Best DIY Cuticle Oil for Moisturized and Stronger Nail Growth

Featuring only a few ingredients, this DIY cuticle oil is lightweight, easily absorbed, nourishes, moisturizes, and strengthens nails, and keeps dry skin away. 

I only go for manicures occasionally because I’m so busy but when I do, they use a thin coat of nail oil on my nails at the end.

This keeps my nails and surrounding areas nice and pretty for a few weeks before the skin gets flaky again. 

Unfortunately, I can’t get to a manicure at that exact time. Enter my quest to create a homemade cuticle oil. 

I tried a few commercial varieties with varying degrees of success but I’m a DIYer at heart so I went on a quest to create the perfect cuticle oil. 

I’ve recommended the commercial cuticle oil brands I tried at the end of this article if you’re interested. 

I’ve shared nail oils on the blog previously and this one at DIY Argan Oil and Pomegranate Oil Moisturizing Serum is still an amazing one!

Benefits of Cuticle Oil 

• Cuticle oil improves circulation around the nail beds.
• Cuticle oil can stimulate healthier nail growth.
• If you have weak, brittle, and splitting nails, cuticle oil can help strengthen your nails and prevent splitting.
• Cuticle oil can provide a longer-lasting shine for nail polish.  
• Many household tasks dry out the hands and fingers even when you wear gloves. A well put together cuticle oil improves hydration and prevents dry nails and annoying hangnails. 
• Acrylic nails and other types of artificial nails can damage the nail bed and inhibit nail growth. Applying cuticle oil regularly can heal the damage provided you stop installing these nail types.

Can You Make Cuticle Oil?

Yes, you can make cuticle oil. You just need to right mix of oils that work well together to address common issues like dry skin, damaged nails, peeling skin, and hangnails. 

Another great thing about this DIY cuticle oil is that all the ingredients are natural – no chemicals, preservatives, and/or artificial fragrances!

What Ingredients Are Best for Cuticle Oil?

When creating a homemade cuticle oil, nourishing, moisturizing, strengthening, and softening oils are the best ingredients to use. 

Additionally, you want to include a few essential oils for fragrance and as a natural preservative. 

DIY Cuticle Oil Recipe 

This DIY cuticle oil recipe is so good, you could literally bottle and sell it. I’m happy to share the recipe with readers though so you can recreate it for yourself at home.

You can also make a few bottles of this and give them as a gift or use them as stocking stuffers during the holidays.

I’ve included a bottle label template at the end if you want to gift the DIY cuticle oil.

DIY Cuticle Oil Ingredients

For this DIY cuticle oil recipe, you’ll need:-

• Jojoba oil – jojoba oil is the closest oil to the sebum created by human skin. It’s nourishing and absorbs quickly into the skin plus it contains antioxidants that promote stronger nails.  
• Sweet almond oil – sweet almond oil is one of the most moisturizing oils among all plant oils and contains vitamins A, and B vitamins thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin.
• Castor oil – castor oil is excellent for strengthening and promoting healthy nail growth.
• Vitamin E oil – vitamin E oil provides nourishment and softening for days when in any recipe. It also promotes healing and faster regeneration of cells. Vitamin E oil strengthens brittle nails and helps eliminate dry and chapped skin. Several studies including this one have found Vitamin E deficiency can lead to yellow nail syndrome.  
• Lavender essential oil – lavender essential oil provides a delicate fragrance plus a relaxing effect on the senses. 
• Lemon essential oil – lemon essential oil also provides a nice and relaxing fragrance plus strengthening properties. 
• Peppermint essential oil – peppermint essential oil has antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties and also aids nail growth.
• Nail polish bottle or dropper bottle. You can also use a roller bottle. 

You can find exact measurements for each ingredient in the recipe card below. I’ve also included substitutions in the recipe card. 

FYI, I get a lot of my essential oils from Mountain Rose Herbs. 

Step 1 – Mix the Carrier Oils

Open up your bottle of choice and add in the jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, castor oil, and vitamin E oil. Close the bottle and shake.

Step 2 – Add Essential Oils

Open up the bottle again and add in the lavender, peppermint, and lemon essential oil. Close the bottle and shake it again. Your DIY cuticle oil is ready. 

I recommend using a funnel like this one for precise measurements since the containers are so small. 

How To Use DIY Cuticle Oil

• Cleanse your hands with a gentle soap-free formula or use a hand scrub. 
• Wipe your hands but leave them a bit damp. 
• Apply the cuticle oil onto each cuticle then rub it into each nail thoroughly until absorbed. 
• Use this cuticle oil daily for the best results. You can also combine it with hand cream for even better results. I’ve found The Ordinary Hand Chemistry and Clarins Hand & Nail Treatment Cream to be good companions to my cuticle oil. 

Best Cuticle Oils 

If you’re not keen on homemade cuticle oil, here are the cuticle oils I’ve tried that provide good results:- 

• Cuccio Naturale Revitalizing Cuticle Oil is available in 12 scents including fragrance-free. My favorite is the milk and honey scent.
• Opi Nail & Cuticle Replenishing Oil protects and nourishes the skin plus it’s supposed to help with aging but I wasn’t really looking out for this benefit.  
• Bee Naturals Nail and Cuticle Oil is a handy size and contains a blend of 13 natural oils. It’s scented with lavender and lemon.
• Maccibelle Cuticle Oil comes highly recommended and contains milk and honey.

DIY Cuticle Oil FAQs

What is the Best Essential Oil for Cuticles?

When trying to choose an essential oil for cuticles, go for essential oils that have anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties as they’ll help prevent minor infections. 

Also, opt for essential oils that encourage growth. The holy grail of this is – rosemary, tea tree, peppermint, and eucalyptus essential oils. 

Can I Use Vaseline Instead of Cuticle Oil?

You can use vaseline instead of cuticle oil if you prefer. Vaseline does help with the dryness part but it doesn’t address other expectations like nourishment and stronger nails.

Also, depending on your climate, you might find vaseline a bit too heavy for the hands. 

Great DIY cuticle oil is lightweight and easily absorbed so it works for all climates and skin types including sensitive skin.

References 

• A review on plant importance, biotechnological aspects, and cultivation challenges of jojoba plant
• Vitamin E in Dermatology

Abi is a curly hair expert who delved into the world of natural oils after severe hair loss issues. Through her research, study, and testing, she was able to regrow her bald spots & a healthy head of hair. She is the founder of Healthy Natural Hair Products & Ade Ori Hair Care, and the author of the highly-rated Healthy Hair Care Series. She continues to study hair science, Ayurveda, and natural and healthy solutions for hair and skin. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines…