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10 Best Cuticle Oils 2023 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed

Cuticles are the layers of delicate, transparent skin at the bottom of your nail bed that can become dry, damaged and riddled with hangnails if not tended to regularly. The weather, frequent hand washing, and a penchant for gel or acrylic nails can all add to the need for extra care. These vitamin-packed wonders will hydrate, soothe and strengthen, and can even increase nail growth.

If you need a little help deciding between an oil pen or a brush or whether natural and organic products really are better, we’re here to lend a hand. We’ve also rounded up the 10 most affordable, effective cuticle oils from Amazon, Boots, ASDA, and John Lewis featuring beauty blogger faves, from Sally Hansen to CND's Solar Oil for healthy nails all year round. Moreover, we have partnered with Makeup Artist Claire Higgins for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver you the best information. 
Last updated 20/07/2023
Claire Higgins
Expert
Makeup Artist
Claire Higgins

A qualified Beauty Therapist and Makeup Artist. I provide professional makeup services for all occasions, whether it be for a bride on their wedding day or backstage at a photo shoot. I also enjoy teaching through hosting live talks on my social media, masterclass events, and 1-1 training. My favourite style of makeup is most definitely vibrant. I love a colourful eyeshadow palette... or 10!

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Fact-Checked & Approved by Makeup Artist Claire Higgins

Fact-Checked & Approved by Makeup Artist Claire Higgins

Claire is a qualified Beauty Therapist and Makeup Artist; she provides professional makeup services for all occasions from bridal to backstage at photo shoots. Claire also teaches masterclass events as well as 1-1 training, and when she gets the chance, enjoys sharing her expertise hosting live talks on her social media. She's a big fan of the vibrant style and loves a colourful palette... or 10!


Keep up-to-date with Claire through her Facebook and Instagram page where you can learn the latest tips and tricks when it comes to makeup application and also get inspired to try new looks!

How to Choose a Cuticle Oil in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Pick a Format Based on the Treatment Intensity Your Cuticles Require
  2. Search for Added Ingredients Such As Plant Oils and Vitamins
  3. Go for Natural Products If You Are Vegan And/Or Have Sensitive Skin

① Choose Oils in Pen, Brush or Dropper Format Based on How Intense a Treatment You Need

Choose Oils in Pen, Brush or Dropper Format Based on How Intense a Treatment You Need

Go For Oil Pens if You Want Light, Mess-Free Coverage on the Go

Often resembling a felt tip and designed for mess-free application, cuticle pens are ideal for handbags, desktops or travel. The oil can be applied as sparingly as you like, making it perfectly suited to those wanting a lighter moisture fix that won’t leave hands or keyboards covered in a layer of grease.


Some pens also incorporate a firm, flat tip into their design to push back cuticles as you apply, so look out for these if you’re someone who finds it hard to keep on top of cuticle care and needs a simple and speedy all-in-one solution.

Varnish-Style Brush Pots Are the Best Pick for Manicure and Pedicure Addicts

Regular visitors to the nail bar may have noticed that a cuticle oil is applied post-manicure, which doesn’t only stave off damage from polish, acrylics or gels, but it will actually keep your mani looking fresher for longer. The same goes for pedicured toes – after all, they have cuticles too.


As well as being a great choice for manicure fans, oils with brush applicators are very straightforward to use and give the option of a modest or plentiful amount of hydration as and when you need.

Select Droppers or Tubes for More Intense Overnight Repair

Pipette-style or tube applicators deliver the most product at a time and are usually the go-to for a more intense nightly or weekly treatment. Whether from false nails, too much hand washing and chemicals or a habit of picking or biting the cuticles, these are the best if you're hoping to heal and nourish particularly ravaged beds.

They will still offer some control when directing the oil to a target area, but may not be the best choice for use during the day if you want minimal residue or a fast-absorbing oil. You can always assess the images supplied by the brand to check if their dropper design is especially small and intended for lighter use.

Check out our picks for the best hand soaps for dry skin.


