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Last Updated on February 26, 2019 by Diane Hoffmaster
Tired of hiding your hands from people because of ugly nails and cuticles? This DIY cuticle butter is just what you need! My nails take a beating just about every day. Whether it's washing the dishes or gardening, I'm busy and have very little time to deal with keeping my nails pretty. I don't tend to wear nail polish except on my toes but I still want healthy fingernails. The trick to keeping your nails and cuticles healthy is to pamper them with moisture rich ingredients.
Table of Contents
Cuticle Care Tips
Before you start rubbing in this homemade cuticle butter, you need to realize that it isn't some miracle cream. You need to follow a few basic cuticle care tips regularly if you want truly healthy cuticles. Here are a few tips for taking care of that sensitive part of your fingernails!
- Don't Cut Your Cuticles! This could lead to infection!
- Push your cuticles back gently with a wooden orange stick
- Avoid Rough Manicurists. Be very careful who you choose to do your nails!
- Avoid harsh chemicals. Wear gloves when you wash dishes and look for a gentle nail polish remover.
- Moisturize with cuticle cream or butter
Dry Cuticles and Vitamin Deficiency
If your cuticles are in very bad shape, you may want to have a talk with your doctor. Severely dry and damaged cuticles may indicate a vitamin deficiency. Both vitamin A and zinc deficiency can result in xerosis (severely dry skin, cuticles included). Biotin deficiency can increase the risk of fungal nail infections and subsequent nail plate discoloration. Talk to your doctor if you think your nails look particularly unhealthy.
How to Make Cuticle Butter
This DIY cuticle butter is incredibly inexpensive to make but goes for a small fortune if you buy it online. With only a few simple ingredients and about 15 minutes you can pamper your nails at home and save your pennies for nail polish to put on them! Once your homemade cuticle butter has hardened, just scoop up a tiny bit and massage into the cuticle and surrounding area. It is great for the nails themselves as well as the surrounding skin so be as liberal with your application as you want. Put it on at every night at bedtime and you will soon have beautiful nails and cuticles.
More DIY Beauty Products
- Easy DIY Rosemary Mint Facial Toner
- DIY Skin Moisturizing Spray with Rosemary and Glycerin
- DIY Dry Shampoo for Pretty Hair with Fewer Washes!
Store your DIY cuticle butter in a cool, dark place and it should last for at least a year. The recipe makes only a small amount but it will last quite a while. I doubled the recipe below and got enough to keep one in the medicine cabinet, put one in my purse, and even give one to my daughter.
DIY Cuticle Butter for Nails You'll Love to Show Off
Supplies Needed
- 1 tbsp beeswax
- 2 tbsp shea butter
- 5 drops of orange essential oil*
- 2 to 3 drops cinnamon or clove oil*
- 3 drops of Vitamin E oil
- small glass jars (You can re-purpose things you have at home as well. Mint tins, etc.)
(NOTE: You can leave off the essential oils or replace them with whatever scents you personally enjoy. They are really just to make it smell pretty. If you are having problems with nail fungus, add a few drops of Tea Tree Oil. It is a great anti-fungal and will help clear up your nail infection)
Directions:
- In a small pan, heat a few inches of water to boiling and remove from heat
- Add the beeswax and shea butter into a small mason jar and place in the hot water. Swirl occasionally until the ingredients melt.
- Add the essential oils and Vitamin E oil. Swirl gently to mix
- Pour mixture into a small jar and let solidify
- To use, just scrape out a bit and massage onto nails, cuticles and surrounding skin.
Love DIY Beauty Products? Pamper those rough feet with this DIY Gingerbread Sugar Scrub!
Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician at Good Pill Pharmacy. She has two college aged kids, one husband and more pets than she will admit to. She earned her BS in Microbiology at the University of New Hampshire but left her career in science to become a stay at home mom. Years of playing with LEGO and coloring with crayons had her craving a more grown up purpose to her life and she began blogging and freelance writing full time. You can learn more about her HERE.
Scott
I didn't realize our fingernails were something we should be treating. Looks easy enough!
Erika
My cuticles are a mess. This would be perfect for me, especially during the harsh winter months.
Jennifer
I can't wait to give this a try. I've recently gotten into making my own scrubs and things, and it's so much fun!
Mary
I made a good size batch, poured into mini muffin cups and put in freezer, took out and unwrapped put em all in a tight sealed plastic container in frig so when I need refill in my jar I keep by TV it’s all ready to go. Great recovery of my nails after taking off acrylics! Thanks
Diane Hoffmaster
So glad you found the recipe for this helpful!
Brittany
I need to take better care of my hands/fingernails! I love DIY style products. Great recipe!
MsSassykat Johns
How much is a few inches of water, really want to try thus my cuticles and nails are a mess
Diane Hoffmaster
That will really depend on the size of the pan. Just fill to about 3 inches or so.