This post is sponsored by NOW®. All opinions are my own.
Are frequent hand-washes leaving your hands, nails, and cuticles dry or cracked? I’m sharing some of my favorite creams and lotions, plus an easy DIY cuticle oil to help nourish, moisturize, and protect your hands. This nail and cuticle oil blends oils and extracts for a deeply moisturizing treatment.
Can we all take a collective deep breath? Phew.
These past few weeks have been stressful and overwhelming. With this pandemic upending our routines, we’ve been doing our best at home to stay healthy: social distancing, eating well, supporting our immune systems (see my post: 6 Natural Ways to Optimize Your Immune System), staying active, getting fresh air, and most importantly—washing our hands constantly.
All that hand-washing (and singing the ABCs to hit 20 seconds) can leave skin dry or even cracked. Frequent washing strips the skin of its natural oils, causing dryness, itchiness, and irritation on hands, cuticles, and nails. Besides being uncomfortable, hangnails and cracked skin can become openings for bacteria and infection—something we definitely want to avoid.
Because hand-washing removes natural oils, it’s important to moisturize often. The best time is right after washing your hands. Keep a soothing, oil-based cream or lotion by the sink so you can apply immediately (it’s best to leave hands slightly damp). I like NOW® Solutions Shea Butter Lotion for intense moisture, or NOW® Solutions Vitamin E Cream to help restore the skin’s natural moisture. The shea butter lotion contains 10% shea butter for rich hydration, and soy lecithin’s phospholipids help reduce moisture loss and boost shea butter’s effects.
I tend to get split nails and ragged cuticles—add stress and a bad hangnail-picking habit, and my nails were a wreck. Adding this moisturizing cuticle and nail oil to my routine made a big difference, giving intense relief and hydration to my dry, damaged hands. Below is one of my favorite DIY cuticle oil recipes that soothes and restores dry, cracked cuticles and nails. It’s packed with nourishing oils that help keep skin, nails, and cuticles soft and healthy.
This nail and cuticle oil uses several skin-loving oils to keep hands looking healthy, moisturized, and smooth. While each oil works alone, I like combining them for the best results.
Argan Oil
Rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, argan oil boosts moisturization. It absorbs quickly without feeling greasy, helps maintain healthy skin pH, and soothes and protects skin. Bonus: a few drops rubbed into palms also add shine and tame flyaways in hair.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is moisturizing and helps healing. I like adding a few drops of Natural E-Oil to my skincare products to keep skin looking healthy.
Rose Hip Seed Oil
Pure rose hip seed oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and supports skin renewal. A few drops worked into your cuticles can help restore and nourish the nail bed.
Choice of carrier oils: Jojoba, Sweet Almond, Coconut, or Avocado
Any of these make a great base—deeply restorative for dry, irritated skin and brittle nails.
You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oils* for added benefits and a pleasant natural 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 nail and cuticle treatments are:
Frankincense
Lavender
Lemon
Eucalyptus
Tea Tree
NOW® essential oils are the only brand I use. They’re high quality, rigorously tested, and very affordable. You can find them at nowfoods.com, on Amazon, and at some local stores.
*Caution: NOW® Essential Oils are highly concentrated and can irritate the skin. Avoid direct contact with undiluted oils and always dilute before topical use. Stop use if a rash appears. Not for internal use. Avoid contact with eyes.
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