② Look Out for Added Skin-Healing Ingredients Like Plant Oils and Vitamins

Look Out for Added Skin-Healing Ingredients Like Plant Oils and Vitamins

Protect and Moisturise With Almond Oil, Especially During the Colder Months

Sweet almond oil is used for its conditioning and moisturising effect on the skin, as well as the fact that it’s chock-full of nutrients and healing vitamins including A, E and various B vitamins. It also acts to protect the skin from irritants and shield it from moisture loss, so it's a great one to add to your winter hand-care routine. 

Give Nails an Instant Health Boost With Fast-Absorbing Jojoba Oil

Often used as a carrier for cuticle oils, jojoba has enough minerals, fatty acids, proteins and healing properties in its arsenal to be used as a cuticle therapy in its own right! It’s light and quick to absorb and has small enough molecules to penetrate your nail’s various layers, making it a solid choice for those who frequently go for a manicure.

Try Formulas With Wheat Germ Oil to Heal Damaged Cuticles

Wheat germ (found in healthy wholegrain bread) is high in vitamin E, which reduces skin ageing, roughness and damage from free radicals. It also offers plenty of B vitamins and protein alongside oleic and linoleic acids, the latter of which are soothing, anti-inflammatory and help maintain skin structure. All of this makes it a fantastic ingredient to look for if you have damaged cuticles and nails.

Keep Dryness at Bay With Sweet-Smelling Apricot Oil

The stones of this delicious fruit are pressed to produce a vitamin A-rich oil for supple skin. As well as adding a lovely fruity scent to your oil, it also forms a light seal to keep dryness at bay and can brighten up dull nails.

Rejuvenate Even the Most Despairing Cuticles With Vitamin E

As well as being present in olive, jojoba, sunflower and several other oils as mentioned above, you will find vitamin E itself as an added ingredient in some formulas. It may be listed as tocopheryl acetate, so keep an eye out for this scientific name too.


This vitamin is not only amazing at healing and protecting, but increases blood flow to the area for growth and strength. Cuticles in extreme despair should include this extra for as much rejuvenation as they can get!

③ Sensitive Skin or Prefer Vegan, Plant-Based Beauty? Choose Natural Products or Pure Essential Oils

Sensitive Skin or Prefer Vegan, Plant-Based Beauty? Choose Natural Products or Pure Essential Oils

Eczema, dermatitis and other sensitivities or allergies can be frustrating enough to deal with when they’re on a part of the body that’s always exposed, so we don’t want to add any further irritation. In this case, choosing a natural-based oil can be a safer bet.


Those wanting an oil that’s vegan or generally on the more natural side will find plenty of options that use only plant-based ingredients, sometimes which are also organically grown. Organic essential oils are said to be more potent, too.


We also know that natural oils contain all the specs for improved cuticle health, so if you’re very sensitive or a beauty purist, you could even go for a product containing only one or two ingredients, such as a vial of pure, unrefined almond or jojoba oil.


While you're here, explore these refreshing natural soap bars!

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10 Best Cuticle Oils in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

