Should you trim your cuticles? Here’s what nail experts recommend
Plus, other things you should know to keep your nail bed looking and feeling healthy.
I’ve been using this cuticle cream for a few years to hydrate the skin around my nail bed. I like the scent and the fact that it doesn’t make my skin greasy. The formula has shea and cocoa butter, rice bran and jojoba oils. The tube also has a pointed tip, which makes it easy to dab a little on each finger before rubbing it in.
If you’ve gotten a manicure at a salon, chances are you’ve seen this cuticle oil. It is made with almond oil, which Sugiyama says is one of the better oils for long-term cuticle hydration. It also contains jojoba, vitamin E and rice bran oils for added moisture. I’ve used this before and appreciate that it absorbs quickly.
Though the experts I spoke with do not recommend cutting your cuticles, they did say having a trimmer on hand to gently snip away hangnails is a good idea. This option has a rubber handle that is easy to grasp, even if your hands are wet. The slanted edge is very sharp to easily trim away hang nails without leaving a jagged edge, according to the brand. It also comes with a plastic cover to protect the tip when you’re not using it.
Though this serum is not made just for cuticles, it can help keep them moisturized. “It strengthens brittle nails, smooth ridges, and hydrates the cuticle area,” says Reszko. “It is lightweight and fragrance-free and it supports healthy nail growth and improves resilience, especially for those prone to dryness.” Also nice: The serum has a brush attached to it, making it easy to apply.
How to take care of your cuticles at home
The good news: taking care of your cuticles at home can be easy if you follow these expert tips:
- Push them back: The best way to handle your cuticles is by pushing them back gently with a cuticle pusher. “This can stop and prevent cuticles from growing on top of your nail bed,” says Sugiyama. “The best time to do this is right after a shower since the skin is soft and easier to manipulate.”
- Keep them hydrated: After pushing your cuticles back, apply a hydrating cream or oil. This prevents hangnails or cracking and makes your nail beds look better, says Torres. As for how often you should hydrate, it really depends on your skin type. Most people can get away with applying moisturizer once a week, but if you have drier skin, you may need to do it more frequently.
- Clean up hangnails: The only reason to cut your cuticles is if you end up with a hangnail or peeling skin. In that case, use a cuticle clipper to carefully cut off the excess dead skin, says Torres. If you nick yourself, stop the bleeding with a cotton ball. Then, you can apply Vaseline to create a barrier as it heals, says Sugiyama.
Frequently asked questions
While most people know generally where their cuticles are, many people get the precise location wrong. The cuticle is often mistakenly thought to be the loose skin that sometimes hangs out around the nail bed. But, according to Akiko Sugiyama, owner of Akiko Nails in New York City, the cuticle is actually “the dead, colorless tissue attached to the natural nail plate.” What many think of as the cuticle is really the eponychium, which is the living skin at the base of the natural nail plate that is there to protect the area between the nail and epidermis from exposure to bacteria, says Sugiyama.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Michelle Henry is a board-certified dermatologist at Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan
- Dr. Anetta Reszko is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
- Akiko Sugiyama is the owner of Akiko Nails in New York City
- Viviana Torres is a nail technician based in Georgia.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a contributing editor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. Some of my previous skin care reporting covers microneedling at home, back acne and wrinkle patches.
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