In the past, you’ve probably focused more on the style of your nails — making tough decisions like squoval or almond-shaped, gel manicure or press-ons, and which buzzy nail trend is worth the salon trip. (We’re fans of colorful French tips ourselves.) And while these questions and decisions are fun to debate over martinis with friends, there’s one topic you should be taking more seriously: nail health. 

Healthy nails are strong and clear, and they grow at a reasonably quick rate. Like strong hair starts at the scalp, strong nails start at the cuticles (aka the layer of clear skin along the bottom of a nail). The cuticle’s job is to protect the rest of the nail from bacteria and fungus, so they act almost as a sealant. However, because cuticles have far fewer sebaceous (oil) glands than the rest of the hand, they tend to dry out quickly. That’s where cuticle oil comes in. 

With a wide range of cuticle oils to choose from, we decided to take the guesswork out for you. We tested 32 cuticle oils over two weeks to determine which ones were liquid gold for our nails. Read on to discover our hand-picked list of the best cuticle oils.

Best Cuticle Oil Overall

L'Occitane Shea Nail And Cuticle Oil

Our Ratings

• Application

  5/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Efficacy

  5/5

L’Occitane’s beloved cuticle oil may be simple, but it is mighty. With a blend of shea butter, almond oil, castor oil, and avocado oil, it’s deeply hydrating and leaves nail beds nourished and soft. The brush tip applicator makes it easy to apply the cuticle oil with no mess or wasted time. Plus, it smells absolutely heavenly. 

We applied L’Occitane’s cuticle oil to our very dry nails (thanks, winter) every morning for two weeks and were shocked by how quickly it absorbed, leaving only a healthy-looking sheen behind. The brush kept everything neat and clean and made sure not a drop of product was wasted. Our nails not only looked healthier after using the oil, but they actually became healthier too: Our nail tech even commented on how hydrated our cuticles looked — the ultimate compliment for nails — and they were much less prone to breaking as well. 

Active Ingredients: Shea butter, almond oil, castor oil | Applicator: Brush | Best for: Dry, dehydrated skin | Size: 0.25 oz

Best Budget

Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil

Our Ratings

• Application

  5/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Absorption

  4.7/5

• Efficacy

  5/5

• A little bit of this cuticle oil goes a long way, so not only is it affordable, but it also lasts a long time.

Sally Hansen has long been one of the most reliable names in nailcare — and it doesn’t hurt that its drugstore products always come at affordable prices. In our humble opinion, the brand’s best selling cuticle oil lives up to the hype and then some. Formulated specifically with ultra-dry cuticles in mind, the oil contains intensely moisturizing vitamin E alongside aloe, panthenol, apricot kernel, and wheat germ. The brush-on oil helped us control how much product we swiped onto our fingertips to ensure it was delivered right to the root of the problem, leaving cuticles repaired and hydrated.

Although the oil took a little time to fully absorb, we were impressed by the texture, which didn’t feel at all greasy even a few minutes after applying. It didn’t even leave the shine that typically comes with using cuticle oil, but instead just looked and felt soft and moisturized. Just two weeks into using the Sally Hansen oil every day, our nails have never been healthier. They feel thicker and sturdier than usual, and we were very impressed by the results. At such an affordable price and convenient size, this cuticle oil will definitely keep its place in our daily routine going forward.

Active Ingredients: Vitamin E, apricot kernel, aloe | Applicator: Brush | Best for: Brittle nails | Size: 0.45 oz

Best Splurge

JINsoon Extract Cuticle Oil

Our Ratings

• Application

  4.5/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Absorption

  4.7/5

• Efficacy

  5/5

Affectionately known as the “nail guru,” Jin Soon Choi is one of the most respected nail artists working today. Her eponymous line of nail products with a good-for-you, good-for-the-planet sensibility has quickly become an industry staple, and her cuticle oil is no exception. Designed to be used on your cuticles and really, anywhere else on your body, we found it seriously conditioning, likely due to the blend of honeysuckle and primrose extracts with jojoba and almond oils, which provide ultra moisturizing power. It also adds a naturally delightful scent that wafts through the air after applying. 

