Nail care is extremely important for healthy nails, cuticles and hands. Using a good oil on your nails and cuticles can make all the difference to when you look after your nails.
But with so many on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Here are some of the best oils for nail growth that you need to try, and the reasons why the best nails oils is one way to promote healthy nail growth, and protect your nails.

Before and after cuticle oil
Why are oils good for using on the hands?
The best essential oils are great for using on the hands due to the emollient and nourishing properties they offer.
Oils can help lock in moisture, preventing water loss from the delicate skin on your hands. They can provide essential fatty acids and vitamins to strengthen the skin’s barrier, aiding in skin repair as well as offering additional protection against irritants.
Oils may also act as a sealant by creating an invisible layer that helps plat a protective barrier between our hands and environmental pollutants like dirt or bacteria.
Using oil on our hands is thus beneficial in maintaining healthy, hydrated skin while protecting it from outside forces.
Different oils have added benefits such as reducing inflammation or fighting off signs of aging; for example, grapeseed oil is high in vitamin E which helps reduce redness and wrinkles associated with dryness.
What is cuticle oil and what does it do?
Cuticle oil is a product intended to help with keeping healthy nails. It often comes in small bottles and can be applied using an applicator brush or dropper, and then massaged into the cuticles.
Cuticle oil contains ingredients such as Vitamin E, Grapeseed Oil, Avocado Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Jojoba Oil and other essential oils that help to improve nail health.
It helps to moisturize dry or cracked cuticles while nourishing them with beneficial vitamins and minerals, helping to improve the health of your nails.
It also softens hangnails so they are less likely to catch on clothing which can lead to pain and infection. Cuticle oil helps to strengthen nails by sealing the edges of the nail plate from outside damage such as water exposure or harsh chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products.
Regular use of cuticle oil to help reduce splitting and cracking of the nail plates for healthier looking nails that you can feel more confident about showing off.
What are the best oils for nail growth and brittle nails?
There are a number of different oils for healthy nails and cuticles, but some are more effective than others at keeping nails strong and healthy. Here are a few of the best:
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a great oil for nail growth because it contains vitamin E, which helps to promote stronger nails and keep them hydrated.
It also helps to protect the nails from damage and keeps them looking healthy.
The fatty acids in coconut oil help to condition the nails and make them less brittle so they are less likely to break. Its antifungal properties can help prevent fungal infections in the cuticles and under the nails.
Argan oil
Argan oil is full of vitamin E, antioxidants, and fatty acids which helps to nourish and strengthen nails.
It helps protect the nails from breakage, peeling, or chipping. It also helps to stimulate nail growth so you can see results in a short period of time.
As well as adding strength and moisture to your cuticles for healthier looking nails long term.
Jojoba oil
Jojoba oil is a type of plant oil that’s similar to the natural oils produced by the skin. It’s known for its ability to moisturize and protect the skin, as well as its anti-inflammatory properties.
Jojoba oil is also an effective nail treatment, as it helps to keep the nails hydrated and prevent split ends, improving overall nail length.
Tea Tree oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that’s known for its antimicrobial, antifungal and antibacterial properties.
It’s often used to treat skin conditions like acne, but it can also be used to promote nail growth. Tea tree oil helps to keep the nails clean and free from infection, as well as helping to prevent peeling nails.
Sweet Almond oil
Sweet almond oil is a type of carrier oil that’s used to dilute essential oils. It’s known for its ability to soften and protect the skin, as well as its anti-inflammatory properties for sensitive skin.
Sweet almond oil is also beneficial for nail growth, as it helps to keep the nails hydrated and prevent peeling nails and dry cuticles or dead skin.
Myrrh essential oil
Myrrh oil is a powerful antifungal and antibacterial agent, making it an excellent choice for overall nail health.
It has been used historically to promote overall nail and cuticle health, as well as to strengthen brittle nails and soft cuticles.
The components found in myrrh essential oil can help boost your body’s production of keratin – the main structural component of your nails.
Thus increasing their strength and integrity. In addition to strengthening nails, myrrh also helps stimulate cell growth and regeneration, which can lead to faster nail growth.
Vitamin E oil
Vitamin E oil is a great oil to use for encouraging nail growth, as it contains antioxidants that help nourish the nails and increase their strength.
Vitamin E also helps protect the nails from any environmental damage due to its moisturizing properties.
By promoting cell regeneration, Vitamin E oil can help your nails become stronger and healthier looking over time.
Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint oil is an essential oil that’s known for its refreshing and invigorating scent.
It’s also known for its ability to improve circulation and promote nail growth. Peppermint oil helps to keep the nails healthy and strong, and free from fungal nail infection, as well as helping to prevent nail splitting issues.
Lavender essential oil
Lavender oil is an essential oil that’s known for its calming and relaxing properties.
