How to fix dry cuticles

Dry cuticles can take your nails from nice to nasty in a matter of days. When your cuticles are dry the nail area hardens and splits, forming unsightly and often painful hangnails.
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So what causes dry cuticles? According to Tracey Winder, National Trainer for Mavala, dry cuticles can form for a few reasons. “Seasonal changes, moisture-sapping activity like frequent water use and a failure to take care to treat the area,” can all cause your cuticles to dry, says Tracey.
We asked Tracey to share her cuticle maintenance programme to minimise the condition and fix dry cuticles for good.
Condition the cuticles
Apply a specific hand mask to exfoliate and soften cuticles, whilst taking away excess dry debris.
Apply a specific treatment product for cuticles
A nutritive cream and oil with rich ingredients like sunflower oil, sweet almond oil and olive oil to keeps cuticles supple and well hydrated. It’s best to massage cuticles with a firm rotating motion towards the heart, allowing the product to penetrate.
Intensive overnight treatment
Your cuticles will thank you for an intensive overnight rescue treatment, with hands soaked in a rich cream whilst wearing gloves.
On-the-go hydration
Keep a portable product in your handbag that can assist with daily dry conditions and serve as on on-the-go spot treatment.
bh loves: Mavala Switzerland Cuticle Oil Mavapen, The Body Shop Almond Nail & Cuticle Oil, Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail & Cuticle Oil
Do you have dry cuticles? What’s your favourite cuticle oil?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
84 Member Comments
I am currently using a richer hand cream, and this can make all the difference too Sadly the ones with sunscreen in them for day use, are not very moisturising at all, and contribute to very dry hands and cuticles
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Burt’s Bees lemon cuticle cream works really well for me. The little tin lasts for ages.
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I just use a hand cream
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I use hand cream religiously but I don't bother with a cuticle cream. I probably should though!
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Does anyone know anything that is an at home remedy for cuticles?
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I have pretty bad cuticles but i definitely don't look after them enough,
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My cuticles really suffer in winter - I really need to be looking after them specifically more and not just using hand cream.
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My cuticles are not dry but I don't really take care of them except apply hand cream
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Good tips, thanks for sharing.
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Having natural dry skin my nails always need attention, thanks for all the good tips.
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Oh yes I need something much richer than the one I am currently using
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Thanks for this article Beautyheaven. I now feel educated on my cuticle problem that comes and goes. I use a hand cream every night just as I am going to bed.
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I religiously apply a rich body cream (not butter though) and a lighter lotion which seals the cream to my hands and work it into my nails and cuticles - every night b4 bed. My hands, nails and cuticles are looking much more loved
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Easy peasy, cut off the dead cuticles, keep conditioned with a cuticle oil and use a nice handcream :)
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My sister gave me one for a prezzy but I can't remember the name atm - it was like a blue oil and it was natural from a healthcare shop. But I love also the Orly cuticle oil. 'Mazing!
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I dab a little of my daily body butter onto my cuticles to help keep them hydrated.
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This article is so relevant to me at the moment, for some reason my cuticles are shocking raggedy torn and at times bleeding. and painful. I have been using roseship oil and they have improved a little. I have been incredibly stressed and when I spiral down I do neglect myself.
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Have been having terrible trouble with my nails they go brittle and I agree I definitely need to get some cuticle oil or cream to treat them.
Has anyone tried the new Thin Lizzy Pink Armour Nail Polish it is supposed to be a conditioner and bonds to protect your nails without giving you split nails or brittle nails, only have seen it on TV ads hope that Priceline gets it in soon. Because I would like to try it out myself.
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I've got a tin of Burt's Bees lemon cuticle cream that I've had for ages. I don't get dry cuticles very often.
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I was just going to say the same thing misfortune8. Burts bees is awesome.
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I haven't used that in years but I remember my cuticles looking great when I used it. I really need to invest in another little pot.
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Yeah, it's good stuff, eh? & it seems to last for ages!
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Yes, thanks for the read and products sound nice.
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Have noticed since using regularly body butters and smudging the excess at the end into my hands and fingers...my nails and cuticles are nice and healthy. Shiny too. Need to pop one hand cream in my bag too
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