We tried this nail oil out right after a weeklong trip to the dry Arizona desert, so our cuticles were in desperate need of some rescuing — and the JINsoon oil certainly rose to the challenge. Although the application was a little messier than we’d have liked, it wasn’t any worse than others we’ve used, and since it absorbed super quickly, the greasiness didn’t last long. It soaked into our nails within a few seconds and immediately got to work, giving our cuticles the hydration they needed within just a few minutes. 

The JINsoon oil is definitely a luxury product, but we thought the results made it well worth the price tag. Since starting to use the oil, we’ve had far fewer hangnails and haven’t had any nails break, plus it seemed to offer some protection from acetone and other harsh ingredients during a manicure.

Active Ingredients: Honeysuckle,Jojoba and almond oils | Applicator: Dropper | Best for: All-over use | Size: 0.5oz

Best Drugstore

Orly Argan Oil Cuticle Drops

Our Ratings

• Application

  5/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Absorption

  4.7/5

• Efficacy

  4.5/5

ORLY is always a reliable choice for super effective, super affordable nail care products, and the brand’s cuticle oil is a particular favorite. The rich oil is formulated with a number of tried-and-true ingredients, like argan oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E, to hydrate and soften cuticles. Plus, the cuticle oil can be applied anywhere on the body (and in hair!). 

We tried this oil on our brittle, dry, and often nail-bitten cuticles, and we were quite happy with the results. Although it didn’t have much effect on our already-strong and fast-growing nails, it did keep our cuticles hydrated, which in turn prevented any fraying or snagging. It also eliminated our persistent need to bite them. We especially liked the thick consistency of the oil since it stayed on the cuticle and nail when applying rather than spreading to the rest of our fingers and creating a mess.

Active Ingredients: Vitamin E, argan and jojoba oils | Applicator: Dropper | Best for: Dehydrated nails | Size: 0.6 oz

Best for Brittle Nails

Deborah Lippmann It's A Miracle Pen

Our Ratings

• Application

  5/5

• Appearance

  4.7/5

• Absorption

  4.7/5

• Efficacy

  4.7/5

Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann knows a thing or two about nail health — and she’s bottled up her years of wisdom in this nourishing cuticle oil. Made with a blend of 10 essential oils, including sweet almond, sesame seed, and evening primrose oils, it soothed our cracked and damaged cuticles and nails while also reducing dryness. We especially loved how easy the pen applicator was to use, keeping drips and any excess mess at bay. It also allowed for a super targeted application directly onto our cuticles, so it didn’t leave our fingers oily — overall, we loved how neat and easy it was to use. 

There was a little excess sheen, but for the most part, it absorbed quickly and didn’t leave fingers feeling greasy. Within just a few days, we saw a big improvement: Any flakiness was totally soothed, and our nails felt stronger, sturdier, and nourished. 

Active Ingredients: Sweet almond, sesame seed and evening primrose oils | Applicator: Brush pen | Best for: Brittle nails, a mess-free application | Size: 1.2 oz

Best for Nail Growth

Olive & June Cuticle Serum Duo

Our Ratings

• Application

  5/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Absorption

  4.7/5

• Efficacy

  4.7/5

The Olive & June cuticle serum is not only rich with moisturizing ingredients and soothing to nails, but it also has perhaps the easiest (and cutest) applicator ever. With a sponge tip to press the product into nail beds to make sure it doesn’t spread, you get exactly the amount of serum you need and want. It absorbs quickly, infusing cuticles with avocado oil, apricot oil, cactus flower extract, and jojoba oil to hydrate and stimulate nail growth. The only thing to be aware of here is that it took quite a few twists of the pen to get the serum out when we first used it.

