With increased handwashing and the use of more stringent chemicals, hands are far more likely to become dry and cracked, and so are the cuticles and nails. When this occurs, nail beds can quickly get infected, hangnails might form, and nails will then start chipping. Thankfully, cuticle creams come to deeply hydrate dry skin fast for you to get healthier, stronger nails.
Even within one category of beauty product, there can be so many different types with various purposes. For this reason, in this article, we will be discussing the many kinds of cuticle creams on the market to help you find the best fit for you. Along the way, we will also be answering the most common questions surrounding cuticle cream so that you can understand exactly what you are putting on your body.
In this article:
- Our Picks of the Best Cuticle Creams
- What to Look for in the Perfect Cuticle Cream for You?
- Buyer’s Guide: Cuticle Cream FAQ
Best Cuticle Creams Overview
- Best Overall: Deborah Lippmann The Cure Nail Cuticle Repair Cream Treatment
- Best Budget: Yes To Coconut Ultra Hydrating Moisturizing Hand & Cuticle Cream
- Best Spurge: Byredo Suede Hand & Nail Cream
- Best Drugstore: Burt’s Bees Cuticle Cream Lemon Butter
- Best for Hands & Nails: Philosophy Hands of Hope Hand & Cuticle Cream
- Best Serum: Onsen Cuticle Conditioner Serum
- Best for Hangnails: Sally Hansen Cuticle Massage Cream
- Best Moisturizing: Clinique Deep Comfort Hand & Cuticle Cream
- Best Exfoliating: OPI Exfoliating Cuticle Cream
- Best Fast-Acting: Bath and Body Works Paraffin Hand, Nail & Cuticle Cream
- Best for Nail Growth: Caswell-Massey Dr. Hunter’s Cuticle Cream
- Best Nail-Strengthening: Carmichael’s Imperial Cuticle Cream
- Best Nourishing: Mavala Cuticle Cream
Our Picks of the Best Cuticle Creams
From the best budget and drugstore options to the most nourishing and moisturizing creams, below, we have rounded up the best cuticle creams for every skin type, with detailed reviews to help you find the right pick for you.
Deborah Lippmann is always an excellent pick when looking for nail care. We’re completely in love with the cuticle repair cream she has created. While ‘the cure’ costs a little more than your average cuticle cream, it’s an ultra-nourishing pick formulated with many protective antioxidants, such as red algae and both vitamins A and C. It can even penetrate nail polish, so if you want to take good care of your nails even while they are painted, this formula will allow you to do so. You can get it online from Sephora or Nordstrom.
Key Features
- Size: 0.34 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamins A, C, and E, raspberry stem cell extract, red algae, shea butter, sodium hyaluronate
- Comes in a jar
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Skin Type: All
Pros
- Nourishing, fast-acting, long-lasting
- Light scent
Cons
- Lots of plastic is used in the packaging
- Can feel greasy
- A bit pricey
The ‘Yes To’ cuticle cream is an excellent product to grab if you are just trying cuticle creams out because the ingredients are natural, and the product is both easy to find and affordable. The top ingredients listed are virgin coconut oil and shea butter, with softening and deeply hydrating properties for extremely dry cracked cuticles. Coconut oil is rich in antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, which will keep your hands and nails protected and smooth. Get it online on Amazon!
Key Features
- Size: 3 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Virgin coconut oil, shea butter
- Comes in a squeeze-on tube
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Skin Type: Dry
Pros
- Nourishing, perfect for extremely dry skin
- 97% natural
- Non-greasy
Cons
- Can cause minor breakouts on sensitive skin
Byredo’s cuticle cream is designed to give your hands some extra TLC while wrapping you up in a luxurious, delicious scent. Its intoxicating woody aroma combines top notes of bergamot and fresh aldehydes with a heart of lily of the valley, and violet, and a base of amber, musk, and velvet plum. It’s super-lightweight and hydrating, soaking into the skin within minutes, leaving both hands and cuticles nourished and supple without feeling sticky or greasy. Please note that it might not be the most nourishing option for extremely dry skin, and because of the fragrance contained, it might irritate sensitive skin. Pick it up online from Nordstrom!
