What Is in Cuticle Oil? Benefits, Ingredients & How to Use It
Cuticle Oil might be the last step of a manicure, but it deserves considerably more credit than that.
A good cuticle oil helps hydrate dry skin around the nails while conditioning the nail and cuticle area. And despite the name, there’s usually more than one oil doing the work.
So, what is in cuticle oil? It depends on the formula. GELCARE’s Cuticle Oil is made with a blend of plant-derived oils, essential fatty acids and vitamin E chosen to hydrate, fortify and protect the nail and surrounding skin.
Consider this your ingredient breakdown, minus the chemistry lesson.
What is Cuticle Oil?
Cuticle Oil is a conditioning treatment applied to the cuticles, skin around the nails and nail area to help replenish moisture and keep everything looking healthy and cared for.
Our hands are constantly being washed, sanitized and exposed to the elements. The skin around the nails tends to show it. Cuticle Oil adds oils back to an area that can become dry surprisingly quickly.
GELCARE’s Cuticle Oil is 100% naturally derived and formulated to visibly reduce dryness around the cuticle area while helping protect the nails from external aggressors. It has a floral, herbaceous scent from its blend of essential oils.
What is in Cuticle Oil?
This is where things get interesting.
Not all cuticle oils use the same formula. GELCARE Cuticle Oil combines several plant oils, fatty acids and vitamin E, with each ingredient bringing something slightly different to the bottle.
Rapeseed Oil
Rapeseed oil is one of the main oils in GELCARE Cuticle Oil. It helps protect the skin from external aggressors and is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as being a source of vitamin E.
In practical manicure terms, it helps keep the cuticle area feeling conditioned rather than dry and neglected.
Castor Seed Oil
Castor seed oil is a rich plant oil that helps condition the skin and contributes to the nourishing feel of the formula.
It also gives Cuticle Oil a little more substance. Think conditioning oil, not something that disappears before you’ve even finished applying it.
Wheat Germ Oil
Wheat germ oil is another plant-derived oil in the formula and contributes to the blend of conditioning oils used around the nail and cuticle area.
Together with the other oils in the formula, it helps create the moisture-rich finish you want from a daily cuticle treatment.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Long name, very useful ingredient.
Caprylic/capric triglyceride is included in GELCARE Cuticle Oil alongside the plant oils. It helps condition and soften the skin while contributing to the smooth feel of the formula.
Linoleic and Linolenic Acids
These essential fatty acids are part of the formula’s lipid blend. Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid, while linolenic acid is an omega-3.
They contribute to the conditioning properties of the oil blend and help support the skin around the nails.
Rosemary and Tea Tree Oils
Rosemary and tea tree leaf oils bring more than scent to the formula. GELCARE Cuticle Oil is formulated to hydrate and strengthen, with antibacterial and antifungal properties.
They also contribute to the fresh, herbaceous side of the oil’s scent.
Vitamin E
You’ll find tocopherol, better known as vitamin E, at the end of the ingredient list.
Vitamin E complements the plant oils in the formula and contributes to its conditioning and protective properties.
Quite a lot happening in one little bottle.
What are the benefits of Cuticle Oil?
The most immediate benefit is hydration. Regular use helps visibly reduce dryness around the cuticles and keeps the nail area looking smoother and more conditioned. GELCARE’s formula is also designed to help fortify the nail matrix and protect nails from external aggressors.
There’s an aesthetic benefit too. Dry cuticles can make even a very good manicure look a little unfinished. Add Cuticle Oil and suddenly the whole thing looks fresher, glossier and much more intentional.
It’s the manicure equivalent of putting on jewelry after getting dressed. Technically optional. Visually, not quite the same without it.
Does Cuticle Oil help your nails?
Cuticle Oil is formulated for more than the visible skin around your nails. GELCARE’s formula is designed to hydrate, purify and fortify the nail matrix while protecting the nails from external aggressors.
Keeping the cuticle area conditioned is also simply good nail maintenance. Nails and the surrounding skin are exposed to water, soap, sanitizer and daily wear constantly, so replenishing moisture regularly helps keep the whole area looking cared for.
How to use Cuticle Oil
Thankfully, this is one nail-care step that requires very little technique.
Apply Cuticle Oil around the base and sides of each nail, focusing on the cuticle area. Gently massage the oil into the skin and around the nail until it’s distributed.
That’s it. No lamp. No timer. No advanced nail-art skills required.
When should you apply Cuticle Oil?
After your manicure is a very good place to start.
For a GELCARE Gel Polish manicure, apply Cuticle Oil once your Top Coat has been completely cured. This gives the freshly prepped cuticle area some hydration back after the manicure process.
You can also use Cuticle Oil between manicures whenever the skin around your nails feels dry. It doesn’t need to be saved for manicure day.
Desk drawer, bedside table, bathroom counter. Wherever you’re most likely to actually remember it.
Can you use Cuticle Oil with Gel Polish?
Yes. Cuticle Oil is a great maintenance step between Gel Polish manicures.
The important distinction is timing during application. Oils and gel prep are not friends, so you don’t want Cuticle Oil sitting on the nail plate before applying Base Coat. GELCARE nail prep is designed to leave the nail plate clean before gel application.
Do your manicure first. Cure your Top Coat. Then bring the oil back.
For the full application order, see the GELCARE Manicure Steps.
Can you use Cuticle Oil with regular Nail Polish?
Yes. Cuticle Oil can also be used with a regular Nail Polish manicure.
Again, save it until after the polish application rather than applying oil to the nail plate immediately before Base Coat. Once your manicure is finished, Cuticle Oil can be used around the cuticles and as part of your regular nail-care routine.
For the full regular polish technique, see our Nail Polish Manicure Instructions.
How often should you use Cuticle Oil?
Cuticle Oil doesn’t have to be reserved for the day you do your nails. It can be worked into your regular routine whenever your cuticles need moisture.
Consistency is more useful than waiting until the skin around your nails already feels extremely dry. Keep it somewhere visible and use it regularly, especially after frequent hand washing or whenever your cuticles are looking a little thirsty.
Very low effort. Very good return.
Frequently asked questions
What does Cuticle Oil do?
Cuticle Oil helps hydrate and condition the cuticle area and surrounding skin. GELCARE’s Cuticle Oil is formulated to visibly reduce dryness while helping fortify the nail matrix and protect nails from external aggressors.
What oils are in Cuticle Oil?
GELCARE Cuticle Oil contains rapeseed seed oil, castor seed oil, wheat germ oil and peony seed oil, along with rosemary, tea tree, geranium and vetiver oils. The formula also contains caprylic/capric triglyceride, linoleic and linolenic acids, and vitamin E.
Where do you put Cuticle Oil?
Apply Cuticle Oil around the cuticle area and sides of the nails, then gently massage it into the surrounding skin and nail area.
Should you use Cuticle Oil before or after a manicure?
After.
Avoid applying Cuticle Oil to the nail plate immediately before a Gel Polish or Nail Polish manicure because proper prep requires a clean nail surface. Finish your manicure first, then apply Cuticle Oil around the cuticle area.
Is Cuticle Oil only for dry cuticles?
No. You don’t need to wait for visibly dry cuticles to use it.
Regular application can be part of your nail-care routine to keep the cuticle area conditioned and help prevent it from getting to the very-dry, suddenly-I-notice-my-cuticles stage in the first place.