Review of cuticle removers: choosing the best product

Why do you need a cuticle remover (remover, keratolic)

Many girls, seeing this product on sale, ask the question: “ Why is this drug needed ? After all, the cuticle is removed with nail scissors or tweezers. Is it really possible that if you apply this product, the excess skin will come off on its own? This can’t be!

Only those who have not tried good remedies can think this way. If you want to check whether this is true, you can ask a specialist in the salon to show the effect of such a product.

“OPI Avoplex Anti-Cuticle Anti-Cuticle” works very quickly.

• Apply it literally a drop at a time onto the cuticle of each of the five fingers.
• The master will not apply it to all ten, since it is instantly absorbed and after five minutes the skin again needs to apply the product.
• Having dipped the pusher into Swiss Guard disinfectant gel, the master will carefully push back the softened cuticle skin.
• Then he will remove all excess from the nail with a scraper, and correct minor imperfections with tweezers.

It contains avocado oil , which is perfectly absorbed and moisturizes. OPI Avoplex Anti-Cuticle is a natural product. The active ingredients are fruit fatty acids. The AHA label allows such products to be distinguished. But there are other drugs.

Disadvantages of edged manicure

The classic cut manicure is a proven procedure for years that allows you to take care of the cuticle. Overgrown nail skin is physically removed using instruments. To do this, use cuticle tweezers or scissors. Recently, edged manicures have been used less and less. The reason for this is its multiple disadvantages:

1. Sores and cuts. As you know, the skin in the area of ​​the nail folds is incredibly delicate and thin. Even doing a manicure yourself, you can get injured, since it is always difficult to calculate where the regrown part ends and living tissue begins. It is even more difficult for masters in salons to find this border. Therefore, even experienced masters make mistakes.
2. The procedure is not safe. Open wounds can always become a source of infection and purulent processes. It is very good if the salon employs executive masters who disinfect instruments after each procedure. Otherwise, the risk of contracting very serious diseases is high.
3. Manicure is difficult for home use. It is difficult to trim the cuticle evenly and beautifully on your own.

Characteristics of cuticle removers

Consistency of the drug

For a quality process, it is not so important in what form the drug is used. For application with subsequent maceration (bath), the gel is perhaps more convenient . If the technician goes out on calls, it is best to use a cream in a tube with a screw cap.

• Liquid preparations are equipped with a brush that distributes the product in a thin layer to the desired area. The downside is that the coverage of the brush is usually a little larger than necessary and aggressive products irritate healthy skin.

• To avoid such problems, a pencil was created , impregnated with anticuticle, similar to a felt-tip pen . The downside of pencils is that they dry out quickly . True, there are replaceable cartridges, but this is not very convenient for home manicure. You have to constantly monitor the availability of a spare part in the house.

Active ingredient: keratolytic

• All cuticle removers contain acid or alkali (KOH, NaOH) . Acids are used only similar to natural ones (ANA or BHA).

• Chemically destroying the bonds between keratin fibers, softening the skin and preparing it for removal - this is the purpose of the active substance of the anticuticle. All drugs contain similar substances.

• This means that they should be kept on the skin for no longer than the time recommended by the manufacturer to prevent allergies. That is why companies are reinsuring themselves by reducing the percentage of hazardous substances. But here’s the paradox: sometimes these remedies cease to be effective due to too little active component.

Apparently, the future belongs to natural products - they can not be washed off the skin and can even be applied between manicure sessions to stop the growth of the cuticle. They contain fruit acids, which have a very small molecule and are therefore instantly absorbed by the skin.

• When applying an AHA-based product, the following happens: the rough areas of the skin, absorbing it, swell in volume and separate from the surface of the nail. Healthy cells are hydrated and reject dead ones. AHA-based products should not be washed off . On the contrary, it is recommended to use it prophylactically to prevent cuticle growth.

Acid cuticle softeners

Acid keratolytics have a mild, caring effect. Produced on the basis of fruit, lactic or salicylic acids.

They can combine several options in one composition. It is worth noting that lactic acid has a whitening effect.

The higher the Ph value, the milder the acid softener. Typically the working range of these products is Ph 2-4. The exposure time of the acid agent is 2-3 minutes. The instructions must be strictly followed. It is recommended to use the product once every 7-10 days to keep your hands in well-groomed condition.

Comparison of cuticle removers

For the convenience of choosing the most suitable means, their characteristics are given below. Reviews based on the results of use were left by a cosmetologist, practicing nail artists and visitors to a nail salon. Comparison of popular cuticle removers

Comparative characteristics of cuticle removers.

Description of popular cuticle removers with reviews

What is a remover?

Trimmed manicure has been gradually fading into the background lately. It has long been replaced by unedged manicure. Modern cuticle removers are very easy to use and do not harm the skin at all.

