If winter’s biting cold is already wreaking havoc (read: extreme dryness) on your hands, adding the best cuticle oils to your hand-care routine can provide the skin-softening and strengthening support your nails need to look and feel their best. Dry air, combined with nonstop handwashing, takes its toll, ravaging cuticles and leaving them split and peeling—a scenario that’s not cutesy, not demure, and definitely not comfortable either.
Luckily, we found the antidote for our dry cuticle woes—6 of them, in fact. These solutions will help you get your cuticles back in working order—and they may even compel you to dazzle your nails with a new look. Either way, hangnails and dry fingertips will be a thing of the past with these hyper-hydrating cuticle treatments.
Our Top Cuticle Oils
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: CND Solar Oil
Why it’s worth it: CND’s Solar Oil is a nail salon (and nail artist) staple for good reason: Over time and with regular use, the jojoba oil and vitamin E help restore and heal dry, cracked skin on and around your fingers and nails.“It also has almond and avocado oils that absorb deeply and keep the cuticles feeling soft for hours,” says San Diego-based nail artist Valeriia Telemaniuk. It’s also spiked with rice bran oil, which is rich in skin-smoothing antioxidants. “Natural oils like these penetrate much deeper than vitamin-only formulas, which is why they work so well for winter dryness or for my nurses and doctors who are constantly sanitizing their hands,” Telemaniuk adds.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“When I notice my cuticles looking ragged, manicure or no manicure, I reach for this stuff, which helps soften my skin and minimize peeling (and, bonus, has a nice light scent). I swear my nails have been stronger and less stained since I’ve been using it, too. It dries almost instantly and doesn’t leave my fingers feeling greasy—a rare find for cuticle oil!” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Key ingredients: jojoba oil, vitamin E, rice bran oil, sweet almond oil
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Splurge: Chanel L’Huile Camélia Oil
Why it’s worth it: Stave off dryness on your cuticles and nail beds with the Allure editor- and Telemaniuk-favorite (and therefore definitely splurge-worthy!) Chanel L’Huile Camélia Oil. This leak-free oil pen slathers your cuticles in a thick yet fast-absorbing veil of camelia oil, which is abundant in moisturizing ceramides. Fun fact: The dispenser tip also works as a cuticle pusher. This oil turns dry, ragged fingers into healthy-looking, silky ones in a single luxe ritual.
“I’m obsessed with the Chanel cuticle oil to the point where I find myself applying it after every hand wash. It feels so luxurious and keeps my nails looking salon-fresh. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly, leaving my cuticles soft and hydrated without any greasy residue, and the subtle, elegant scent is such a treat.” —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor
“I love that this cuticle oil is a little more viscous than most; the thicker formula stays where I’ve applied it rather than running down my fingers. It instantly makes my cuticles and nails look more moisturized, plus, it has a light floral scent that’s simply divine.” —Kara McGrath, former content director
- Key ingredients: camellia oil
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Affordable: Cuccio Revitalizing Cuticle Oil
Why it’s worth it: Cuccio’s Revitalizing Cuticle Oil is the definition of a bang-for-your-buck beauty find. The 2.5 fl. oz bottle will go a long way, and the results linger just as long. Powered by cold-pressed safflower and sunflower oils, plus vitamin E, this silky—but never greasy—treatment delivers deep, fast-absorbing hydration that brings brittle, cracked cuticles back to life—while helping nails grow stronger and healthier over time. There are a ton of varieties and scents, but our favorite goes to Milk and Honey, which offers additional softening and moisture-locking benefits.
“Take it from someone with constant hangnails—this stuff is amazing. You get a huge bottle of oil for the price, and it takes care of dry, flaky skin while you sleep. After I started keeping this on my nightstand, I noticed a major difference in how my cuticles and nails looked and felt. And, if you’re worried about stickiness or staining, don’t be. The oil feels super-lightweight and sinks in in just a few minutes (and hasn’t left any marks on my bedding). It’s the perfect last step of any at-home manicure.”—Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
- Key ingredients: cold-pressed safflower oil, sunflower oil, vitamin E, milk, and honey
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Cuticle Serum: Olive & June Cuticle Serum
Why it’s worth it: Easily one of the most mess-free ways to keep your cuticles from getting ragged, Olive & June’s Cuticle Serum was a shoo-in for an Allure Best of Beauty Award back in 2019. Six years after its big win, you can still find our editors swiping this perfectly portable treatment on their fingers. The soft foam tip lets you fully control the application of the moisturizing yet fast-drying formula, which is packed with avocado and jojoba oils. Not a fan of oils? This has a milky, serum-like texture that sinks in quickly.
