Cuticle advice?

Tete_en_l'Air

You know how you can live with something every day and not really notice how bad it is? I just looked down and realised how awful my long raggedy cuticles are! :eek: I'm not one for manicuring my nails and have never had false ones, I normally just file them and wear a clear polish, but I think they need a bit of TLC now and don't really know where to start.

Can anyone please advise me on products they like, particularly for the cuticles? As they are quite long, what will happen to them? The thought of cutting them makes me want to retch! So if I use a cream or gel will they sort of dissolve away? I've tried pushing them back but they just seem to go back to how they were. Any pointers much appreciated - thank you!

stormcloudgathering

The best product I have found so far and the one I use in my salon is the Solar Oil range from Creative Nail Design. You can buy a hand cream, a hand butter, a balm and an oil. I use the hand cream every night!
Leave the cuticles - don't cut them as they'll just grow back worse. You can apply the oil or the balm directly to the cuticles and they will soften up and then they can be pushed back gently. If you have a manicure try to find a CND salon and ask them to use Cuticle Away on them (they should do this anyway, but best to check!). Cuticle Away is a professional only product which has fruit acids in it and it dissolves any non living tissue on the nail plate.
Good luck!

kiplingmonkey

I find Jessica phenomen oils works best for me. I have tried other nail oils but this one certainly keeps my cuticles in check. I massage a small amount in every day, then I push my cuticles back with the edge of a towel when I have been in the bath or shower. Don't cut them as this will make them grow back thicker and stronger.

Beenie

The best thing I have come across is an Australian cream sold in Superdrug. It's called Flexitol.

It's not in a glamorous package but is cheap(ish) and works really well.

missbishi

Beenie wrote: »

The best thing I have come across is an Australian cream sold in Superdrug. It's called Flexitol.

It's not in a glamorous package but is cheap(ish) and works really well.

I second that! Admittedly not the most attractive product but it really does work!

gabyjane

Thanks for this thread as was going to ask myself.
My friend says the solar oil is very good but i am not sure where to get it and she has moved away? other than that i may try the superdrug one.
Thanks

stormcloudgathering

Flexitol is designed to deal with callus, not overgrown cuticle, but the hand balm is nonetheless very good indeed.
One can buy Solar Oil from eBay, or from a salon such as mine which stocks it!

Tete_en_l'Air

Thanks everyone for the replies, I'll see if I can find some of that Flexitol stuff in Superdrug at lunchtime, simply because it's the most accessible! I'll see how I go!

Beenie

stormcloudgathering wrote: »

Flexitol is designed to deal with callus, not overgrown cuticle, but the hand balm is nonetheless very good indeed.
One can buy Solar Oil from eBay, or from a salon such as mine which stocks it!

I don't know where you get that from - my tube says 'conditions cuticles and smoothes away dry ragged edges' which it does, brilliantly.

larmy16

Hi OP

I have exact same problem as you and I am currently working on it. My cuticles split and grow so far over my finger nails. I don't have any moons except on my thumbs.

I was recommended to use one of those sugar/salt oil scrubs. You can make it at home. Just mix some sugar and oil to a paste and slather onto hands (when you can just sit and relax for a while). It is really soothing and you can work it gently into the nail area. It helps push back the cuticle. Your hands feel great when it gets washed off.

I have just bought some solar oil off ebay so will report back if it works for me.

I also go to bed with gloves on and my hands covered in shea butter/ Flexitol (brilliant stuff). I have lots of different hand creams and try to remember to use them daily.

Because the cuticles get so ragged I have a terrible habit of picking at them which does not help.

I was also told that using vaseline at night and sleeping in gloves helps soften them.

My problem is being consistent and I think I need to do this every night. I do end up cutting off the hang nails at the corners sometimes as they are so painful if I leave them.

freyasmum

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

You know how you can live with something every day and not really notice how bad it is? I just looked down and realised how awful my long raggedy cuticles are! :eek: I'm not one for manicuring my nails and have never had false ones, I normally just file them and wear a clear polish, but I think they need a bit of TLC now and don't really know where to start.

Can anyone please advise me on products they like, particularly for the cuticles? As they are quite long, what will happen to them? The thought of cutting them makes me want to retch! So if I use a cream or gel will they sort of dissolve away? I've tried pushing them back but they just seem to go back to how they were. Any pointers much appreciated - thank you!

Please don't cut them. Many people confuse the true cuticle (the bit that if you scrape your nail goes white and comes off) with the actual skin (that's called the eponychium).

Push the skin back gently, remove the excess cuticle that grows up your nail plate and oil a few times daily. They'll look much better even after one day