Before I get into the best cuticle oils, a bit of backstory. I was born in 1997 with what I can only describe as an untapped well of anxiety, which, for years, manifested in biting my nails and feeling deeply insecure about my subsequent nubs. Eventually, I kicked the habit, thanks to equal parts vanity and therapy, and have since been committed to keeping my nails as strong and healthy as possible.
Part of that commitment means skipping gel manicures in favor of regular polish (boring, I know), and taking care of my nails at home with essentials like nail strengthener and cuticle oil.
Vogue’s Favorite Cuticle Oils
If you’re new to nail care, cuticle oils are designed to hydrate the cuticles and surrounding skin, helping to prevent dryness and hangnails while supporting stronger, healthier nails. There are plenty of options out there, and you don’t need anything overly fussy, just something you’ll actually use consistently.
That said, ingredients matter more than packaging, and format is just as important, especially if you’re easily put off by anything messy. Ahead, the eight cuticle oils we keep coming back to, with input from two celebrity manicurists we trust.
Best Overall: OPI ProSpa Nail and Cuticle Oil
- Why We Love It: If scent is your prerogative, celebrity manicurist Sonya Belakhlef notes that this one has the “best smell of the bunch,” a citrusy-floral blend thanks to grape seed, sesame, and kukui oils. She does point out that it has a thicker viscosity and more slip than the others. “Less is more with this one,” she says. Used properly, the bottle should last you a few months, making it a surprisingly good value. If you want something smaller or easier to travel with, the brand also offers a cuticle pen, so you don’t have to bubble wrap your vanity bag.
- Key Ingredients: Grape seed oil, sesame oil, kukui oil
- Size: 14.8 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Softening, strengthening, quick-absorbings | The dropper can be finicky |
Best Drugstore: Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil and Nail Treatment
- Why We Love It: Essie is a staple in nail care, so if you’re already picking up a new polish shade, you might as well add this oil to your cart. According to celebrity manicurist Arlene Hinckson, “This is great if you’re in a pinch, or if you forgot your regular oil at home.” She adds that it comes in multiple applicator options, including a roll-on and a brush, all with the same formula, and at a great price point. Plus, you can find it at just about any drugstore or beauty aisle near you.
- Key Ingredients: Apricot kernel, jojoba oil
- Size: 13.5 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Mess-free, travel-friendly | Strong fragrance may irritate some users |
Best Gel-to-Oil: Chanel L’Huile Camélia Nail Treatment
- Why We Love It: Considering it’s Chanel, this nail treatment is priced relatively well, especially if you’re looking to flex the contents of your makeup bag on Instagram. Beyond the luxurious appeal, Hinckson notes that it’s a lightweight, great-smelling oil that doesn’t linger. “The gel-to-oil formula contains a combination of seed oils that hydrate and support the skin barrier. The applicator allows you to apply the treatment precisely onto the cuticle, so minimal product is wasted. The soft tip also lets you gently push your cuticles back, if you want.”
- Editor’s Experience: “This cuticle oil does not leave my bedside. The gel-to-oil texture is a sensorial feat—delivering the hydration of a serum, with the occlusivity of an oil.” —Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping
- Key Ingredients: Camelia ceramides, glycerin
- Size: 11 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Strengthening, hydrating, gel-to-oil formula | Product can dispense quickly if you’re not careful |
Best Value: Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Treatment Pen
- Why We Love It: When it comes to nail care, you can always rely on Miss Hansen to deliver at an accessible price point. Belakhlef notes, “If this is the only one you’re able to get your hands on, it’s a great option!” given how widely available it is at most drugstores. The pen format makes it especially easy to apply and ideal for anyone who likes to multitask, on the plane, train, or even at a red light. She also points to Sally Hansen’s Cuticle Rehab as another favorite, noting that it has more of a serum-like texture, which can be a better option if traditional oils feel too heavy.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, apricot kernel, aloe
- Size: 1.8 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Absorbs quickly, compact, hydrating | Takes a few twists to get it started |
Best Brush-On: L’Occitane Shea Nail & Cuticle Oil
- Why We Love It: According to Belakhlef, “L’Occitane has the best hand and body care,” and I’m inclined to agree—I dare someone to dupe their shower oil. Enriched with 30% shea oil, she notes that the this is her favorite for hydration and that it “soaks in immediately.” Belakhlef also loves the applicator, a brush that makes it easy to use and far less messy. My only note is that the product is quite small for its price point, which can be a deterrent.
