How to Care for Your Cuticles

Cuticles play a very important role in the health of your nails. This area of skin located at the bottom of your nail bed helps prevent bacteria and other potentially harmful things from getting into the nail and causing infection. This is why it’s so important to care for your cuticles and avoid bad habits like cutting or picking at them. Here, we’re sharing three ways to keep your cuticles in tip-top shape. 

Never Cut Your Cuticles  

Cutting your cuticles increases the risk of exposing them to infection. Continual cutting can also lead to scar tissue and hangnails. If they’re looking ragged or uneven, soften your nails (by soaking them or using a cream or oil) and then use a clean cuticle pusher to gently push them back. 

Exfoliate Your Cuticles 

To rid the nail of any excess cuticle growth and clear away the buildup of dead skin, gently exfoliate them regularly. You can use a clean washcloth in the shower to lightly buff the area or an exfoliating product formulated specifically for the cuticles. We like the Olive & June Cuticle Remover because it helps dissolve excess skin around the nails and nourish what’s left with avocado, argan and jojoba oils. 

Moisturize Your Cuticles

Applying a cuticle oil often can help strengthen the skin barrier and keep cuticles looking healthy. You can’t go wrong with the Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil, which can be used on the cuticles and nails and helps hydrate and seal in moisture.