A remover is a gel, cream or liquid cosmetic product that allows you to quickly get rid of regrown skin. Thanks to this cosmetic product, you can quickly get your nails in order and prepare them for extensions. Removers contain substances that soften the skin at the base of the nail. The keratinized cuticle is removed using alkaline or acidic substances. Along with the skin, impurities that accumulate under the skin roll are also cleansed. Cuticle removers are recommended to be used instead of trimmed manicure, and also as a preparatory step before extensions.

The principle of action of such a substance is very simple. The product is applied to the skin around the nail, and after a few minutes the softened cuticle is removed using an orange stick. Next, oil is applied to the treated area. It is used to soften the blow after using the remover. This allows you to soothe inflamed skin and relieve irritation.

• produces two removers that have different qualities. At the same time, they have practically no noticeable differences in composition, but the effect of use is diametrically opposite.

1. It seems that “Gel Cuticle Remover” was intended to remove unnecessary skin, but the manufacturers played it safe with the active ingredient, potassium hydroxide. And its quantity is clearly not enough to achieve the goal.

2.

But in the second product of the same brand,
“Instant Cuticle Remover” , by the way, not as liquid as the previous one, this defect is corrected. The manufacturer has clearly increased the percentage of active ingredient , which is stated on the packaging: “Do not keep on the skin for more than 1 minute.”
Recommended exposure time is 15 seconds. This is quite enough to manicure one finger at a time. This product is easy to purchase; many girls already have it. The reviews are positive. With this bottle (30 ml) it can last for a year, since you only need a drop of gel for application. Contains KOH - alkali. But if, after washing off the remover, you immediately moisten the surface being treated, it’s not scary.

Its cost is not the cheapest - 451 rubles, but the funds really last for a year . You can buy it here.

Moisturize properly, preferably with cuticle oil containing AHA (fruit acids). It must be said that overexposing this remover to your nails can lead to the dissolution of the top layer of the nail. Follow the instructions strictly!

Who hasn't heard of the legendary manicure house "Ole House"! This is a recognized leader in teaching nail design using materials from the American brand “CND”.

The cuticle remover produced by CND is intended strictly for professional use and requires special training.

Why does the cuticle become dry?

Dry and flaky cuticles around your nails can be caused by many factors. This includes insufficient care and an incorrectly done manicure - when the master cuts the skin around the nails too deeply. Cuticle peeling is also a result of nail biting habit.

In addition, cuticles can become dry due to exposure of our hands to chemical cleansers we use at home or at work, as well as extreme temperatures and strong winds. For some girls, this may be caused by a natural tendency to dry skin, allergies or skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis or eczema. Hard and dry cuticles may be a sign of a vitamin A, E, or B deficiency.

In autumn and winter, do not forget to wear gloves so as not to expose your hands and cuticles to the adverse effects of external factors.

"Cuticle Away CND"

It has a large bottle volume (177 ml), since this product is constantly used in the salon. For home use this volume is even too much. But the price is 3 times cheaper than Sally Hansen . Perhaps this is an analogue of the previous product, judging by the manufacturer’s recommendations (exposure time and amount of alkali in the composition). But the presence of moisturizers in the composition speaks in favor of the drug. Despite this, it is still necessary to wash off the product with soap. This will neutralize the alkali.

Brand "Giorgio Capachini"

• This is the cheapest of the salon ones. The remover is also the cheapest.

“Scrub from Giorgio Capachini” combines 2 in 1: softening and scrub. After the composition is absorbed, salt crystals will remain on the skin. They are supposed to exfoliate keratinized scales. In fact, all that is valuable in this product is potassium hydroxide.

The percentage composition is such that it does not loosen rough cuticles. Therefore, it is better to use it after steaming in soapy water . Thus, the product moves from the salon to the home. But according to reviews, an orange stick will not be enough; you should work with metal tools. It is very drying and has no moisturizers . But the cheapest price!

Alternative mineral and oil removers

Mineral softeners do not contain aggressive components that destroy protein and irritate the skin.

In the list of ingredients you can see calcium, magnesium, zinc in combination with sea or mineral water. Such compositions are suitable not for removal, but for softening the cuticle for the purpose of further cutting with scissors or forceps.

Oil removers also do not remove rough skin and pterygium, but intensively soften and care for the epidermis. Apply for 10-15 minutes, then the skin is pushed back with a pusher or an orange stick, and cut off with scissors or cutters.

These products are alternative and are used for well-groomed hands when performing maintenance procedures at home.

"OPI" is the most famous world brand

• Fortunately, it is also possible to buy OPI products in our country. True, they have a high price. But their quality is excellent!