Key Features
- Size: 3.4 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin
- Comes in a squeeze-on tube
- Cruelty-Free: No
- Skin Type: Dry, oily, combination
Pros
- Deeply hydrating, nourishing
- Lightweight, non-greasy
- Luxurious woody scent
Cons
- Scent fades after an hour
- Not suitable for sensitive skin
- Pricey
This cuticle cream is a drugstore find that is out of this world. Coming in a small, vintage-style tin to help diminish the use of plastics, it is a refreshing lemon-scented cream that penetrates quickly to nourish and repair dry cuticles and nails. You can even use it as a makeup remover in a pinch since the oil will attract dirt and softly remove it from your skin. Talk about a long range of benefits! It’s available through Amazon.
Key Features
- Size: 0.6 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, beeswax, lemon peel oil, cocoa seed butter, vitamin E
- Comes in a vintage-style tin
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Skin Type: Dry, oily, combination
Pros
- 100 % natural ingredients
- Easy to find at most drugstores
- Light, clean scent
- Recyclable packaging
Cons
- Can feel very greasy, so use sparingly to eliminate this problem
This restorative hand and cuticle cream is one of the best multipurpose products you will find on the market. Neglecting the fact that Philosophy is often recommended by dermatologists, this cream still would come in high regard considering that even the roughest cuticles will soften over time. While it can take longer to absorb than other cuticle creams, you’ll find the hydrating results almost immediately with softer and more flexible cuticles, supple hands, and smoothed nails, thanks to nourishing shea butter and a blend of natural oils contained. Get it from Ulta!
Key Features
- Size: 1 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Shea butter, hyaluronic acid, natural oils
- Comes in a squeeze-on tube
- Cruelty-Free: No
- Skin Type: All
Pros
- Smooths rough cuticles and hands after one use
- Long-lasting moisture
- Non-greasy
Cons
- Scent can be strong to some
When you don’t know whether to go for a cuticle oil, cream, or butter, try out the first cuticle conditioner in the form of a serum, based on an innovative mineral-rich formula! This is also the best pick when it comes to a busy lifestyle because the pen-like style of application will apply precisely, sinking in quickly with no residue, and you don’t have to worry about leaving any oil marks on furniture or fabrics.
So, no matter how busy you might be, Onsen’s cuticle serum makes it easy to soften and hydrate cuticles, support nail growth, and prevent hangnails as you type out an email, hang out with your child or run to get drinks with your girlfriends. All hail the busy lifestyle cuticle saver! Find it online on Amazon!
Key Features
- Size: 1 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Japanese seaweed, aloe vera, rich bran oil, shea butter, vitamin E
- Comes in a squeeze-on tube
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Skin Type: All
Pros
- Vegan ingredients
- Non-greasy
- Quick-absorbing, long-lasting hydration
- Stain-free formula
Cons
- Can be light and not hydrating enough for heavily damaged nails and cuticles
Severely dehydrated cuticles will lead to hangnails because when a dry cuticle rips and becomes irritated, it’s more likely that the nail will break too, eventually forming a hangnail. The easiest way to prevent them is to keep your cuticles well-nourished, and that is exactly what this cuticle cream does. Designed to be gently massaged into the cuticles, it can stimulate nail growth as well. It soaks into the nail quickly, leaving a well hydrated and glossy appearance in its wake. So simply work this deeply strengthening cuticle cream into your daily routine and say goodbye to those pesky hangnails for good. Get it online from Ulta!
