6 Ways to Prevent Your Cuticles From Peeling

If you’re dealing with peeling cuticles, it may be tempting to cut them, but this can cause more harm than good. Luckily, there are easy ways to help prevent your cuticles from peeling in the first place. Read on for six tips on how to care for your  cuticles and help prevent them from peeling after a manicure.

Moisturize Your Hands and Nails

Peeling skin, no matter where it appears, is a sign of dryness. To help prevent your cuticles keep your skin hydrated. Make sure to moisturize your hands and nail beds regularly. We love the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Hand Cream, which is enriched with nourishing shea butter, niacinamide and glycerin. 

Don’t Peel Off Your Nail Polish

Once your nail polish starts to chip, it can create a vicious cycle of picking. But did you know that by chipping away at your polish, you could be removing pieces of your nail with it? What’s more, this action can leave your nails feeling weak and brittle. When looking to remove old or chipped nail polish, reach for a nail polish remover or visit a salon.

Don’t Cut Your Cuticles

Cuticles act as a barrier to protect nails against external damage. If you trim them too often, peeling skin can occur,  not to mention potential infections or irritation.  

Push Your Cuticles Back Gently 

If a cuticle is compromised, it could cause trouble for nail health. Instead of cutting your cuticles, simply push them back gently with a cuticle stick and trim dead or loose pieces of skin. In order to prevent tears, make sure your cuticles are well moisturized prior to doing this.

Avoid Excessive Hand Washing

Not only can excessive hand washing lower your resistance to bacteria, it can also dry out your skin and nails, making peeling cuticles even more of a possibility. If you have to wash your hands often, follow up with a moisturizing hand cream.

Use Cuticle Oil

A lack of hydration is a culprit behind hangnails, peeling cuticles and dry skin. To target your cuticles in particular, reach for a cuticle oil. The Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil is nourishing and absorbs instantly into the skin. When giving yourself an at-home manicure, apply cuticle oil before applying your polish and allow it to fully dry.

Photo: Chaunte Vaughn