are several factors that one needs to consider. The type of applicator can be a big factor, the brush or pen-style applicator can make the application of cuticle oil significantly easier.
It is also important to look into the viscosity of the cuticle oil that you are looking to purchase and use for your nails. Look for a thinner viscosity cuticle oil, meaning a thinner product, which will make it easier for the product to be absorbed into the skin.
When purchasing cuticle oil, be sure to look into the ingredients of the cuticle oil that you are looking at. It is important to ensure that the cuticle oil is an oil that would be hydrating to your nails, such as Mango, Flaxseed, Sunflower, Safflower, or Argon. Other ingredients to look for in a cuticle oil would be vitamins such as Vitamin E.
Along with looking for ingredients that are beneficial for your nails, there are some chemicals that could be harmful to your nails rather than being helpful. When looking for products, make sure that you are searching for a cuticle oil rather than a cuticle remover. Cuticle removers are gels or creams that are designed to remove the cuticle but also have the possibility to weaken the nail and cause skin irritation.
Conclusions
Cuticle Oil is a product that helps to moisturize and nourish your nails while helping to protect the nail and the nail bed from continued damage. Cuticle oil is beneficial for both your natural nail, as well as aids in the protection of a nail coating. Cuticle oil should be used regularly, massaged into the nails and the nail bed several times a day.
