The 8 Best Cuticle Treatments For Dry & Damaged Nails
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Hand & Nail Serum, £12 | Typology
Best For: Repairing Damage
Why We Rate It: Brimming with the same effective ingredients you’d use on your face, Typology’s nourishing serum uses hyaluronic acid and keratin to repair damage and soften rough skin. Three to four drops is enough to remove hardened cuticles, repair splits in the nail and seal in moisture to prevent future breakage. It’s proven to stimulate nail growth as well – thanks to the high levels of keratin in the formula. Even the most wrecked cuticles will come back from the brink with regular use.
Available at Typology.Uk
Instant Cuticle Remover, £7 | Sally Hansen
Best For: Gentle Exfoliation
Why We Rate It: Cutting or biting your cuticles is never a good idea – instead, it’s better to invest in an exfoliating treatment like this one from Sally Hansen. It quickly softens, loosens and removes excess skin with zero pain – plus, it’s seriously satisfying to use. Formulated with aloe vera, chamomile and vitamin E, it deeply conditions to keep your nails looking neat and tidy.
Available at Sainsburys.co.uk
Prospa Exfoliating Cuticle Cream, £10.24 | OPI
Best For: Softening Hardened Skin
Why We Rate It: If you’re a manicure kind of girl, you’ve probably spotted this in professional nail salons. Usually applied before polish, it contains avocado lipids, white tea extract and AHAs, all of which work together to dissolve dead, hardened skin and loosen dry cuticles so cuticle trimmers can nip away at flakes. Added cupuacu butter delivers deep-down hydration – which is why we recommend using it on your feet and around your toenails as well.
Available at LookFantastic.com
Cuticle Balm, £12.95 | Navy Pro
Best For: A Bit Of Luxury
Why We Rate It: A treat for your cuticles, this thick, velvety balm feels incredible on the skin. As you massage it in, you’ll find it transforms from a luxe butter into a nourishing oil. It might take a minute to absorb, so it’s best to apply it before bed to let it sink in while you sleep. A hydrating combination of aloe vera, rosehip and coconut oil provide instant relief and ensure that, come morning, your skin and nails look far healthier. We like to use a little on dry shins and elbows too.
Available at NavyProfessional.com
Huile Verte For Dry Cuticles, £14 | Manucurist
Best For: Overall Nail Health
Why We Rate It: Often sold out, this one can be hard to get your hands on. An award winner with rave reviews, it does so much more than just soften cuticles – so it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. Containing six different oils – including coconut, almond and walnut oils – it drenches nails and cuticles with rich moisture to promote better growth and minimise brittleness. The lightweight texture means a little goes a long way – and we love that it’s vegan and comes in 100% recyclable packaging.
Available at Uk.Manicurist.com
Nail & Cuticle Oil, £20 | French Girl Organics
Best For: Throwing In Your Bag
Why We Rate It: This is a favourite among the SL team. The handy rollerball tip makes it great on the go, while the soothing, silky oil is brimming with fatty acids – including argan and pomegranate oils. With regular use, skin feels soft and hydrated, with ragged cuticles seemingly coming back to life. The benefits don’t end there – both hemp and tamanu oil are known for their anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, so it’s ideal if you suffer with yellowing nails.
Available at FreePeople.com
Apricot Nail & Cuticle Oil, £9.99 | Essie
Best For: A Quick Dry Down
Why We Rate It: This oil’s USP is its speedy dry time. You only need a tiny amount – it’s quite thick – but you’ll find it sinks in almost immediately, with zero greasy residue left behind. Almond, jojoba and sunflower oils soak up dryness in a flash, giving the skin around the nails a much smoother look.
Available at Boots.com
SolarOil Care Pen, £8.95 | CND
Best For: Easy Application
Why We Rate It: Beauty insiders – including esteemed make-up artist Ruby Hammer MBE – swear by this nourishing pen. A godsend for dry skin types, it comes with a handy brush that dispenses just the right amount of oil. Use it all over your cuticles, but also on hands and feet for a nourishing boost. Jojoba oils and vitamin E work fast to deliver speedy moisture, while simultaneously boosting overall nail health. The rave reviews are testament to its results.
Available at Amazon.co.uk
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