The best DIY cuticle oil ever

Taking care of our nails should be a part of our daily routine for the hygiene and health of our hands, so to make that a reality, we have a super easy DIY cuticle oil that you can make with just 5 common botanical oils.

First, let’s take a look at what we mean by nails, cuticles and the nail bed to understand the best natural ingredients to nourish and nourish our nails.

Why is nail care important?

Nail care is essential for everyone as it contributes to our overall appearance, as many of us see well-manicured nails as a form of self-expression and a way to enhance our overall style. However, our daily activities along with our lifestyle, hobbies and occupation tend to determine the quality of our nails as much as our genotype or diet.

Although nail care has been overshadowed by skin care for many years, it has seen a resurgence especially during and after the Covid years, in which we had to DIY our nail care when nail salons closed and the hairdressers.

We should all be encouraged to change our perception of our nails and hands and pay more attention to them whether we are fans of nail polishes and nail salons or not. Check out our podcast on some safety issues related to gel manicures, where we shed light on the vulnerability of our hand and nail skin.

Episode 165: Revolutionizing the nail industry – the mission of MANISAFE (gloves to protect hands from UV lamps and other stressors during gel manicures)

An important part of nail care is keeping the nails in good condition. Thanks to the use of different types of cosmetic products, including cleansers, moisturizers, masks and oils, we can improve nail strength, enhance nail growth and make them clean, flexible, hydrated, brittle and shiny.

Since the main material of the nail plate, keratin, is the same as that found in our hair, the ingredients used in nail care are similar to those found in hair care products. Commercial products often contain emollients, moisturizers, emollients or ingredients (hydrolyzed proteins) that restore the healthy appearance of weak, brittle nails.

Anatomy of our nails

Let’s take a closer look at nail anatomy first:

Nail matrix – this is the base of the nail where new nail plate cells are produced. This section contains nerves along with lymph and blood vessels. It plays a decisive role in determining the shape and thickness of the nail. As the new plaque cells are produced, they push the older ones forward, making them compressed and transparent. This is the basic mechanism of how the nail plate is produced (how the nail grows).

Nail plate – this is what we usually call a nail and what we usually think of when we talk about nails. It is the visible, hard area from the root of the nail to the free tip. This part is made of many layers of keratin protein and is very flexible and transparent. It is firmly attached to the underlying tissue, which is called the nail matrix (closer to the base) or nail bed (closer to the tip). The nail plate itself does not contain blood vessels or nerve endings.

Epidermis (epidermal fold) – this is the thin, transparent layer of skin that extends from the edge of the nail plate over the base of the nail. It acts as a protective barrier, sealing the space between the nail plate and the surrounding skin.

Happy – this is a small fold of skin at the very base of the nail. It forms a protective covering over the matrix, which is the area of ​​the nail bed where nail cells are produced. The cuticle helps prevent bacteria and debris from entering the uterus and potentially causing infections. Both the cuticle and the cuticle are the areas we target when we talk about cuticle oils or nail treatments. Cuticle and cuticle tend to be confused, although they have different roles in nail physiology.

Subungual – There is one more important area to mention. The cuticle is the area of ​​skin under the free edge of the nail. The cuticle helps seal the area under the nail, preventing foreign material from entering, and also provides some protection to the nail bed.

What is skin oil?

Cuticle oils are the most popular nail care treatments. They are moisturizing products usually derived from plant oils, plant extracts, vitamins and certain aromatherapeutic compounds such as essential oils. Cuticle oils are often used as the last step after a manicure/pedicure, but can be used at any time of the day to keep nails smooth, shiny and well-groomed.

Since oils are highly occlusive, they provide moisturizing and indirect moisturizing properties and greatly improve the health and longevity of nails and cuticles. They can be applied directly to the nail plate and cuticle and gently massage for about a minute. Regular nail treatment can provide long-term benefits to the quality and visual appearance of the nail and surrounding skin.

Ingredients in our DIY Nail Cuticle Oil

Hemp seed oil – rich in fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6, which are essential for maintaining skin moisture, hemp seed oil has emollient properties to prevent water loss from the skin. This makes it an effective natural treatment for dry skin and nails.

castor oil – Consisting mainly of ricinoleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, castor oil is suitable for treating certain skin and nail conditions.

Grape seed oil – known for its light and non-greasy texture, absorbs quickly.

Tocopherol (Vitamin E) – this antioxidant helps protect and extend the life of oil components prone to oxidation.

Calendula flower extract – known for its anti-inflammatory properties, calendula flower extract is beneficial in soothing irritated and inflamed skin. It can be used in formulations to soothe redness and reduce skin sensitivity. Its natural compounds make it suitable for products designed to support skin repair.

Blue tansy essential oil – this essential oil is rich in hamazulene, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This makes the oil valuable for soothing irritated or inflamed skin.

Our composition: The best DIY oil for the cuticle of the nails

It does: suggested test batch size: approx. 100 gr
Wording: primarily a cold process formulation (an oil requires gentle heating).
Time Required: 10 minutes.
Level: entry-level composition for personalization and customization.

Equipment:

• Libra
• Stainless steel bowl
• Stainless steel spoons
• Glass rods
• Protective gloves
• Suitable container (e.g. dropper with pipette)

Composition tips

This is a simple oil-based formula that contains traditional, yet highly effective ingredients. You can make your own choice of oil-based ingredients or lubricants if you want to customize this formula. When compounding with natural vegetable oils that are prone to oxidation, always use an antioxidant. You can use tocopherol or rosemary extract to prevent oxidation. Since this is a water-free formula, there is no need to add a preservative.

Recommended suppliers

Many of the suppliers below ship internationally. We indicate their country or regional base.
Aromatazone (EU).
Aromatics (UK)
Alexmo Cosmetics (EU)
Manske (EU)
Soap (UK)
Elementary (EU)
Lotioncrafter (USA)
Essential Wholesale (USA)
Go Native (New Zealand)
Naturally Balmy (UK)
O&3 – The Oil Family (UK, EU)
Soap & More (Canada)

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Miroslava is a grading teacher at Formula Botanica. She has a PhD in neuroscience, majors in biology and chemistry, and a lifelong passion for natural cosmetics formulation.