We’ve heard about cuticles, but exactly what they are and why we have them is a bit of a mystery! Yet, these small skins play a crucial role in protecting your nails and the beauty of your hands. So, we invite you to take a closer look at cuticles to better understand their purpose and adopt the right habits to care for them.
The role of cuticles in the health of our nails
What is a cuticle and what is its purpose?
Cuticles are these thin layers of skin located at the base of the nail, partially covering the nail matrix, the production center of keratin that allows the nail to grow. Cuticles thus play the role of a shield against external aggressions, preventing bacteria, germs, and dirt from entering under the skin. They are your best allies to preserve the natural balance of your nails. If this protective barrier is weakened, the risk of infection increases and you end up regretting it. It is therefore essential to maintain them well to allow them to fulfill their protective mission.
Cuticles are the natural shields of your nails, take care of them!
Why do cuticles become dry or damaged?
On the front lines, cuticles often have a hard time. Among the most common causes of damage are:
- Exposure to harsh chemicals such as household cleaning products handled without protection.
- Cold and dry air that dries out the skin.
- Compulsive biting or picking due to stress.
- From bad manicure habits such as, for example, overly aggressive removal of cuticles during nail preparation or using acetone-based remover when taking off polish.
- The lack of regular care.
In all cases, the result is the same: cuticles become dry, damaged, or even torn, and this has consequences.
Risks related to damaged cuticles
Every micro-injury to the cuticles creates a breach in the protective barrier of the nails, opening the door to bacterial or fungal infections that cause redness, swelling, and pain in the nail.
Weakening of the cuticles can also disrupt the functioning of the matrix. Nails grow more slowly and get damaged more easily, becoming soft or ridged. It’s urgent to start paying more attention to your cuticles, or you risk compromising the health of your nails.
How to properly push back cuticles
No worries, cuticle care is not complicated. The secret? Gentle movements and products to preserve the balance of your nails and ensure the tenue and success of your manicure. So start the preparation of your nails with a 4-step cuticle treatment:
Step 1: Soften the cuticles
To push back your cuticles without damaging them, you first need to soften them. The foolproof solution to achieve this: use a few drops of a cuticle emollient that softens the skin. With its gel texture and formula enriched with plant glycerin, Manucurist’s Effective Emollient is easy to apply around the nail and works gently while moisturizing.
👉Place a drop at the base of each nail and let it work for 2 minutes, gently massage and remove the excess with a cotton pad.
Step 2: Use a cuticle pusher
The cuticle pusher is an essential tool, to be handled delicately and only on previously softened cuticles. You can choose a cuticle pusher made of steel or glass, ideal for sensitive nails.
👉Clear the nail edge by gently pushing back the small skins, without excessive pressure. Use the cuticle pusher in the opposite direction of growth and without back-and-forth motion.
Cuticle care requires gentleness and precision.
Step 3: Remove dead skin if necessary
If you notice dead skin around the cuticles, limit yourself to gently cutting it with a
Step 4: Hydrate after the treatment
After pushing back the cuticles, hydration is essential. Apply an oil or balm to intensely nourish the area. The ultra-nourishing Green Oil or the Rose Balm are perfect for regenerating the nail and its surrounding skin.
If you continue the manicure with a polish application, replace the oil or balm with a degreasing treatment to remove grease and dust residues from the nail before applying the base coat.
The ideal routine for flawless cuticles
Daily routine
To sustainably preserve the flexibility and health of your cuticles, regular hydration is absolutely key. Applying a nourishing oil with daily massage around the nail has multiple benefits. Rich in a powerful blend of 6 botanical oils, the Green Oil helps to:
- Deeply hydrate thanks to antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals concentrated in passion fruit oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil.
- Nourish and regenerate the nail fibers thanks to omegas 3 and 6, proteins, and calcium contained in baobab oil and walnut oil.
- Soothe and protect thanks to the fatty acids and antioxidants contained in bancoulier oil.
