Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. Like non-toxic cruelty-free nail polish. Painting my nails is one of my favorite ways to relieve stress and feel stylish (regardless of what I’m actually wearing!), but manicure after manicure leaves my nails dehydrated and more prone to damage and peeling. It’s about time I checked them into a luxe nail rehabilitation spa.
As if! I’m all about DIY when I can swing it. I promised my poor nails I’d give them several weeks off from polish. Meanwhile, I’m treating my cuticles with a DIY cuticle oil that certainly smells like a spa while instantly improving the appearance of my hands. (Pro tip: you don’t need to remove your cuticles for a tidy looking mani—just keep them well moisturized.)
This DIY cuticle oil is very easy to whip up, and the payoff is pretty great—your nails will be healthier and more resilient (with consistent use, of course), and you’ll get to enjoy some lovely aromatherapy every time you apply it (if you add essentail oils—more on that below). Plus, it’s easy to store in your purse or nail kit. Ready?
Let’s get started!
DIY Cuticle Oil with Essential Oils
First, you will need an empty roller ball bottle. You can find sets online for around $10, or you can repurpose a sample bottle or old perfume roll-on (just make sure it’s clean before getting started). You can pop off the roller ball top with a butter knife. Also, some roller ball bottle kits come with a little doo-dad you can wedge under the top to remove it.
Next, you will need a carrier oil. Jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, argan oil, coconut oil, rosehip oil, apricot seed oil, plum oil, and avocado oil are all worthy options. You can combine them, too. (I have jojoba in my current blend.)
To step things up a notch, you can add essentials oils. You can include your favorite fragrances, or you can select oils based on their medicinal properties. Myrrh oil is often recommended for nails due to its many skin benefits; it’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and soothing to chapped skin. In aromatherapy, it’s considered a relaxing oil and blends well with lavender, frankincense, and chamomile.
Whichever combination of oils you choose, I recommend avoiding or limiting the use of photosensitive oils like bergamot (and other citruses)—especially during warmer months when you’re more likely to spend more time under the sun.
Fill your bottle almost all the way with your carrier oil. Follow a dilution ration of 10-15 drops of essential oil per ~10 mL carrier oil. (You can always add a little more after you feel comfortable with how your skin reacts to the oils.)
Consider a blend of 8 drops myrrh, 3 drops lavender, 3 drops frankincense.
Firmly replace the roller ball top and screw on the lid, give your bottle a good shake, and you’re ready to use your DIY cuticle oil.
How to use DIY Cuticle Oil
- Apply to bare nails for all-over moisture and give your cuticles a nice massage. Adding massage helps stimulate blood flow for more nourished nails from the inside out.
- Apply to cuticles after a manicure to rehydrate cuticles and give hands a healthy, polished look.
- Apply to cuticles after washing hands.
- Apply anytime you need a whiff of something relaxing!
Have you ever tried making your own cuticle oil? What are your favorite essential oils for skincare?
Related: Laverne Cox Is Obsessed With Her Nails For The Best Reason—See Her #ManiGoals!
What Your Nails Say About Your Health
Natural Beauty: Going Bare with Healthy, Polish-Free Natural Nails
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Photo: Mary Hood Luttrell