We loved that this pack came with two cuticle serums, allowing us to keep one at work and one next to the bed to ensure round-the-clock hydration. The fuzzy, round tip made application easy and clean, and we appreciated not having to use our fingertips to blend it in. None of the product spilled or leaked, and it sank into our skin quickly — so quickly in fact that we could get back to typing on our computer right away without worrying that the oil would get all over the keys. 

After using it for more than a week, it performed even better than we expected to thoroughly hydrate our nails and cuticles. As a bonus, our nails were undeniably longer, too.

Active Ingredients: Avocado and jojoba oils, cactus flower extract | Applicator: Sponge pen | Best for: On-the-go use, nail growth | Size: 0.14 oz

Best for Cuticles and Nails

Dior Huile Abricot

Our Ratings

• Application

  5/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Efficacy

  4.7/5

No one makes nailcare luxe quite like Dior. Formulated with apricot, camellia and argan oils, plus a dose of vitamin E, the serum both hydrated our cuticles and strengthened our nails. 

We were big fans of this oil’s applicator brush, which made it easy to control exactly how much product we were applying. It also helped us get the oil into those tough-to-reach corners of our nails. It took less than three minutes for the oil to absorb, which felt reasonable compared to many other cuticle oils we’ve tried, and it didn’t feel greasy afterwards. Within a week, our previously dry cuticles were supple as can be, and the more we used the oil, the more our nails seemed to retain hydration.

Active Ingredients: Apricot oil and argan oils, vitamin E | Applicator: Brush | Best For: Weak cuticles and nails | Size: 0.25 oz

Best Hydrating

Cuccio Milk and Honey Revitalizing Cuticle Oil

Our Ratings

• Application

  4.5/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Efficacy

  4/5

Cuccio’s professional-grade cuticle oil is used in salons around the world, and it’s easy to see why. Safflower oil, honey, vitamin E, and lactic acid work together to soothe and refresh skin and nails, offering moisture that lasts. It also comes in a whopping 2.5-ounce bottle, the biggest cuticle oil we’ve found, so it will last a long time.

We found this oil to be very lightweight but still powerful, and we didn’t have to worry about getting residue on our sheets or clothing. It took around 10 minutes to fully absorb, but the more we massaged it in, the faster it seemed to absorb, and even when it was sitting on top of skin, it felt silky rather than greasy. After using the oil for a week, our nails and cuticles were significantly softer and more hydrated, and it made our entire hands look much healthier.

Active Ingredients: Safflower oil, honey, vitamin E | Applicator: Dropper | Best for: Dry skin | Size: 2.5 oz

Best Strengthening

Seche Condition Keratin Infused Cuticle Oil

Our Ratings

• Application

  5/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Absorption

  4/5

• Efficacy

  4/5

This cuticle oil from Seche is not only deeply hydrating and conditioning on nail beds, but it also goes one step further to actually improve nail strength and length. With the addition of keratin, this nourishing formula stimulates growth, while jojoba oil moisturizes. The brush-on oil is easy to use and is especially great for severely cracked cuticles and brittle nails.

Although we weren’t crazy about the nail-polish-like bottle since it required keeping our hands on a flat surface to apply, this oil made a tangible difference in our cuticle health. It soothed all of the dryness and cracking that previously marked our nailbeds and prevents us from picking at them. The oil made left our nails hydrated and healthy — though, we should flag that consistent use is key since the moisturizing effects went away when we skipped a day or two.

Active Ingredients: Jojoba oil, keratin | Applicator: Brush | Best for: Cracked cuticles, weak nails | Size: 0.5 oz

Best Natural

Tenoverten The Rose Oil Cuticle Oil

Our Ratings

• Application

  4.7/5

• Appearance

  4.7/5

• Absorption

  4.5/5

• Efficacy

  4.7/5

Tenoverten is the ultimate natural-beauty nail brand, but unlike some of the others in the space, its products really do work. The brand’s cuticle oil is made with a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to heal dry or cracked skin and strengthen brittle nails. Jojoba, pomegranate, argan, sweet almond, and hemp seed oils deeply nourish cuticles without leaving a greasy finish or any mess. 

We loved the rollerball application of this oil, which deposited just the right amount of product and kept things mess-free. The oil absorbed within about two minutes and left a soft sheen for about half an hour, and we really enjoyed the subtle scent. After using it daily for a week, our nails looked and felt much more hydrated, and our cuticles were transformed from peeling and cracked to moisturized and healthy.

Active Ingredients: Jojoba, argan and sweet almond oils | Applicator: Roller | Best for: Sensitive skin | Size: 0.27 oz

Best Essential Oil

OPI ProSpa Nail & Cuticle Oil

Our Ratings

• Application

  4/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Absorption

  3.5/5

• Efficacy

  5/5

OPI’s cuticle oil may be an oldie, but let us tell you, it’s still very much a goodie. Formulated with rich ingredients, like avocado, grapeseed, and sunflower oils, it’s super replenishing and soothing for nails and cuticles. The dropper is easy to use, but we found it to be slightly less than neat. It often left a little residue, so we would suggest using this oil at night rather than during the day. 

What the oil lacked in easy application and quick absorption though, it more than made up for in hydration. The oil is incredibly rich and left our nails feeling nourished and strong, plus it seemed to help with growth.

Active Ingredients: Avocado, grapeseed and sunflower oils | Applicator: Dropper | Best for: Dry skin | Size: 0.29 oz

Best Pen

Candy X Paints Renew Delicate Cuticle Glow

Our Ratings

• Application

  4.7/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Efficacy

  4.7/5

This cuticle oil is made with just a few, all-natural ingredients, including pumpkin, sunflower, and maracuja oils and squalene, which work together to hydrate skin and nails then lock in that hydration. Known for its soothing properties, this oil can bring dry, dull cuticles back to life in just a couple of weeks. We had a bad crack on our finger when we started using the oil pen and saw no remnants of it a few days later. We also liked the brush-tip applicator, which was easy to use and helped us control the amount of product we were depositing. It absorbed quickly and left no greasy residue, leaving only a healthy shine and hydration behind.

Active Ingredients: Sunflower and pumpkin oils, squalene | Applicator: Brush pen | Best for: Cracked cuticles

Best Roll-On

Sundari Neem Treatment Oil

Our Ratings

• Application

  4/5

• Appearance

  5/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Efficacy

  5/5

This cuticle treatment from Sundari boasts a handful of unique, all-natural ingredients. Neem extract, an essential part of collagen with antibacterial properties, helps promote nail growth and fend off infection, while Triphala and alma extract soften tough skin and provide lasting hydration. 

The rollerball applicator is easy to use and keeps the product exactly where you want it and nowhere you don’t, but we did have to go over nails a few times to get enough on there. The good news is it kept application quick and clean and prevented any residue from seeping onto other surfaces. Even when we did get one hangnail while testing the oil, it kept the area moisturized and we didn’t have the urge to pull it.

Active Ingredients: Neem and alma extracts, Triphala| Applicator: Rollerball | Best For: Brittle nails | Size: 0.34 oz

Our Testing Process

The InStyle team spent hours combing through countless reviews and consulting experts to find 31 of the top cuticle oils to put to the test firsthand. Our testing taskforce was composed of InStyle editors across a wide range of ages, skin types and lifestyles. Each of us also struggle with dry cuticles and weak or brittle nails. Each editor was matched with a cuticle oil to use over two weeks. We evaluated each cuticle oil based on the quality of its formula, feel of its consistency and level of absorption, as well as the overall experience and final result. Our top-ranked cuticle oils comprise this list.

What to Look For

Hydrating Ingredients

There’s no shortage of cuticle oils to choose from, so it’s important to know what to look for when determining which one is best for you. First and foremost, you’ll want to consider the ingredients. 

“The ingredients are the most important part,” says Julie Kandalec, a nail artist in New York City. “You should make sure the ingredients have molecules that are small enough to penetrate the skin (versus something with a large molecule that just sits on top and doesn't actually help).” 

