If your nail cuticles are not well moisturised, they can become prone to splitting or breaking, leaving your finger beds open to infection. Many cuticle creams available in-store are mixed with harsh synthetic chemicals meant to “dissolve” the nail cuticle. Instead, here is how to make your very own homemade natural nail cuticle cream to help promote healthier, stronger nails.
Healthy nails were something I took for granted until I started developing issues like white marks (indicating a zinc deficiency), a yellow tinge, and proneness to breakage from weak and brittle nails.
Almost any nutritional deficiency can affect the growth of nails in some way.
Scientists can tell if someone has high levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in their body, or even diabetes, by reading fingernails. Brittle nails can even be a sign of hypothyroidism, and 50 percent of people suffering with psoriasis have nail issues connected with skin inflammation.
Nails will absorb whatever is put on them, so using a toxic nail polish can cause the top layer of the nail to dry out, welcoming bacteria, yeast, and mould underneath fingernails. Manicures, nail polish remover, or too much nail polish can also lead to brittle nails.
To protect nails, Wellness Mama recommends using a A homemade hand sanitiser as ‘alcohol-based hand sanitisers dry out the hands, as does chlorine from swimming pools.’ She also shares how ‘frequent hand-washing helps prevent the spread of pathogens, but it also dries out hands. Be sure to use lotion after washing hands. Gloves can be worn while doing the dishes or cleaning. This keeps hands dry to prevent nails getting soft and tearing.’
The change of seasons can also take its toll on nails, particularly dry winters, so applying a cuticle cream religiously during this time can really help combat this.
Using a glass nail file instead of an emery board (as it’s gentler on nails), cutting nails after showering (when they’re softer and less likely to break), avoiding artificial nails (to allow the nails to “breathe”), avoiding wearing nail polish for extended periods of time, using a a natural nail polish remover without acetone, and opting for a non-toxic nail polish (to avoid the most harmful chemicals) are some other tips Katie Wells shares.
One of the most common causes of yellow nails is from fungal infections. Essential oils like orange, patchouli, geranium, and peppermint essential oil have been found to work well in fighting bacteria and fungi.
Lavender and tea tree both contain strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, if nails become worse, consult with your health practitioner.
Protein is a necessary nutrient for nails as they’re primarily made up of keratin, but some other essential nutrients needed by nails include:
- Zinc. White marks on nails can either be a sign that you knocked them a few weeks back, or that you may have a zinc deficiency
- Iron
- Collagen
- Biotin. As well as other B vitamins
- Silica
- Vitamin C
- Magnesium
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Calcium. Particularly when paired with vitamin K2
- Vitamin A
Homemade Natural Nail Cuticle Cream
Cuticles are actually a part of the skin that helps protect the nail bed from infection and damage. In fact, nails are made up of the same stuff that makes up your hair; keratin.
This nail cuticle cream uses:
- Coconut oil: Which offers antibacterial and moisturising properties.
- Sweet almond oil: Rich in vitamin E, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and helps retain moisture.
- Jojoba oil: More of a wax than an oil, it mimics the skin’s natural sebum (oil) that protects the skin and promotes acid mantle production on skin; which protects against harmful bacteria.
- Vitamin E oil: Improves nail growth and promotes healthy nail colour.
- Lavender essential oil: Very healing for the skin due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
- Citrus essential oil: Helps to soften the cuticle and promote nutrients from other oils to be absorbed by the skin better.
- Myrrh essential oil: Great for preventing fungal infection.
Before we get started in learning how to make this nail cuticle cream, if you like what you‘re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!
How to Make a Nourishing Nail Cuticle Cream
A nourishing nail cuticle cream to help strengthen nails and promote nail growth.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp organic beeswax
- 1 1/2 tbsp organic shea butter
- 1/2 tsp organic almond oil or coconut oil
- 1/4 tsp jojoba oil
- 5 drops vitamin E oil
- 8 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
- 2 drops myrrh essential oil
- 3 drops tea tree essential oil
To make:
- Fill a saucepan halfway with water. Bring the water to a boil, then perch a heat-proof glass bowl on top of the saucepan to make a double boiler.
- Combine the coconut oil, jojoba oil, shea butter and beeswax together in the bowl, stirring occasionally until the wax has completely melted.
- Remove the bowl from heat and add in the vitamin E oil, lavender, lemon, myrrh and tea tree essential oils, stirring to combine.
- Immediately transfer the mixture to a small container or glass jar and let it cool at room temperature until firm.
To use:
- A little goes a long way so you only need a pea-size drop to cover both hands.
- Massage the cuticle cream into the nails, cuticles, and skin surrounding the nail. Apply it over polish or onto bare nails.
As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post.
Do you have healthy, strong nails? What are some of your nail care tips? Share in the comments below.
Lots of love,
?Vanessa