Key Features
- Size: 0.4 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Apricot oil, lanolin, urea, beeswax
- Comes in a jar
- Cruelty-Free: No
- Skin Type: Extremely dry
Pros
- Intensive treatment for cuticles
- Long-lasting product since a little goes a long way
- Lovely scent
Cons
- Can be messy
Clinique’s cuticle cream is the most hydrating option that we could find, providing long-lasting 12 hours of hydration. The cream soaks into the cuticles in a matter of minutes, leaving them feeling soft and smooth. A reviewer even boasted that despite the fact she gardens each day without gloves, she often gets compliments on just how soft her hands are! So just be wary because you might fall head over heels in love and never be able to live without this cuticle cream. Grab it online at Nordstrom!
Key Features
- Size: 2.6 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, squalane, linoleic acid
- Comes in a squeeze-on tube
- Cruelty-Free: No
- Skin Type: All
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Locks in moisture
- Non-greasy
- Both a hand and cuticle cream
Cons
- A bit pricey
This cuticle cream reaches above and beyond, but then considering this is OPI – is that really shocking? Designed as a two-in-one, it softens and moisturizes cuticles while delicately sloughing off any dead skin. It combines hydrating and soothing avocado and soybean oils with non-irritating exfoliants, like salicylic acid and lactic acid, to painlessly remove rough skin and soothe. You can find it online on Amazon.
Key Features
- Size: 0.9 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, lactic acid, willow bark extract, avocado oil, soybean oil
- Comes in a squeeze-on bottle
- Cruelty-Free: No
- Skin Type: Dry, oily, combination
Pros
- Cuticles just seems to melt away
- Light, clean scent
Cons
- Somewhat difficult to get out of tube
- Might irritate sensitive skin
For the fastest results, Bath and Body Works’ cuticle cream is the one that manages to absorb into the skin quickly to replenish, soothe, and hydrate it instantly. Designed for hands, nails, and cuticles, its nourishing capacity lasts forever after it’s soaked into your skin, continuing to hydrate even after a couple of washes! Find it on Amazon!
Key Features
- Size: 4 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Paraffin, glycerin, shea butter, avocado oil, aloe vera, vitamin E
- Comes in a squeeze-on tube
- Cruelty-Free: No
- Skin Type: All
Pros
- Long-lasting results
- Intensely hydrating, nourishing
Cons
- Strong scent can bother some people
If you happen to be struggling with both dry cuticles and short, damaged nails, then this cuticle balm will become your new go-to. The beeswax in this product quickly softens the cuticles and soothes them, as the natural oils work to stimulate nail growth. And, once again, with this cuticle cream, it doesn’t matter if you have nail polish on because it will soak through and still manage to work its magic. Simply massage it into your cuticles and watch as your nails get longer and stronger, while your cuticles soften. Pick it up online on Amazon!
Key Features
- Size: 0.55 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Natural beeswax
- Comes in a tin
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Skin Type: All
Pros
- Sustainably sourced ingredients
- Light rose scent
- Perfect for cold climates
Cons
- Somewhat greasy
One of the easiest ways to help strengthen your nails is to work cuticle cream somewhere into your daily routine. When you want something specific that will help strengthen your weakened nails, then Caswell-Massey’s Carmichael’s Cuticle Cream is the best one to reach for. With its combination of beeswax and petroleum, you’ll never have to worry about dry cuticles. With regular use, the intense moisture will prevent your nails from splitting and cracking. Grab it online on Amazon!
Key Features
- Size: 0.4 oz.
- Key ingredients: Petrolatum, beeswax
- Comes in a jar
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Skin Type: All
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Fast-acting
- Lightly scented
Cons
- None
Swiss company Mavala is excellent when it comes to anything nail care-related. The Mavala cuticle cream quickly nourishes the cuticles after a few uses, smoothing down any rough edges that have popped up and preventing any others from occurring. The deeply penetrating cuticle cream also manages to soften the cuticles even with polish on, making it a great mainstay for your nail bag. Pick it up from Amazon!