👉Apply a drop at the base of each nail, preferably in the evening, then massage and leave the product to work overnight. By massaging your cuticles this way, you activate microcirculation and promote the penetration of active ingredients that will strengthen the cuticles and boost nail growth.
For intense and continuous cuticle hydration, carry a tube of Concentré perfecteur in your bag that you can apply anytime during the day on your nails and cuticles. This on-the-go treatment based on pistachio oil intensely hydrates while repairing and soothing.
Enjoy the benefits of plant oils to nourish and hydrate your cuticles.
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Adjust care according to the seasons
Cuticles need care throughout the year with a routine that changes according to the seasons.
❄️In winter, when the cold and humidity are more intense, cuticles tend to dry out more. It is therefore essential to boost hydration with other plant oils that are beneficial for the skin and nails. The Baume Rose, rich in coconut oil, Damask rose oil, and wakame extract, nourishes and intensely hydrates, providing an immediate feeling of comfort. Combined with the Crème main, your nails and cuticles are protected for the winter.
☀️In summer, cuticles are often exposed to sun and water, which can cause damage. Using a sunscreen on the hands or a treatment with UV filter can prevent discoloration and dryness of the cuticles. Green Oil is also an excellent after-sun product that instantly regenerates nails and cuticles and stimulates regrowth.
Enhanced hydration in winter, sun protection in summer for healthy cuticles all year round.
Mistakes to avoid with cuticles
Maintaining healthy cuticles is essential for strong nails and beautiful hands. In addition to the hydration and nail preparation tips shared earlier in this article, here are the mistakes to avoid with your cuticles:
⛔Never pull off or bite your cuticles as this creates wounds that can become infected.
❌Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals (household cleaners, detergents) without wearing gloves. These products impair the protective role of the cuticles, increasing the risk of infection and dryness.
⛔Never cut the cuticles, only the dead skin.
⚠️Gently push back the cuticles only when they are softened.
❌Do not overlap the cuticles when applying polish. If you do, the polish cannot adhere properly and the manicure will chip in just a few days. If the polish contains sensitizing ingredients, the cuticles in contact with the product may develop inflammatory or allergic reactions.
❌Avoid acetone-based removers that dry out the cuticles. Prefer bio-sourced polish formulas that remove gently, without acetone or sanding, to protect your nails.
In summary, cuticle care is an essential step to preserve the health and beauty of your nails. By understanding their protective role, avoiding harsh actions, and adopting a regular routine combining hydration and gentle care, it is possible to prevent damaged cuticles and sustainably enhance your manicure. Well-maintained cuticles are the key to stronger nails and radiant, long-lasting manicures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to hydrate cuticles?
Hydrating cuticles is essential to preserve their suppleness and protective role. You can apply a nourishing oil or moisturizing treatment daily to prevent the drying of the small skin and promote regrowth.
Is it good to cut cuticles?
Trying to cut your cuticles risks creating wounds that can let in bacteria and other germs, causing painful and unpleasant infections. These injuries can also disrupt nail growth and make them soft or ridged. Before polish application, prepare your nails safely by using a softening treatment that softens the cuticles and allows you to gently push them back with a cuticle pusher.
How often should you push back your cuticles?
It is recommended to push back your cuticles no more than once a week. Be sure to soften them first with a cuticle softener, then use a steel or glass cuticle pusher or a boxwood stick. Use a gentle and steady motion, without back-and-forth, to achieve a clean and neat edge. Between treatments, prioritize daily hydration to maintain their suppleness.
Why are my cuticles dry or damaged?
Dry or damaged cuticles are often due to lack of hydration, frequent washing, cold, use of harsh products, or bad habits related to stress. Without proper care, they become dehydrated, crack, and can even tear off. A nourishing routine helps restore their protective role.
Which oil or treatment should you choose for cuticles?
Choose a cuticle oil rich in natural active ingredients such as vegetable oils (sweet almond, coconut, pistachio, bancoulier…). Rich in fatty acids and vitamins, they nourish, repair, and protect cuticles sustainably while strengthening the nails. Daily application is ideal for healthy and invisible cuticles.