- Key Ingredients: Shea oil, apricot oil, sweet almond oil
- Size: 7.5 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Quick-absorbings, convenient, easy to use | Some users find the scent to be off-putting |
Best Non-Greasy: Manucurist Green Oil Nail Care
- Why We Love It: From French brand Manucurist, Hinckson notes that this is “a perfect companion to your nighttime routine.” She says, “I love using this before applying an occlusive and cotton gloves at night. The dropper makes it easy to really drench your hands.” It contains a blend of six botanical oils and pairs well with the brand’s other nail care products, including a cuticle softener, keratin booster, and nail serum. Oh là là!
- Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, passion fruit seed oil, walnut oil, coconut oil, baobab oil, kukui nut oil
- Size: 15 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Nourishing, clean formula, non-greasy | No major cons to note |
Best Natural Formulation: Hermès Les Mains Hermès Nail & Cuticle Nourishing Oil
- Why We Love It: “This is more of a classic cuticle oil, from the density to the packaging,” notes Hinckson. “It’s perfect for the last step of a manicure or a quick application before bed. It’s 100 percent natural and helps strengthen and protect nails from dryness.” The price point is quite high, but it’s Hermès, so you know what you’re getting. Whether it’s the quality formula, the packaging, or the signature orange box, it feels like a gift, even if it’s just for yourself.
- Key Ingredients: White mulberry extract, vitamin E
- Size: 15 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Beautiful packaging, nourishing, non-greasy | On the pricier side |
Best Nail Serum: Celisse The Trick Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Serum
- Why We Love It: A new brand I discovered via Instagram, Celisse has already won me over with its beautiful packaging and thoughtful formulations (it was cofounded by a celebrity manicurist Holly Falcone). As Hinckson notes, “I love this texture. It’s true to its name, an easy-absorbings serum that smells incredible. It moisturizes while mimicking the skin’s natural oils, and the sleek applicator makes it easy to use on the go.”
- Key Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, sweet almond oil, squalene
- Size: 4 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Beautiful scent, compact, easy-to-use | No major cons to note |
Everything You Need to Know
Does cuticle oil actually make a difference?
Yes, cuticle oil actually makes a difference. According to Belakhlef, intentional hydration always helps. “Our hands take a beating, and our nails and skin deserve some love. Keeping your nails hydrated will keep them healthy and flexible, which is key.”
Should you rub in cuticle oil or let it sit?
Hinckson says she prefers to let it sit. “It can be soothing when the right oil is applied, so there’s no need to rub it in.” Belakhlef takes a more flexible approach. “It depends on the time of day. At night, you can let it sit, but during the day, if you don’t want to feel greasy, you can rub it in.”
What to Look for in a Cuticle Oil
For Hinckson, efficacy and density are key. “Packaging also matters, because you need to keep it with you and use it throughout the day for it to actually be effective.” Belakhlef, on the other hand, says that as long as you’re exfoliating and hydrating, you’re on the right track. “Single-ingredient oils, body oils, anything can work if you don’t want to overthink it.”
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to cuticle oils, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, applicator, texture, scent, and the nail-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Arlene Hinckson is a New York–based celebrity manicurist whose clients include Christina Aguilera, Brie Larson, Jeremy Scott, and Sam Smith.
- Sonya Belakhlef is a New York–based celebrity nail artist who has done manicures for the likes of Mary J. Blige, Ashley Graham, and Natasha Lyonne.
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