The 12 Best Cuticle Oils of 2021

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No matter whether you’re a salon appointment kind of girl or a DIY mani queen, cuticle oil is one product that belongs in everyone’s beauty stash. We truly think it deserves hero status in the nail world, with the ability to do so much more than one might think.

Sporting bare nails? A quick swipe of cuticle oil instantly imparts moisture and a gorgeous sheen, making your hands and nails look better literally in seconds. Rocking polish? Applying cuticle oil regularly not only keeps cuticles hydrated, but it can also keep nails hydrated as well, an essential step in warding off polish chips. Not to mention that a little oil is an easy way to freshen up and add shine back to a several days-oil mani when there’s no time to sit around and wait for top coat to dry.

Now that we’ve convinced you that you need a cuticle oil, check out any of the best cuticle oils below.

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There’s a good reason why this humble oil has legions of devoted fans. Simple and straightforward, it boasts a blend of cottonseed and soybean oils to soften cuticles and deeply hydrate the skin around your nails. The scent is also addicting, though the results it delivers are incentive enough to make you want to apply it daily.

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You’ve likely seen this bottle in a salon at some point; it’s one of the formulas the pros often rely on. Credit its combo of jojoba oil—an oil known for mimicking the oils naturally found in your skin and absorbing super quickly—plus vitamin E for an extra dose of nourishment. We have multiple bottles stashed all over the place for easy access, though one bottle does last quite a long time.

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We’re into all kinds of rollerballs, this cuticle oil one included. It makes application super easy, and the formula is also impressive. Argan, tamanu, and hemp oils do the heavy-lifting hydrating duties, while pomegranate oil packs a dose of antioxidants. And the benefits don’t stop there; this also boasts rosemary, which is both antibacterial and known to help stimulate nail growth. (So nail biters, take note.)

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If you’re looking to steer clear of questionable chemicals in your beauty products, opt for this pick. It’s 100% natural, touting a long list of natural oils, as well as vitamin E. It’s also great for anyone looking to strengthen their tips since it contains horsetail extract; rich in silica, the ingredient strengthens weak and brittle nails.

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There’s nothing this multi-purpose oil can’t do. You can work it into banged up cuticles, for sure, but you can also use it for stretch marks, scars, burns, as a bath oil, you name it. (So if you’re trying to minimize the number of products in your bathroom, this is the oil for you.) Dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic, it also absorbs super quickly.

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Think of this as a souped-up version of basic cuticle oil. It has plenty of hydrating oils (avocado, apricot, jojoba, to name a few), but also has cactus flower extract, a reparative ingredient that’s great for damaged skin. Bonus points for the soft foam tip that makes for easy, mess-free application.

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There are few drugstore brands that have better cornered the nail market than Sally Hansen, and this cuticle oil is no exception. Specially made for those ultra-dry, ultra-beat-up cuticles (you know what we’re talking about) the brush-on formula works wonders almost instantly.

Since it’s so intensely hydrating, it’s also a great option to use on toes, where cuticles tend to be thicker—and get less love.

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Just like an emergency tampon or extra lip balm, it’s always a good idea to keep a cuticle oil in your purse. Trust us on this one. Specifically, this guy, which comes in a purse-perfect, portable size with a spill-proof tip. Avocado, grapeseed, and sunflower oils deeply hydrate, making nails and cuticles instantly look better.

Buy On Sallybeauty.com

This Amazon favorite repeatedly pulls in rave reviews for both its delicious scent and how well it works, on both nails and cuticles. Mango oil is the star of the show, paired with sunflower oil as well as soothing aloe, a nice addition if your cuticles are at the point where they’re almost bleeding. The dropper bottle also makes it easy to dose out exactly the right amount for each nail.

Buy On Dior.com

It doesn’t get chicer than using a freaking Dior cuticle oil, we’ll just leave it at that. The specially chosen blend of oils—argan, camellia, apricot—work to not only hydrate, but also protect and strengthen nails. All you have to do is dot it on daily.

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If you want to both hydrate your cuticles, but also need to get rid of overgrown skin, try this one-stop-shop. The newbie is lanolin-based and works to not only soften but also gently exfoliate away dead skin. Swipe it on then gently push back cuticles with an orange stick or cuticle pusher. And yes, you can use it even on polished nails.

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We know, we know, this technically isn’t an oil, but we wanted to find an option that worked for those who just don’t like oils. Nice and rich and not at all greasy (you’re welcome, non-oil fans), this still has the same type of hydrating benefits you’d get from oil, thanks to cocoa seed butter and sunflower oil. The light lemon scent is just an added bonus.

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