I’m a little obsessed with cuticle creams…I think well-groomed and moisturised cuticles are very important – I wish I could keep my cuticles looking as good as they do after a professional manicure:
Unfortunately, I have very dry hands and my cuticles have a tendency to peel – so I’m always on the hunt for effective cuticle treatments. Here’s a selection of my most-used cuticle products:
- Burts Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream – this is one of the most popular and highly-reviewed cuticle creams. It is a thick balm with a sugary lemon scent. Since it has a thick consistency, it provides long-lasting moisture.
- Sally Hansen Cuticle Massage Cream – this balm contains apricot oil – and it smells AMAZING. It reminds me of my childhood Strawberry Shortcake dolls – so I love applying it. I’ve also noticed a lovely cooling effect upon application. I keep this in my handbag as it’s very light. I don’t think it’s as hydrating as the Burts Bees balm, but it’s more fun to apply!
- Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Cuticle Pen – this pen dispenses a light oil onto your cuticles. The brush dispenser makes it portable and mess-free to apply. However, I don’t find the oil very moisturising – and I wouldn’t repurchase this.
- Body Shop Almond Oil Nail & Cuticle Pen – I LOVE this product. It has the same dispensing mechanism as the Sally Hansen pen, but the almond oil solution is MUCH richer and effective. My favourite part is the soft cuticle pusher on the pen cap – you paint your cuticles with the oil and then use the cap to make your cuticles look neat.
I’ve also pictured some of the tools I use to groom my cuticles – I use them in conjunction with cuticle removing cream (not pictured). They are the Revlon grooved cuticle trimmer, Cuticle Nipper and 2 cuticle pushers. Some people say you should only push your cuticles and never cut them, but sometimes mine get overgrown and need to be cut.
If I had to recommend just one cuticle product to buy, I’d choose the Body Shop Pen as it combines a moisturising product and a grooming tool in one. I think if you used this regularly (like three times a day), this would keep your cuticles looking amazing. I think most of these products work best if used multiple times a day – sadly, I can usually only remember to put it on once a day!
What cuticle product would you recommend? I’ve used pure oils like Olive Oil and Coconut Oil (neither were effective on me) and heard good things about LUSH’s Lemony Flutter and CND’s Solar Oil. I’m also curious to try the Dior Creme Abricot reviewed by Andi at Saltwater Dreams. I’m always looking for really moisturizing hand creams too – so please recommend those as well.
Disclaimer: I purchased these products myself and was not paid to review them.
the manicure looks amazing!!i currently try to use up the solar oil. BUT my cuticles seem to get even more dry with that. dont know whats going on there, lol ..
Your nails look great! I bought the Body Shop cuticle pen after you posted about it a while back and I really like it. My fav hand cream is L'Occitane in Shea Butter. It's pretty rich and it smells great.
MLB – thanks – I wish I could achieve the manicured look at home – I might have to sign up for beauty school LOL! Good to know how you feel about the Solar Oil – I've used cuticle creams that have made my skin peel more…not good at all!Lilly – So glad to know that you like the Body Shop pen…I wish I had stocked up on it when it was on offer! It's currently out of stock online in Canada 🙁 I purchased the Shea Butter hand cream, but sadly, it doesn't do much for my dry skin – I probably need something medical grade LOL!
Your nails are gorgeous! I may pick up that pen from the body shop–thanks for the recommendations!
Thanks Andi! If you get the Body Shop pen, could you let me know how it compares to the Creme Abricot (that's next on my Sephora wishlist!)
Nice nails!http://initialed.blogspot.com
Hey Ella, My hands are a wreck so I'm glad that you did this post. I'm really curious about the Body shop almond oil- my poor hands are in need of some TLC so I'll definitely check it out!
Beautiful nails! I'm such a cheapo. I just use regular lotion on my cuticles lol
Thanks t!MMC – My nails and hands are usually a wreck too – I really need to pay more attention to them!Kerri – lucky girl – regular lotion is just not hydrating enough for my dry dry cuticles 🙂
Ooh – you read my mind as I have just been thinking of this very topic – I use the Dior one but now am going to try the body shop pen!