Amazon, Target
If you’re new to at-home nail care and nail art, you might not know that one of the best ways to protect your nails is also one of the easiest — and most affordable. Applying cuticle oil, also called nail oil, to your cuticles and nail beds at least once a day can be the difference between strong, healthy nails and brittle, broken ones.
Take it from an expert: “Cuticle oil is essential for maintaining healthy nails because it provides extra hydration which nourishes the nails and promotes stronger, healthier nail growth,” says Mazz Hanna, CEO of Nailing Hollywood, a California-based agency that represents nail artists. “Keeping your cuticles hydrated also prevents the surrounding skin and cuticles from splitting or peeling. This is especially beneficial if you tend to pick at your nails, as well-hydrated nails leave little to pick at.”
There are plenty of option on the market, so “[w]hen shopping for cuticle oil, prioritize natural, hydrating, and nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, vitamin E, and essential oils,” Hanna explained. “Avoid any harsh chemicals, cuticle oil should be mostly made up of natural ingredients ... Lavender is a great addition to cuticle oil because its natural antimicrobial properties help prevent bacterial and fungal infections in nails.”
Even if those ingredients sound fancy, though, that luckily doesn’t mean they’re expensive. In fact, I’ve rounded up some of the best cuticle oils you can buy on the Internet, and most of them don’t even crack $10.
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1.
Amazon
A popular nail oil with over 23,000 5-star ratings on Amazon
After four weeks of of using this cuticle oil — which is formulated with naturally light oils like jojoba, vitamin E, rice bran, and sweet almond — you'll begin to notice less peeling, splitting, and breakage, according to the brand. Reviewers can't get enough of how strong their nails have become while using this oil, and you might have to see it to believe it, thanks to the reviews with images that show just how well this works.
Promising review: "As I got older my nails started to split from the tip to the nail bed. Growing up I never had this problem and I missed having natural long nails. I started coating my nails with the product at night while watching TV. The results were pretty quick. I have not had a split nail since I started using the product. My only complaint is that it doesn't come with an applicator. I used a small cheap paint brush I had at home. There really isn't a scent to the product either, which I like. I will continue to use the product every couple of days now that the nails no longer split." — GigiKDK
Promising review: "As I got older my nails started to split from the tip to the nail bed. Growing up I never had this problem and I missed having natural long nails. I started coating my nails with the product at night while watching TV. The results were pretty quick. I have not had a split nail since I started using the product. My only complaint is that it doesn't come with an applicator. I used a small cheap paint brush I had at home. There really isn't a scent to the product either, which I like. I will continue to use the product every couple of days now that the nails no longer split." — GigiKDK
2.
Ulta Beauty
An affordable and reviewer-beloved Sally Hansen vitamin E cuticle oil
The focus is on vitamin E with this cuticle oil — it's in the name, after all. This Sally Hansen bottle also contains wheat germ, apricot kernel and safflower oils, plus aloe vera, giving your nails and cuticles the nourishing moisture they need.
Promising review: "These made my cuticles and nails look healthy. I work in the restaurant industry so my hands touch a lot of sanitizers and I also frequently wash my hands which are both very drying. It lasts a very long time, there's no sticky residue or unpleasant smells. 10/10!" — rhel
Promising review: "These made my cuticles and nails look healthy. I work in the restaurant industry so my hands touch a lot of sanitizers and I also frequently wash my hands which are both very drying. It lasts a very long time, there's no sticky residue or unpleasant smells. 10/10!" — rhel
3.
Nordstrom
A L'Occitane option infused with shea, apricot, and almond oils
This cuticle oil is on the pricier side, but you can trust the L'Occitane brand to deliver on quality, according to reviewers. Made with 30% shea oil, apricot oil, and sweet almond oil, nourishment is the name of the game with this luxurious-feeling and fast-absorbing oil.
Promising review: "I recently started using this L’Occitane nail oil and I am amazed at how much of a difference it has made for my nails! Not only does it keep my cuticles moisturized and healthy-looking, but it also helps strengthen my nails and prevent breakage. I love how easy it is to apply and how quickly it absorbs into my skin. I highly recommend giving nail oil a try if you're looking for a simple yet effective way to improve the health and appearance of your nails." — Lady Luxe
Promising review: "I recently started using this L’Occitane nail oil and I am amazed at how much of a difference it has made for my nails! Not only does it keep my cuticles moisturized and healthy-looking, but it also helps strengthen my nails and prevent breakage. I love how easy it is to apply and how quickly it absorbs into my skin. I highly recommend giving nail oil a try if you're looking for a simple yet effective way to improve the health and appearance of your nails." — Lady Luxe
4.
Target
A non-greasy cuticle serum from a viral manicure brand
You might have gotten ads by now for products from Olive & June, the viral beauty brand best known for their at-home manicure sets. But they make nail care products too, including this cuticle serum, which is essentially cuticle oil plus some flower extracts, which have a number of effects, from moisturizing to smoothing. The pen packaging and soft foam tip also makes application clean and easy.
