Nail Care

Cuticle Oil: What It Does, Which to Choose and How to Use It

Cuticle oil moisturises skin, keeps nails flexible and helps gel last. Choosing an oil, when and how to apply, and whether it lifts gel.

VESSCA · · 1 min read
Applying cuticle oil every evening

Ảnh: StockSnap / Pixabay

Cuticle oil is small but makes a big difference to how long a manicure lasts and how healthy nails stay.

What it does

  • Keeps cuticles soft, with fewer cracks and hangnails.
  • Keeps nails flexible and less brittle.
  • Helps gel last — dry nails shrink more after wetting, lifting edges.
  • Makes hands look well kept.
Jojoba and vitamin E nail oils
Jojoba and vitamin E nail oils · Photo: 4262159 / Pixabay

Choosing one

Jojoba is close to skin’s own oil and absorbs fast; vitamin E is an antioxidant; sweet almond suits dry skin (avoid with nut allergy); argan is richer. Pens are handy for carrying. Sensitive skin: low fragrance.

How to use

  1. Best at night; mornings too if you like.
  2. One small drop per nail.
  3. Massage into the cuticle for about 30 seconds.
  4. On bare nails, apply over the whole nail.
Soft cuticles after oiling
Soft cuticles after oiling · Photo: Sunriseforever / Pixabay

Does oil lift gel?

Not once gel is cured. Avoid oil or hand cream right before your appointment, as oil under gel weakens adhesion; technicians cleanse it off anyway. Use hand cream after washing and cuticle oil at night.

VESSCA is at 251/30 Le Quang Dinh, Gia Dinh ward (Binh Thanh), Ho Chi Minh City, open 9:00–20:30 daily.

Frequently asked questions

What does cuticle oil do?

Moisturises cuticles, keeps nails flexible and helps gel last.

When should I apply it?

At night, optionally mornings too.

Does it lift gel?

No, once gel is cured — just avoid oil right before your appointment.

cuticle oilnail care routinedry cuticlesnail salon Binh ThanhKorean nails Saigon
Other languages:Tiếng Việt한국어中文

Related reading