Oil for nails and cuticles: rules of use, which oil to choose

What is cuticle

The cuticle is the tissue located near the nail plate. It protects the nail from the accumulation of microbes and foreign particles and prevents their further reproduction. The cuticle consists of two layers:

• “live”, which is located in the sprout zone;
• “non-living” - the keratinized top layer that must be removed.

The edges of the cuticle are surrounded by dead cells. As they dry, they peel off and form burrs. To prevent this situation, special care should be taken.

How to properly cut cuticles with scissors?

It so happened that a significant part of the cuticle became keratinized and began to lift up. It needs to be removed. Or rather, not the entire nail skin, but only the dead part of it. After all, the living one still performs its more important functions.

You can remove the keratinized part with special scissors, the tips of which are thin and sharp. Experienced manicurists say that, unlike tweezers, such scissors do not catch living tissue, and after using them there are no cuts left.

1. Using a remover or folk remedy, you should soften the nail skin
2. Using the tips of nail scissors or an orange stick, carefully lift the part of the cuticle that has grown to the nail plate.
3. The keratinized part of the cuticle is carefully trimmed
4. If it is difficult to remove the nail skin at the corners of the plate with scissors, additionally use forceps

Removing cuticle with scissors.

IMPORTANT: Good cuticle scissors have the following parameters: the presence of a bolt (then the blades do not become loose), the length of the cutting part is about 2 cm, a side bite (provides less trauma to the procedure), curved tips

Ways to care for cuticles

To make your nails look beautiful and well-groomed, the “non-living” cuticle should be removed. It can be done:

1. The traditional method, which is carried out by circumcision. The effect of such a manicure is immediately visible. But there is a minus - the formation of hangnails and rough skin at the base of the nails.
2. Chemically. The procedure is carried out using a special product.

According to experts, there is another option. In order not to start the process of formation of rough growths, it is necessary to use cuticle oil for preventive purposes. Its regular use heals nails and the skin around the nail plate.

Cuticle remover cream and gel

Almost all brands of manicure cosmetics have creams and gels for removing cuticles. Their price range is quite wide. If we talk about quality products, they all have the following properties:

• effectively softens cuticles
• slows down its growth
• moisturizes and nourishes the nail plate and living skin around the nail
• does not damage the nail
• minimizes the risk of infection

Cuticle remover cream.
As a rule, the product itself contains instructions for its use. The generalized algorithm is as follows:

1. Cream or gel is applied to the skin below and on the sides of the nail plate
2. Wait from 1 to 10 minutes
3. The cuticle is gently moved with an orange stick. If its keratinized edge sticks out, it is trimmed with scissors
4. Remains of gel or cream are removed from the nail with a cotton pad, hands are washed

After applying the cream or gel, just push back the cuticle with an orange stick.

IMPORTANT: Unfortunately, many people are allergic to cuticle gels and creams. They also dry out the skin. Therefore, experts advise applying the product not to all fingers at the same time, but to 2-3 at a time

Why do you need cuticle oil?

It is oils with the addition of various components that provide the cuticle with proper comprehensive care. Such products not only moisturize and nourish, but also have an antifungal and disinfecting effect. If there is insufficient moisture, the cuticle looks rough and has burrs.

Cuticle oils:

• provide comprehensive care;
• improve health;
• soften, nourish, moisturize;
• restore and have a regenerating effect;
• promote healthy and rapid nail growth.

IMPORTANT! Regular use of trimmed manicure can easily cause infection. Oils have an antifungal and antiseptic effect. They quickly prevent infection.

Action of base oils

Buy the product or prepare it yourself - it's up to you. In any case, you need to know the composition of the component. As a rule, a standard product includes a mixture of a couple of drops of essential and base oils of plant origin. But if you want to solve a specific problem, focus on the strengths of each component. This is why you need cuticle oil with different properties.

