Do you have weak or brittle nails? Are they constantly breaking and splitting? If so, you may need to start using a nail growth oil (cuticle oil). Nail growth oils are a great way to strengthen your nails and help them grow long and healthy. In this post, we will discuss the best kinds of oil for nail growth, as well as how to make your own DIY cuticle oil!
Which oil is best for nail growth?
There are many different oils that can be beneficial for nail growth. However, some oils are better than others. The best oil for nail growth is Jojoba oil because of its molecular similarity to sebum, our body’s own naturally occurring moisturizer. Read on to find out more about how this oil can help you to grow long, healthy nails.
Jojoba Oil For Nail Growth
Your body produces oil naturally (sebum) but not enough to keep up with our constant hand washing. Although you can use any oil to soften your cuticles, a nail oil needs to contain Jojoba oil in order to be effective.
Molecularly, Jojoba oil looks almost identical to sebum, the oil that is naturally produced in our bodies to keep skin and nails moisturized. Jojoba oil is a small molecule that can actually penetrate your nail plate and work its way between the keratin fibers in your nail. Other oil molecules are too big to penetrate your nail plate.
Jojoba oil also hydrates nails by forming a semi-permeable protective barrier over the nail thereby sealing in moisture.
Jojoba oil is a rich source of vitamins E and B. This oil helps to repair damaged collagen inside the nail bed, which in turn promotes healthy nail growth. Jojoba oil also helps to absorb other ingredients, making it an excellent carrier oil for other nutrient-dense oils.
Other Beneficial Oils for Nail Growth
Jojoba Oil should be the main ingredient in your nail growth treatment, but there are several other oils that you can include to improve your cuticle and nail health. Let’s take a look at these useful oils.
Carrier Oils For Nail Growth:
Sweet almond oil– this oil is a rich source of many restorative ingredients including omega 6 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin B6. These ingredients help keep your nails healthy and strong, which can help prevent them from breaking or peeling. Almond oil is also great for improving the appearance of cuticles, making them look shiny and healthy.
Argon oil– argan oil contains vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants that can help to hydrate, protect, strengthen, and nourish to improve nail health.
Olive oil– Olive oil is an excellent moisturizer and healing oil. It’s rich in vitamin E, which helps the absorption of calcium. This improves bone mineralization and calcification, strengthening brittle nails. It also softens cuticles to prevent hangnails.
Vitamin E Oil– Vitamin E is deeply moisturizing helping to restore weak nails that are brittle and prone to breaking.
Grape seed oil-Grape seed oil is a light, smooth, and odorless oil. It is full of antioxidants, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Beta-Carotene and Vitamin D. It is moisturizing without leaving a greasy residue.
Essential Oils For Nail Growth:
Tea Tree Essential Oil– Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a beneficial complement to homemade ointments for healing.
Myrrh Essential Oil- Myrrh has long been used to heal skin conditions such as sores and rashes. Due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, Myrrh can help to heal dry chapped, peeling cuticles.
Lavender Essential Oil– Lavender oil has healing and antibacterial properties. It has been shown to accelerate wound healing and increase collagen production. AND it smells amazing!
These oils are all great for promoting healthy nail growth. They are all packed with nutrients that are important for healthy nails. You can combine some of these oils with Jojoba oil to make an incredibly nourishing serum to get those nails growing quickly.
How to Soften Cuticles Naturally?
To soften your cuticles without using a synthetic chemical, first, soak your fingertips and toes in warm lemon water. Simply add about 2 teaspoons of lemon juice to a half cup of warm water and keep your nails submerged for about 5 minutes.
If your cuticles are cracked and damaged, DO NOT use this method. The acid from the lemon juice will burn your open wounds.
Instead before going to bed each night massage jojoba oil into your cuticles then layer with Vasoline to lock in moisture and cover with gloves while you sleep.
DIY cuticle oil
A DIY cuticle oil is a great way to nourish your nails and promote healthy nail growth. By using natural oils, you can avoid the harsh chemicals that are often found in commercial cuticle oils.
Plus, making your own cuticle oil is very easy and cost-effective. Simply choose a base oil and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
An effective cuticle oil should include a variety of essential oils so you can benefit from all of their various properties. Having a well-rounded mix of oils will help to address all of your nail and cuticle needs.
Keep in mind that essential oils are usually concentrated and can do more harm than good if they are applied directly to your skin without a carrier oil.
The Best DIY Cuticle and Nail Growth Oil Recipe
Ingredients:
1/4 Cup Jojoba Oil
20 drops Vitamin E Oil
10 drops Sweet Almond Oil
5 drops Myrrh Essential Oil
5 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Directions:
Mix oils in a small glass measuring cup. Using a small funnel, pour mixture into a dark (preferably opaque) glass bottle with a dropper. You can find these on Amazon for less than 5$.
Apply to nails and cuticles every time you wash your hands and at night before bed. For an extra nighttime boost, apply Vasoline over your cuticle oil and then wear gloves to bed. Learn more about the importance of layering skincare products to seal in and maximize their benefits in this post.
Be sure to store your cuticle/nail treatment in a dark glass bottle and out of direct sunlight. This will help to prolong the shelf life of your cuticle oil.
What Is Cuticle Oil?
Cuticle oil is a cosmetic product that is used to moisturize and soften cuticles. The cuticles are the thin piece of skin that surrounds the base of your nails.
The main purpose of using cuticle oil is to hydrate the dry, brittle cuticles and promote healthy nail growth. Cuticle oil can be purchased at most beauty supply stores or online. You can also easily make your own cuticle oil at home.
There are many different types of cuticle oils on the market, but they all serve the same purpose. Cuticle oil is typically made with a base oil and essential oils. The base oil is used to moisturize the cuticles, while the essential oils provide additional benefits such as promoting healthy nails and cuticles.
How to Apply Cuticle Oil
Applying cuticle oil is very easy. Simply take a small amount of oil on your fingertip and massage it into the cuticles. You can apply cuticle oil as often as you like, but it is typically applied once or twice per week.
If you are using a cuticle oil that comes with a brush applicator, then you will need to dip the brush into the oil and apply it to the cuticles.
Once you have applied the cuticle oil, you can gently push back your cuticles with a manicure stick.
When to Use Cuticle Oil
Cuticle oil can be used at any time, but it is typically applied before bedtime. This allows the oil to work overnight to moisturize and soften dry cuticles. It should also be used during a manicure before pushing cuticles down to avoid cracking and damage to the cuticles.
FAQs
How to Protect Nails and Cuticles from Fungal Infections?
If you are prone to nail fungus or other nail infections, then you should consider using a cuticle oil that contains antifungal properties. Tea tree oil and myrrh oil are two essential oils that have antifungal properties.
You can also add a few drops of these essential oils to your regular cuticle oil to create an antifungal cuticle oil.
When using essential oils, it is important to use a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or grapeseed oil. This will help to dilute the essential oils and prevent skin irritation.
As always, perform a patch test on a small area of skin before using anything new.
What causes peeling nails?
There are many different causes of peeling nails. Peeling nails can be caused by a lack of moisture, vitamin deficiencies, or exposure to harsh chemicals. Overexposure to water from hand washing, dishwashing, or housecleaning can also cause peeling nails.
How can I prevent peeling nails?
If your nails are peeling, it is important to moisturize them on a daily basis. You can use a cuticle oil to keep your nails hydrated. You can also take vitamins or supplements to ensure that you are getting enough nutrients.
If you are exposed to harsh chemicals or a lot of water, it is important to wear gloves to protect your nails. You should also avoid using nail polish or other products that contain harsh chemicals.
Do nail growth oils work?
Nail growth oils are designed to moisturize and nourish the nails and cuticles to promote healthy nail growth. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that nail growth oils actually work, but there are numerous testimonials that support the efficacy of nail growth oils.
Does coconut oil help nails grow?
Coconut oil is a good source of moisture, so it can help to keep your nails hydrated which can promote stronger nails.
Is Vaseline good for nails?
Vasoline is occlusive, meaning it creates a barrier to lock in moisture. This can help to keep your nails hydrated and prevent them from peeling. If layered over a nail oil overnight, it can also help to lock in helpful nutrients while you sleep.
Is castor oil good for nails?
Castor oil is a thick oil that is high in vitamin E. This makes it ideal for dry cuticles as it can help to nourish and soften the cuticles. Castor oil can treat and strengthen brittle fragile nails, prevent nail fungus, and treat the white spots that can occur on nails from vitamin deficiencies.
Do nails absorb oil?
Nails are made of many layers of keratin. Because it is a smaller molecule, Jojoba oil is the only oil that can penetrate and absorb into several layers of the nail.