It’s also known for its ability to moisturize and protect the skin, as well as its anti-inflammatory properties. Lavender oil is also beneficial for nail growth, as it helps to keep the nails hydrated and prevent nail damage.
When using oils for nail growth, it’s important to choose a quality product. Look for an oil that’s made from 100% pure ingredients, and be sure to follow the instructions on the label. In most cases, you’ll only need to use a small amount of oil, so a little goes a long way.
How should you apply cuticle oil for optimum nail health?
Cuticle oil is an essential part of a proper nail care routine. It helps keep the delicate space around your nails hydrated and healthy, promoting growth and preventing painful, pesky hangnails. So how should you apply cuticle oil?
First and foremost, it’s important to make sure that your hands are clean before using any type of product on them.
After washing them with warm water and mild soap, patting them dry with a soft towel is ideal. Then take a few drops of cuticle oil onto the fingertips or directly onto the areas in question and massage gently until it absorbs into the skin.
Make sure to repeat this process every day as consistent use will result in softer, healthier cuticles over time.
It’s also important to note that it’s best to avoid pushing back your cuticles too much as this can damage the area around your nails.
Instead, invest in a quality nail brush and gently exfoliate the cuticles for smooth results. Use an orange stick or metal tool after applying cuticle oil to gently push back excess skin if needed.
Just be sure not to pierce or tear the skin! The key is gentle pressure; always pay attention when pressing against your delicate skin so as not to cause any harm or irritation.
When should you apply cuticle oil to protect nails?
Cuticle oil should be applied at least once daily, preferably after washing your hands. The best time to apply cuticle oil is right before you apply nail polish if painting your nails or after showering if not.
If you are wearing a gel or acrylic manicure, the cuticle oil should be applied at the same time as you soak off and/or remove any of these products from your nails.
Cuticle oil helps to keep your nails and cuticles nourished and hydrated, so that they can remain healthy and strong. It also prevents breakage and splitting of the nail bed while preventing hangnails.
It can help to induce strong and fast nail growth, making them less prone to brittleness.
Regular use of cuticle oil will also help maintain an attractive appearance for hands and nails by keeping them looking soft, smooth, shiny, and well-manicured.
Does cuticle oil make your nails stronger?
Cuticle oil is a great way to help strengthen your fingernails. It works by hydrating the nail and cuticle and providing essential nutrients that keep them healthy.
Cuticle oil helps keep nails strong, which can prevent them from breaking easily or becoming brittle. It keeps the nails hydrated so they don’t become too dry, which can cause breakage.
It can help restore any damaged areas of your nails and make them look more attractive. There are many types of cuticle oils available in the market ranging from natural oils such as jojoba oil, almond oil, and avocado oil to chemical-based options like lanolin or mineral oil.
These products provide nourishment to both the nail bed and cuticles while softening rough edges around them for easy trimming.
So, I recommend using a quality product at least once a week to ensure that you get all of its benefits—stronger, healthier looking nails.
How to massage your nails to encourage healthy nail growth?
Massaging your nails is an important, but often overlooked, component of a healthy nail care routine.
Regularly massaging your nails helps increase blood circulation to the area, which brings important nutrients to keep them strong and prevent breakage.
Massage also helps soften cuticles, making them more manageable when trimming and allowing for easier removal of any build-up from products you may use over time.
To massage your nails correctly and safely, start by applying cuticle oil or an essential oil blend to the area. Work in gentle circular motions with your fingertips along each nail bed and cuticle area for 30 seconds per nail.
Then, switch hands and repeat the process on each finger of the opposite hand. When finished, rinse off any oil residue with warm water.
How often should you apply oil on your nails and hands?
Oils can be a great way to keep your hands and nails looking and feeling healthy. Generally, oils should be applied every day or every other day for best results.
To use an oil on your hands and nails, start by taking a small amount of oil and warming it between your hands until it liquefies.
Gently massage the oil onto the cuticles, nail beds, and back of the hand. The massaging action helps improve circulation in the skin which boosts its natural healing ability.
Since oils contain antioxidants they help protect against aging skin caused by sun exposure while also preventing cracking and chapping.
So, applying oils to the hands and nails regularly is a great way to maintain their health while also providing nourishment that will prevent future damage from occurring.
What are the benefits of applying oils to the hands, nails and cuticles?
Applying oils to the hands, cuticles, and nails can be an effective part of any home beauty regime.
A great benefit of using oils is the opportunity to pamper oneself and give your hands some extra attention. Doing this can help to keep your skin hydrated and nourished, protect against dryness and cracking, and even improve overall circulation.
Another advantage of applying oils is that it can help strengthen your nails over time – if you use the right type for your specific needs.
Plus, oil helps to easily remove nail polish and other products from stressful areas like the cuticles without damaging them.