• Apricot. Its main task is nutrition, but in addition it moisturizes and enriches the skin with essential vitamins.
• Almond - has a similar effect + enriched with minerals.
• Wheat germ oil has gained popularity due to its antioxidant properties. It can restore the cuticle and relieve inflammation in the shortest possible time.
• Castor oil, like burdock oil, must be used for preventive purposes.
• Jojoba has a targeted effect even on microtraumas and inflammation.

How to use oil

For prevention, masters recommend using nail and cuticle oil after a manicure. To do this, just apply one drop to the base of the nail and massage for a minute. Massage movements enhance the penetration of the product deep into the skin.

They can also be used:

• several times a day if there is dry or thickened cuticle;
• daily at night to soften the cuticle;
• once a day to strengthen nails;
• before home cleaning to protect hands from contact with water and cleaning products.

It is the condition of the cuticle that indicates the durability and accuracy of the manicure.

We advise you to read: How to quickly dry your nails at home

Good advice

Before purchasing, pay attention to the components. It is possible that one of them may cause an allergic reaction. The expected effect also plays an important role. A properly selected product is the key to beautiful nails and excellent results.

Be sure to prioritize convenience. Ideally, the cuticle product should be equipped with a pipette dispenser so that the composition does not spread, but is evenly distributed over the desired area.

Immediately exclude products that contain unnatural ingredients from your list of potential purchases. It is desirable that the active components be two types of oils - essential and plant origin.

Which oil is better: review, where to buy

Essential oils are not used in their pure form, they are added to the base oil to activate individual functions and aromatherapy. It is enough to apply one drop of essential oil to a spoon of base oil.

There are many natural oils that are effective for caring for cuticles.

• Sea buckthorn oil

An excellent remedy for brittle nails and the appearance of hangnails. It has an antiseptic, wound-healing effect. Sea buckthorn oil also nourishes and moisturizes the epidermis. After using it, nails become healthy and cuticles well-groomed. The product can be used in pure form or mixed with any hand cream.

• Apricot oil

This is a basic product that is a hypoallergenic product. It not only moisturizes, but also participates in cell regeneration. The oil must be used before manicure.

• Avocado oil (Domix Green Professional)

Prevents the formation of hangnails and nail brittleness. It contains vitamin F, which makes avocado oil an excellent antioxidant. This is a fatty product with a rich nutritional effect.

• Grape seed oil

This is a very popular cosmetic product that is used to moisturize skin, hair and nails. Grapeseed oil contains large amounts of tocopherol. The product is absolutely hypoallergenic and is often used in beauty salons.

• Coconut oil

It comes in two types: refined and unrefined. For cuticle care, it is better to use the second option. Typically, coconut oil is applied after a trim manicure. Vitamin E and A actively nourish the nail plate and epidermis, giving them health and a well-groomed appearance.

• Almond oil

Almond essential oil is widely used in cosmetology. It consists mainly of fatty acids, vitamins, which are necessary for the development of healthy nails and cuticles. The product fights the delamination of the nail plate and the formation of burrs. Almond oil also prevents chapping of the skin.

• Tea tree oil

The product has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. Even a small drop introduced into a bottle of any base oil, when used, reduces the likelihood of developing inflammation. Tea tree oil should not be used on dry skin, otherwise the problem will worsen.

• Peach oil

Peach oil contains rare vitamin B15. It helps restore the cuticle and nail bed after trimmed manicure. It also prevents infection and the development of the inflammatory process.

• Sunflower oil

When you don’t have any cuticle care product at hand, you should think about how to replace the oil with a more affordable product. You can use regular sunflower oil. It is in every family. Sunflower oil nourishes the skin, moisturizes, and treats chapping and frostbite. When caring for cuticles, hands should be held in a container with oil.

