9 Best Cuticle Oils and Creams for Dry and Damaged Nails

Many people say biotin can help your nails grow faster and stronger, but if your nails aren’t properly hydrated, they’re still more likely to crack and break, which brings you all the way back to square one. This cuticle oil has developed a reputation for keeping nails healthy enough to grow to their full potential. “My natural nails have grown so long that people don’t believe they’re real—and I fully attribute their strength to this cuticle oil,” says Mary Honkus. “Dabbing a tiny bit of this moisturizing aloe oil nightly has made my nails more resilient. I never thought I’d be a long nail girl, but this showed me it was totally possible.”

• Pros: The bottle lasts forever; the skinny brush allows for precise application
• Cons: Takes consistency to actually see results—keep at it for 12 weeks
• Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, wheat germ, apricot kernel oil
• Size: 0.45 oz.

While hangnails are totally normal, they can also be so annoying. If you regularly experience skin lifting, this powerful formula completely refreshes and resets nails to get rid of dead, dry skin and reveal the softest, smoothest cuticles underneath. A mix of Irish moss and potassium hydroxide softens the skin and melts away dry spots, just like the name suggests. “Using this feels like magic,” says Honkus. “I put this on a pesky hangnail one evening and woke up to the softest, most even cuticles.”

• Pros: Painless way to get rid of hangnails; super gentle
• Cons: The brush is a bit too big and distributes more product than needed.
• Key ingredients: Irish moss, potassium hydroxide
• Size: 0.4 oz.

If your nail beds consistently crack, split, and struggle to grow much at all, this professional-grade cuticle oil will nurse them back to health. The heavy-duty formula was developed for salon use and acts like nail armor: It’s brimming with hydrating essential oils like grape seed, sunflower, avocado, and cupuaçu to instantly revitalize your cuticles and keep nails in tip-top shape. Twine says she completely understands why top manicurists swear by this gem. “This gives my nails and cuticles a fresh-from-a-manicure look.” It quickly became a staple in her nighttime routine. She recommends keeping the bottle on your bedside and applying every night before bed. “Your cuticles will love you.”

• Pros: Absorbs into skin quickly; developed by nail professionals for salon use
• Cons: Cap is a bit finicky and can cause spills if not secured tightly
• Key ingredients: Avocado oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil
• Size: 0.3 oz.

Gel and acrylic loyalists, take note. CND’s SolarOil is made with a simple but effective trio of ingredients (vitamin E, jojoba oil, and sweet almond oil) that work to strengthen nails and moisturize cuticles. Kandelec considers this combination the ideal trifecta for preventing breakage and remedying dryness, and Twine understands why. “The moisturizing effect lasts even through multiple handwashings.” She also appreciates that it’s super portable. The convenient brush and thinner consistency make it easy to swipe this on the go. If you regularly get gel manicures, this will replenish your nail beds in between sets to keep them as healthy as possible.

• Pros: Fruity floral scent creates a full sensorial experience; thin brush makes for seamless application
• Cons: If you have nut allergies you should not use this.
• Key ingredients: Vitamin E, jojoba oil, rice bran oil
• Size: 0.5 oz.

If you aren’t a fan of oily textures, opt for this thicker serum instead. The beauty of Olive & June’s portable serum is that it guarantees a mess-free application. (You have the soft foam sponge tip and penlike design to thank for that). This design is a total game-changer for those who are always on the go. Glamour copy director, Talley Sue Hohlfield keeps it handy in her purse for a little cuticle TLC on the go. “I love how I can take off the pen’s cap, twist the end a couple of clicks to release the serum, and apply it right where I need it,” she says. The “very light” formula is fast-absorbing, too, and you can count on the skin-care-grade ingredients—including avocado and apricot oils—to fully restore the health of your nail beds. Full disclosure: It takes a minute to first release the product, but after a few twists, the little serum droplets come out in a controlled way so nothing’s wasted.

• Pros: Sponge tip provides mess-free application; nongreasy and absorbs quickly
• Cons: Takes a while for the serum to dispense on the first use
• Key ingredients: Apricot kernel oil, glycerin, jojoba seed oil
• Size: 0.14 oz.

It’s easy to fall into the habit of picking or biting at your cuticles when you’re stressed or anxious—or both. Breaking the compulsion is easier said than done, but keeping a thick cuticle cream on hand can help. The plush, balmy texture coats nails and fingers, quickly working to diminish hangnails and dryness overnight. Glamour’s Hohlfield suggests using it as an intensive treatment before bed. “The balm is very effective, due to its sweet almond oil and cocoa seed butter, as well as rosemary leaf extract; and sunflower seed, soybean, canola, and vegetable oils,” she says. The only downside is that it can feel a bit sticky if you apply too much, so you only need a tiny dab.

• Pros: Thick texture makes this great for dry, cracked hands and winter temps; lemon scent is a nice touch; large container will last a long time
• Cons: Tin can be a bit difficult to open
• Key ingredients: Sweet almond oil, beeswax, lemon peel oil
• Size: 0.6 oz.

Struggle with paper-thin nails? I did until I started painting this luxurious oil along my cuticles. Swiping this across each finger has become a calming ritual that has completely transformed my nails. A high concentration of shea oil may be to thank. This nourishing treatment contains a whopping 30% of the deeply restorative oil, which allows it to immediately hydrate nails and the surrounding skin. I’ve yet to experience a single crack or chip since using this, and the soft-bristled brush makes application a cinch.

• Pros: Rich in fatty acids to deeply restore cuticles; luxe applicator feels like a special treat for nails
• Cons: Has a strong baby powder aroma
• Key ingredients: Shea oil, apricot oil, sweet almond oil
• Size: 0.25 oz.