Cuticle Care and Dry Hands: How to Look After Them in Winter
By HER Beauty
Cuticles should be cared for, not cut. They protect the base of the nail from bacteria and dirt, so the best care is daily moisture, gloves for wet work and keeping your fingers off them. In winter your hands need extra rich cream, because cold and dry air pull moisture out of the skin.
What are cuticles and why should you look after them?
The cuticle is the thin skin at the base of the nail, where the nail grows out. It works as a seal between nail and skin, so dirt and bacteria cannot easily reach the area where new nail is formed.
That is why the American Academy of Dermatology advises against removing the cuticle, as doing so can damage the nail. That applies at home and in the salon.
Dry cuticles can crack and fray, and it is tempting to pick or bite them. That is exactly what to avoid. The NHS advises that you do not bite or pick your nails or the skin around them.
How to care for your cuticles at home
Good cuticle care does not take many products. What matters most is doing it often.
Moisturise every day
Massage cuticle oil or a rich hand cream into your cuticles and fingertips, ideally in the evening. The NHS recommends applying hand cream to your nails and fingertips regularly. Soft cuticles fray less and look neater.
Push back gently, if at all
You do not need to push your cuticles back. If you want to, do it after a shower when the skin is soft, and use a soft tool. Never push hard, and never push into the living skin.
Only trim what is fully loose
A small flap of skin that is completely loose can be trimmed carefully with clean scissors. Leave the rest alone. It is tempting to make everything tidy, but every time the skin is opened, bacteria have a way in.
Watch for signs of infection
If the skin next to the nail becomes red, swollen, sore or warm, leave it alone and contact your doctor. That is not something to treat with cuticle oil or a visit to the nail salon.
Dry hands in winter: what helps?
Danish winters are hard on hands. Cold air outside and dry heating inside draw moisture from the skin, and the cuticles are often the first to crack.
The Danish health portal sundhed.dk gives some simple advice for exposed hands. Use a moisturiser with a high fat content and no perfume several times a day, wear gloves for wet work and warm gloves outdoors in winter. Wash your hands in cool or lukewarm water and dry them well.
The American Academy of Dermatology says much the same. Apply moisturiser right after washing your hands, and choose a cream or ointment over a thin lotion, because they add more moisture. A humidifier in the bedroom can also help when the radiators are on.
A few practical habits that make a difference:
- Keep a tube of hand cream by the sink, in your bag and on your desk.
- Wear rubber gloves for washing up and cleaning.
- Give your hands a thick layer of cream or ointment in the evening, and wear cotton gloves overnight if you like.
- Remember the cuticles when you apply cream. They are the first to crack.
If you have cracks or eczema that do not improve despite cream and gloves, talk to your doctor. Sundhed.dk recommends seeing a dermatologist if the eczema is caused by your work or gets worse.
Care between your appointments
If you wear gel polish or gel nails, your cuticles matter just as much. Moisturise them daily so the skin by the nail does not get dry and ragged while the nails grow out. You will find more tips in our guide on how to make gel nails last longer.
Do not use your nails as tools, and do not pick at edges that lift. If a nail breaks, read our advice on a broken nail, or book a Nail Fix (55 DKK, 15 min).
Manicure and pedicure at HER Beauty
A manicure is a good chance to get hands and cuticles in order, but most of the care happens at home between visits.
We offer the Executive Manicure for men, a short 20-minute manicure for 309 DKK. It is for you if you want well-kept hands in little time.
Feet have cuticles too, and heels get dry in winter. Our Classic Pedicure (566 DKK, 45 min) is waterless and includes nail shaping, cuticle care and a gel polish finish. If you want to treat your feet a little more, the Luxury Spa Pedicure (770 DKK, 75 min) includes a foot soak, exfoliation, care for dry skin and cuticles, gel polish and a warm wrap. See all prices on our services page.
Small habits, big difference
Healthy cuticles are mostly about leaving them alone and keeping them moisturised. Wear gloves, apply cream after every hand wash, and keep the scissors in the drawer.
If you would like help caring for your hands or feet, you are welcome at our nail salon in Copenhagen V, Monday to Friday from 8 to 17. Book your appointment here.