Nail trends may come and go, but cuticle care is always in style. Whether you're flirting with almond-shaped nails or staying loyal to the classic oval, your manicure will only ever look as good as the cuticles framing it. And the easiest way to do that? A good cuticle oil.
Whether you're dabbling in the lace nail trend or committed to gel manicures, cuticle oils deserve a spot in your skincare arsenal. They help moisturize the delicate skin around the nail and help prevent cracking and hangnails. “When cuticles are properly moisturized, they're less likely to split or peel, which can make your nails vulnerable and increase your risk of infection,” says licensed aesthetician and Cave of Beauty founder Lily Njoroge.
Knowing you need a cuticle oil is only half the battle—it's finding one you'll actually use that's the hard part. The key, says board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, is to find a formula with “hydrating oils that supplement the natural oils of the skin.” Just as important: it should feel comfortable and fit seamlessly into your routine. Otherwise, it's destined for the back of your drawer. Ahead, the cuticle oils I reach for to keep my nails glossy, healthy, and perpetually manicure-ready.
The Best Cuticle Oils
- Best Cuticle Oil Overall: Chillhouse On The Mend
- Best Budget Cuticle Oil: Cuccio Revitalizing Cuticle Oil Milk & Honey
- Best Multi-Use Cuticle Oil: OPI Nature Strong Nails & Skin
- Best Travel Cuticle Oil: L'Occitane Strengthening Shea Nail and Cuticle Oil
- Best Luxury Cuticle Oil: Chanel L'Huile Camélia
After weeks of rigorous testing—and intense cuticle moisturizing—I feel confident that the Chillhouse On the Mend cuticle oil pen is the best overall. First, its formula is packed with moisturizing emollient ingredients like jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil, and apricot kernel oil, as well as antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn oil. Second, the clicker pen makes it by far the easiest to use. Plus, this oil dries down quickly, so you can move on to your next task without feeling like you're leaving oily fingerprints everywhere.
Application Mechanism: Clicker brush pen
What I Love: The soft silicone tip can be used to push back cuticles without damaging them
What I Don't: It's pricey for a product you can't refill yourself
Review for MC: "Not only does this cuticle oil leave my cuticles feeling nice and soft, but it's also the easiest to use. The clicker pen only dispenses a little bit of oil at a time, so you don't have to worry about accidentally creating a greasy mess, and it's totally travel (and purse) friendly, which means you can apply it whenever, wherever." — Olivia Truffaut-Wong, Contributing Editor
Thanks to its blend of emollient oils and antioxidants, the Cuccio Naturale Milk & Honey Cuticle Oil is one of Dr. Camp's favorites. He calls it a “lightweight cuticle oil that absorbs quickly into the skin.” In other words, it's a great option if you need to use your hands soon after applying. “It also contains lactic acid from milk to soften skin and honey, which acts to attract and retain moisture,” he adds.
Application Mechanism: Dropper
What I Love: This formula contains safflower, sunflower, and cottonseed oil—emollients that help keep your skin soft and smooth; Absorbs fast
What I Don't: Fragrance could irritate those with sensitive skin
Review for MC: “It's no surprise that the Cuccio cuticle oil is an Amazon best seller. The oil itself is super hydrating and has a nice, subtle scent, and the bottle looks so glamorous. It has a flat side, so it sits slightly tilted, making it a sophisticated addition to any vanity.” — Olivia Truffaut-Wong, Contributing Editor
If you're looking to give your hands a spa-like experience, this OPI cuticle oil is a great pick. It contains Macadamia seed oil, which works wonders on dry skin and contains fatty acids that lock in moisture with a cushiony feel. In other words, it'll leave your hands feeling silky smooth. The packaging makes it difficult to dispense only a small amount, so I like to use this when I feel like giving myself a well-earned hand massage.
Application Mechanism: Dropper
What I Like: This oil rubs in really easily, leaving your nail beds feeling moisturized, not sticky; Fatty acids strengthen the skin barrier
What I Don't: The dropper releases a lot of extra product, making it hard to use only on your cuticles
Review for MC: “I love how nourished and soft this oil makes my skin feel, but the packaging and dropper make this less of a cuticle oil and more of an all-over-hand oil. Still does the trick, but makes it less travel-friendly.” — Olivia Truffaut-Wong, Contributing Editor
L'Occitane's Nail and Cuticle oil is another of Dr. Camp's favorites. He loves the formula—specifically calling out sweet almond oil, shea oil, and sunflower seed oil as ingredients that “soften cuticles and promote healthy-looking nails.” Another plus? Its small size makes it easy to take on the go, and the brush applicator lets you apply the product exactly where you need it.
