DIY Cuticle Butter and Tips for Healthy Cuticles

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.

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.

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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:

1. In a small pan, heat a few inches of water to boiling and remove from heat
2. Add the beeswax and shea butter into a small mason jar and place in the hot water.  Swirl occasionally until the ingredients melt.
3. Add the essential oils and Vitamin E oil.  Swirl gently to mix
4. Pour mixture into a small jar and let solidify
5. To use, just scrape out a bit and massage onto nails, cuticles and surrounding skin.

 

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