Why Healthy Cuticles Are Key to Your Best Nails
When it comes to achieving and maintaining healthy nails, cuticle care is super important – but why? Because they serve as a protective barrier that seals the space between your nail place and skin, which helps retain moisture in the nail while preventing bacteria from entering. When cuticles are healthy and intact, they minimize the risk of infection and breakage, leading to healthier nail regrowth. But when they’re damaged, it can lead to infection and other nail issues such as dullness and breakage. So how can you keep your cuticles–and in turn, your nails–looking and feeling top notch? Spoiler alert: You don’t need to make a salon appointment. Ahead, we’re sharing five foolproof tips on how to expertly (and easily!) care for your cuticles from the comfort of home.
Tip #1: Prep Before Pushing
Pushing your cuticles back is a simple yet effective way to help remove dead skin cells from the base of your nails, which works to make them look longer and cleaner. Additionally, it allows your polish to adhere better because it creates a smoother canvas on the nail plate. With that being said, it’s super important to soak and nourish your nails prior to pushing your cuticles back because this helps soften them, thereby making the skin easier to remove without incurring any damage.
Start by soaking your nails in warm water for 2-3 minutes and then apply a few drops of cuticle oil – such as Londontown’s antioxidant-packed Nourishing Cuticle Oil – to each nail. Then gently push them back using a professional-grade tool such as Londontown’s new Glass Cuticle Pusher.
Tip #2: Avoid Cutting Your Cuticles
Any professional manicurist will strongly advise against cutting or clipping your own cuticles at home as this can easily damage your nails and heighten the risk for infection. Instead, opt for an at-home exfoliant such as Londontown’s Fresh Glow Cuticle Remover, which instantly melts away dry skin and overgrown edges without the need for clippers. The nourishing formula leaves your cuticles hydrated and soft, with no mess or skin-nipping in sight. Leave the fast-acting formula on for 15-30 seconds and follow up with the aforementioned Cuticle pusher for best results.
Tip #3: Moisturize Often
Just like the skin on your hands needs to be moisturized – so do your cuticles. This helps keep them hydrated and healthy while preventing dryness, cracking, and other forms of damage. Londontown’s Roll & Glow Cuticle Oil is an excellent option, especially for folks who travel or are constantly on-the-go, as it’s portable, convenient, and packed with skin-loving ingredients. You can use the conditioning formula as often as you want, but we recommend applying it at least once a day for optimal results.
Tip #4: Stop Biting Your Nails
Biting your nails is one of the worst things you can do for your cuticles because it causes small tears in the fragile skin, which in turn makes you more susceptible to infection from bacteria found in saliva. It also damages the protective nail barrier, which can interfere with healthy regrowth. Like any habit, we know nail biting can be hard to break, which is why we recommend using a product like Londontown’s No Nail Bite Recovery to help deter you from biting. The innovative solution has a harmless but unpleasant taste that makes you less inclined to bite your nails – plus it contains strengthening ingredients that aid in repair and regrowth.
Tip #5: Do a Deep Treatment While You Sleep
A simple way to level-up your at-home cuticle care is to start using an overnight treatment. Even if you only do it once a week, it will help keep your cuticles feeling fresh and revitalized. Londontown’s Nighttime Cuticle Quench is a prime option as it’s lightweight yet deeply hydrating and effective. Enriched with kur care and soothing lavender, the innovative bi-phase formula effortlessly repairs and rejuvenates your nails while you sleep you can wake up to visibly healthier nails.
