How to identify dry cuts
Your cuticles are a clear layer of skin. It is located at the base of your finger or toenail, along the nail bed. It acts as an anti-bacterial barrier to protect your nails.
The cuticle area is sensitive. It can dry out and crack easily. This is due to the lack of moisture in the air during the cold months and exposure to dry heat indoors.
You can tell if your slices are dry if they break, crack, or peel. Cracked or broken cuticles can allow bacteria to enter your nail and cause infection, so you should treat it as soon as you notice dryness.
Read on to learn how to treat and prevent dry cuts.
Cuticle and nail imaging
How to treat dry cuts
The easiest way to treat dry cuts is to moisturize the area with oil or cream. Some treatment options include:
- Cuticle oil
Cuticle oil is an emollient that nourishes and moisturizes dry cuticles. Look for vitamins A, C, and E and natural oils like almond and sunflower oils. The oils will soften your cuticles and the vitamins will nourish and strengthen them.
To apply cut cream, massage a little into the nail bed after washing your hands. You can find cuticle oil at your local drugstore or beauty supply store.
Buy cuticle oil
Some cuticle oils to try are:
Burt’s Bees 100 Percent Natural Lemon Butter
Coconut Moisturizing and Regenerating Hand and Cuticle Protection Oil
- Cuticle oil
Cuticle oil softens and moisturizes the cut. It usually consists of oil and sometimes contains vitamins. Cuticle oil absorbs quickly and prevents the nails from drying out and cracking.
Look for ingredients like sunflower oil, grape seed oil, and aloe vera for added soothing.
To use cuticle oil, apply a thin amount to the nail bed using your fingertips or a soft brush.
Like cuticle oil, you should be able to purchase cuticle oil at a beauty supply or drugstore.
Buy cuticle oil
- Coconut oil
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, coconut oil is a home remedy option. The saturated fat in coconut oil helps soothe and strengthen the nail bed.
To use, massage a small amount of coconut oil into each nail bed with your fingertips or a soft brush.
- Nail care
If you get manicures, the Mayo Clinic recommends not cutting your cuticles. If you decide to trim them or have your cuticles trimmed by a nail technician, it’s important to make sure the equipment your nail salon uses is sterile. This will help prevent infection.
You also want to make sure that the cutter is sharp. Scissors that aren’t sharp enough can peel off the cuticle more.
If you are concerned, you can bring your own equipment.
Buy a cuticle cutter
- Make your own biotin wipes
Some studies suggest that biotin may help prevent brittleness and strengthen cuticles. You can find biotin in powder and liquid form.
Biotin is combined with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, moisturizing argan oil, and coconut oil to create a homemade salve for dry cuticles. Apply daily or every other day for best results.