Application Mechanism: Squeeze brush pen
What I Like: Dries quickly; Easy to target just the cuticle area; No-mess application
What I Don't: You don't get a lot of product for the price
Review for MC: “This oil smells exactly like the L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, and it'll leave your cuticles just as moisturized. I love how small it is — perfect for on-the-go—and how easy the brush makes application. The only thing I don't like is that it can be hard to control exactly how much oil is dispensed via the squeeze tube, but it's a small price to pay for healthy cuticles.” — Olivia Truffaut-Wong, Contributing Editor
Chanel's L'Huile Camélia is definitely a splurge, but what it lacks in affordability, it makes up for in uniqueness. This cuticle oil contains camellia oil, which acts as an emollient and moisturizer for dry skin, and glycerin, another powerhouse moisturizer—two ingredients not overly common in cuticle oils on this list. It also has a thicker, more gel-like texture, which provides a different, more luxe sensory experience than traditional oils.
Application Mechanism: Squeeze tube with a beveled applicator
What I Like: Thicker consistency that feels like a luxe nail treatment; Ceramide-rich formula creates a protective layer over the cuticle
What I Don't: Most expensive option on this list
Customer Review: "I admit it's pricey. But I really wanted to try it out and have no regrets. The gel texture gives you plenty of playtime to rub it into each cuticle, and your skin looks hydrated, not oily, after absorption. The scent is very light but lovely. A little goes a long way, I find myself putting a dot on each thumb and then using that for each hand. Will I buy it again? Probably. My cuticles look amazing, and I love the experience. You could probably just use camellia oil for nourishment, but the texture and final look will be completely different." — Nordstrom
If you are looking for a “clean beauty”-approved cuticle oil, this one is for you. Made by the vegan brand Ella + Mila, the Oil Me Up cuticle oil contains safflower seed oil and mineral oil—two great emollients—and Vitamin E, which Dr. Camp notes, “has antioxidant properties to promote healthier nail growth.”
Application Method: Dropper
What I Like: Very cute packaging; Brush makes for precise application
What I Don't: Contains a lot of fragrance
Customer Review: "This cute little bottle is easy to use, with a nice stopper that puts just a dab of the oil on the nail with just a light touch & barely any squeezing, if any (just touching it to the cuticle puts a tiny dot of oil on it). Pleasant smell, rubs into the cuticles with little effort, and makes the nails look healthier along with the cuticles." — Amazon
Manacurist's cuticle oil stands out for its plant-based formula featuring a mix of sweet almond oil, walnut seed oil, and coconut oil—excellent emollients that help smooth the skin—as well as kukui nut oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties. In other words, this cuticle oil will help moisturize dry skin while calming irritation.
Application Method: Dropper
What I Like: The small dropper makes it incredibly easy to use; Calms red, irritated skin
What I Don't: The vegetable scent isn't for me
Customer Review: "This is the best nail and cuticle oil I’ve ever used, hands down. I’ve tried others in the past, but none have provided such great results. I use it once per day, right before bed, and it’s transformed my hands in a week. I’ll always be sure to have some on hand." — Amazon
No, it's not technically an oil, but the CeraVe Healing Ointment is one of Njoroge's favorite products for her cuticles. Citing its combination of occlusive petrolatum—which helps create a barrier on the skin to prevent transepidermal water loss—and humectants, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol—which help keep your skin hydrated—Njoroge says, “It rescues my cuticles every time I've irritated and dried them out.”
Application Mechanism: Tube
What I Like: It's great for dry, cracked skin; Truly multi-use; Safe for sensitive or reactive skin
What I Don't: Leaves hands feeling greasy
Customer Review: "I wish I had found this product years ago because I’ve spent a lot of money on other products only for them not to work. It has helped my extremely dry skin, cracked hands and fingertips, and dry, cracked cuticles. You won’t be disappointed!" — Amazon
Mooncat makes some of the most unique nail polishes on the market, so it makes sense that the brand's cuticle oil wouldn't miss. I love that this formula contains marula oil, which not only moisturizes but can help soothe redness, and that it doesn't contain fragrance, so I don't have to worry about it irritating my skin.
Application Method: Brush
What I Like: The packaging is identical to the Mooncat polish, so it's easy to store with my nail care; Brush applicator makes it easy to apply exactly where I need it
What I Don't: It takes a while to dry
Customer Review: "I used this when I had completely shredded my cuticles (I work in a warehouse). It immediately improved the appearance, and within a week, they were almost back to looking normal. Great for softening them before you go in for trimming/maintenance!" — Mooncat
Holo Taco's cuticle oil pen only contains three emollient ingredients: jojoba seed oil, squalane, and Vitamin E acetate to help treat dry cuticles. “Emollients smooth and soften your skin by filling in the cracks,” explains Njoroge. And not only will this cuticle oil help keep your cuticles happy, but it's refillable as well.