Selection rules

In any cosmetics store you can find different types of these special oils, although the choice is often difficult due to the price range or composition. There are several criteria for making the right choice:

1. Release form. This product can be available in liquid or solid form. The liquid form remains fluid at different temperatures and can contain almond, orange and other types of oils. The solid form retains its consistency even at high temperatures; it can be shea butter and others.
2. Packaging can be made from various materials, which determine the shelf life or preservation of protective properties.
   For example, metal packaging increases shelf life, and a dark glass bottle protects from exposure to direct sunlight. Some manufacturers produce their products in the form of a pencil; it can be carried in a purse, which is convenient for daily use.
3. The composition of the product usually includes no more than five oils, so you should pay attention to the presence of auxiliary components.
   Additional substances are included in various natural oils, extracts of which are used in the manufacture of the product. For example, vitamin E, wax or collagen are found in varying quantities in some flowers and plants. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the list of ingredients; the fewer additives it contains, the better.
4. Brand. Almost all brands that produce such oils are engaged in the production of cosmetic lines for face and body care. It is better to choose proven brands or follow the recommendations of a manicurist.
5. Manufacturer country. This factor mainly affects the cost. For example, oil with the same composition from Europe can cost an order of magnitude more than its domestically produced counterpart. Here the choice is up to the buyer himself, especially since one cannot be completely sure that a foreign product is original.

Homemade Cuticle Oil Recipes

There are a lot of folk recipes that can be used to care for your fingers. The advantages of preparing products at home are that you can combine all the ingredients your skin needs.

To strengthen and soften the cuticle.

You need to take 2 two tablespoons of apricot oil, two drops each of wheat germ, lavender and myrrh oil. Everything should be mixed and rubbed into the nails once every 7 days.

For healthy nail growth and cuticle care.

You should take two tablespoons of almond and apricot oil, add 2 drops of rose and geranium oil. Mix all. The product can be used daily before bed.

To relieve inflammation and have a cooling effect.

To do this, take 2 tablespoons of almond oil and 10 drops of tea tree. Everything should be mixed and stored in a small jar. Before application, it is recommended to warm it up a little and apply it to the cuticle area with massaging movements. The procedure does not require rinsing.

For healing and preventing the appearance of hangnails.

You need to take 5 ml of olive oil and grape seed oil. Add 3 drops of lavender and tea tree oil, one capsule of vitamin E. The product is good to use after a trim manicure.

You can prepare a product for repeated use. For easy storage, you can pour the resulting product into a varnish jar. To prepare, take olive oil, lemon juice and essential oil as desired. It is recommended to shake everything before each application. Can be used daily before bed.

The use of essential oils can cause an allergic reaction and even bronchospasm. People with allergies should refrain from using them.

Popular means

Is it worth reminding us that hands are our calling card? Of course not! And since the hero of our story is cuticle oil, we offer you a brief overview of the most popular products from this series of nail and hand care products. We hope the information below will help you understand the most difficult question: how to choose the right one?

1. The product from Kiss not only nourishes, moisturizes and makes the skin elastic, but also acts as an antiseptic with healing properties.

2. The One from Oriflame promotes rapid recovery of the plate. Contains essential oils and vitamin complex.

3. Any product from Sally is a real nail rescue service. The oil soothes the skin, restores existing damage, prevents the occurrence of hangnails, reducing its hardness.

4. If you want your nails to grow faster and your eponychium to grow slower, urgently arm yourself with a special product from the Christina Fitzgerald brand. Why do you need cuticle and nail oil from this particular brand? You can answer this question yourself if you pay attention to the manufacturer’s assurances: thanks to the components included in its composition, the product from Christina Fitzgerald will moisturize even the roughest skin, and at the same time strengthen the plate and give your nails a beautiful, healthy length.

5. For those with thin skin, we suggest paying attention to Cuticle Oil from the Mavala brand. Judging by the reviews, the product 100% fulfills its intended purpose: it moisturizes as much as possible and prevents the appearance of hangnails.

6. All lovers of delicious-smelling nail products will love Solar Oil from the famous brand CND with almond notes. The product deeply saturates the skin with moisture, nourishes it, and also has excellent therapeutic properties.

7. Argan Oil Cuticle Drops from Orly pleases us with a convenient pipette dispenser. Now you don’t need to think about the problems of wicking: the texture is evenly distributed along the edge of the nail, instantly restores dry cuticles and just as quickly relieves existing inflammation.