I Tested 15 of the Best Cuticle Oils—My Nails Have Never Been So Healthy
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 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 to never 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. 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 15 Best Cuticle Oils We Tested, Listed:
1. Best Overall: CND Solar Oil
2. Best Cuticle Oil for Damaged Nails: Templespa From Strength to Strength Nail
Cuticle Treatment Serum
3. Best Salon-Standard Cuticle Oil: O.P.I Pro Spa Nail
Cuticle Oil
4. Best Travel Cuticle Oil: Chanel L'Huile Camélia Hydrating
Fortifying Oil
5. Best Natural Cuticle Oil: Nailberry Little Treasure Cuticle Oil
6. Best Expert-Approved Cuticle Oil: Dior Huille Abricot Daily Nutritive Serum
7. Best Luxury Cuticle Oil: La Mer The Renewal Oil
8. Best for Damaged Cuticles: Margaret Dabbs Nail
Cuticle Serum
9. Best Affordable Cuticle Oil: Essie Nail Care Apricot Cuticle Oil
10. Best for Dry Nails: The Body Shop Almond Nail And Cuticle Oil
11. Best for Brittle Nails: Nails Inc Superfood Repair Oil
12. Best for Nail Growth: Susanne Kaufmann Nail Oil
13. Best for Nails and Hands: Manucurist Huile Verte
14. Best for Gel Manicures: Mylee Nail
Cuticle Oil Roller Pen
15. Best for Brightening Nails: Beauty Pie Cuticle Therapy
1. Best Overall: 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!
2. Best for Damaged Nails: Templespa From Strength to Strength Nail Cuticle Treatment Serum
Nourishing apricot kernal oil, magnesium and zinc are just some of the nail-nourishing ingredients in this nail treatment, which contains 65 powerhouse minerals to restore nails to full health, whether it be damage from gels or just everyday wear and tear. After rigorous testing I can confirm that you can expect weak, bending and flaking nails to be transformed into long and strong lengths when used regularly.
Pros: It's so hydrating and feels protective on nails and cuticles.
Cons: Doesn't have the best applicator.
3. Best Salon-Standard Cuticle Oil: O.P.I Pro Spa Nail Cuticle Oil
OPI is another 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 dropper applicator makes it easy to apply exactly the amount you need to each nail.
Pros: Expert-approved and really works.
Cons: Not the best for on-the-go application.
4. Best Travel Cuticle Oil: Chanel L'Huile Camélia Hydrating Fortifying Oil
For 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 chic Chanel product to pull out of your bag?
Pros: It's perfect for travelling with and we love the multitasking tip.
Cons: It's on the pricier side.
5. Best Natural Cuticle Oil: 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. Best Expert-Approved Cuticle Oil: Dior Huille Abricot Daily Nutritive Serum
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.
Pros: Celebrity manicurists swear by this and feels so luxurious to use.
Cons: Pricey but worth it.
7. Best Luxury Cuticle Oil: 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 yourself investment.
Pros: It's multipurpose—use it for your face and your cuticles.
Cons: Only worth it if you have the money to splurge.
8. Best for Damaged Cuticles: 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 andBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 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 effiacious.
9. Best Affordable Cuticle Oil: Essie Nail Care Apricot Cuticle Oil
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.
Pros: Well-priced considering the ingredients.
Cons: A brush applicator means its best used at home.
10. Best for Dry Nails: The Body Shop Almond Nail And Cuticle Oil
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.
Pros: So easy to apply and really nourishing.
Cons: Takes a little while to sink in.
11. Best for Brittle Nails: 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 with this.
Cons: Very nourishing, but not the most strengthening formulation.
12. Best for Nail Growth: Susanne Kaufmann Nail Oil
If you just getting into the swing of cuticle oils, a handy rollerball option is a good place to start. This handbag friendly oil is packed with naturally dervived seed oils like mongongo nut, sesame, macadamia as a nourishing boost to dry cuticles. This has fast become on of my daily must haves.
Pros: Love the rollerball applicator.
Cons: Seasoned cuticle oil users might want something more advanced.
13. Best for Nails and Hands: Manucurist Huile Verte
This is Wholesale Replica Bag 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.
Pros: Beautiful packaging and high-quality ingredients.
Cons: The pipette sometimes dispenses more than you need.
14. Best for Gel Manicures: Mylee Nail Cuticle Oil Roller Pen
Using a UV lamp to set your gel nails at home is one way to get salon-level results at a more affordable price point but with repeated exposure can often leave your nails and cuticles brittle and dry. Luckily along with a multitude of gel colours, Mylee has got a conditioning cuticle oil to stave off any signs of damage.
Pros: Deeply hydrating and conditioning.
Cons: Best suited if you get gel manicures regularly.
15. Best for Brightening Nails: Beauty Pie Cuticle Therapy
Beauty editor andBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing contributor Mica Ricketts has recently been testing this Beauty Pie cuticle oil in an attempt to deliver some TLC to her forgotten cuticles—and she's been seriously impressed already. "The skin around my nails and the cuticles themselves look distinctly sub-par most of the time—mainly because I have the horrible habit of picking at them when I feel anxious. Infused with olive, sweet almond and bakuchiol oils, this cuticle oil from Beauty Pie has totally transformed the skin around my nails in mere weeks and has left the nails themselves looking smoother and brighter. Who needs a manicure at all when bare nails can look this good?"
Pros: Gives bright, healthy nails within weeks.
Cons: You need to be a Beauty Pie member to get it for the £8 price.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman Home and junior beauty editor at beauty website Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections with written and styling work.Working as a beauty journalist since 2015 after graduating in fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion, she has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.Eleanor’s journalistic focus is to provide readers with honest and helpful beauty content. Through words, video and live broadcast, she has interviewed several celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and top dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson. She has a particular interest in finding solutions for acne and eczema, which she has experienced firsthand. She has also amassed a large collection of fragrances and can never say no to a new candle.When she’s not writing or testing Wholesale Replica Bag beauty product or treatments, she’s on the seafront in her hometown of Brighton and Hove, where she lives with her partner and her miniature dachshund.
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