Key Features
- Size: 0.5 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Lanolin, petrolatum, mineral oil
- Comes in a squeeze-on tube
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Skin Type: All
Pros
- Intensely hydrating
- Great for cold weather
- Long-lasting results
Cons
- Somewhat sticky
What to Look for in the Perfect Cuticle Cream for You?
Here are all the things that you should consider before buying a cuticle cream!
Ingredients
Most importantly, pay attention to the ingredients list of the cuticle cream you are picking and its purpose. Are you looking for an intensely hydrating and nourishing option? Is an anti-aging or exfoliating cuticle cream your priority? Do you have sensitive skin or allergies to certain ingredients? Typically, there is an option designed specifically for each purpose.
Some of the most common ingredients in cuticle creams are moisturizing oils and butters, such as shea butter, coconut oil, hydrating glycerin, hyaluronic acid, soothing aloe vera, and others. If you are dealing with aging skin, look for antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, and if you have skin sensitivity, try to pick a fragrance-free option or a clean product.
Size
When it comes to containers and the products, the size that you pick does matter simply because people’s needs will all vary when it comes to how often they use a product. If your hands and nails are often dry and brittle, you might want to use cuticle cream every day and for this reason you should consider a larger bottle. However, if you don’t plan on using it often because you find that your cuticles are well hydrated simply by hand cream a travel size bottle might be the perfect option for you.
Price
Price can be, and often is, one of the most crucial factors in deciding which product we purchase. While splurging every now and then can be fun, we all strive to buy what we can afford not to break the bank. Thankfully, cuticle creams are not an item that is overly expensive since most options can be found under $20.
However, if you are looking for a cuticle cream with more exotic ingredients, you will need to be aware that the price can exponentially increase.
Buyer’s Guide: Cuticle Cream FAQ
Last but not least, here are common cuticle cream questions answered:
Cuticle creams are humectant-based thick, moisturizing cuticle treatment products made to hydrate, nourish and soothe the cuticles. Cuticle cream is similar to lotion, however, it is packed with extra hydrating ingredients to soften and moisturize the cuticles. So, if you notice that your cuticles have become increasingly dry over time or your nail bed often gets infected, applying a bit of cuticle cream can make a big difference in keeping your cuticles, nails, and hands healthy.
Cuticle oils are often light in consistency and will need to be applied multiple times a day to get the maximum effect. Packaged in roll-on style bottles or nail polish-esque bottles, they will be great for the person with a busy lifestyle that wants to moisturize their cuticles on the go.
Cuticle creams meet hand lotion and cuticle oil right in the middle. With the same consistency as hand lotion and the same healing properties as cuticle oil, it can be the perfect way to hydrate your cuticles, nails, and hands before bedtime because you won’t need to reapply it multiple times as long as it gets the chance to soak in.
Cuticle cream is specifically designed to soften the cuticles and can help to moisturize the hands. However, hand lotion will simply moisturize hands and not soften the cuticle in the way that you need if yours are rough.
Taking even a few minutes each day to moisturize your cuticles can be an excellent call. Besides enhancing the overall appearance of your hands, well-kept cuticles can also cut down on the odds of infection around your fingertips since cuticles are dead skin cells that act as a sealant and with more moisture, they are more pliable and can cover your nails better – even if you push them back or decide to reduce them.
To sum up, a cuticle cream:
– Nourishes, moisturizes, and heals dry cuticles
– Stimulates healthier nail growth
– Protects from bacteria and infections, such as hangnails
Cuticle cream is pleasant to apply because of its thick and creamy texture. It is meant to be applied thickly to the nails so that the cream can soak in and soften the nail bed for maximum hydration. If you want to elongate your nails, then it’s a good idea to massage the cream into your cuticle to increase blood flow to the area and stimulate growth.
Since cuticle creams are thick, they also won’t need to be applied multiple times a day and only once when you have a slight break so that it can thoroughly soak in.
Photos via Sephora, Ulta, Instagram