Application Mechanism: Clicker brush pen
What I Like: Refillable pen helps cut down on plastic waste; Simple, but effective formula
What I Don't: Not available at mass retailers
Customer Review: "I've always had brittle nails due to a genetic disorder, but after using this for a year. My nails are growing stronger, healthier, and thicker. Its super easy to use, so even on low motivation days i can use it. I've gotten so many compliments on my nail length by nail techs, doctors, friends, and family!!" — Holo Taco
One swipe of this will leave your cuticles soft and your hands smelling like fresh fruit. The Essie Apricot Nail and Cuticle Oil uses apricot kernel and jojoba oils to keep your cuticles moisturized and protected from external irritants. But what really sets it apart is the packaging. The On a Roll version of the oil (also available in a traditional bottle and brush) features a metal bead applicator that keeps mess to a minimum, and not to mention, it's incredibly convenient.
Application Method: Squeeze tube roller ball
What I Like: The metal ball applicator provides a nice cooling effect; Easy to take on the go
What I Don't: I worry it might leak in my purse
Customer Review: "I really like this cuticle oil! The apricot scent is light and pleasant, the formula feels nourishing without being greasy, and the rollerball makes it super easy to apply anytime. It’s a quick, mess-free step that feels a little luxurious." — Amazon
What Does Cuticle Oil Do?
Cuticle oils hydrate the skin around the nail, otherwise known as the perionychium. Not only will this up your manicure game, but it might also help your nails in the long run. According to Dr. Camp, keeping cuticles moisturized “can help prevent the formation of hangnails, while maintaining the health of the nail plate and cuticle.”
Cuticle oil can also help your manicures last longer, according to Njoroge, but only if applied after the polish is completely dry or cured. “Regular cuticle oil application can actually help extend the life of your manicure by keeping the surrounding skin healthy and preventing peeling at the edges and hangnails,” she says.
How Do I Choose the Best Cuticle Oil?
- Ingredients
The best cuticle oils, according to OPI's North America Brand Education Manager, Lia Smith, will include a combination of moisturizing oils. Specifically, Lia suggests looking for jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, macadamia oil, and argan oil. These are emollients, which Njoroge defines as ingredients that “smooth and soften your skin by filling in the cracks.”
If, however, you're looking for a cuticle oil that hydrates and helps protect your skin barrier, you'll want to look for a combination of emollients, humectants, and occlusives. “The most effective cuticle treatments contain all three types of ingredients,” Njorge says.
So, what exactly are humectants and occlusives? “Humectants bind to water on your skin's surface and slow down how fast it evaporates,” explains Njoroge. These include glycerine and hyaluronic acid. Meanwhile, occlusive ingredients, like petrolatum and mineral oil, form a barrier on the skin to help prevent transepidermal water loss. Occlusive ingredients, Njoroge notes, are “particularly important for damaged or very dry and sensitive cuticles.”
- Application
Dr. Camp, Njoroge, and Smith all agree that you should apply cuticle oils at least once or twice a day. “You really cannot overdo it,” Smith says. To ensure you use your cuticle oil as often as possible, you need to find the right packaging and application method that fits your lifestyle.
If you're always on the go, you might prefer a clicker pen that's easy to throw in your purse. Others who enjoy a more relaxed, at-home skincare experience might be more comfortable with a bottle and dropper or brush.
Hot tip: Experts also suggest saving cuticle oil as the last step in your manicure routine—after your polish has completely dried—to ensure that it doesn't interfere with the polish's adhesion to the nail. With press-ons, Njoroge adds, it's best to wait “at least a few hours” to avoid dissolving the nail glue.
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
How We Tested
Writer Olivia Truffaut-Wong tested cuticle oils for weeks and spoke with experts to determine the 11 best cuticle oils. She specifically looked for cuticle oils featuring hydrating ingredients before considering ease of use, application method, and results.
Meet the Experts
Lily Njoroge is a licenced aesthetician and cosmetic scientists with years of experience in the beauty industry. She previously worked as the Head of Education at Topicals and now educates followers via her Cave of Beauty Instagram and TikTok.
Dr. Camp is a double board-certified dermatologist currently seeing patients at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Lia Smith is an experienced nail tech and educator currently working with OPI. She has worked with celebrity clients, including Angela Bassett, and loves all things nails.
