Ever applied nail polish at home, and the finish didn’t look as neat as salon manicured nails? Well, your cuticles determine the overall look of your nails after nail polish application. They can make your nail polish stand out or ruin your manicure completely.
The cuticle is the gum-like layer of dead skin tissues between your nails and nail fold. It prevents new growing nails from coming into contact with germs causing infections. Also, it provides support for your nails.
As it is, cuticles are essential, but when they dry, crack or bleed, it’s not a sight to behold.
Part of maintaining your nails and cuticles involves trimming or removing the layer of dead cuticle tissues and hangnails.
The 5 Best Cuticle Removers:
1. ProLinc Cuticle Eliminator
Best instant cuticle remover
ProLinc Cuticle Eliminator removes even the most stubborn cuticles and hangnails in seconds; you’ll be impressed. The eliminator is designed for professional use, so you’re sure to get professional results even at home by yourself.
The fast-acting formula melts away the cuticles and dead skin around the nails with ease. Plus, it’s safe to use on acrylics, gels, and nail polish.
With a thick gel-like consistency, the remover is highly concentrated, so you only need a little.
The remover is easy to use; use the applicator brush to apply, then wait for forty-five seconds. After it’s dissolved, push the soft cuticles back using a cuticle pusher, then wash your hands well.
2. Dr.Wonder Cuticle Remover Pen
Best moisturizing cuticle remover
Dr.Wonder Cuticle Remover Pen seeks to revolutionize cuticle care. It advocates for the healthy maintenance of cuticles by appreciating the importance of cuticles for nails. Cutting your cuticles is a risk for infections, and it interferes with the function of nails. The alternative? Remove the loose skin, which is a layer of dead skin between the cuticle and nail.
To easily push back the cuticles, the pen is infused with essential oils – lavender oil, avocado oil, squalane, and keratin which soften, moisturize and soothe your cuticles. All the ingredients are natural and full of nutrients to nourish your cuticles, nails, and skin.
The pen has a loose skin remover on the tip, which effectively removes even the tiny parts of the dead skin. Plus, it releases the oil as you go on.
3. Blue Cross Cuticle Remover
Best softening cuticle remover
This powerful cuticle remover by Blue cross is fast-acting in removing cuticles. It’s enriched with lanolin to soothe and moisturize your dry cuticles. The cuticle remover softens your cuticles before dissolving the dead skin on the cuticles.
The cuticle remover eliminates dead skin, and it wipes clean without leaving a yellow stain on the nails or traces behind.
It has a light water consistency, almost like water, but don’t be fooled! Use it sparingly. It works effectively because it’s highly concentrated. It’s easy to use; apply it using a brush or cotton wool, then leave for two or four minutes before washing it away.
4. Elavae Cuticle Remover Gel
Best nail hardening cuticle remover
This instant cuticle remover by gel creme by Elavae comes with a stainless steel cuticle pusher tool. It softens cuticles and removes dead hanging skin around the nails within thirty seconds.
Infused with lemon, the cuticle remover leaves a pleasant citrus scent that is not overpowering. It’s free from lanolin, making it excellent for sensitive skin. It doesn’t cause irritation or allergic reactions.
The dual-ended pusher tool helps you scrape away dead cuticles and push back the soft skin. The thick gel-cream consistency helps to avoid wastage and is gentle on your hands. As a bonus, it acts as a nail hardener.
5. Ejiubas Cuticle Trimmer and Cuticle Pusher
Best manual cuticle remover
This stainless steel cuticle nipper with cuticle pusher is made of medical-grade materials. The 100% stainless steel is rust-resistant, easy to clean, and sturdy. It’s undoubtedly a safe alternative to chemical removers for eliminating cuticles.
The nipper uses a unique spring technology to ensure you don’t lose control while clipping cuticles. It opens and closes easily, making your work easier. It also has a texturized rubber handle for comfort and grip.
The cuticle pusher tool is dual-sided with a sharp end for cutting or scraping away dead cuticles. The flat end pushes the soft cuticles back for a clean look. The jaw head has sharp nipper edges for cutting hangnails and loose skin with precision.
