18 Best Cuticle Oils to Upgrade Your Manicure and Prevent Dry, Damaged Nails
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18 Best Cuticle Oils to Upgrade Your Manicure and Prevent Dry, Damaged Nails
There’s more to gorgeous nails than just pretty polishes and a perfectly buffed surface. To get the best-looking nails, you’ll need to care for them properly and that includes incorporating the best cuticle oil into your nail care routine.
“The cuticle is a delicate layer of skin at the edges of the fingernails and is easily susceptible to dryness and cracking,” says Erin Gilbert M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Gilbert Dermatology in New York City. “Its function is to protect new nails from bacterial infection and cuticle oils work to protect and condition both your nails and cuticles, preventing dryness and cracking that can result in pain or infection.”There are also various everyday factors that can negatively affect the cuticles. “The cuticle can be prone to splitting, especially with increased handwashing and dry, winter weather,” says Jeaneen Chappel M.D., a board-certified dermatologist located in Carrolton, Texas.
That’s why experts encourage the use of cuticles oils early on in life. “It’s never too early or too late to start using cuticle oils. Long-term use will result in healthier, stronger, more supple cuticles,” says Dr. Gilbert.
When searching for the best cuticle oils, the main thing to look for is the ingredients. “Look for sunflower, grapeseed, jojoba, or apricot oil. If you have experienced redness or inflammation in the past following a manicure or a hangnail, you might want to consider looking for a product that contains tea tree oil, which has anti-bacterial properties,” advises Dr. Gilbert.
For the best application, apply a small amount of oil at the base of the nail and along the sides, gently rubbing it in. Dr. Gilbert suggests avoiding over-trimming and pushing the cuticles back if you’ve experienced nail infections before or have sensitive cuticles.
Here, find the best cuticles oils recommended by dermatologists and shoppers to soften and nourish dry skin, plus promote healthier nails!
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Using the best cuticle oils for the nails and the skin will help keep them healthy. Experts explain how to find a quality cuticle oil, plus the best ones to try.