“Avoplex from OPI” has AHA fruit acids as its active ingredient, which do an excellent job of destroying the bonds between dead cells and living tissues. Avocado oil moisturizes and nourishes the cuticle.

This product does not need to be washed off, it does not contain harmful substances. Moreover, they are recommended to treat their cuticles between visits to the salon. Then the cuticle will not grow. Perhaps the only cuticle product that can be safely recommended for home use is anti-cuticle from OPI.

"Severina" (Belarus)

• A rapidly growing company produces good products at reasonable prices. Their nail care line, which includes a remover, is interesting.

It is stated that with regular use of the gel remover produced by Severina, the product copes well with rough cuticles. But practice shows that girls will not get a manicure as often as necessary for this product. Therefore, according to reviews, he turned out to be rather weak.

"KapousProfessional"

• The rapidly growing company is already known to beauty business professionals. It is characterized by the use of innovations in products and a reduced price segment. Focused on economy class cabins.

According to reviews, the remover of this brand is similar to “Sally Hansen”, but smaller in volume. This is very convenient: the product will be used before the expiration date, as happens with large volumes. The rest of the application is standard: you should also not overexpose it on the skin and must be washed off with running water . And, unlike Sally Hansen, it contains rice oil, which moisturizes the cuticle during processing. A very inexpensive product.

Cuticle care at home

Use oil

You should apply oil to your nails and cuticles daily and the more often the better. By caring for the periungual skin, you will soon notice that the cuticle has become elastic and fits more tightly to the nail. The growth of the nail plate accelerates, and the surface is leveled.

American Dadi'oil, in our opinion, is the best nutritional product. There are no analogues on the market yet. By the way, all KrasotkaPro employees use it. Read more about its properties in the article Review of natural dadi oil for nail and cuticle care.

Hand creams

In addition to cuticle oils, it is worth using moisturizing hand creams. Ideally, the cream should be applied after each hand washing, but realizing that this is not an easy task for a modern woman, we recommend thoroughly rubbing it into the skin and cuticles at night. It will have time to be absorbed well and in the morning the skin will be sufficiently moisturized. Before leaving the house during the cold season, always apply nourishing cream.

Spa treatments for hands

Paraffin therapy not only has a beneficial effect on the skin, but also moisturizes the cuticle well. There are products for both hot and cold paraffin therapy, as well as entire spa sets for hand care. Choose those that contain more plant extracts and vitamins.

"SOPHIN"

• The product immediately attracted attention: it is available both in a traditional version and in a pencil. The compositions are different. When removing cuticles in the usual way, you will have to wash off the alkali, but when using a pencil, you will not.

The SOPHIN cuticle remover, article number: SPH05092, according to reviews, does the job well and deserves to be in your home collection. A little expensive for an alkaline product.

The SOPHIN remover pencil , article number: 0531, is very convenient to take on the road. Daily use prevents the cuticle from growing, nourishes and moisturizes it. You can remove the cuticle after applying oil, degrease and apply varnish. The active ingredient is BHA.

• The brand is known for its keratolics, effective in pedicures. She also has products for her hands. One of them is the “Be Natural” cuticle remover.

The manufacturer claims that no special training is required to work with the remover. This is not entirely true: nevertheless, working with caustic soda requires some safety requirements. These are the usual points for alkaline preparations: do not keep more on the nail than necessary. Treat one finger at a time. Wash off with running water and soap.

Perhaps the presence of moisturizers allows you to keep the product on the nail for up to 45 seconds. And this is more convenient than similar drugs with a shorter duration of action. Because high-quality cuticle removal is a leisurely task. That's why the reviews are higher than those of competitors.

"Eveline"

• You won't find it in salons, but it is often found on shelves. That's why girls who decide to do an unedged manicure at home buy it.

The remover from Eveline does not cope with the task of softening the overgrown cuticle. This is understandable: the products were not originally intended for salon procedures. The manufacturer played it safe and reduced the percentage of active ingredient. Potassium hydroxide, as usual. And the product is a bit expensive. 4 times more expensive than the CND product, but the effect is zero.

The video provides additional tools for removing cuticles

Disadvantages of removers

Removers have a number of disadvantages:

1. They contain alkaline components. Even in minimal quantities they can be harmful. If the nail plate is infected with fungus, removers will only worsen the condition.
2. Such preparations should not be used frequently as they lead to softening of the nails. They can take on an uneven shape if removers are used without measure. Experts say that they can be used no more than twice a month.
3. The drug is applied strictly along the edge. If you miss and apply it a little further, there may be unpleasant consequences in the form of softening of the nail and damage to the skin fold.

As you can see, removers also have their drawbacks, although they are not comparable to the dangers of trimmed manicure. Increasingly, in salons, masters offer European (unedged manicure), which is simpler and gives good results.