101 of cuticle care—everything you need to prep your nails for the cold

There’s been much talk about nail care—proper trimming, cleaning, shaping, and more. But we often forget to discuss something just as important as our nails—the cuticles supporting them. Sure, they are easily forgettable, and often we think them unnecessary for the general wellbeing of our hands, but you’ll be surprised to know that without healthy cuticles it is impossible to have well-nourished nails, and even stable fingers!

First things first though, what are cuticles exactly? The cuticle is the transparent skin located above and around the nail base. It’s easy to confuse the cuticle with the eponychium, which is the band of living skin at the bottom of your nails, but cuticles are, in fact, the very thin layers of dead skin that stick to your nail plate, just above the nail fold.

They act as a protective seal against bacteria that may wreak havoc in the nail matrix, where the new nail plate begins to form. Cuticles also help regulate moisture flow in and out of your nails. Of course, well-maintained cuticles also account for better and long-lasting manicures! Are we still wondering if it’s imperative that we keep our cuticles healthy?

It can get hard, however, to take care of your cuticles in the daily bustle of life, and so Bazaar India brings you an easy-to-do, no-hassle, and time-effective list of steps you can follow in order to keep your cuticles healthy.

Keep them hydrated!

Much like everything else in the body, keeping your cuticles hydrated is essential. There are so many options to choose from: cuticle oil, cuticle cream, or even a moisturising lotion. Apply using a cotton swab or clean hands, and gently massage the area.

Push them back, once in a while

The safest way to care for your cuticles is to push them back. All you need is a cuticle pusher, commonly available in a variety of styles and materials, the most traditional being metal and orangewood. Apply a little lubricant, and then gently perform back-and-forth motions over and around the cuticle, and in the little space in between the cuticle and the nail to remove dead skin, moving the cuticles back. This will allow for a neater look!

Trim, trim!

Sometimes, jagged cuticles can get in the way of amazing manicures, and so to avoid this, manicurists may cut your cuticles with a trimmer. They can help remove excess dead skin and any hangnails present.

Now, it’s important to understand that this method may not sit well with some nails, especially if you’ve dealt with nail bed infections before. It’s extremely important that this is done carefully, and under an expert eye if needed. However, when done properly, trimming can be safe, and it's a great way to deal with the rough-and-tough cuticles that we all get from time to time.

Give them a break

If you’ve tried everything above and still fail to achieve the cuticles you want, the best option is to let them be. Try reducing the number of manicures you get done, because after all, there are often a lot of harsh chemicals and dehydration involved in the process of gels and acrylics. Also, try using an acetone-free nail polish solution. Lastly, stop picking on your nails (if you do), because that causes damage to your cuticles and the surrounding skin.

Here are some of our favourite products for cuticle care: 

L'Occitane Shea Butter Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Oil

₹1,600

Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream

₹1,595

Sephora Nourishing Cuticle Care

₹900

The Body Shop Almond Nail & Cuticle Manicure Oil

₹895