Expert Manicurists Reveal Top Products for Dry, Peeling Nails and Cuticles
Anyone who has endured the discomfort of a hangnail or the frustration of a weak nail bending backwards understands that dry, peeling nails and cuticles can be a persistent nuisance. For those who rely heavily on their hands for manual labor, achieving healthy nails might seem like an unattainable goal. Before rushing to a nail salon in search of professional remedies, consider that the solution to restoring your tattered nails could be found in the recommendations below. We consulted three esteemed manicurists, experts in the field of nail care, to uncover the products, tips, and techniques they employ for their clients and in their own salons.
Below, you will discover a range of luxurious creams designed to repair the skin barrier, fortifying nail treatments, and practical at-home strategies to achieve your healthiest nails and cuticles yet. It is important to note that the experts featured in this article do not necessarily endorse the products listed unless explicitly stated otherwise.
1. Amazon: A Vitamin E-Infused Cuticle and Nail Oil
Jacqueline Pham, a New York City-based manicurist, nail artist, and owner of DJ Nails, recommends this popular nail and cuticle care oil by CND. The cuticle softener is formulated with three nourishing oils, including sweet almond and jojoba, along with vitamin E, a moisturizing ingredient that helps prevent yellowing, cracking, and peeling nails. "The key to managing skin dryness is consistency in cuticle application and hydration. When you notice a hangnail, reach for cuticle oil instead of picking or biting," Pham advised. Available for $10 at Amazon (regularly $15) and $15.25 at Ulta.
2. Nordstrom Rack: A Peptide-Infused Oil Treatment
Another of Pham's preferred oil treatments is Dermelect's dual-formula Revital Oil, which features a protein peptide that the brand claims can strengthen brittle nails. The nourishing complex also includes essential oils like jojoba and argan seed, as well as glycerin, a dermatologist-approved hydrator for the skin. Priced at $15 at Amazon.
3. Nail Labo: Japanese Gentle-Blade Cuticle Clippers
Britney Tokyo, a celebrity nail artist based in Los Angeles and founder of Tokyo Spice nail products, recommends these Japanese-crafted clippers by the brand Utsumi for grooming stray hangnails. The brand highlights these as their bestselling model, ideal for beginners due to a blade that is gentle on cuticles and skin. Pham emphasizes clipping only when necessary and maintaining cuticles with cream and oil, which she says will eventually reduce the need for trimming. Available for $28 at Utsumi, with similar options at $14 on Amazon and $25 at Ulta.
4. Nordstrom: A Luxury Fortifying Nail Cream by Dior
Pham selected this luxury nail cream from Dior, a manicure essential that can be applied to nails and cuticles in the evening to provide hydrating and fortifying benefits overnight. The formula, which dates back to 1963, features glycerin, apricot oil, and seaweed extracts for a nourishing effect that has proven enduring. Priced at $34 at Nordstrom and Macy's.
5. Amazon: A Fortifying Cuticle and Nail Treatment
Pham suggested this targeted shea butter-based cream, packed with peptides, vitamins, essential hydrating nutrients, and hyaluronic acid, a popular hydrator that draws moisture into the skin. Available for $15 at Amazon.
6. Kiehl's: A Cocoa Butter-Based Lotion
Tokyo favors this cocoa butter-based lotion by Kiehl's, a classic, non-greasy formula designed to noticeably soften coarse and flaking skin. In addition to cocoa butter, Creme de Corps contains shea butter, a moisturizer with natural anti-inflammatory properties, and squalane, a botanically derived lipid that replenishes the skin's barrier. Priced from $18 at Ulta, $39 at Sephora, and $39 at Kiehl's.
7. Amazon: A White Truffle-Infused Serum Spray
Although this spray serum is intended for facial use, Tokyo also applies it to nails and cuticles. It is a hydrating mist infused with vitamin E and the brand's signature inclusion of Italian white truffles, an ingredient rich in antioxidants that are beneficial for healing cracked and compromised skin. Available for $21 at Amazon.
8. Amazon: A Cool-Mist Humidifier
"Using a humidifier in your room is beneficial for your skin and, of course, for your hands," Tokyo noted, a recommendation previously confirmed by board-certified dermatologists. Based on Tokyo's suggestion, we selected this highly rated ultrasonic cool mist humidifier by Pure Enrichment, which can add hydration to the air for up to 25 hours on a single fill. The BPA-free design features a 360-degree nozzle to maintain consistent humidity in rooms up to 250 square feet. Priced from $31 at Amazon.
9. Sephora: A Multi-Use Barrier-Repairing Balm
Higuchi recommended another luxurious product from Dior. This versatile balm "has a very smooth texture, is long-lasting, and is easy to carry around," she said. Higuchi pointed out that this cream-like hydrator can be used not only on hands and nails but also on lips or any area experiencing cracking, peeling, or dryness. It contains centella asiatica extract, a soothing ingredient popular in Korean skincare, along with hydrating hyaluronic acid and nourishing shea butter. Priced at $63 at Sephora, Nordstrom, and Ulta.
10. Amazon: A Classic Nail Salon Hand Lotion
For a budget-friendly hand cream option, Higuchi uses this CND lotion, which she says makes skin feel softer and moisturized. Available in six different fragrances and packaged in an easy-to-dispense pump bottle, CND Scentsations absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving a velvety and soft feel. Priced at $14 at Amazon.
11. Amazon: Gel-Lined Moisturizing Gloves
After applying nail and cuticle treatments, Higuchi suggests wearing gloves as an effective method to prevent dryness. These washable gloves are gel-lined and infused with nourishing ingredients like jojoba seed oil, olive oil, and vitamin E. This hydrating inner lining is designed not to snag on peeling or cracked skin, unlike traditional cotton gloves. Priced from $15 at Amazon.
