I've previously written about how I grew my nails, and, trust me, 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. But the one thing that really did help was a product that I had previously overlooked: cuticle oil.
In my job as a beauty editor, I continue to learn new hacks every day. If there's one lesson I'm planning to never forget, it's that a cuticle or nail oil is essential for healthy nails and happy cuticles. In fact, every top nail tech 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 highly rated 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. 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 overs time too.
Read on below to find the best cuticle oils that I tried to help give your cuticles and nails a boost.
The 11 Best Cuticle Oils
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 one that nail technicians will regularly recommend. It made my weak, bendy nails grow thicker and stronger, and after four weeks, I saw a real improvement in my nail growth. The bottle has a brush applicator, which makes it easy to apply.
OPI is another professional salon brand that I really rate, and its cuticle oil is brilliant. It contains a whole bunch of hydrating and nourishing oils that leave nails and cuticles conditioned. I love to keep a bottle by my bedside table to remind myself to apply before bed.
Don't overlook the dinky bottle—it packs a nourishing punch for brittle nails. It has argan and pomegranate oil to bring weak nails back to good health. It also has a pleasant scent.
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. The pen applicator is handy to pop in your bag for touch-ups on the go.
Hear me out. This one is technically a face oil. 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, why not invest?
If you don't like your cuticle oils to be too heavy, then you'll like this new one from Chanel. It has a gel-oil consistency that really hydrates cuticles and nails but sinks in so that you're not left with a greasy finish. And of course, like all Chanel products, it smells divine. The beveled applicator is also handy to push back your cuticles.
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.
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.
Dry cuticles can crop up year-round, but the colder winter months can pose a greater threat. When nails become weather-worn, keep this cuticle oil pen in your bag for on-the-go touch-ups. Apply regularly to soften and condition dry skin.
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.
This is the latest cuticle oil that I'm testing, 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.
This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.
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