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    How-to: care for your cuticles

    Updated:22 Dec 2016 10:47 AM | Posted by
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    What are those bits of skin for anyway?

    Cuticles - you’ve heard of them, you have them, but chances are you rarely think of them. Cuticles (where the nail meets the skin) are integral to keeping your nails healthy – they provide a protective cover for the tissue that grows new cells that build the nails.  Taking proper care of your cuticles will not only result in stronger, healthier nails but can also prevent infections, which usually begin at the cuticle. There are ways to treat your cuticles without taking a trip to the salon. Take a look at our list below for ways to make them softer and more nourished.

    To cut or not to cut?

    If you’ve ever been to a nail salon, it’s more than likely you have winced at a bleeding cuticle. If you’re worried about this, play it safe and avoid cutting or having your cuticles cut.  If you have a hangnail, avoid the temptation of pulling or biting it off and instead very carefully trim it.  There’s no real need to cut them and by staying away from the scissors you avoid breaking the cuticle seal and contracting an infection – as well as needing to get them trimmed again.

    How to push them back

    After filing your nails, place your fingers in a small bowl filled with soapy water, this will soften the cuticle and loosen any dirt under your nails. Pat your hands dry and carefully push cuticles back with an orange stick without adding too much pressure.  To smooth down overgrown cuticles you can use a nail buffer or clean nail file to gently buff around the nail bed. Product pick: Manicare Cuticle Sticks

    Massage and Moisturise

    Cuticles are essentially composed of skin – they crack, peel and flake just like the rest of your skin so it’s important to keep them moisturised. For dry cuticles try a cuticle cream such as Burt’s Bee’s Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, which not only leaves your cuticles soft and healthy but also provides intensive care for brittle nails and chapped, cracked fingertips. If your cuticles are detached, cracked or damaged, opt for a cuticle oil such as Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail and Cuticle Oil.

    Do you care for your cuticles? Have you cut your cuticles in the past?

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    Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

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    Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail and Cuticle Oil
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    Manicare Cuticle Sticks
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    Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme
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    79 Member Comments

    Sweety7 28 Jun 2019 1:15 PM

    I am really not good at looking after my nails. I just trim & file. I need to give some TLC

    hthorpe 21 Jun 2018 11:05 AM

    Cuticles are one area of y body that I really never thought to look after.

    Shop A Everyday 2 Feb 2018 9:11 PM

    Cuticles are best given a little attention daily, some oil at night is great, and gently push them back twice a week after a warm shower

    Arty Girl 22 Aug 2017 2:38 PM

    I've trimmed my cuticles, not removed them completely with Revlon's Cuticle Trimmer but it does make them tough later down the track. I find using a cuticle oil or cuticle cream regularly is necessary to keep them in good condition after that.

    Shop A Everyday 23 Apr 2016 2:10 PM

    It is best to push them back regularly, if I leave ia week, they look terrible

    annieleex 4 Apr 2016 9:34 AM

    Great article

    samlee05 16 Mar 2016 8:15 PM

    Cuticles do get ignored more often than they should. It is so important in the health of the nail and nothing worse than a nice mani and neglected cuticles.

    samlee05 16 Mar 2016 8:15 PM

    Cuticles do get ignored more often than they should. It is so important in the health of the nail and nothing worse than a nice mani and neglected cuticles.

    ren812 7 Dec 2015 6:11 PM

    Have been using Burts Bees lemon butter cuticle cream. It comes in a cute little round tin and smells so good!

    TheUglyDuckling 25 Nov 2015 10:07 AM

    I find it's easier to start this process just before having a shower. That way your cuticles are already softened a bit from the water. Then put your cuticle oil on, wait a little bit and then push them back!

    Jasmin 925 22 Aug 2015 3:12 AM

    I don't cut my cuticle i just put olive oil on my hand every night to moisturize and prevent my cuticle to be dry.

    happygalbeauty 16 Aug 2015 4:30 PM

    Interesting article as I definitely don't pay enough attention to my cuticles but it's never too late to start

    Gail157 28 Jul 2015 1:14 PM

    I have had very dry damaged cuticles for many years. I have used just about every cream and every oil available, but still no success - and Yes, I do follow instructions!

    I am quite intrigued by a couple of bits above - how to you "trim" a hangnail but "there is no real need to cut them". How do you trim without cutting??

    Chantellelio25 6 May 2015 7:20 AM

    Cuticle cremes are the best, leave them looking so nice and clean

    Hayley644 28 Mar 2015 11:40 PM

    I use a cuticle remover and cuticle stick and also use a cuticle oil.

    TheUglyDuckling 26 Dec 2014 11:10 PM

    I'm very guilty of picking at the skin on the sides of my nails and sometimes my cuticles. I probably don't do cuticle care enough to be honest with you! It's my bad hand habit!

    Alice smile 9 Dec 2014 5:52 PM

    I probably do need to take better care of my cuticles.

    Goldcat 8 Dec 2014 5:56 AM

    I like this article, helpful hints.

    Zeynep1 21 Nov 2014 1:31 AM

    I should definitely take more care of my cuticles and nails! Might need to try one of these

    bmill229 5 Oct 2014 12:43 PM

    Great article.

    Growing old 9 Sep 2014 2:01 AM

    I really need all the advice I can get. Planned to do my nails today for the first time in a year and I used my Bert's bees cuticle cream last night and am about to massage some more in now before I start the rest of the process. Dry cuticles look aweful

    Jazmyn 20 Oct 2013 4:38 AM

    I always try (unsuccessfully) to push back my cuticles before painting my nails. Glad to know how o do it properly now because I really does look heaps better :)

    Ssajwani 16 Oct 2013 1:10 PM

    i have never felt the need to cut or push back my cuticles

    Macca73 8 Mar 2013 12:47 AM

    Definitely have to give Burt's Bees cuticle cream a go, especially after reading all the positive comments. My cuticles have been neglected for far too long.

    FeatheredBeauty 15 Feb 2013 7:35 AM

    I moisturise them with Lemony Flutter every night but should do it during the day too.

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