This post is sponsored by NOW®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Has all the hand-washing left your hands, nails, and cuticles dry or cracked? Here are some of my favorite creams and lotions, plus a simple DIY cuticle oil to nourish, moisturize, and protect. This nail and cuticle oil blends several beneficial oils and extracts for a deep, hydrating treatment.
Can we all take a collective deep breath? Phew.
The last few weeks have been overwhelming for many of us. During this pandemic, routines have been upended. In our house we’re focusing on staying healthy through social distancing, eating well, supporting our immune systems (here are 6 Natural Ways to Optimize Your Immune System), staying active, getting fresh air—and most of all: washing our hands constantly.
All that hand-washing (and singing the ABCs to get to 20 seconds) can leave skin feeling dry or even cracked. Frequent washing strips natural oils from the skin, causing dryness, itching, and irritated cuticles and nails. Beyond being uncomfortable, hangnails and cracked skin can become openings for bacteria and infection—something we all want to avoid.
Because hand-washing removes natural oils, it’s important to moisturize often. The best time is right after washing—keep a rich, oil-based cream or lotion by the sink so you can apply immediately (apply while hands are slightly damp). I like NOW® Solutions Shea Butter Lotion for deep hydration or NOW® Solutions Vitamin E Cream to help restore moisture. The shea butter lotion contains 10% shea butter for a nourishing layer of moisture, and soy lecithin’s phospholipids help reduce moisture loss and boost shea butter’s effects.
I’ve always had splitting nails and ragged cuticles. Add stress and a bad hangnail-picking habit and my nails were a mess. Adding a moisturizing cuticle and nail oil to my routine helped a lot—my hands felt soothed and much more hydrated. Here’s one of my favorite DIY cuticle oil blends that’s great for dry, cracked cuticles and nails. It’s packed with oils that help keep skin and nails soft, smooth, and healthy.
This nail and cuticle oil uses several nourishing oils for healthy, hydrated hands. You could use any one of them, but I like combining them for the best results.
– Argan Oil: High in vitamin E and fatty acids for better moisturization. It absorbs quickly, isn’t greasy, and helps protect skin. Bonus: rub a few drops into your palms and smooth through hair for shine and to tame flyaways.
– Vitamin E: Has moisturizing and healing properties—add a few drops to skin-care products to help skin look healthy.
– Rose Hip Seed Oil: Rich in omega-6 fatty acids to nourish and renew skin; a few drops on cuticles helps revive the nail bed.
– Carrier oil options: Jojoba, sweet almond, coconut, or avocado oils are all great choices—deeply restorative for dry skin and brittle nails.
You can also add a few drops of essential oil for added benefits and a pleasant scent. Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil like jojoba, coconut, grapeseed, olive, avocado, or almond oil before applying. My favorite essential oils for nails and cuticles include:
– Frankincense
– Lavender
– Lemon
– Eucalyptus
– Tea Tree
NOW® essential oils are the only brand I use—high quality, rigorously tested, and affordable. You can find them at nowfoods.com, on Amazon, and at some local stores like Meijer.
Caution: NOW® Essential Oils are highly concentrated and can irritate skin. Do not apply undiluted to the skin. Always dilute before topical use and stop use if a rash appears. Not for internal use. Avoid contact with eyes.
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