She recommends jojoba oil, which has the smallest molecule, and sweet almond oil, which has a larger molecule but still absorbs and helps to hydrate the upper layers of the cuticle. 

“Most cuticle oils have a small trace of acetate, so if your skin is easily irritated, be sure to read over all the ingredients,” adds Gregory Littley, co-founder of natural nail color brand PÄRDĒ Beauty.

Non-Greasy Finish

The finish of a cuticle oil can make or break your experience.. Because most cuticle treatments come in oil form, these can be quite slick and leave your fingers feeling slippery. Although a little greasiness is fine for nighttime application, it can create a mess during the day, especially if you’re using a computer or phone. So, if you’re looking for something you can use around the clock, stick to the faster-absorbing formulas that leave a grease-free finish.

Packaging

Next, think about how you’ll be using the cuticle oil: Right before bed? Throughout the day?

Next, consider the applicator based on your intended use. While some of this will come down to personal preference, different applicators will (you guessed it!) lead to different applications. 

A dropper is the classic style and is still preferred by many since it prevents cross-contamination, but a brush-tip or rollerball applicator tends to offer a cleaner, more targeted application experience. 

Your Questions, Answered

What does cuticle oil do?

Cuticle oil is a holy grail nail product if you want long, strong nails. “Applying cuticle oil can help to stimulate nail growth and promote stronger nails while protecting them from the elements they’re exposed to,” explains Asami Irigaki, a nail artist in New York City. 

“A cuticle oil can also extend the life of a manicure, whether it’s gel or polish,” adds Littley. “Strengthening and protecting the nail is important through the use of an oil, especially if you get manicures biweekly or monthly.”

Does cuticle oil actually work?

It certainly does! Cuticle oils work by penetrating skin to infuse it with hydration and create a watertight seal to prevent infection.

How do you use cuticle oil?

When it comes to how to use cuticle oil, the application process couldn’t be simpler. Just apply a few drops onto your nails where they meet the cuticle, and lightly massage the oil into your skin. Or, if you’re using a cuticle pen, twist the pen a few clicks before dabbing the product onto your nail bed. Apply right out of the shower for best results, and make using cuticle oil a part of your routine at least a few times a week.

What is the fastest way to hydrate cuticles?

True hydration takes time, so unfortunately, you’ll need a little patience to repair damaged cuticles. That said, Irigaki has one small trick to help up the ante: Apply cuticle oil right out of the shower while your skin is still damp and your pores are open.

How often should you apply cuticle oil?

Although the frequency of cuticle oil application depends on your lifestyle and what you do with your hands every day, you need to use it at least once and ideally two to three times daily for ideal results. It’s especially important to apply cuticle oil before you go to sleep so it can work overnight. “This is what I tell my clients: You cannot over use it,” says Kandalec.

It’s especially important, says Littley, to slather your nails in a cuticle oil a few hours after a manicure, as polish can sometimes cause dryness.

What are the benefits of using cuticle oil?

Cuticles are literally and figuratively the root of nails, so it’s important to keep them happy and healthy, and cuticle oil is the best way to do that. “It keeps the nails flexible so they bend but don't break, it prevents the layers of the natural nail from peeling, and it prevents hangnails,” Kandalec says. “And if you wear enhancements, like gel or acrylic, it prevents them from curling away from the enhancement, which can lead to lifting and allow bacteria to get between the nail and enhancement.”

Why Shop With Us

InStyle contributor Gabby Shacknai has been covering beauty and health for more than six years, writing for a long list of leading magazines and websites. While she appreciates every bit of surface-level beauty, she’s particularly interested in what’s below the surface—because it doesn’t matter how gorgeous the nail polish is if the nail underneath is unhealthy. She interviewed two New York City-based celebrity nail artists, Asami Irigaki and Julie Kandalec, for their insights as well as Gregory Littley, founder of the clean nail polish brand, Pärdē Beauty.