Cuticle oil can help keep your cuticles, the delicate layer of skin that protects the base of your fingernails and toenails, moisturized and healthy. You can buy cuticle oil in stores or online, or you can try making your own at home.

Cuticle oil can be a useful tool for keeping your cuticles strong. Cuticles can be easily damaged by many factors, including dry weather, frequent handwashing, and exposure to chemicals like chlorine.

Healthy cuticles are important for protecting your nails and the underlying and surrounding skin.

Cuticle oil can help moisturize and improve the appearance of the cuticle and adjacent nail, reducing dryness, cracking, hangnails, and other damage.

The cuticle is delicate and can be affected by a variety of factors, including:

  • dry weather
  • frequent handwashing
  • nail damage from cosmetic procedures or false nail applications
  • excessive sun exposure
  • excessive exposure to chemicals like chlorine

Cuticle oil may also help protect against nail damage resulting from chemotherapy.

A healthy cuticle provides a protective barrier for your nails. Dryness or other damage can weaken that protection, which may increase the risk of inflammation or infections like paronychia. Bacteria or other microorganisms may be able to enter the skin through a damaged cuticle, then spread to the nail, nailbed, or other parts of your finger in severe cases.

Some people believe that cuticle oil may stimulate nail growth by increasing circulation, but there isn’t any scientific evidence to back up that claim.

Cuticle oils can consist of one type of oil, like jojoba oil, or they may be a combination of oils. Most are plant-based oils like jojoba, tea tree, or almond, and some may also contain B vitamins or vitamin E.

Some may also contain a scented oil to give it some fragrance. People who are sensitive to fragrances or have skin conditions that may be triggered by fragrances, like eczema, may want to avoid these.

Tip

Thinner oils will absorb more easily than thicker oils. Dab on a thinner oil with a cotton swab or apply it with a small brush, then massage the oil in to help it absorb.

Depending on how damaged your cuticles are, you may want to apply cuticle oil once a day or more often.

Making cuticle oil at home is fairly easy. You can repurpose plant-based oils like jojoba, grapeseed, or flaxseed oil into cuticle oil — but remember that thicker oils, like coconut oil, may not absorb as easily as thinner oils.

For easy application, you might want to put your oil into a clean dropper bottle or nail polish bottle.

You can also add vitamin oils, like vitamin E oil. Some people also like to add scented essential oils, like lavender or rose oil.

Keep in mind that there isn’t much research around cuticle oil or the benefits of different formulations. Vitamin E may have some nail-protecting properties, and essential oils like lavender oil may have anti-inflammatory effects, but they haven’t been studied specifically in cuticle oils.

If you want to learn more about buying or making cuticle oil, it may be best to talk with a dermatologist first. They can help you understand your options and figure out what may work best for you.

Cuticle oil can be a helpful way to keep your cuticles strong and healthy, which may in turn help protect your nails. These oils are often plant-based and may contain other vitamins or essential oils.

Cuticle oil is typically safe for most people, but if you’re not sure about trying it, talk with a dermatologist first.