How to Make Your Cuticles Healthier

Have you ever noticed the colourless layer of skin at the bottom edge of your finger or toe? That’s the cuticle. It’s an extension of your skin that shields your nail bed against bacteria. And like your skin, the cuticle can crack, peel and flake if it’s dry and unhealthy. So here are some tips to ensure your cuticles are moisturised—and to make them healthier & stronger.

Switch to less harsh cleaning products.

Dry cuticles happen for multiple reasons. One of those causes is exposure to harsh products like hand sanitisers, dishwashing soaps and other cleaning agents you use regularly. If you can’t wear gloves when washing the dishes or cleaning your room, try to switch to less harsh cleaning products. Avoid alcohol-based sanitisers and swap harsh soaps with cleansing oils. 

Another harsh product is pure acetone. So when you get tired of your current nail polish and want to change it, grab an acetone-based remover with hydrating benefits instead. 

Use a good nail moisturising cream daily.

One way to keep your cuticles moisturised is to use a good nail cream daily. That’s especially beneficial during winter as the cold weather coupled with the trapped indoor heat can dry nail plates & cuticles and make them prone to flaking or peeling. Try our Magic Pen Repair & Growth - Nail Cream. It’s specially formulated to keep your nails—including cuticles—strong, moisturised, protected and great-looking. It’s a pen cream, so it’s quick & easy to apply. And it can penetrate your nail plates and cuticles even if you have polish on. 

Increase your water intake. 

Making your cuticles stronger and healthier isn’t only about what you’re applying to your nails—you should also focus on nourishing your body. Water intake is vital for maintaining healthy skin. Again, don’t forget that your cuticles are technically an extension of your skin. So carry a water bottle with you at all times. Hydrate, hydrate—and then hydrate some more!

Take vitamins & biotin supplements. 

Cracked cuticles may indicate a deficiency in Vitamin E, Zinc or other body minerals. If that’s the case, you can reverse the issue by switching to a healthier diet or taking more vitamins. You can also explore biotin supplements. Biotin can boost the strength of your hair and nails. It can be found in foods like legumes, sardines and eggs, but you can also take biotin supplements, especially if you’ve been dealing with damaged nails and cracked cuticles. 

Go easy on cutting your cuticles.

Since the cuticles act as a barrier that keeps germs from entering your nail bed, cutting them too short or incorrectly pushing them back can put you at risk of infection. It’s best to have a nail technician cut your cuticles, as they can do this safely and efficiently. But if you’re in a situation where you can’t go to the nail salon but have to cut your cuticles, do it after a nice, long shower. The steam can help soften the cuticles naturally, making it easy to trim them.

Wrapping up

You shouldn’t only focus on keeping your nails moisturised & well-trimmed—you should also care for the cuticles. These small strips of skin at the bottom part of your nails play a huge role in protecting you against infection. Keep them healthy by using nail cream, boosting water & vitamin intake, getting rid of harsh products and going easy on cutting them.