Have you ever glanced down at your nails and thought, “Oh my! Who’s pitiful, dry nails are those?!” You might be thinking it’s been a little too long since your last manicure. Well, it’s not always easy, or affordable, to see your favorite nail tech regularly.
So, what should you be doing in between those visits to keep your nails in tip-top shape? Easy! Slap some cuticle oil on those bad boys and watch your nails go from dry, cracked, and altogether sad to shiny, moisturized, and protected.
There are many benefits of cuticle oil, and stretching the time between manicures is only one of them.
What is cuticle oil, anyway?
If you’re familiar with the manicure process, you might recall getting a thin coating of clear oil brushed on at the very end. That’s cuticle oil! It is often put on over polish as an extra layer of protection.
Cuticle oil is mostly made up of vegetable oils, but usually has some citric acid and vitamins mixed in as well. It’s super healthy and offers a couple of benefits, let’s go over them!
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Benefits Of Cuticle Oil
Strengthens nails
Have you ever chipped the tip of your perfectly rounded nail? If so, you know just how frustrating, and often painful, it can be. Cuticle oil benefits growth by locking in moisture, keeping your nails from becoming dry and brittle.
Many types of cuticle oil also promote collagen production in nails. That means your nails won’t lose thickness as they grow, which makes them less susceptible to breakage.
Promotes Healthy Nail Growth
The ingredients in cuticle oil increase circulation to the entire nail bed. This can lead to faster and healthier growth. Many cuticle oils also have antimicrobial qualities that protect your nails from fungus.
Moisturizes Dry & Cracked Nailbeds
Dry cuticles, nailbeds, and fingertips can be a big problem. Especially in the winter months or for those who do a lot of work with their hands.
Cuticle oil moisturizes the entire area, ridding you of those unsightly and painful hangnails and cracked skin.
Anti Microbial
Cuticle oils also include a bunch of other minerals and essential oils that are anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. These help in preventing fungus that can impede nail growth. Also, they smell amazing!
Bonus Benefit
If you do enjoy a shiny coat of paint on your nails, cuticle oil has the added benefit of protecting that paint from chips. It can also keep gel nail polish from drying out too quickly and peeling away from the nail. Make that expensive manicure last!
How To Use Cuticle Oil
Cuticle oil is so straight-forward and easy to use. All you need to do is:
- Hold the dropper about 2 inches (5 cm) from your nail and squeeze just a drop onto each one.
- Use your thumb to massage the oil into each nail, including the skin around it, for about a minute. This will increase circulation and promote healthy nail growth.
- And that’s it! This super easy application will give you all the benefits of cuticle oil.
How often should you use cuticle oil?
You should use cuticle oil twice a day to keep your nail beds moisturized and to get all the antimicrobial and strengthening benefits.
Even if you aren’t the weekly manicure type, you should still consider adding cuticle oil into your self-care routine. There are just so many benefits of cuticle oil that it’s a shame not to use it.
Conclusion
Cuticle oil can be a beneficial addition to your morning and evening routines. It’s easy to use and will quickly bring dry and cracked nails back to life.
If you’re looking for natural ways to keep your body healthy, which will in turn keep your nails healthy, check out these ginger benefits.