CND

SolarOil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner

CND  SolarOil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner 1枚目

Ultra-Effective Care Using Only Natural Ingredients

2

Sally Hansen

Vitamin E Nail and Cuticle Oil

Sally Hansen  Vitamin E Nail and Cuticle Oil 1枚目

An Affordable Pick to Hydrate, Heal and Stave Off Damage

3

Jessica

Phenomen Oil Intensive Moisturiser

Jessica Phenomen Oil Intensive Moisturiser 1枚目

Award-Winning Intensive Conditioning for Hard-Working Hands

4

Cuccio

Milk & Honey Cuticle Oil

Cuccio  Milk & Honey Cuticle Oil 1枚目

Sweet-Smelling Daily Hydration Recommended for Manicured Nails

5

L’Occitane

Intense Nourishing Nail and Cuticle Oil

L’Occitane  Intense Nourishing Nail and Cuticle Oil 1枚目

A Rich, Luxurious Treatment for Bedtime

6

Mavala

Daily Care Cuticle Oil

Mavala  Daily Care Cuticle Oil 1枚目

An Expert-Quality Oil Aimed at Damage Prevention

7

Mylee

Apricot Nail and Cuticle Oil

Mylee  Apricot Nail and Cuticle Oil 1枚目

A Fruity Beauty Bargain

8

Cliganic

Certified Organic Jojoba Oil

Cliganic  Certified Organic Jojoba Oil 1枚目

Pure, Organic Jojoba Oil to Heal the Natural Way

9

Burt's Bees

Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream 1枚目

100% Natural Moisturising Cream For Soft and Smooth Cuticles

10

Onsen Secret

Cuticle Conditioner Serum & Cuticle Oil

Onsen Secret Cuticle Conditioner Serum & Cuticle Oil 1枚目

An Organic Oil-Serum Blend That's Light Enough for Frequent Application

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No.1

CND SolarOil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner

SolarOil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£10.07

Ultra-Effective Care Using Only Natural Ingredients

Used and adored by manicurists the world over, CND’s incredible oil does everything you need it to in terms of therapy and hydration – all while enhancing colours, prolonging your manicure’s life and promoting nail growth and strength.

The soft brush ensures accurate application and only the right amount used per finger, just as it should be. It does all this using only natural ingredients, including jojoba, almond and rice bran, making it the ultimate cuticle oil for every skin type at any time of day or night.

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No.2

Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail and Cuticle Oil

An Affordable Pick to Hydrate, Heal and Stave Off Damage

As much of an excellent preventative method for damage control as a fabulous daily fix, this is one of the fastest absorbing oils you can get your hands – and cuticles – on. This dermalogist tested product helps to strengthen nails, reducing brittleness and breakage.

There’s apricot kernel, safflower and wheat germ oils as well as tocopheryl, all of which come together to deliver 4000 IU’s of vitamin E, so you’re guaranteed to reap those wonderful benefits. A really well-priced solution from the pros at Sally Hansen. 

No.3

JessicaPhenomen Oil Intensive Moisturiser

Phenomen Oil Intensive Moisturiser Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£11.60

Award-Winning Intensive Conditioning for Hard-Working Hands

Women’s mags and beauty blogs cannot rate this highly enough for a nightly deep conditioning treatment that expertly transforms sore and neglected cuticles and nails in no time. Use it sparingly on feet, elbows, knees and lips too if you like!

Including jojoba, almond and rice oils, it has a lovely marzipan-esque scent and is another great one to go for if your hands spend a lot of time in sinks or nail salons. A smaller size is available too if you’d like to try it out before committing. 
No.4

Cuccio Milk & Honey Cuticle Oil

Milk & Honey Cuticle Oil Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£6.27

Sweet-Smelling Daily Hydration Recommended for Manicured Nails

This oil smells almost good enough to eat, but the added honey isn’t just there for its delicious scent – it’s a protective barrier that calms inflammation and soothes whilst moisturising. There’s also added plant oils, vitamin E, and very little in the way of synthetic ingredients.  

It comes highly recommended by experts as a way to maintain polished nails or falsies and is lightweight enough to use a couple of times a day for a freshen up, as well as at night to boost healing.
No.5

L’Occitane Intense Nourishing Nail and Cuticle Oil

Intense Nourishing Nail and Cuticle Oil Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£21.28

A Rich, Luxurious Treatment for Bedtime

Packed with 30% Fair Trade African shea butter alongside a supporting cast of almond, grape seed and apricot kernel oils, this sumptuous treatment really packs a punch. Applied via a brush tip, it softens beautifully and will add strength to brittle nails with regular use, too. 

Very dry skin will feel the effects almost immediately, and for this, its richness works in its favour. This also makes it great for pedicured or polish-damaged toes. Free from parabens and sulphates too, this is a very worthy luxury buy
No.6

Mavala Daily Care Cuticle Oil

Daily Care Cuticle Oil Image 1
Source:johnlewis.com
Reference price
£13.65

An Expert-Quality Oil Aimed at Damage Prevention

Made from a blend of almond, olive and sunflower seed oils, Mavala’s daily cuticle oil utilises a neat and tidy brush applicator for a swift slick of ultra-softening moisture. Use this to maintain suppleness in your cuticles, while softening the surrounding skin.


