Genetics may have given me long, natural nails, but treating them daily to a drop or two of my favorite cuticle oils have been what's kept them ready for manicures. Last summer, a cross-country move led to some major nail breakage (which started happening around the same time I packed up all my nail care essentials... including my cuticle oils). When I finally broke my favorite products out of their moving boxes, I resumed my nightly routine of applying cuticle oils before bed. Within weeks, my nail growth doubled and my cuticles felt soft and smooth.
Yes, taking long breaks between gel manicure appointments and treating your hands to luxe creams and paraffin wax treatments come with endless benefits for both your nails and cuticles, but investing in a good cuticle oil can be the reason you achieve the manicure of your dreams. Interested in learning more about cuticle oils? Scroll on to hear from two nail specialists about what makes these underrated products the best thing you can do for the health of your cuticles and nails.
What Is Cuticle Oil, And Where Does It belong In My Nail Care Routine?
While there's a good chance you've seen cuticle oil lining the walls of your favorite beauty suppliers and drugstores, knowing how and why the must-have step in any nail care routine exists. According to DND Gel nail artist Lauren Ortega, cuticle oil is exactly what you'd expect it to be. "It's an oil or combination of oils that aim to moisturize and nourish the cuticles," she explains. Orly Global Educator Julie Ventura agrees, further cementing its golden role in your manicure lineup. "Cuticle oil (or nail oil) is designed not only to prevent hangnails and dry skin surrounding the nail, but it actually extends the wear of your manicure by keeping your polish or gel as flexible as your nail plate, so it bends with your nail (not against it)—leading to less chipping," Ventura adds.
What Should I Look For in Cuticle Oil?
As you may have already guessed, there are a number of ingredients used in some of the best formulas on the market that will support the health of your cuticles and nails. By far one of the most popular natural oils you'll see in these products is argan oil, which is rich in antioxidants, vitmain E, and fatty aids that can keep your cuticles hydrated and moisturizes (i.e. they'll be no painful cracking or dryness). Additionally gentle vegetable oils like those derived from apricot kernels are powered by bioactive compounds that are hydrating, nourishing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory. Aloe vera, another botanical oil, is another ingredient frequently found in cuticle oils that not only encourages healthy nail and cuticle growth, but also has antioxidant benefits that help prevent dry, brittle cuticles.
When Should Cuticle Oil Be Used?
Alright, so we've got the basics down... but how and when should it actually be used? When her clients ask this question, Ortega advises reaching for it once or twice a day, focusing product application under their nails to prevent them from separating (which is especially crucial during the winter months). Being mindful about when cuticle oils are applied in your routine can also make a difference in the finished result. "It should be applied after hand washing or showering to lock in all that hydration at least two times per day," Ventura tells us. It's also worth noting that cuticle oil can also be used on bare nails, with manicures, and in-between manicures daily.
Keep scrolling to discover which cuticle oils should be in your nail care routine based on expert picks, beauty editor favorites, and glowing customer reviews.
The Best Cuticle Oils, Listed
- Best for Fortifying Nail Beds: DND Pineapple Cuticle Oil
- Best for Delivering Instant Moisture: CND SolarOil Nail Cuticle Care
- Best for Combating Environmental Stressors: Londontown Kur Nourishing Cuticle Oil
- Best for Softening Cuticles: Orly Argan Cuticle Drops
- Best for Bestowing Glow: Tenoverten The Celery Oil
Best for Preventing Breakage: Sally Hansen Vitamin E Cuticle Oil
This budget-friendly cuticle oil by Sally Hansen provides deep moisture to nail beds and cuticles using a nourishing blend of vitamin E, apricot kernel oil, aloe vera. The perfect base for bare nails or flawless manicures, it keeps hands looking nails salon-fresh with a simple step.
Key Ingredients: Apricot kernel oil, vitamin E, aloe vera
Product Details: 0.45-ounce bottle
Pros: Conditions and softens cuticles while preventing nail breakage
Cons: Does not absorb instantly into the cuticles
Best for Fortifying Nail Beds: DND Pineapple Cuticle Oil
Boasting essential nutrients to keep your nails and cuticles nourished and hydrated, this is Ortega's top pick for a cuticle oil that's sure to level up any nail care routine. "It smells great and moisturizes well," says Ortega. "I also love using a little jojoba oil when I’m running low on my favorite."
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, argan oil, oat oil, avocado oil, chamomile oil, sunflower seed oil, mineral oil
Product Details: 0.60-ounce bottle with a fan brush
Pros: Fortifies, nourishes, and protects nails and cuticles with a vitamin-packed formula
Cons: None
Best for a Multi-Step Cuticle Care Routine: Gaoy Cuticle Care Kit
If your cuticles need extra help in the moisture department, investing in a nail care system like this one by Gaoy can keep them healthy. Using mild formulas powered by non-irritating ingredients, the cuticle oil can promote natural nail growth while the cuticle remover repairs and softens cuticles.