Which natural oils should you never apply to the nails and why?
When it comes to oils, not all are meant for use on nails. Certain oils can actually damage the nails and even cause infection if they are left on them too long.
These include mineral oil, vegetable oil (including safflower and corn oil), baby oil, lemon essential oil and petroleum jelly. All of these oils can create a barrier that stops the nail from breathing, which weakens and softens them over time.
Because these oils are so dense, they can attract dirt and bacteria to the nails which could lead to an infection. Thus it is important to be aware of the type of oils you’re applying to your nails and avoid those listed here.
In addition to avoiding mineral oil, vegetable oil, baby oil, or petroleum jelly on your nails; there are many other types of moisturizing lotions that should be avoided as well since they may contain damaging ingredients such as fragrances or alcohols.
Alcohol-based products in particular can dry out your skin quickly and when applied near your cuticles or around your fingertips they risk irritation or infection if left on too long or come into contact with an open wound.
How long does it take for cuticle oil to absorb into the hands?
Cuticle oil typically takes between 5–10 minutes to absorb completely into the hands.
You should massage the oil into the skin until it is completely absorbed. This will help to ensure that the nails and cuticles receive all of the benefits of the oil, improving the appearance of your nails.
Do you need a carrier oil added to essential oil to create a cuticle oil?
No, carrier oil is not necessary when creating a cuticle oil using essential oils; however, some people do use carrier oils to create a blend.
You can mix essential oils directly onto the nails or use other ingredients like shea butter and almond oil to create a blend that will promote healthy nail growth.
What will help my nails grow faster, and encourage nail growth?
Nails will grow faster is an attainable goal and there are various things you can do to help. Start by eating a balanced diet, as adequate amounts of essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins A, C and B12 are all important for the growth of strong nails.
Proper hydration is also key; drinking plenty of water throughout the day will improve nail strength and promote their growth.
Applying cuticle oil or a nutrient rich nail cream on your nails every night will help keep them moisturized, allowing them to grow faster.
Commit to regular manicures where you push back your cuticles and then file down sharp edges with a buffer instead of clippers that can cause damage to the surface.
Try wearing gloves when cleaning or working in harsh conditions where chemicals may come in contact with your hands and nails.
Limit the amount of times per week that you expose your nails to acetone-based products such as nail polish remover which can cause dryness for the nails and the surrounding skin.
Give yourself regular hand massages, using cuticle oil, which helps increase circulation in your fingers and palms making it easier for new cells to form clusters which makes it easier for them to grow longer more quickly.
How to soften cuticles before applying cuticle oil?
Before applying cuticle oil, it is important to soften the cuticles.
An easy and gentle way to do this is to soak your hands in warm water for a few minutes.
This will help loosen up the dead skin around the nails and make it easier to push back the cuticles without causing any damage.
You can also use a cuticle cream or balm with vitamin E and moisturizing ingredients like shea butter or beeswax for extra hydration, working them into your nails in gentle circles with a cotton swab or your fingertips before adding the cuticle oil.
Once you’ve applied your pre-oil product, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to let it soak in before applying the nourishing cuticle oil so that all of its nourishing benefits are absorbed properly.
How to make a DIY cuticle oil for nail growth?
Making your own DIY cuticle oil is easy and cost-effective! To start, gather a few simple ingredients: 10 drops of sweet almond oil, 5 drops of tea tree essential oil, 3 drops of lavender essential oil, 1 drop of oils like vitamin E oil (optional).
Combine the almond oil and essential oils in a small container. If desired, add the vitamin E for an extra nourishing effect. Use a spoon or dropper to mix up the ingredients together.
Once fully mixed, use the dropper to transfer the mixture into a clean glass bottle with a secure lid. Rub 2-3 drops into each cuticle twice weekly for best results. The Vitamin E will help promote new nail growth while the other oils moisturize and protect delicate skin from bacteria.
Summary
Nail care is extremely important for healthy nails, cuticles and hands. Oils such as coconut oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, tea tree oil, sweet almond oil and myrrh essential oils are all excellent choices that can help promote nail growth and strength.
Cuticle oil should be applied daily or every other day to keep the delicate skin around your nails nourished and hydrated.
Massaging your nails with an appropriate oil (not mineral or vegetable oils) will also help encourage healthy nail growth.
Most oils take about 5-10 minutes to absorb completely into the hands; you should massage in until it is fully absorbed to make sure your nails get all of its benefits.
You can make a DIY cuticle oil by combining almond oil, tea tree essential oil, lavender essential oil, and vitamin E for extra nourishing effect.

Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty – I have been a beauty writer since 2012.
As well as owning Makeup Muddle, I also own GemmaEtc.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about the greatest (and not so great) beauty products!