I Tested 11 of the Best Cuticle Oils—My Nails Have Never Been So Healthy
Cuticle oils have so many nail-boosting benefits. Shop the best ones here.
I've tried so many products to get my thin, brittle nails to thrive. I tried supplements, nail-strengthening polishes, and… eating a lot of cheese in a bid to top up my calcium levels. But, it turns out, the very best cuticle oils offer all of these nail-boosting benefits in one easy step—and I'd been overlooking them entirely.
In my job as a beauty editor, I continue to learn new hacks every day. If there's one lesson I'm planning never to forget, it's that a cuticle or nail oil is essential for healthy nails and happy cuticles. In fact, every top nail expert I've spoken to would tell me that it is the single best thing you can do to keep your nails and cuticles in good condition. So naturally, I listened and decided to put some of the best cuticle oils to the test.
It was only when I started applying a cuticle oil religiously that I started seeing results. Once or twice a week wouldn't cut it. Instead, I applied a cuticle oil morning and night, and I'd carry a cuticle-oil pen in my bag to hydrate my nails on the go or keep one handy on my desk at work (alongside my favourite hand cream). After around four weeks, my nails were transformed. Not only were my cuticles in top condition, but I noticed that my nails were growing thicker and stronger with less breakage.
"Dehydrated and brittle nails are more prone to breaking or chipping, so keep nails nourished by applying oil-based cuticle products and hand creams daily," says session manicurist, Ami Streets. "Apply a drop on each cuticle before massaging it in. Nighttime is best, as it gives the oil time to be properly absorbed," she says. Taking time to massage the oil in will encourage blood circulation, which will help boost the health of your nails and cuticles over time, too.
Read on below to find the best cuticle oils that I tried to help give your cuticles and nails a boost.
The Best Cuticle Oils, Tried & Tested
- Best Overall: O.P.I Glow Up Nail & Cuticle Oil, £23
- Best for Nail Growth: CND Solar Oil, £10
- Best for Repairing Nails and Cuticles: Mylee TLC Serum, £10
- Best for Travelling: Chanel L'Huile Camélia Hydrating & Fortifying Oil, £30
- Best for Damaged Cuticles: Margaret Dabbs Nail & Cuticle Serum, £13
1. O.P.I Glow Up Nail & Cuticle Oil
OPI is a professional salon brand that I really, really rate, and its cuticle oil is brilliant. So brilliant, in fact, that it's often used during in-salon nail appointments. It contains a whole bunch of hydrating and nourishing oils that leave nails and cuticles conditioned. The brush applicator makes it easy to apply, too.
Pros
- Expert-approved and really works
Cons
- Not the best for an on-the-go application
2. CND Solar Oil
I put my nail growth down to this incredible nail oil with sweet almond oil. This ingredient is one to look out for in cuticle oils and is one that nail technicians will regularly recommend. It made my weak, bendy nails grow thicker and stronger, and after four weeks of testing, I saw a real improvement in my nail growth. The bottle has a brush applicator, which makes it easy to apply. I keep this on my bedside table to remind myself to apply it before bed.
Pros
- It's basically long, healthy nails in a bottle
Cons
- You do need to use it regularly to see results—but stick with it!
3. Mylee TLC Serum
Along with a multitude of gel colours, Mylee has created a conditioning nail and cuticle serum to help repair nails and promote growth. It's not technically a cuticle oil, but it does contain jojoba oil, sweet almond oil and vitamins A, E, F and B5.
Pros
- Deeply nourishing
Cons
- More of a serum consistency rather than an oil
4. Chanel L'Huile Camélia Hydrating & Fortifying Oil
For an on-the-go application, I keep Chanel's L'Huile Camélia Hydrating & Fortifying Oil in my handbag. Not only does it make my cuticles look and feel ten times better, but the bevelled nib applicator doubles up as a cuticle pusher to make your nail beds look neat. And who doesn't love to pull out a chic Chanel product from their bag?
Pros
- Perfect for travelling
- Multitasking
Cons
- More expensive
5. Nailberry Little Treasure Cuticle Oil
Don't overlook the dinky bottle—it packs a nourishing punch for brittle nails. The bottle features a dropper applicator so you don't apply too much. It has sweet almond oil and vitamins A, E, B1, B2 and B6 to bring weak nails back to good health. It also has a pleasant zesty scent.
Pros
- Brimming with hydrating and kind-to-cuticle ingredients
Cons
- It's very lemony, so you might not love it if you don't like strong scents
6. Dior Huille Abricot Daily Nutritive Serum
Pros
- Celebrity manicurists swear by it
- Feels so luxurious to use
Cons
- More expensive
It's on the pricier side of the cuticle oils in this article, but you only have to read the reviews of Dior's cuticle serum to see that it has garnered a loyal following. And every single nail tech I've spoken to says this really works, so it's worth the investment. I've tested it myself and confirm that the pen applicator is handy to pop in your bag for touch-ups on the go, and the serum texture sinks in quickly.
7. La Mer The Renewal Oil
Hear me out. This one is technically a face oil and also very expensive. But, I've seen all the top nail technicians use this La Mer oil to hydrate cuticles as a finishing treatment at the end of their manicures. So if you're looking for a good facial oil and a luxe cuticle oil, this is a luxurious treat for yourself.
Pros
- It's multipurpose—use it for your face and your cuticles
Cons
- A serious splurge
8. Margaret Dabbs Nail & Cuticle Serum
Those in the know will already be aware that Margaret Dabbs is regarded as the authority in hand-and-nail care. This nail serum pen soothes ragged cuticles while antibacterial lemon myrtle oil keeps bacteria at bay around the nail bed—and beauty editor and Who What Wear contributor Mica Ricketts swears by this stuff. "I often neglect my cuticles entirely as I rarely have time for a professional mani these days, but when I do take the time for a little at-home pamper, this is the cuticle oil I reach for to nourish and soften my dishevelled cuticles."
Pros
- Transforms really damaged cuticles
Cons
- Doesn't feel like the most luxurious of products, but it is truly efficacious
9. Essie Nail Care Apricot Cuticle Oil
Pros
- Well-priced considering the ingredients
Cons
- A brush applicator means it's best used at home
This cuticle oil from Essie is a purse-friendly option to keep your nails and cuticles in top condition. It has apricot kernel oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba seed and sunflower seed oils to bring damaged nails back from the brink, and testing confirms that despite the affordable price tag, it rivals some of the more expensive options on the list in terms of results.
10. Nails Inc Superfood Repair Oil
This is the equivalent of a superfood smoothie for your nails. Sweet almond, argan and rose-hip oils intensely repair and hydrate dry cuticles and nails. Just apply a couple of drops morning and night, and you'll notice a difference in a couple of weeks.
Pros
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Very nourishing, but not the most strengthening formulation
11. Manucurist Huile Verte
Pros
- Beautiful packaging
- High-quality ingredients
Cons
- The pipette sometimes dispenses more than you need
This is the latest cuticle oil that I'm testing from Manucurist, and so far, I'm impressed. It has a cocktail of sweet almond oil, coconut oil and walnut seed oil, which have really improved the quality of the skin around my nails. Plus, this bottle is pretty compared to most, and it will last for ages. The brand also has a Nourishing Nail Pen (£16) that is great for on the go.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