Key Ingredients: Sunflower oil, safflower oil, apricot kernel oil, vitamin E
Product Details: two 0.10-ounce bottles with fan brushes
Pros: Softens and repairs damaged nails with ingredients that are non-irritating to skin
Cons: The cuticle oil can't be bought separately through major retailers
Best for Sealing In Moisture: Mineral Fusion Cuticle Oil Treatment
Mineral Fusion's naturally derived cuticle oil formula speeds up the drying time of freshly applied nail polish while keeping it protecting for chipping. Applying one small drop to the center of freshly cleaned nails delivers the nourishing benefits of sweet almond and lemon oils.
Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, lemon oil
Product Details: 0.33-ounce bottle with fan brush
Pros: Nourishes and soothes nails and cuticles with a 99% naturally derived formula
Cons: None
Best for Manicure Preparation: Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil
If you ask any beauty editor, there's a good chance they'll tell you that this is one of the first cuticle oils they tried when they began to focus on nail care. The Apricot Cuticle Oil supports nails and cuticles with a quick-absorbing and moisturizing blend of apricot kernel and jojoba oils.
Key Ingredients: Apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil
Product Details: 0.46-ounce bottle with a fan brush
Pros: Absorbs quickly to condition and protect cuticles from dryness
Cons: Frequent reapplication during the day needed for long-lasting hydration
Best for Delivering Instant Moisture: CND SolarOil Nail Cuticle Care
Looking for a cuticle oil you can trust to instantly deliver intense moisture? This one is designed to soften cuticles and support nail growth by blending naturally light oils and vitamin E together. Try applying this daily to the top and underside of nails, then gently massaging into skin for the best results.
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, vitamin E, sweet almond oil, rice bran oil
Product Details: 0.25-ounce bottle with fan brush (offered in additional sizes)
Pros: Designed to deeply penetrate and condition skin and nails
Cons: None
Best for Repairing Damaged Nails: Duri French Herbs Cuticle Oil
Designed to maintain and repair cuticles, theFrench Herbs Cuticle Oil is enriched with a revitalizing blend of natural oils, extracts, and vitamins that will leave your cuticles (and nails) healthy. Apply a few drops of it directly to your cuticles using the flat fan applicator brush for a flawless finish..
Key Ingredients: Natural extracts, oils, vitamins
Product Details: 0.50-ounce bottle with a fan brush
Pros: Deeply moisturizes the nail plate to stimulate growth
Cons: The first application left my cuticles needing more (going over them again helped)
Best for Promoting Healthy Nail Growth: Ella + Mila Oil Me Up Lavender Cuticle Oil
Weak, thin, and splitting nails don't have a chance against this cuticle oil. It has a formula filled with ingredients to support the nails and cuticles (with safflower seed oil at its heart), to promote healthy nail growth. This one also helps restore flexibility their flexibility.
Key Ingredients: Safflower seed oil, vitamin E
Product Details: 0.45-ounce bottle with a fan brush
Pros: Formula uses vitamin E to promote healthier nail growth
Cons: None
Best for Replenishing Hydration: OPI ProSpa Nail Cuticle Oil
Designed to nourish and protect the skin, OPI's bestselling nail and cuticle oil is a must for instantly replenishing hydration levels. Crafted with a blend of vitamin E again a combination of moisturizing and softening oils, here is cuticle oil that should always be part of your post-manicure care.
Key Ingredients: Kukui oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, vitamin E
Product Details: 0.50-ounce bottle with a fan brush
Pros: Replenishes moisture in the nails and cuticles with a fast-absorbing formula
Cons: None
Best for Restoring a Healthy Appearance: Sally Hansen Cuticle Rehab
Treat your damaged, dry cuticles to this fast-absorbing cuticle oil. By fusing the benefits of jasmine and rose extracts with vitamin E, it soothes and calms cuticles while delivering a wave of hydration to combat dryness. It's also easy-to-use on the go since it delivers mess-free, precise application.
Key Ingredients: Jasmine extracts, rose extracts, vitamin E
Product Details: Applicator is easy to use and apply straight to the cuticles and nails
Pros: Fast-absorbing formula delivers instantly healthier-looking, smooth cuticles
Cons: Not ideal for those sensitive for fragrance (has a fresh floral scent)
Best for Softening Cuticles: Orly Argan Cuticle Drops
This one uses argan oil to keep the skin around your nails moisturized and hang-nail free, while jojoba oil locks in hydration by penetrating top layers of the nail plate. "I always recommend an oil that can penetrate the surface layers of your lacquer and nails like ORLY’s Argan Oil Cuticle Drops," says Ventura.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E
Product Details: Hydrates and softens cuticles with a vitamin-rich formula
Pros: Nourishes and conditions cuticles while promoting healthy nail growth
Cons: None
Best for Protection from Daily Stress: Manucurist Nourishing Cuticle Oil
Combining six botanical oils ranging from vitamin-rich almond to baobab seed, Manucurist's Green Care Nail Cuticle Oil provides deep hydration, nourishment, and protection for your daily stressors. It also has a delicate orange blossom scent that lingers behind.
Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, kukui nut oil, baobab seed oil, walnut oil, passion fruit oil, coconut oil
Product Details: 0.50-ounce bottle with dropper
Pros: Regenerates and nourishes nails for healthy growth with a non-stick, oil finish
Cons: None
Best for Purifying Cuticles: Gelcare Cuticle Oil
Did you know some cuticle oils can purify your nails and cuticles? Gelcare's Cuticle Oil, for example, uses a formula filled with ingredients to support the health of your nail and cuticles, but the presence of rosemary and tea tree oils in this one makes it perfect for gentle purification.
Key Ingredients: Geranium extract, peony extract, rosemary oil, and tea tree oil
Product Details: 0.51-ounce bottle with dropper
Pros: Dropper provides easy, mess-free application of cuticle oil formula
Cons: None
Best for Combating Environmental Stressors: Londontown Kur Nourishing Cuticle Oil
Londontown's lightweight Florium-infused formula is not only one of the most aesthetic cuticle oils we've come across, but it also happens to be a must-have for softer, healthier-looking cuticles. Applying a small amount daily over bare nails or polish promotes deep moisture.
Key Ingredients: Jojoba sweet almond, rice bran oils, rapeseed flower oil, cucumber extract, garlic extract, evening primrose oil, chamomile extract, vitamin E
Product Details: Relieves dry cuticles by sealing in moisture and promoting healthy regrowth
Pros: Restores nails from daily damage, acrylics, and UV gels
Cons: Not ideal for those sensitive for fragrance (has a herbaceous scent)
Best for On-The-Go Application: L'Occitane Shea Nail Cuticle Oil
Shea oil can support the health of your skin, so why would you skip adding it to your cuticles and nails? One of the best shea-infused cuticle oils on the market is this one deeply conditions them with a fast-absorbing formula for a healthier appearance.
Key Ingredients: Shea oil, apricot oil, sweet almond oil
Product Details: 0.25-ounce tube with brush
Pros: Has a quick-absorbing formula designed to intensely condition cuticles
Cons: Not ideal for those sensitive to fragrance (has a shea scent)
Best for Use Between Acrylic and Gel Nails: Nailberry Little Treasure Nourishing Cuticle Oil
As obsessed as we are with Nailberry's oxygenated nail polish, we're also huge fans of this underrated cuticle oil. Enriched with concentrated sweet almond oil and a moisture-boosting multivitamin complex, it protects and repairs cuticles while soothing them.
Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin E, castor seed oil
Product Details: 0.40-ounce bottle with dropper
Pros: Helps reduce peeling, dryness, and cracking with a moisture-restoring vitamin complex
Cons: Does not absorb instantly into the cuticles
Best for Bestowing Glow: Tenoverten The Celery Oil
What better way to repair your nails and cuticles than with a multi use nail oil that boosts nail strength, stimulates growth, and softens cuticles? The hero ingredient in this one is celery seed extract, which is antioxidant-rich and works wonders for smoothing and strengthening nails.
Key Ingredients: Celery seed extracts, meadowfoam seed oil, midnight primrose oil, chia seed oil, rosehip oil, vitamin B3, zinc
Product Details: 0.20-ounce tube with roller applicator
Pros: Boosts nail strength and stimulates cell regrowth for healthier nails and cuticles
Cons: None
Best for Smoothing Cuticles: French Girl Nail Cuticle Oil
Another roll-on cuticle oil worth getting your hands on is the Nail Cuticle Oil by French Girl. Essential for healthy nails and cuticles, it uses essential oils and extracts to smooth and sooth ragged cuticles while also promoting nail growth.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, pomegranate oil, rosemary essential oil, geranium essential oil, hemp oil, tamanu oil
Product Details: 0.30 ounce roller bottle
Pros: Nourishes nails with fatty acids and cold-pressed oils (with anti-bacterial qualities)
Cons: Offered at a moderate price point
Why TrustBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing
AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
-
Charli XCX's Nail Artist Says These 7 Drugstore Items Are the Key to Achieving a Salon-Worthy ManicureA celebrity manicurist's shopping guide.
-
I Just Got a Manicure, But I’m Already Booking Another Appointment for Jennie’s C-French TipsA must-see.
-
Moody, Syrupy, and Expensive-Looking—Rum Raisin Nails Are About to Be Everywhere This FallManicurists cosign the trend.
-
15 Dark Academia Inspired Manicures That Evoke Dusty Leather Books, Secret Societies, and Layers of PlaidWe're hitting the books.
-
“So Pretty—Like Candlelight”: Celebrity Manicurists Can’t Get Enough of Toasted Nails This FallForget everything you've heard about autumn mani trends.
-
My Latest Obsession? This Offseason Nail Shade That Works With My Entire WardrobeA subtle way to play with color.
-
It's Confirmed: This Season's Trendiest Manicures Are Finally Putting These 6 Nail Looks to RestI bet you'll be surprised.
-
You Heard It Here First: These 5 NYFW Nail Trends Will Influence Your Manis for the Next YearConfirmed by the industry's top artists.
