Hey beauties!
Today’s topic is going to be one of the most essential, but not always very popular topics in our nail care – cuticle care.
Well, yes, those thin layers of skin by the nail that you have possibly never given any attention to are important in helping you have nice nails.
Let me assure you that proper nourishment of cuticles will go a long way in making a big difference!
But you wouldn’t want to be left with those nails not looking tidy.
Well here’s to understanding why cuticle care is a game changer and how you can incorporate it into your daily regimen.
Why Cuticle Care Matters
But firstly, what is the use of even bothering about these small matters?
Well, cuticles are the skin which protects our nails and it is situated at the base of nails.
This prevents all sorts of infections, bacteria and even a number of dangerous fungi from entering the space between the skin and nails.
You should consider some of them as a support cast of nail health.
If they are dry, cracked or peeling, not only does it give an uninteresting appearance but the door is open for germs to enter.
In this case, we do not want to just clean up our hands but this is about their health as well.
If the cuticles are in good health, so will be the nails. It’s that simple!
Benefits of Regular Cuticle Care
Prevents Infection
Cuticles protect your nails from infections if you practice the right procedures of cuticles care on a regular basis.
Abnormal or unhealthy cuticles leave room for bacteria and fungi to penetrate and result in infections that may be painful and sometimes lethally dangerous.
It is the truth that just little care can spare quite a lot of bother!
Promotes Nail Growth
Nail growth is encouraged through proper cuticle care.
It is therefore important for cuticles to remain healthy in order to give the nail beds the best place to grow and therefore make nails stronger and grow faster.
If you are an individual who prefers having well elongated natural nails, then maintaining those cuticles is very important.
Improves Nail Appearance
In particular, even fresh gloss on nails looks gross when the edges of the nails are surrounded by unkempt cuticles.
Yikes!
This is because taking care of the cuticles will make your nails trimmed, shaped and looking great, polished in every sense of the word!
Banish ragged cuticles as they take away the neat look of a manicure, and give the impression of a professional touch.
Enhances Overall Hand Aesthetics
It seems to me that we pay much attention to nails and commonly disregard the rest of the skin around.
Caring for the cuticles adds to the beauty of your hands as they will be seen to be more youthful and well taken care of.
Who wouldn’t wish for hands that appear they were edited in Photoshop in real life?
How to Take Care of Your Cuticles: A Step-by-Step Guide
With the understanding of why cuticles should be cared for, it is time to get deeper into the process of cuticle care.
I am telling you, ladies, it is not rocket science and it does not require visiting the salon to get salon-like cuticles.
You can do this thing right from the comfort of your home with few materials and little time devoted.
Step 1: Soften Your Cuticles
First wash your hands in warm water and soap for not less than 5- 10 minutes.
This is good in a way because it helps to smoothen the cuticles in order that they may be manipulated easily.
It is also possible to include a few drops of the essential oil of your preference to give the tub a luxurious feel of a spa.
My favorite is lavender because it is so soothing!
Step 2: Gently Push Back Your Cuticles
After washing your hands, rinse them and avoid rubbing your hands harshly with a towel, instead gently tap your hand with a towel.
Next, use a cuticle pusher to push the cuticles lightly.
Just remember you’re not attempting to peel off your epidermis, all you want is to shift the cuticle a little to give more of your nail a view.
When doing this step, it also helps in contributing towards a clean look as well as making the nails look longer.
Step 3: Trim Only If Necessary
This is not mandatory but if a person has a hangnail or if there is too much over growth of the cuticles, then use a cuticle nipper that is clean and sharp to trim the cuticles off.
However avoid over-trimming as this may cause infections and or damage at the base of the nail.
If you trim the cuticle make sure to do it as little as possible.
Step 4: Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
Skin on our nails or fingernails area are not exempt and thus required to be moisturized.
It is recommended that you use a good hand cream or cuticle oil (almond, jojoba, or any nail-enriching oil).
Personally, I recommend the combination of coconut oil and vitamin E oil.
Not only is this step moisturizing the nails, but it is also sealing it so that the cuticles do not become dry and split.
Step 5: Repeat Regularly
Consistency is key!
So, inclusion of cuticle care as an important aspect of your beauty routine is highly recommended.
Generally, it is recommended to take some time for manicures and to pay attention to your cuticles at least once a week.
Cuticle Care Do’s and Don’ts
As with most things that we do on our daily beauty regimen, there are certain things or practices that should be done while there are those that should not be done.
Here are my golden rules for cuticle care:
Do’s:
- Keep your cuticles moisturized. It is essential to avoid the skin from cracking and becoming dry.
- Use a cuticle remover. If you find that your cuticles are quite thick and will not recede to the sides of the nail plate easily then a cuticle remover gel will be very useful in this case.
- When cleaning or washing dishes, do wear gloves as this is an effective way of preventing overly contact with water.
Don’ts:
- You should not trim your cuticles too much.
- Do not scratch or bite your cuticles.
- Do not make the mistake of forgetting to disinfect your tools.
Top Cuticle Care Products
If you’re looking for some product recommendations to up your cuticle care game, here are my favorites that have worked wonders for me:
- Cuticle Oil Pen: Portable, easy to pack and ideal for carrying everywhere. I have one in my bag so that I could just quickly get it out and use it when needed.
- Lush Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter: It also has this rich creamy butter for the skin that is deep in hydration. Plus, it smells divine!
- Glass Cuticle Pusher: But as compared to metal pushers, using a glass one ensures that you do not damage your cuticles in the process.
Conclusion: Make Cuticle Care a Habit
Well there you go, lovely people!
Caring for the cuticles is one of the most effective and basic ways of maintaining the health of nails and their appearance.
It is quite complex though does not demand much time and energy, the returns are tremendously massive.
Your hands will look better than ever and your nails will be stronger and healthier improving the overall appearance of your hands.
Integrate these simple routines into your schedule and it’s just a matter of time before nail care, especially cuticles becomes a normality.
Of course, it is crucial to understand that weak cuticles cause weak nails, so let’s take a closer look at them!
Now that everything is ready and set, let’s get down to it and apply your cuticle oil.