How to Select the Best Cuticle Remover
What do you look for when shopping for a cuticle remover? The wrong cuticle remover can dry your cuticles and make your condition worse if you had cracked cuticles. Below, we’ve listed some of the factors that you can consider in a cuticle remover.
Ingredients
Most liquid cuticle removers contain ingredients that dissolve cuticles in a matter of seconds. Some cuticle removers could have a higher concentration of these ingredients, which might not be suitable for your health and cuticles.
Moisture Addition
The formula in cuticle removers that dissolves cuticles has a drying effect on your skin. So, it would help if you had a cuticle remover that is designed to moisturize as well. Look for removers that are oil-infused or that contain glycerine. Oils hydrate and soften your cuticles.
Cost
You can get cuticle removers to fit your budget but ensure that the price gives you value for your money in terms of quality and amount of remover that you get. The good thing is that you only use a tiny amount at a time so that a small bottle can last you ages.
Most removes range from
Added benefits
Look for a cuticle remover that has added benefits. Besides dissolving dead cuticle tissues and removing hangnails, cuticle removers can nourish your nails and surrounding skin by:
- Hardening nails
- Removing calluses
- Hydrating your nails and skin
- Restoring dry, cracked cuticles or chipping skin around the cuticles
- Removing ingrown nails
Gentle on the skin
Some ingredients used in cuticle removers irritate the skin, especially if you have sensitive skin or experience allergic reactions. Worse, some could be harmful to your health.
You can get natural or hypoallergenic removers that are free from parabens, landline, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and artificial preservatives.
How do you remove cuticles?
There are different methods you can use to remove cuticles. As to which way is the best, it’s open to debate because each technique is effective but has its fair share of limitations.
Liquid or Gel cuticle removers
This method uses liquid or gel-like agents that dissolve cuticles. It’s fast, painless, and effortless. The most common ingredients are sodium hydroxide, glycolic, potassium hydroxide, and lactic.
The gel is applied directly to the cuticles for some four minutes. It dissolves dead tissues and makes the remaining cuticles soft so you can push them back to have clean, neat nails and cuticles ready for a manicure.
However, some of the ingredients used are toxic chemicals to your body.
Cuticle Remover tools
You can remove your cuticles manually using tools designed to remove cuticles. The devices are sharp, and some need a power source.
Some of the tools include cuticle clippers, cuticle pushers, and trimmers.
It’s safe healthwise, considering no chemicals are used, but it’s time-consuming compared to gel removers. You can feel some discomfort, and there is the possibility of injuring yourself. Besides, if not well cleaned and sterilized, it can introduce infection-causing germs to your cuticles and nails.
Cuticle Remover pen
Cuticle pens are shaped like a pen, but they do wonders for your cuticles. They have a tip that helps you gently massage and push back your cuticles for beautiful nails.
They also have oils for softening your cuticles to make the process pain-free and to hydrate your cuticles. They are portable and can be used by both men and women.
It’s much safer than trimming your cuticles and effectively removing the little dry parts that you can’t nip with a clipper.
FAQs
How do you remove stubborn cuticles?
Stubborn cuticles may require more than one method to eliminate them; you can combine softening oils, cuticle remover, and manual tools to remove them. First, you’ll need to soak them in cuticle oils to soften them before applying cuticle removers and finish off with a pusher to push back the remaining parts for a neat finish.
How can you get rid of cuticles without cutting them?
You can use liquid cuticle removers that dissolve the dead cuticles in a minute or two. You don’t have to cut or make any manual effort; apply, wait, then wash your hands.
How often should I push back my cuticles?
The best is to soften your cuticles then gently push them back after a fortnight or once a week.
Bottom Line
The key to beautiful, well-manicured nails is well-cared-for cuticles. Anything short of that results in untidy nails. Cuticle removers can help you maintain your cuticles stress-free. The tips we have given you above will guide you in choosing the best cuticle removers for you.
This article was last updated on February 4, 2022 .