Nails
The Surprising Reason Your Nails Look Like CrapHere's a hint: It all comes down to cuticles |
Oil Up on the Regular Everyone we spoke with agreed -- dousing your cuticles with oil will keep them both healthy and looking good. "Moisturizing is the No. 1 best thing you can do," says Holford. While hand creams are great, cuticle oil will actually penetrate through both the skin and nail, delivering moisture to the matrix to ensure healthy nail growth, she explains. (We like Nails Inc Vitamin E Cuticle Oil Pen, $12.)
If you don't want to buy a separate cuticle oil, there's no need, since natural oils are just as effective. Holford recommends jojoba oil, specifically: "Because its molecular structure is similar to that of the skin's natural oil, it penetrates extremely well," she says. Try Desert Essence 100% Pure Jojoba Oil, $14. An added benefit? Oil adds a pretty sheen, enhancing your natural nail or refreshing polish that's a few days old, adds Holford. Just keep in mind that you need to be moisturizing your cuticles on the reg in order for it to do any good. "This is not a one-and-done type situation. Work it into your daily routine -- every time you brush your teeth, apply some oil onto your cuticles," suggests hand model Ashly Covington.
Image via Getty
SEE NEXT PAGE: Drop the Scissors
If you don't want to buy a separate cuticle oil, there's no need, since natural oils are just as effective. Holford recommends jojoba oil, specifically: "Because its molecular structure is similar to that of the skin's natural oil, it penetrates extremely well," she says. Try Desert Essence 100% Pure Jojoba Oil, $14. An added benefit? Oil adds a pretty sheen, enhancing your natural nail or refreshing polish that's a few days old, adds Holford. Just keep in mind that you need to be moisturizing your cuticles on the reg in order for it to do any good. "This is not a one-and-done type situation. Work it into your daily routine -- every time you brush your teeth, apply some oil onto your cuticles," suggests hand model Ashly Covington.
Image via Getty
SEE NEXT PAGE: Drop the Scissors