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Byrdie / Marcus Millan
Cuticle cream may not be at the top of your list of beauty needs, but if strong, healthy nails, and manicured hands are your end game, it most certainly deserves a seat at the table. The cuticle is the piece of skin at the base of your nail bed that plays an important—although often overlooked role. It protects your nails by preventing bacteria and grime from getting in and causing infection in and around your nails. “The right cuticle cream will be just as restorative as the best cuticle oil and it also doubles as a nice cream for your finger bed,” says Miss Pop, New York City-based editorial nail artist. There is a whole breed of cuticle-loving products that target this specialized sliver of skin and the best ones can go a long way in keeping your nails and hands looking good and polished—with or without a coat of paint.
To find the best cuticle creams on the market, we conducted hours of research—evaluating each on their active ingredients and ability to hydrate. After consulting recommendations from our product testers and considering dozens of formulas, we landed on these top-rated picks to give you the best in show.
Ahead, find the best cuticle creams for healthy, strong nails.
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Penetrates even painted nails
Packed with nourishing and reparative ingredients
Has plenty of antioxidants
Small amount
Active Ingredients: Raspberry stem cell extract, red algae, shea butter, sodium hyaluronate, and vitamins A, C, and E | Benefits: Offers immediate relief from roughed-up cuticles and offers long-term protection from dryness with daily use | Dosage: Apply during the day as needed and in PM for overnight | Size: .034 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
This formula is packed with nourishing and reparative ingredients, making it well worth the price. We’re talking shea butter and sodium hyaluronate for hydration purposes, but also a ton of protective antioxidants—vitamins A, C, and E4, raspberry stem cell extract, and red algae. Oh, and it can penetrate your nails even if you have polish on.
Reviewers loved that they saw noticeable results almost immediately and that it hydrated their cuticles and nails without leaving a greasy or oily residue. They also liked that they only had to dab on a tiny amount for it to have an effect. If your cuticles are in really rough shape, apply a cuticle oil then layer Deborah Lippmann's The Cure on top for a super intense overnight treatment.
Who It’s For
This formula is great for anyone who is hard on their hands, battling dry, roughed up cuticles in need of TLC. The hydration-packed formula offers instant relief and long-term healing for healthy, pampered cuticles and hands.
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Nice lemon smell
Feels like fresh manicured nails
Cuts through oils and dirt
Lid can be hard to open
Active Ingredients: Lemon oil, vitamin E, almond oil | Benefits: 100% natural source to nourish brittle nails | Dosage: Apply after handwashing as needed | Size: 0.3, 0.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The addicting citrus scent is reason enough to keep slathering this pillow-y cream on, and that’s before you tap into the cuticle-loving benefits that your nails will drink up. But it does, in fact, help get your nails into tip-top shape too, thanks to almond oil, cocoa seed butter, and beeswax, which promises to lock in all the hydration. "The Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream is the kind of product that you don’t realize how much you need until you’ve allowed it into your life,” shared product tester, Nicole Kliest. “It instantly enlivens your hands and is a small but significant form of self-care, both of which we could all use right now," she adds.
The rich formula also boasts vitamin E and sunflower oil which claim to help boost brittle and peeling nails. Plus, it’s 100% natural, with no parabens or petrolatum, so you can feel good about what you’re layering on too.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for an everyday, wallet-friendly cuticle cream, this all-natural option will deliver a soothing coat of zesty goodness that works to coddle dry, brittle nails and cuticles the second you apply it.
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Byrdie / Nicole Kliest
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Gently exfoliates
Fragrance-free
Made with natural ingredients
Might be a bit greasy
Active Ingredients: Cocoa butter, essential oils | Benefits: Vitamin-rich softening | Dosage: Apply post-manicure | Size: .3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
You can definitely feel good about this squeaky clean, chemical-free ingredient list where the star of the show is, you guessed it, goat milk. Not only is it hydrating, but it’s also packed with different good-for-your-skin vitamins, including reparative vitamin A. Goat milk's lactic acid claims to provide a little bit of gentle exfoliation, which is never a bad thing for rough cuticles. It’s also known for its moisturizing properties and its ability to soothe and soften dehydrated, overworked skin.
The formula is immaculate, so you can feel good about the ingredients you’re rubbing all over your hands and for those who are sensitive to scents, you will definitely appreciate that this has no fragrance.
Who It’s For
If you have sensitive skin, or a sensitive nose, this fragrance-free, cruelty-free, superbly clean formula is for you. The brand's signature gold milk offers gentle exfoliation to dry cuticles to help smooth out any rough patches, and cocoa butter to coat nails in heavy-duty hydration.
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Absorbs quickly
Noticeable results
Softening formula
Can be heavy
Active Ingredients: Lanolin, mineral oil, beeswax, vitamin E | Benefits: Hydrates and improves the appearance of nails and cuticles | Dosage: Apply a pea-size amount and massage in | Size: 0.35 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
This nail and cuticle cream from Dior is a great choice if you want to pamper yourself—and your cuticles. Everything about the little jar feels decadent—from the emollient-rich formula (hello beeswax, lanolin, and vitamin E) inside, to the steep price you’ll pay for it. The pale peach cream—excuse us, crème (because, like we said, it’s fancy)— has a luxurious feel that absorbs surprisingly fast. It does a number softening cuticles on contact, and offering noticeable long-term benefits, healing and repairing cuticles and nail beds, too.