Promising review: "Lifelong cuticle picker and puller here ... and I’ve tried a lot of cuticle products over the years. Nothing compares to this. The higher price turned me away several times but recently I went for it - and now will never turn back. This is absolutely one of the best cuticle serums I have EVER used. Worth every penny. It adds so much moisture without the oil - the applicator is really nice and the product doesn’t feel wasted at all!" — Mbal0905
Promising review: "Lifelong cuticle picker and puller here ... and I’ve tried a lot of cuticle products over the years. Nothing compares to this. The higher price turned me away several times but recently I went for it - and now will never turn back. This is absolutely one of the best cuticle serums I have EVER used. Worth every penny. It adds so much moisture without the oil - the applicator is really nice and the product doesn’t feel wasted at all!" — Mbal0905
5.
Amazon
A scented cuticle oil packed with vitamin E and tea tree essential oil
Made with tea tree essential oil and vitamin E, this cuticle oil comes with a glass dropper for easy, sanitary application. Reviewers especially love the range of scents, which include lavender, milk and honey, green tea, pomegranate, peppermint, sweet vanilla, and lemon.
Promising review: "I bought a couple of these for friends and family at Christmas and then I had to buy one for myself. They all smell amazing, and it's a great value for the price. I use it on my cuticles but also my hands when they feel especially dry. I definitely noticed less split cuticles when I use it a couple days in a row. It's also great that it uses a dropper which is more sanitary than a brush or dipping your fingers in something to get it out." — Kristen
Promising review: "I bought a couple of these for friends and family at Christmas and then I had to buy one for myself. They all smell amazing, and it's a great value for the price. I use it on my cuticles but also my hands when they feel especially dry. I definitely noticed less split cuticles when I use it a couple days in a row. It's also great that it uses a dropper which is more sanitary than a brush or dipping your fingers in something to get it out." — Kristen
6.
Walmart
A lemon-scented Burt's Bees cuticle cream that's travel-friendly
If you want to take your cuticle care on the go, but would rather not lug around a glass bottle in your bag, this little tin of Burt's Bees cuticle cream might be a better option for you. Still containing vitamin E and natural ingredients like lemon peel oil and sunflower oil, this product has a more solid consistency than the liquid cuticle oils, but can be applied to your cuticles and hands the same.
Promising review: "I've used this on my cuticles for ten years and it's been incredible. Recently moved to a cold, dry climate where my nails chip like crazy. I started using this on my whole nail and I swear it helps prevent any splitting. Miracle stuff." — Maddy91
Promising review: "I've used this on my cuticles for ten years and it's been incredible. Recently moved to a cold, dry climate where my nails chip like crazy. I started using this on my whole nail and I swear it helps prevent any splitting. Miracle stuff." — Maddy91
7.
Amazon
A set of nail-strengthening cuticle oil pens for easy application
These cuticle oil pens promise less mess than other cuticle oils that come in spillable bottles with brushes or droppers. You'll still reap the nail repair benefits of natural ingredients like jojoba, tea tree oil, and vitamin E. You can choose between the vanilla and "crisp" scent options, or even go fragrance-free. Your purchase comes with a set of four pens, perfect for storing in your home, bag, car, and anywhere else you might want one handy.
Promising review: "I'm entering into year 3 of rehabbing my finger biting habits. Growing them out and breaking the habit was not necessarily difficult for me, but my nails were SO thin for the longest time. They also had issues de- laminating. This product fixed that and absolutely transformed my hands. I have tried so many nail oils on the market and this is THE holy grail. Don't waste your time and money....and just buy this one. I never put anything on subscription except for this product. I will always have a stash so I can have them anywhere and everywhere." — Megan
Promising review: "I'm entering into year 3 of rehabbing my finger biting habits. Growing them out and breaking the habit was not necessarily difficult for me, but my nails were SO thin for the longest time. They also had issues de- laminating. This product fixed that and absolutely transformed my hands. I have tried so many nail oils on the market and this is THE holy grail. Don't waste your time and money....and just buy this one. I never put anything on subscription except for this product. I will always have a stash so I can have them anywhere and everywhere." — Megan
8.
Amazon
A cuticle oil with natural ingredients that reviewers are calling a "holy grail" product
This cuticle oil includes a blend of so many natural oils, from avocado and grapeseed to essential oils like lavender, tea tree, and lemon. It also promises a concentrated formula, but isn't overwhelming, according to reviewers who laud the non-oily feel and subtle scent.
Promising review: "I kid you not, this right here is a holy grail. I don’t take time to write Amazon reviews, but when I saw the results this gave me I just had to. My toe nails and finger nails are more hydrated by using this just one day than they’ve been in months. My toe nails especially, were super dry, I had pretty much given up on them, and so I tried this product when I got it, and the next day they looked SO healthy, I was blown away. Just WOW.
It smells great and has tea tree oil, which has antibacterial properties, so it’ not just hydrating, but protects you nail. It doesn’t irritate the skin at all, at least not in my case, it’s not as greasy as other oils, and dried pretty quickly.
I’d recommend this to anyone." — gisselle hernandez
Promising review: "I kid you not, this right here is a holy grail. I don’t take time to write Amazon reviews, but when I saw the results this gave me I just had to. My toe nails and finger nails are more hydrated by using this just one day than they’ve been in months. My toe nails especially, were super dry, I had pretty much given up on them, and so I tried this product when I got it, and the next day they looked SO healthy, I was blown away. Just WOW.
It smells great and has tea tree oil, which has antibacterial properties, so it’ not just hydrating, but protects you nail. It doesn’t irritate the skin at all, at least not in my case, it’s not as greasy as other oils, and dried pretty quickly.
I’d recommend this to anyone." — gisselle hernandez