Cuticle Care 101: What It Is and Why It Matters

Cuticle care means keeping the thin seal of skin at the base of your nails soft, intact and moisturised. It matters because your cuticles help keep dirt and germs away from where the nail grows, and well-kept cuticles make any manicure, gel nail strips included, look neater and last longer. The short version: push back gently, don't cut, and moisturise every day.

Cuticles are easy to overlook, whether you do your nails at home every fortnight or you're just starting out. In this guide we'll explain what they are, why they matter and how to look after them properly, especially if you're a fan of gel nail strips.

What Are Cuticles, Exactly?

Your cuticles are the thin layers of skin at the base of your nails, sitting just over the area where your nail grows. They act as a protective seal between your skin and the root of your nail, helping to keep dirt and bacteria out.

They may be small, but looking after them is one of the easiest ways to improve how your nails look and feel.

Why Cuticle Care Matters

Neglected cuticles can become dry, ragged, peeling and sore, and broken skin round the nail is more likely to get irritated. Looking after them helps with:

• Softer, healthier-looking skin round the nail
• Fewer painful hangnails
• A neater, more polished-looking manicure
• Longer wear from gel nail strips or polish

When you're applying gel nail strips, clean, pushed-back cuticles help the strips grip the nail rather than the skin, so they're less likely to lift.

If the skin around a nail becomes red, swollen, hot or painful, speak to a pharmacist or GP, as it could be an infection that needs treating.

How to Care for Your Cuticles Like a Pro

Here's a simple cuticle care routine you can do at home, no salon visit needed.

1. Soften the Cuticles

After a warm shower or a quick soak in warm water, your cuticles will be softer and easier to manage. This gets the skin ready for gentle pushing.

2. Gently Push Back, Don't Cut

Use a wooden stick or rubber cuticle pusher to ease the cuticles back gently. Avoid cutting them, as that can lead to irritation or infection.

3. Exfoliate Dead Skin

Use a gentle scrub or exfoliator to remove dry, flaky skin around the nail. This smooths the area and gets it ready for nail strips or polish.

4. Moisturise Daily

Cuticles need hydration just like the rest of your skin. Apply a cuticle oil or a rich hand cream every day to keep the area soft. A pen from our cuticle oil collection makes it easy to do on the go.

Tip: massage the oil in for a few seconds. It feels lovely and helps it soak in rather than sit on the surface.

5. Prep Properly Before Applying Gel Nail Strips

Before applying gel nail strips, make sure your cuticles are pushed back and the nail surface is clean, dry and free of oil. Skip the cuticle oil on the day of application, then go back to it from the next day, applying it round the skin rather than soaking the strip edges. Our guide to applying gel strips covers prep step by step.

Cuticle Care Myths, Debunked

"You have to cut your cuticles."
Not true. Cutting can damage the protective seal and leave the skin sore. It's far better to push them back and keep them moisturised.

"Cuticle care only matters if you go to salons."
Wrong again. Whether you're doing a quick strip application or a full at-home manicure, cuticle care matters just as much.

Final Thoughts

Healthy cuticles are the foundation of a great manicure. Taking a few minutes to look after them can make a real difference to how your nails look and feel.

So next time you're prepping for a new set of gel nail strips, don't forget the cuticles. Your nails will thank you.

Common questions

Should I cut my cuticles?

It's best not to. Cutting can damage the seal that protects the base of your nail and may lead to irritation or infection. Soften them, push them back gently and moisturise instead.

How often should I use cuticle oil?

Once a day is plenty for most people, and bedtime is an easy habit to stick to. Use it a little more often if your hands are in water a lot or the weather is cold and dry. Our aftercare and cuticle oil guide has more tips.

Can I use cuticle oil with gel nail strips?

Yes, just not right before you apply them, as oil on the nail stops the strip bonding. Use it from the day after application, round the skin rather than over the edges. Cuticle oil is also how you remove gel strips: a few drops round the edges, wait, then lift gently with a wooden stick.