How to Stop Your Cuticles from Peeling After a Manicure

Even if you feel like you’re taking good care of your nails, peeling cuticles can emerge at any point. The worst is when they appear shortly after you paid for a manicure. Luckily, there are easy ways to help prevent your cuticles from peeling. Curious to know what they are? Read on for six tips on how to stop your cuticles from peeling after a manicure.

Tip #1: Moisturize Your Hands & Nails

Peeling skin, no matter where it appears, is a sign of dryness. To help prevent your cuticles from peeling after a manicure, keep your skin hydrated. Make sure to moisturize your hands and nail beds regularly. Instead of searching for a hand cream, opt for a richer body cream and rub the leftover product into your cuticles. We love Kiehl’s Intensive Treatment and Moisturizer for Dry or Callused Areas, which is enriched with nourishing avocado oil and shea butter. 

Tip #2: Don’t Peel Off Your Nail Polish

Once your nail polish starts to chip, ruining an otherwise flawless-looking manicure, 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.

Tip #3: Don’t Cut Your Cuticles

Your cuticles are there for a reason. Cuticles, despite what you previously thought about them, 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.  

Tip #4: Push Your Cuticles Back Gently 

If a cuticle is comprised, it could cause trouble for nail health. Instead of cutting your cuticles, simply push them back gently with an orangewood 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.

Tip #5: 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. 

Tip #6: Use Cuticle Oil

Just like the skin on your face and body, your cuticles can become dry. 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. Essie’s Apricot Cuticle Oil absorbs instantly into the skin and gives your cuticles the protection and nourishment that it needs. While giving yourself an at-home manicure, apply cuticle oil onto your cuticles and allow it to absorb before applying your polish.