Cuticle Oil 101: How and When to Use It

Short answer: roll or brush a thin line of cuticle oil along each cuticle and massage it in for a few seconds. Do it once or twice a day, especially after washing your hands, before bed and after a gel manicure. Regular use keeps cuticles soft and nails looking glossy and cared for.

What does cuticle oil do?

Hand washing, sanitizer, cold weather and acetone all dry out the skin around the nail. Cuticle oil replaces some of that lost moisture, softening dry or rough cuticles and giving the nail a natural shine. Soft cuticles are also easier to push back gently, without cutting.

Ingredients to look for

• Jojoba oil: light and similar to the skin's own oils, so it absorbs quickly without feeling greasy.
• Vitamin E: a nourishing oil that supports soft, supple skin.
• A lightweight texture: an oil that sinks in fast is one you will actually use every day.

How to use cuticle oil

1. Start with clean hands.
2. Roll a thin line of oil along the base of each nail.
3. Massage gently with the thumb of the other hand for a few seconds per nail.
4. Rub the rest into your fingertips and the sides of the nails.

When to use it

• Every evening before bed, when it can work undisturbed.
• After washing hands, especially in winter.
• After a gel manicure or gel removal, once the gel is fully cured.
• Before pushing cuticles back, to soften them first.

Can you use cuticle oil on gel nails?

Yes. Apply it around a cured gel manicure to keep the cuticle area soft and the finish looking fresh. Avoid applying oil to the nail plate right before painting, because oils can stop gel from bonding. Wipe the nails with alcohol first.

Why a roll-on?

A roll-on applicator puts the oil exactly where you need it, with no dropper and no mess, so it fits in a pocket or handbag. The LunaNail Cuticle Oil Roll-On blends vitamin E and jojoba in a mineral glass bottle with a metal cap, in seven scents including Mango Orange, Verona Peach Glow and Amalfi Lemon Breeze. It is vegan and cruelty-free, 0.37 fl oz (11 ml).

Pair it with a glass cuticle pusher for a gentle cuticle routine without metal tools.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I use cuticle oil?

Daily is ideal. Very dry cuticles benefit from two applications a day.

How long does a bottle last?

With daily use on all ten nails, a roll-on bottle typically lasts several weeks.

Should I cut my cuticles?

Many nail professionals recommend softening and gently pushing cuticles back instead of cutting living skin.