Maintaining healthy cuticles is essential for achieving beautiful hands and nails. This thin layer of skin protects the nail root and deserves special attention. Here’s everything you need to know about caring for your nail cuticles.
What Are Nail Cuticles?
Cuticles are the very thin layer of skin surrounding the nail, covering the nail matrix. They are present on both fingernails and toenails. The primary role of the cuticle is to protect the nail matrix, which is the base of nail growth.
As a natural barrier, cuticles shield the nail root from external aggressors like bacteria and germs, helping to prevent infections.
If cuticles are damaged or lifted, they can lead to a condition called a paronychia, causing redness, inflammation, pain, and swelling around the nail. Proper care is crucial to keep cuticles healthy and prevent these issues.
How to Care for Healthy Nail Cuticles?
A variety of products can help maintain healthy cuticles, including essential oils, nourishing oils, creams, and emollients.
Essential Oils for Cuticles
Essential oils like Cinnamon and Lemon are highly recommended for nail cuticles. They have repairing, protective, and revitalizing properties. Use them generously with a carrier oil for best results.
At Poderm, our Ridged and Broken Nails Serum contains organic essential oils designed to deeply hydrate, soothe, and repair both the nails and the skin around them.
Nourishing Oils
Sweet Almond Oil and Wheat Germ Oil are excellent choices for nourishing and strengthening cuticles. These oils hydrate effectively, promoting healthy and smooth skin around the nails.
Poderm’s Ridged and Broken Nails Serum is enriched with Sweet Almond and Wheat Germ Oils to fortify cuticles. Apply it directly to your cuticles before bedtime to allow the repair process to work overnight.
Emollients and Cuticle Creams
In addition to hand creams, there are specialized creams for cuticles. Apply a rich cuticle cream daily to deeply nourish and hydrate. The emollient properties soften and rejuvenate cuticles, making them easier to manage.
Tips for Maintaining Healthy Cuticles
For healthy cuticles that effectively perform their protective barrier role for the nails, proper care is essential. It is recommended to nourish them regularly to keep them discreet and in excellent condition.
Avoid pulling or biting your cuticles at all costs. Doing so weakens them, making them fragile and increasing the risk of infections between your nails and skin.
Hydrating your cuticles is one of the best habits to adopt. Apply cuticle oil daily, especially in winter when your hands are prone to dryness.
By following these steps, you'll maintain beautiful hands with fine, well-hydrated cuticles and nails in perfect health.
Should You Push Back Cuticles?
Sometimes, these small pieces of skin encroach upon the nail, creating an unsightly effect. During a manicure, it's common to push back unsightly cuticles to create a more even nail edge.
We strongly recommend not cutting your cuticles, as they serve as a protective barrier against germs. If they are, however, unsightly, you can gently push them back. Here's how to properly push back your cuticles without applying too much pressure, while achieving a neat manicure. First, choose the right tools. Avoid using scissors or cuticle clippers. Instead, use a cuticle pusher, preferably one with a rounded tip made of stainless steel. Disinfect it before each use. Pushing back your cuticles should never be painful or cause any scratches.
Start by soaking your hands in warm water to soften the skin around your nails, making it easier to work with. Dry your hands thoroughly and apply an emollient cuticle treatment. You can then gently push back your cuticles using the cuticle pusher. Be careful not to push them back too much in order to maintain their protective role. Once done, clean the edges of your nails and apply a hydrating cuticle treatment.
Why Are My Cuticles Painful?
When cuticles become dry, small pieces of skin may peel off, causing discomfort and pain. Dry cuticles can result from various external aggressions.
For nail polish enthusiasts, avoid harsh nail polish removers that dry out your cuticles. Opt for a gentle, acetone-free remover. Choosing the right remover is essential for maintaining healthy nails.
At Poderm, we have developed an Extra Gentle Nail Polish Remover that cares for both nails and cuticles. Its acetone-free formula does not dry out the nail or its surrounding area. On the contrary, our remover is enriched with Tea Tree Oil, Silicon, and Biotin to rehydrate both the nail and the cuticle. This care-based formula allows you to remove polish while protecting your cuticles!
Another tip: wear gloves when using household cleaning products, doing dishes, gardening, or performing DIY tasks. This will help protect the delicate area around your nails.
What to Do About Cuticle Inflammation
Inflammation may sometimes appear around the nail, in the cuticle area. It can occur on a finger or on a toe. An overly aggressive manicure or, in some cases, biting the cuticles can cause them to become fragile, damaged, and infected.
It is important to assess the degree of inflammation in the cuticle. Treatment will vary depending on whether the inflammation is mild or more severe, such as with a paronychia. Paronychia is a bacterial infection caused by either staphylococcus or streptococcus. The cuticle becomes red, swollen, and very painful. Pus may also appear. The inflammation can be shallow or deep, with varying intensity. Paronychia must be treated to prevent complications.
Depending on the severity of your paronychia, with or without an abscess, a consultation with your doctor may be necessary.
Poderm’s Nourishing Serum for Cuticle Care!
Poderm’s Ridged and Broken Nails Serum is a natural antioxidant and regenerative treatment for nails and cuticles. It nourishes, repairs, and protects while stimulating nail growth, helping you achieve strong, smooth, and shiny nails faster.
With regular use, this serum ensures your nails and cuticles stay healthy, hydrated, and beautiful.
