How to Care for Cuticles

Keeping your cuticles well groomed only takes a little effort. Dryness is the number one reason for getting hangnails; when your cuticles are ragged, dried and peeling, it's time to pay them some attention. Care for your cuticles to get polished looking hands.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Cuticle remover
• Orange stick
• Cuticle nipper
• Moisturizer

1. Moisturize. Apply hand cream, lotion or nail oil and rub it into the cuticle. The delicate skin on your hands needs moisturized daily. Keep a hand moisturizer with you to use several times daily.
2. Do not cut or trim cuticles. Cuticles are barriers that keep bacteria from entering your body, so it's best to leave this delicate skin intact. Groom your cuticles regularly because overgrown cuticles can stunt nail growth.
3. Purchase a good cuticle remover (not oil) and an orange stick. Apply cuticle remover and allow the cuticles to soften. Using the orange stick, gently push back the cuticles. Push gently to avoid damaging the cuticle.
4. Move the orange stick in tiny circles around the base of the nail to help remove any dead or flaky skin. This whitish residue, or the ghost of the cuticle, is called pterygium. It should be cleaned from the nail as well. Do this to each nail several times.
5. Trim any remaining hangnails using a cuticle nipper. Make sure this tool is sharp and cuts cleanly.
6. Wipe clean nail with a cotton ball and moisturize.