“I’m a manicure DIYer, and I love that the sponge-y applicator allows me to control how much oil I apply—it makes me feel like a pro. My cuticles are constantly peeling, and this is the only thing that smoothes and soothes my nailbeds.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Key ingredients: avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, glycerin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Cuticle Oil: Tenoverten The Rose Oil
Why it’s worth it: Tenoverten’s The Rose Oil squeezes 12 types of conditioning oils—including roseflower, jojoba, argan, and pomegranate—into one slim tube that tucks easily into a clutch or desk drawer. This 2022 Best of Beauty winner has a rollerball applicator that ensures the lightweight formula goes exactly where you want it—and nowhere you don’t.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Jennifer Hussein
“I’m an avid fan of Tenoverten’s nail studio, but when I don’t have time to get to downtown Manhattan, I spruce up my nails with an at-home mani that, of course, includes The Rose Oil. The rollerball tip provides precise application and emits a thin layer of oil that my nibbled cuticles slurp up in seconds.”—Jennifer Hussein, contributing commerce writer
- Key ingredients: roseflower oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, pomegranate oil, sweet almond oil, hemp seed oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Brittle Nails: OPI ProSpa Nail & Cuticle Oil
OPI
Pro Spa Nail & Cuticle Oil
Why it’s worth it: If your entire nails are feeling extra fragile, give them the strengthening moisture they need to stay malleable with OPI’s Pro Spa Nail & Cuticle Oil, another favorite of Telemaniuk’s. Brush on this heavy-hitting concoction of grapeseed, sesame, kukui, sunflower, and cupuaçu oils to instantly soften cuticles and provide the conditioning benefits that ultra-dry nails need to minimize breaking. Your hands won’t feel greasy or slippery after it’s applied, either
- Key ingredients: grapeseed oil, sesame oil, kukui oil, sunflower oil, cupuaçu oil
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Quick-Drying: Mineral Fusion Cuticle Oil Nail Treatment
Mineral Fusion
Cuticle Oil Nail Treatment
Why it’s worth it: For Scottsdale-based nail artist Sofia Mazur, the Mineral Fusion Cuticle Oil Nail Treatment is one of those quiet beauty staples that does way more than what meets the eye. “Infused with sweet almond and lemon oils, it nourishes, softens, and smooths the cuticles while giving nails a healthy, natural sheen,” she says, adding that she loves that the formula quickly absorbs so there’s no greasy residue or waiting around. “What makes it stand out is its ability to speed up nail polish drying time [if applying it over a freshly-polished manicure], a rare feature for cuticle oil.” To Mazur, it’s the perfect multitasker for anyone who loves polished, well-kept nails without the fuss.
- Key ingredients: jojoba oil, aloe
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my cuticles dry?
Cuticles dry up like the rest of your skin because they are skin. “Cuticles are thin layers of skin at the bottom of your finger or toenail that protect the nail as it grows out, but also protect the nail matrix below, which is where the nail itself is made,” says Austin-based board-certified dermatologist Jennifer Gordon, MD.
So, like your face, there are a multitude of reasons why your cuticles are becoming dry and cracked, including the weather (especially winter) and how frequently you wash and sanitize your hands. “Winter is particularly harsh as cold, low-humidity air can cause skin to dry out and become itchy, cracked, and irritated,” Ross C. Radusky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Dallas, previously told Allure. “Cold air also tightens pores, reduces circulation, and reduces sebum production.” What you use on your hands, like strong cleaning products and even nail products such as acetone or certain polishes, can also contribute to dry hands, adds Mazur.
How can I address dry cuticles at home?
Your first step to minimize cuticle dryness is, according to both Dr. Gordon and Melinda Conroy, DO, a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, to stop cutting and pushing your cuticles. “They are a natural barrier to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungus from getting into the nail folds,” says Dr. Conroy. “If this is broken, it can cause a condition called paronychia that usually requires treatment.” Paronychia is the medical term for a cuticle infection, which can be caused by trauma (as in, your cuticle cutters), irritation, and exposure to bacteria.
To ensure your cuticles stay moisturized, Dr. Conroy recommends sticking to cuticle treatments that contain conditioning ingredients. “Emollients like coconut and avocado oil soften skin, and humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid can help draw water into the skin,” she says. Dr. Gordon adds avoiding products with active ingredients in order to minimize any risks of irritation and, therefore, even drier cuticles. “Avoid exfoliating ingredients, harsh acids, or chemicals, and be careful if you have sensitive skin, if there are a lot of fragrances or essential oils in a product,” she says.
Telemaniuk always tells her clients to treat their hands like their faces and reapply cuticle oil in the morning, evening, and at least once during the day. The easiest trick is to keep your cuticle oil next to your face wash so you never forget. “My key rule is to use oil on the cuticle and cream on the hands,” she says. “Oils keep the cuticle soft, flexible, and protected, while cream locks in hydration on the surface.” When used together regularly, she says they prevent cracking, irritation, and dryness, keeping the nail area healthy—no matter the season. Cuticle oils can also help with ridges, discoloration, and brittleness, concerns that become more common as nails mature.
Meet the experts
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When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of best cuticle treatments, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Elevate your at-home manicure with these essentials:
