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You may have noticed your nail technician apply a few drops at the end of your appointment.
In other words, it is your hand creams best ally.
Caroline Tompkins / Refinery29 for Getty Images / Getty Images
Meet the Experts
What Is Cuticle Oil?
Cuticle oil is meant to help nourish both the nails and cuticles.
What Does Cuticle Oil Do?
It hydrates the cuticles.Cuticle oil helps solve issues relating to dry skin around the nails by offering instant hydration.
Look for oils rich in nutrients that quickly absorb into the skin.
It toughens up weak and vulnerable nail plates.
This can be especially healing for cuticles exposed to extreme weather such as freezing temperatures or sun exposure.
It can also help heal cracks caused bysalt water swimsor chemical interactions with some cleaning products or chlorine pools.
It stimulates nail growth.Just like hair, long nails often mean healthy nails.
Cuticle oil not only helps with nail damage but it is also preventative against further breakage.
Saunders adds that moisturized cuticles may help prevent you from picking or biting any loose skin around your nails.
Both bare and polished nails can benefit from cuticle oil.
If you are applying it afterwards, verify your polish is completely dry so it doesnt smudge the color.
The paintbrush makes for an easy program.
It also features hyaluronic acid, as well asbiotinand d-panthenol for a long-lasting effect.
“It’s good to keep in your purse or car,” she says.
French Girl Nail & Cuticle Oil
The roll-on applicator makes this cuticle oil easy to apply.
It was formulated with neem leaf, apricot kernel oil, as well as chamomile and anthyllis extract.
Once absorbed, cuticle oil can remain on the skin until your next hand wash.
The longer it stays on the better.
Keep in mind that results can vary depending on the percentage of such ingredients in each product.
While oils have a longer shelf-life than most products, cuticle oil does expire.
Over time, some ingredients can lose potency if repeatedly exposed to oxygen.
Saunders adds that moisturized cuticles may help prevent you from picking or biting any loose skin around your nails.