It also has a delicate fruity smell, which reviewers noted as pleasant, not cloying, and adds to the spa-like experience you’ll enjoy every time you apply it. The result: nails that appear healthy and hydrated and an instant mood boost.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking to treat your hands to an instant dose of self-care this rich cuticle cream will pamper all your senses with a luxurious cushion-y feel, delicate scent, and soothing results.
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Safe for babies
Lanolin locks in moisture
Just two ingredients
Can be a little sticky
Active Ingredients: Lanolin | Benefits: Mom-friendly with locked-in moisture | Dosage: Apply post-manicure | Size: .52 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
To call this little tube of wonders simply a cuticle cream would be doing it a disservice. There are, wait for it, 101 different ways to use this all-purpose ointment. The simple two-ingredient balm, which contains only lanolin and lanolin oil, works wonders pretty much anywhere on your body that needs a shot of healing hydration. “I am a big fan of the restorative power of Lanolin,” notes Miss Pop. “It’s a miracle balm I’ve been using forever- especially when I was breastfeeding. If it could restore my raw nipples in hours, it can save any skin issue,” she adds.
Dry cuticles are no exception. A dab of this thick ointment swiped over cuticles and nails delivers a coat of moisture that soothes on contact and imparts a healthy-looking sheen onto nails. It’s worth noting that since lanolin is derived from sheep10, vegans may want to take a pass on this one.) The balm melts into skin as you apply it and any excess can be dabbed on lips, elbows, heels, nipples, or anywhere else in need of hydration.
Who It’s For
As a jack of 101 trades, this multi-tasking superstar is ideal for the minimalist who’s looking for a rich moisturizing balm to use on cuticles, lips, nipples, and more. It’s a high-performance do-it-all that is mom and baby-safe.
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Mess-free
Maintains moisture levels
Non-greasy
Thinner consistency
Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, avocado oil | Benefits: Prevents aging and retains moisture levels | Dosage: Apply post-manicure | Size: .4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The delivery system for this cuticle balm is unlike any other in this lineup, with an easy-to-use massaging tip that makes application both easy and mess-free. The tube has a grooved applicator tip that dispenses the moisture-rich cream and gently massages the nail bed as you apply it.
The cream delivers moisture to dry cuticles, thanks to coconut and avocado oils. Avocado oil also contains vitamin E to help soothe and oleic acid to promote collagen production, which help with healthier-looking cuticles and nails over time. It also promises to maintain those moisture levels, thanks to phospholipids so cuticles stay looking and feeling hydrated, longer.
Who It’s For
If you don’t love dipping your fingers into a pot of slick balm, this mess-free cuticle cream is for you. The formula is as hydrating as any, thanks to coconut oil and avocado oil, and the unique massaging applicator makes it perfect for on-the-go.
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Reinforces weak nails
Hydrating and strengthening
Quenches cuticles
Might not work strong enough for some
Active Ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin | Benefits: Enhances nail appearance with anti-aging technology | Dosage: Apply 3-4 times a day | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Dry cuticles and dry, breaking nails often go hand-in-hand (no pun intended). Enter the beauty of this option; with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, shea butter, and keratin, this conditioning formula is meant for both hydrating and strengthening. It works more like a treatment that targets cuticle and nail healing, versus just a blanket of instant moisture—although it does provide that too.
A small dab of the rich cream regularly massaged over nails and cuticles quenches dry, roughed up cuticles and reinforces cracked, weak nails. Nails don’t only appear more manicured and loved, but they are actually healthier and stronger too. It’s the kind of pampering hand treatment to reach for when your nails need a little extra TLC post-gel manicure.
Who It’s For
If you’re challenged with thin, brittle, and splitting nails, this conditioning nail and cuticle treatment will deliver much-needed coddling to hands. The restorative formula is both healing and pampering, giving nails and cuticles a blanket of moisture to soothe and smooth cracks and dryness.
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Dissolves quickly
Repairs and regenerates
Has plenty of antioxidants
Reviewers note that it has a strong smell
Active Ingredients: Grapeseed oil, grapeseed polyphenols, shea butter | Benefits: Melts quickly into skin without stickiness | Dosage: Apply in AM and PM | Size: .4 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
You’re likely already using a hand cream daily, so why not make it one that can also do good things for your nails? This pretty purple tube is packed with the brand's signature grapeseed oil which is delicate to the touch, but heavy-duty in its moisturizing abilities. And moisturize it does. This repairing cream blankets hands in skin-coddling goodness without leaving them slick or slippery.
This vegan formula is ultra-hydrating but still absorbs quickly, so you can slather it on with reckless abandon day or night, with no worries of a greasy residue everywhere you touch. It also boasts plenty of antioxidants, which do a number healing and treating overworked hands. It has a faint herbal scent that is pleasant enough to wake up your senses, without aggravating them, and dissipates quickly which is ideal for a hand cream.
