Nothing ruins a new manicure faster than dry and cracked cuticles. In fact, they are easily one of the most important aspects of healthy nails. However, cuticle care is often overlooked, but it’s quick and easy to incorporate this practice into your daily routine.
Before understanding how to properly care for cuticles, it is important to understand their function and where they are located on the nail. Contrary to popular belief, the cuticle area is actually made up of two layers: the true cuticle and the epithelium. The epithelium is the outermost layer of the skin and is made up of living tissue, while the true cuticle is located on the nail, bordering the crescent (half-moon) of the nail bed and is made of non-living tissue.
“Together they form a barrier that stops bacteria from entering the body and causing infection, so taking proper care of the cuticle is vital to good nail health,” says British nail technician Alyx Lippiatt. Like all areas of the skin, the cuticle area becomes dry and begins to crack when dehydrated – which is why it’s important to take care of it between salon visits.
A properly groomed nail bed allows for smoother paint application, longer-lasting manicures, and a reduced risk of ingrown nails. For this reason, TZR consulted with top nail technicians to get their best advice on caring for cuticles. In addition, they share holy grail products to keep nails strong. Think: cuticle serums, moisturizing hand creams and more. Translation: say goodbye to bad cuticles and hello to a healthy nail routine.
Healthy Nail Tip #1: Apply Cuticle Oil Regularly
The number one thing the experts agree on is to use cuticle oil for nail care. “For the healthiest nails, you should apply cuticle oil to your cuticles and nail plate multiple times a day,” says celebrity manicurist Vanessa Sanchez McCullough. There are several different options that can do wonders for your skin and nails, including jojoba, olive and apricot oils, which are nourishing and can prevent brittleness and cracking.
Start by applying the oil to the base of the nail and gently massaging the cuticle area and nail bed until it is completely absorbed. This step of oiling can easily give your manicure a more coordinated, professional look,” says Lippiatt.
Healthy Manicure Tip #2: Push back your cuticles instead of peeling them off
As satisfying as it may be, restrain the urge to peel off cuticles. Incorrectly removing too much skin can damage the entire nail and open a barrier to potential bacterial infection. Instead, Marcela Correa, a licensed medical pedicurist and owner of Medi Pedi, a medical-grade pedicure company, recommends gently pushing back the cuticles with a disposable wooden nail stick, taking care not to damage the nail plate. “Improper nail care is also a major contributor to cuticle dehydration and peeling,” the professional tells TZR. “When they are pushed back too much, the skin tends to weaken and cause the nail bed to peel.”
Healthy Nail Tips #3: Use the right tools
The right tools can have a major impact on properly trimming cuticles, and there are some that are standard in any salon. Lippiatt’s favorites include two cuticle pushers, one curved and one straight, and a set of ultra-fine cuticle trimmers from Navy Pro Tools for the cleanest look. “I start by pushing the cuticle back and removing the excess from the sidewall of the nail, then gently remove any dead skin,” she says.
Salon quality tools are readily available today, but as Lippiatt advises, “Extra care should be taken when manicuring your nails at home.”
Healthy Manicure Tip #4: Keep cuticles moisturized
Because hanging cuticles are the result of dry skin, make sure they stay moisturized. Just like the skin on your body, the best time to moisturize cuticles is after showering or washing dishes. “For home manicures, start with a scrub, such as Biosculpture’s Kiwi Scrub, to soften the skin,” Lippiatt says. After thoroughly exfoliating the cuticle area, apply an even layer of nourishing oil to the area and rub in until smooth.
To maintain cuticle care, you should consider regular manicures and consistent use of cuticle oil to keep your skin hydrated. This doesn’t have to be done by a professional, you can definitely do it yourself at home! Wearing gloves on things like cleaning and washing will keep your skin from drying out from chemicals and water irritation!
Health Tip #5: Maintain Good Habits
In between salon visits, there are a few things you can do to keep your cuticles looking fresh. Yes, moisturizing may be the most obvious, but Lippiatt also recommends making adjustments to your daily activities, which can dehydrate your skin further. “Chemicals are very harsh on delicate skin, so try to wear gloves when cleaning,” she says.
When it comes to nail health, excessive hand washing is another big issue. To make sure the skin around the nail bed stays moisturized and youthful, use a good moisturizing lotion daily.
Healthy nail tip #6: Sanitize nail tools
As with makeup brushes and hair tools, your nail tools should be cleaned regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria. They can be cleaned with soap and water, then wiped down with alcohol.