Best cuticle oil UK: how to choose one, and why a pen helps
By Velvora · Checked 9 October 2026
In short
A good cuticle oil is mostly a light oil such as jojoba, often with vitamin E, in an applicator you will actually use every day. A brush pen puts a small amount exactly on the cuticle and sidewalls. If you wear gel nail strips, cuticle oil is also how they come off, with no acetone.
What to look for in a cuticle oil
Cuticle oil softens the dry skin around the nail so the manicure looks neater. It will not make nails grow overnight or fix a medical nail problem; the NHS has advice on nail changes that need a doctor. These are the things worth comparing.
- The oils: jojoba seed oil hydrates and softens cuticles, and vitamin E (for example from wheat germ oil) helps nourish the nail area.
- The applicator: a brush pen is precise, portable and hard to over-apply. A bottle works at home but makes it easy to use too much.
- Fragrance and allergies: many oils are scented. Read the full ingredient list if you have sensitive skin or allergies, including to wheat.
- Whether it doubles as a remover: if you wear gel strips, an oil you already own can lift them off, so you may not need a separate remover.
- Price: oils from UK nail brands ranged from £7 to £16.99 when we checked (see the table).
How to use a cuticle oil pen
Use less than you think, keep it mostly on the skin, and massage it in slowly. Once or twice a day is plenty, and bedtime is easiest because the oil is not washed straight off.
- Start with clean, dry hands.
- Twist or click once. A pinhead-sized bead on the brush is enough for one nail.
- Trace a U shape around the base and sides of the nail, on the cuticle and sidewall skin rather than the whole nail.
- Leave it for 20 to 30 seconds, massage for about 30 seconds per nail, then give it about 2 minutes before touching fabrics or your phone.
- Do not oil just before applying strips: oil on the nail plate can stop them sticking. Apply and cure first, then oil the skin around them.
Removing gel nail strips with a cuticle oil pen
Semi-cured gel strips are designed to come off with oil rather than an acetone soak. Be patient, and never peel a strip off dry, as that can take layers of nail with it.
- Apply cuticle oil generously around the cuticle and sidewalls of each strip.
- Leave it for 60 to 90 seconds to soften the adhesive.
- Slide a wooden cuticle stick gently under one side and lift slowly, adding more oil as you go.
- Work towards the centre and never force it. If it resists, add more oil and wait.
- Wipe away any residue, massage in a little more oil, and if you can, let nails rest for 24 hours before the next set.
Velvora cuticle oil pens
Velvora's cuticle oil pens are £7 each. The ingredients are jojoba seed oil, wheat germ oil (vitamin E) and a light fragrance, and each pen is sold as hydrating, nourishing and a remover for gel strips.
There are 12 scents: Banana, Blue Raspberry, Cherry, Coconut, Lemonade, Mango, Passionfruit, Peach, Snowdrop (a winter limited edition), Strawberry, Vanilla and Watermelon. A pen is also included in the Velvora starter kit with two gel strip sets and a mini UV/LED lamp.
| Brand | Product | Full price seen |
|---|---|---|
| Velvora | Cuticle oil pen, 12 scents | £7Now £9.79 in our sale |
| Mylee | Wrap Remover Oil | £9.99 |
| Hello Nails | Cuticle oil | £11.99 |
| Maniko | Magic Remover Pen | £12 |
| Holy Gels | Cuticle oil remover | £12 |
| MoYou London | Cuticle oils | £13.99 to £16.99 |
| Nails.INC | Nail oil | £15 |
Prices seen on each brand's own site when checked on 9 October 2026, excluding offers. Sizes differ between products, and Velvora has not tested other brands' oils.
From Velvora
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Questions
Can cuticle oil remove gel nail strips?+
Yes. Add a few drops around the edges of each strip, wait 60 to 90 seconds, then work an edge up with a wooden stick and slide it under. If a strip feels stuck, add more oil and wait. Never peel strips off dry, because that can thin the nail.
How often should I use a cuticle oil pen?+
Once a day suits most people, or twice if your cuticles feel tight or rough. Bedtime is the easiest time because the oil is less likely to be washed away. Small, regular amounts make more difference than one heavy coat.
Can I use cuticle oil before applying gel nail strips?+
Not straight before. Oil on the nail plate can stop strips sticking and lead to early lifting. Apply your strips, cure them fully, then trace oil around the skin. If you oiled by mistake, wash, dry and cleanse the nail before you start.
Is a cuticle oil pen better than a bottle?+
For daily use a pen is usually easier: it is portable, precise and less messy, and it is harder to over-apply. A bottle is fine at home, but it makes it easy to flood the nail, which matters if you are wearing strips.
What is in Velvora cuticle oil?+
Velvora cuticle oil pens contain jojoba seed oil, wheat germ oil (vitamin E) and a light fragrance. Jojoba hydrates and softens cuticles, and vitamin E helps nourish the nail area. Check the full ingredient list on the product page if you have allergies.
Do I need a special remover for gel nail strips?+
Not for Velvora strips. Cuticle oil and a wooden stick are the recommended method. If adhesive is stubborn you can use an acetone wrap, but acetone can dry nails and skin, so follow it with cuticle oil.