Who It’s For
This pampering cream is a great daily go-to for anyone looking for a regular dose of moisture to condition hands and nails. It also absorbs quickly so it won’t leave greasy fingerprints across your keyboard, or anywhere you touch.
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Exfoliating
Lightweight
Penetrates the skin to soothe cracks
Might be sticky to some
Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Benefits: Provides thick moisturization and dissolves dead skin buildup | Dosage: Apply in the PM before bed | Size: .5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Going above its basic moisturization responsibilities, this formula has the unique distinction of boasting exfoliating salicylic acid. Why is that important? The ingredient is a great exfoliator, helping to gently slough of ragged, excess dead skin on your cuticles.
The formula is more gel-salve-like, than whipped and creamy, but it applies just the same, coating dry, splitting cuticles in a coat of healing softness. We found it was best used with gloves as an overnight treatment to vanish roughed-up cuticles while you sleep. The result in the morning is baby-soft hands and beautifully buffed nail beds that look refreshed and manicured.
Who It’s For
If your cuticles are thick, overgrown, splitting, or dry, this gentle and effective cuticle cream is for you. The gentle exfoliating gel is ideal for those who don’t like ultra-thick creams on their hands, but want to reap the results of a pampering cuticle formula.
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Hydrates chapped lips and cracked heels as well
Made with natural oils
Nice smell
Scent can be longer-lasting
Active Ingredients: Shea butter, beeswax, goat milk, sunflower oil | Benefits: Provides ultra moisture in a multi-purpose way | Dosage: Apply during the day | Size: 2.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you don’t want to shell out money solely for cuticle cream, consider picking up a multipurpose balm, such as this one. The star ingredients at play here are a coddling blend of shea butter, goat milk, and natural oils that make this a hydrating formula that can truly do it all.
The texture is thick out of the tin, but it melts into skin once you apply it and absorbs impressively fast, helping to moisturize, nourish, and soothe skin anywhere on the body. Dab it on beat-up cuticles and/or use it to tamp down frizz, hydrate chapped lips, soften cracked heels—you name it.
Who It’s For
For anyone who loves an overachieving multi-tasker, this do-it-all balm will be your favorite new sidekick for all things moisture-related. It comes in a variety of scents to match your nose’s preference like a crisp sea salt, fresh lavender, and woodsy frankincense.
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Prevents peeling and cracking
Strengthens nails
Made with natural ingredients
Reviewers note that it has a strong smell
Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, jojoba oil, beeswax, vitamin E | Benefits: Conditions cuticles and strengthens nails | Dosage: Massage into the nail bed and cuticles as often as needed | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you deal with cuticles that frequently split or peel, this top-rated formula will be your saving grace. Formulated with fortifying ingredients such as beeswax and vitamins A, C, D, and E, this cream heals and prevents cuticle damage for nails that are healthy and strong.
It’s the kind of product that impresses you at first swipe, with a rich, oh-la-la texture that makes you smile. Also, the reason you can find over 45,000 five-star reviews on Amazon with happy customers singing their public praise of the strengthening formula.
This cream works fast—as in, you’ll notice a difference in the appearance of roughed-up cuticles minutes after you apply it. Plus, with continued use, you’ll notice nails looking and feeling stronger and healthier. Another added benefit: It can also help nails grow longer.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for a high-quality cuticle cream on a budget, this jar of nail-strengthening goodness fits the bill. It’s packed with a host of moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E that condition the heck out of nails for less than 10 bucks.
What To Look For in a Cuticle Cream
- Hydrating Ingredients: If repairing dry, cracked cuticles is at the top of your to-do list, look for a formula filled with hydrating ingredients—like shea butter, coconut, and avocado oil—to add some much-needed moisture. Slather it on all year round, or when you feel your cuticles need some extra TLC.
- Consistency: Cuticle creams arrive in a variety of consistencies, ranging from thin to thick. Opt for the one that you'll use the most. All in all, make sure you select a formula that fits with your lifestyle (i.e., if you hate thick hand creams, you likely won't love a thick cuticle cream, and so on). They all work the same, it's just a matter of personal preference.
- Fast Absorbing: Select a formula that absorbs quickly to avoid spreading the cream everywhere. You don't want your cuticles to feel oily or for the cream to rub off, so a fast-absorbing formula is ideal. Can't find one? Not a problem; wear the cream at night with gloves on to keep all the goodness where it belongs—on your cuticles.
Why Trust Byrdie
Melanie Rud Chadwick has over 10 years of experience working in the beauty editorial industry.
Lindsay Colameo Peragallo is a veteran beauty writer and editor with over a decade of experience contributing for top beauty, wellness, and lifestyle outlets. For this piece, she combined her product knowledge, ingredient research, and tester notes to add expertise and insights on the best cuticle creams on the market.
For this roundup, Lindsay consulted a professional nail artist for expert insights on what makes the best cuticle creams and how to best use them.
- Miss Pop is a New York City-based nail artist who works with an impressive lineup of A-list celebrities, leads teams at fashion weeks around the globe, and is regularly featured in top beauty and fashion editorials.
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