Unlock the secrets to flawless nails as we delve into the world of cuticle care. Discover expert tips on how to nurture and maintain your cuticles.

Nail Health 101: Complete Guide to Caring for Your Nail Cuticles!

Who’d have thought that those bothersome strips of dead skin on your nail serve a purpose? You can think of them like the bouncers of your nail, protecting your nail matrix from nasty bacteria and fungus that can cause infection.

Your nail matrix is where new nail cells are formed, so good cuticle care is essential for strong, healthy nail growth.

What Is the Nail's Cuticle?

Essentially, the cuticle is dead skin.

Specifically, it’s the small strip of dead skin that sits at the very bottom of your nail, between the lunula (the little half-moon shape at the base of your nail) and the eponychium.

Some people confuse cuticles for the eponychium, which is the thickened layer of skin at the very base of the nail, comprising live skin cells.

How Should You Care for Your Cuticles?

There are four main things to keep in mind when caring for your cuticles:

1.      Do NOT cut live skin tissue: this will cause bleeding and can lead to infection.
2.      Regular Maintenance: regularly caring for your cuticles will keep them healthy and beautiful. Overgrown cuticles require more work to remove, and it’s more likely that you’ll cause microtrauma to your nail in doing so.
3.      Hygiene: make sure to sanitise your tools before and after use. Rubbing alcohol or antiseptic will do the trick.
4.      Moisture: regularly using cuticle oil will help to keep your cuticles moisturised – and your nails healthy and strong.

What Does Cuticle Oil Do

Not only does cuticle oil help your nails grow longer by increasing circulation around your nails, but it also helps your nails grow thicker and stronger.

It provides deep, intense moisturisation to your cuticles, preventing dryness, hangnails, and cracks so that you nails feel healthy and look soft and supple.

How To Use Cuticle Oil?

A small amount of cuticle oil is the right amount – just place a tiny drop at the base of your nail, and gently massage it in in circular motions. This will help to stimulate blood flow, which in turn will help your nails grow longer!

On the market for a new cuticle oil? Try our mandarin and vanilla Cuticle Elixir. It smells heavenly.

It comes with a handy built-in brush that you can use to gently push the oil into the skin around your nails.

How Often Should You Use Cuticle Oil?

At least once a day, but ideally a lot more than that.

Making cuticle oil a part of your morning and evening beauty routine can help you remember to use it.

Heard of habit stacking? Keep a bottle of cuticle oil at the bathroom sink, and each time you brush your teeth or wash your hands, apply your cuticle oil too.

Throwing a spare cuticle oil pen into your handbag or desk drawer is a great way to freshen up your mani when you’re out and about or at work.

Bored at your desk? Cuticle oil. Waiting for the kettle to boil? Cuticle oil.

You get the idea.

How To Properly Remove Cuticles?

There are three basic tools you’ll need to safely remove your cuticles.

1.      Cuticle Remover
2.      Cuticle Pusher
3.      Cuticle Cutter

How To Use a Cuticle Remover?

Step 1: Wash your hands with soap and warm water.

Step 2: Read the instructions for your specific cuticle remover product and follow their guidance.

Step 3: Apply the product directly to the cuticle, taking care to avoid putting it on the surrounding skin.

Step 4: Wait. Most cuticle remover products require 1-3 minutes to work.

How To Use a Cuticle Pusher?

Step 5: Take an orangewood stick or a cuticle pusher and gently push the softened cuticles towards the base of your nail with the flat end of the stick.

How To Use a Cuticle Cutter?

Step 7: Ensure the cuticle cutter is clean and sharp; this will help to prevent infections and microtrauma occurring.

Step 8: Holding the cuticle cutter at a slight angle, make small, controlled cuts. Only trim the excess cuticle from the nail; do not trim away any healthy tissue.

Step 9: Wipe away the cuticle remover and cuticle residue with a clean, damp cotton pad.

Step 10: Moisturise your cuticles with a nourishing cuticle oil.

The Pros and Cons of Cuticle Remover

So, what are the pros and cons of using a cuticle remover product?

Pros:

Softens Cuticles

Cuticle remover solution breaks down the dead skin around the nail, making it softer and easier to remove.

Quick and Effective

Cuticle remover is easy to use, and will quickly soften your cuticles so that they are ready for removal.

Cons:

Potential For Damage

Leaving the cuticle remover on the nail for too long can cause over-softening of the cuticle. This makes them much more susceptible to injury and infection.

Potential Skin Irritation

Sensitivities to the ingredients in cuticle removers can cause redness, swelling, and pain around the nail. Some people may even have allergies to the ingredients which can cause more serious reactions; it’s always recommended to patch-test the product before use.

How To Heal Cuticles Overnight?

Semilac’s Nail and Cuticle Butter has been specially designed to improve the condition of nails and cuticles. It nourishes and moisturises the cuticles, prevents dryness and cracking, and reduces nail fragility and brittleness.

If your cuticles are especially cracked and dry, using a medicated repair balm like Sudocrem will work to heal your skin.

What Are Common Cuticle Infections?

Paronychia

Characterised by swelling, redness and pain around the nail bed. Can cause yellow pus and fever.

Nail Psoriasis

Characterised by a build-up of skin or blood under the nails, crumbling or pitting nails, and changes in nail colour to yellow or brown.

Nail Fungus

Characterised by thick, cracked or fragile nails that are brown, yellow or white in colour.

To view our range of manicure tools, including everything you’ll need to care for your cuticles, click here.