It’s fantastic for overall cuticle maintenance and preventing dryness and damage before it has a chance to set in – minus the greasiness of some of the more intensive treatments. One of those products whose quality you can feel, but not one that breaks the bank.
No.7

Mylee Apricot Nail and Cuticle Oil

Apricot Nail and Cuticle Oil Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£7.50

A Fruity Beauty Bargain

Weak and damaged nails, older skin and weather-ravaged fingertips will drink up this treatment which is packed with beneficial plant oil ingredients including apricot kernel oil, grape seed oil, sunflower and peach, with added vitamin E.

It can also aid in softening up overgrown cuticles in need of a trim, and some users reported improved nail growth after frequent use. Because only one drop at a time is needed, it’s also a brilliant buy economically. 
No.8

Cliganic Certified Organic Jojoba Oil

Certified Organic Jojoba Oil Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£9.99

Pure, Organic Jojoba Oil to Heal the Natural Way

A simple option for sensitive skins and those living a natural-based beauty life, this 100% organic, unrefined and cold-pressed jojoba oil has no hidden surprises. It’s non-greasy and full of goodness to keep your cuticles happy and healthy.

This cuticle oil is on the less pricier side, considering the size of the bottle. You can use this single-ingredient oil for a number of other cosmetic needs and on any skin type too – just be aware that it is best applied at night as it is difficult to target just the cuticles.

No.9

Burt's BeesLemon Butter Cuticle Cream

100% Natural Moisturising Cream For Soft and Smooth Cuticles

Burt's Bees® Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream will nourish and hydrate your nails and cuticle, giving you a treat from head to toe! This 100% natural creamy cuticle cream is bursting with natural ingredients that your cuticles with love.

Sweet almond oil and cocoa seed butter moisturizes and softens the cuticles while vitamin E and sunflower oil supplies nourishment for fragile nails. You (and your nails) will be left smelling clean and fresh thanks to a refreshing hint of lemon scent.

No.10

Onsen SecretCuticle Conditioner Serum & Cuticle Oil

Cuticle Conditioner Serum & Cuticle Oil Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£13.99

An Organic Oil-Serum Blend That's Light Enough for Frequent Application

This natural, organic, vegan and cruelty-free product promises all the best parts of various cuticle products in a handy-sized oil-based serum. Using Japanese botanicals, added vitamins A and E and soothing aloe vera, it’s very healing but also light enough for frequent application.

Free from parabens, SLS and other irritants too, this would be a sound choice for sensitive skin types. It’s made in the States so it is a little expensive, but definitely worth it for those wanting to keep things 100% natural.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Should You Apply Cuticle oil?

You can apply cuticle oil multiple times a day, especially if yours are particularly worn out. However, experts suggest that applying it 1-3 times a day is the best way to provide your cuticles with plenty of nourishment. It would be ideal to apply the oil in the morning, at lunch and before bed.

Does Cuticle Oil Strengthen Nails?

Cuticle oil has many fantastic properties including strengthening and promoting nail growth. Depending on the other ingredients, these oils can also help keep your nails hydrated and looking healthy while stimulating circulation too. All the more reason to look for oils that are packed full of vitamins and beneficial natural ingredients like almond oil.

Does Cuticle Oil Expire?

As with most beauty products, they will come with an average shelf life; for cuticle oils, you can expect them to last up to a year if stored correctly. While it shouldn’t cause any bad reactions if you use an expired oil, you may notice that they aren't really working so well anymore. 

Written and researched by Natasha Dziubajlo

Top 5 Cuticle Oils

No. 1: CND | SolarOil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner

No. 2: Sally Hansen | Vitamin E Nail and Cuticle Oil

No. 3: Jessica | Phenomen Oil Intensive Moisturiser

No. 4: Cuccio | Milk & Honey Cuticle Oil

No. 5: L’Occitane | Intense Nourishing Nail and Cuticle Oil

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The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.

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