Vaseline can protect against moisture loss, help prevent dryness plus at the same time heal cracked skin. You can also add further protection for your cuticles by rubbing a small amount straight onto the nail-bed and fingernails before going to sleep.
Skin diseases like psoriasis, dyshidrosis, eczema, etc., can all result in skin peeling around the nails. A chronic infection caused due to moisture of yeast is also believed to be a major reason for dry and cracked skin around the nails.
Here are seven ways to soothe dry, cracked cuticles.
- Neosporin + Bandages. Neosporin Ointment, $6, Amazon.
- Steam + Oil. Nail Treatment, $15, Amazon.
- Avoid Cutting. Anna Webber/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images.
- Use Gloves. Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images.
- Coconut Oil.
- Take Your Vitamins.
- Soak In Olive Oil.
Niacin deficiency or vitamin A toxicity
Getting too little or too much of certain vitamins may cause your skin to peel. Pellagra is a condition that results from a lack of vitamin B-3 (niacin) in the diet. If you're getting too much vitamin A, it can cause irritated skin and cracked fingernails.Dry cuticles are caused by lack of moisture in the cuticle and surrounding skin causing hang nails, cracked or torn cuticles, and plain old dry skin. While hand lotion is a great topical solution, it acts more as a glove of protection to shield your hands and nails from the elements.
Here are seven ways to soothe dry, cracked cuticles.
- Neosporin + Bandages. Neosporin Ointment, $6, Amazon.
- Steam + Oil. Nail Treatment, $15, Amazon.
- Avoid Cutting. Anna Webber/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images.
- Use Gloves. Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images.
- Coconut Oil.
- Take Your Vitamins.
- Soak In Olive Oil.
How to Fix Cracked Cuticles
- Rub on Shea Butter or Vitamin E Oil. You can rub shea butter or vitamin E oil into your cuticles to soften them.
- Sleep in Gloves. Apply a super-strength cream onto your hands and sleep in gloves for a few nights.
- Try a Cuticle Oil.
- Grab Your Argan Oil.
- Take a Break From Polish.
Here are seven ways to soothe dry, cracked cuticles.
- Neosporin + Bandages. Neosporin Ointment, $6, Amazon.
- Steam + Oil. Nail Treatment, $15, Amazon.
- Avoid Cutting. Anna Webber/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images.
- Use Gloves. Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images.
- Coconut Oil.
- Take Your Vitamins.
- Soak In Olive Oil.
Banish Dry Cuticles With These Hydrating Creams, Salves & Oils
- C.O. Bigelow Lavender Salve.
- Julep Hand And Cuticle Stick.
- Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream.
- Formula X For Sephora Erase Cuticle Cream.
- Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Oil.
- Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil.
- Eve Lom Cuticle Cream.
- Clinique Deep Comfort Hand And Cuticle Cream.
Let your hand sit in warm water for a few minutes to soften the skin. Tip: Work olive oil into your nail beds for a quick cuticle-moisture fix after a shower. Remove your hand from the water, dry it, then use a soft cloth to gently push back your cuticles. Don't cut them — cut cuticles make you prone to infection.
If you're hoping to make your nails appear longer, you can push your cuticles back gently with a wooden orange stick instead. "Cuticles don't want to be cut," Toombs says. "They're supposed to be soft, and cutting can make them hard, more likely to fracture. If you cut it, it has an increased tendency to split off."
Damaged cuticles are susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections. You cannot just slather on regular moisturizing lotions, however, because they are not hydrating enough to heal damaged cuticles. However, you can usually heal a damaged cuticle with home remedies or special creams designed specifically for cuticles.
Coconut oil makes your cuticles healthy and less prone to dryness and peeling. Coconut oil is great for treating brittle and cracked nails and also damaged cuticles since its adds a boost of moisture that prevents them from breaking and heals cuticles. It also strengthens nail bed and nails and stimulates their growth.
Heat 1/2 cup bath oil mixed with 1/2 cup water in your microwave for 30 seconds, recommends celebrity manicurist Erica Marton. Place the solution in a deep bowl and soak your fingers or toes in it for 10-15 minutes to soften cuticles or calluses.
Allergic reactions are one of the major causes of dry skin around fingernails. Skin diseases like psoriasis, dyshidrosis, eczema, etc., can all result in skin peeling around the nails. A chronic infection caused due to moisture of yeast is also believed to be a major reason for dry and cracked skin around the nails.
Soak your toe in warm water for 15 minutes 2 to 3 times each day. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, 2 times each day on the toe where the nail was removed. Wear a bandage on your toe. Wear loose-fitting shoes that don't press on the toe where the nail was removed.
Give Your Nails Some Serious TLC With These Moisturizing Cuticle Oils
- Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Oil Treatment.
- Cuccio Revitalize Milk and Honey Cuticle Oil.
- L'Occitane Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Oil.
- Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil.
- CND SolarOil Nail & Cuticle Oil.
- OPI ProSpa Nail & Cuticle Oil.