How to Make Your Own Cuticle Oil

Co-authored by Marta Nagorska

Last Updated: October 21, 2021

If you want long, healthy nails, caring for your cuticles is an important step. Making sure that the skin that surrounds the edge of your nails is hydrated and protected can lead to faster growing nails. But you don't have to purchase an expensive cuticle cream. You can mix up an effective cuticle oil at home with oils you may already have in your kitchen and essential oils. Whether you want to make a basic oil, a formula for strengthening your nails, or one dedicated specifically to growth, you can whip a cuticle up quickly and easily -- and without spending much money either!

Ingredients

Basic Cuticle Oil

15 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops grapefruit essential oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil
1 teaspoon (5 mL) extra virgin olive oil
Fractionated coconut oil

Nail Strengthening Cuticle Oil

2 tablespoons (30 ml) vitamin E oil
10 drops frankincense essential oil
10 drops myrrh essential
10 drops lemon essential oil

Nail Growth Cuticle Oil

4 ounces (118 ml) olive oil
2 ounces (59 ml) almond oil
4 ounces (118 ml) vitamin E oil
4 ounces (118 ml) fractionated coconut oil
1 medium lemon, juiced

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Mixing Up Basic Cuticle Oil

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1
Clean and dry a small glass bottle. To hold your homemade cuticle oil, you’ll need a small glass bottle that’s approximately the size of a nail polish container. Rinse the bottle out well with water to ensure that it’s clean, and then allow it to dry upside for a couple of hours to ensure there’s no excess moisture inside.^{[1]
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- A bottle with a medicine dropper top is a good option for the oil because it makes it easy to apply a small amount.
- A bottle with a roller ball top also works well for the oil.
2
Combine the lavender oil, eucalyptus, grapefruit, peppermint, and olive oils in the bottle. When the bottle is dry, add 15 drops of lavender essential oil, 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, 10 drops of grapefruit essential oil, 5 drops of peppermint essential oil, and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of extra virgin olive oil to it. Close the bottle and shake gently to mix the oils slightly.^{[2]
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- Lavender essential oil is very moisturizing, but it also has antibacterial properties that can ward off bacteria that might infect the cuticles.
- Eucalyptus, grapefruit, and peppermint essential oils have antifungal properties, so they can help keep your nails healthy.
- Extra virgin olive oil easily penetrates the skin, so it moisturizes and softens cuticles very effectively.
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3
Add enough coconut oil to fill the bottle and shake well to mix. After the essential oils and olive oils are in the bottle, pour enough fractionated coconut oil into the bottle to fill it. Cover the bottle once more, and shake it well to ensure that the oils are all well blended.^{[3]
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- Fractionated coconut oil is a lightweight moisturizer so it softens and conditions the cuticles well.
4
Massage the oil into your cuticles daily. After you’ve mixed up the cuticle oil, apply a small amount around your cuticle and over your nails. Gently rub it in to ensure that it’s properly absorbed.^{[4]
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- For the healthiest cuticles, use the oil twice a day.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Preparing a Nail Strengthening Cuticle Oil

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1
Combine all of the ingredients. Add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vitamin E oil, 10 drops of frankincense essential oil, 10 drops of myrrh essential, and 10 drops of lemon essential oil to a small bowl. Mix the oils together until they’re fully blended.^{[5]
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- Vitamin E oil contains antioxidants that strengthens nails and helps protect them from environmental damage. It’s also very moisturizing so it softens the cuticles.
- Frankincense essential oil is moisturizing and has antifungal properties so it fights fungus that could weaken the nails.
- Myrrh essential oil is highly moisturizing and prevents your cuticles from becoming brittle.
- Lemon essential oil helps to strengthen the nails for healthier growth and conditions the cuticle. It can also have a brightening effect on the nails.
2
Pour the oil into a small bottle. When the oils are fully mixed, carefully transfer it to a small glass bottle. It’s best to use a dark colored bottle because it will keep the essential oils from breaking down.^{[6]
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- A very small kitchen funnel with a diameter of about 2-inches (5-cm) can make pouring the oil into the bottle much easier.
- Look for a bottle with a medicine dropper top so you can apply just a little of the oil at a time.
To use the oil, add a small amount to each nail area. Use your fingers to gently massage the oil into the cuticles and nails to ensure that it’s fully absorbed. For the best results, use the oil at least twice a week.^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Whipping Up a Nail Growth Cuticle Oil

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1
Clean out a nail polish bottle. A glass nail polish bottle is an ideal container for the oil because the attached brush allows for easier application. To clean out an old nail polish container, fill it with nail polish remover and allow it to sit for 30 minutes to an hour to dissolve any polish at the bottom.^{[8]
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- After the polish bottle is clean, dump out the nail polish remover into another container for disposal and bring it to your local hazardous waste facility to get rid of it.
- You can also use a small glass bottle with a medicine dropper or roller ball to hold the oil.
2
Mix all of the oils and lemon juice in a small bowl. Add 4 ounces (118 ml) of olive oil, 2 ounces (59 ml) of almond oil, 4 ounces (118 ml) of vitamin E oil, 4 ounces (118 ml) of fractionated coconut oil, and the juice from a medium lemon to a small bowl. Stir them together well to ensure that they’re fully blended.^{[9]
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- Olive oil has plenty of antioxidants that protect the nails from damage to encourage healthy growth. It also moisturizes and conditions the cuticles.
- Almond oil is moisturizing and conditioning so it prevents brittle and broken nails.
- Vitamin E oil moisturizes the cuticles and protects the nails from damage.
- Fractionated coconut oil is highly moisturizing but also has antibacterial qualities that can prevent germs from slowing nail growth.
- Lemon juice helps strengthen and brighten the nails.
After you’ve mixed the oils together, carefully pour it into the clean nail polish bottle. It’s best to use a small, 2-inch (5-cm) funnel to transfer the oil if you want to avoid spills.^{[10]
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To use the oil, apply a generous dot to the bottom of your nails. Gently massage the oil into your cuticles and nails to ensure that it’s fully absorbed. Use the oil at least once a day to see the best results.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

What is the best oil to use on cuticles?

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist
Marta Nagorska is a Nail Technician and Nail Art Blogger based in London, UK. She runs the blog, Furious Filer, where she gives tutorials on nail care and advanced nail art. She has been practicing nail art for over 5 years and graduated from Northampton College with distinction with a Nail Technician and Manicurist degree in 2017. She has been awarded the top spot in the OPI Nail Art Competition.

Marta Nagorska

Nail Artist

Expert Answer

The best oil for your cuticles is actually a blend of oils. You can make your own blend or buy one. Different oils have different properties and they work together to help penetrate deeper into your nails to nourish them.

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Can I use olive oil?

Community Answer

Yes! You can also use coconut oil.

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Will lemon juice spoil when it is kept outside?

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You should keep it in a cool, dry place for the best chance of it not spoiling.

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For cuticle cream, you can add a few drops of your homemade cuticle oil to your favorite hand lotion.

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Warnings

Test a small amount on the back of your hand to see if you are allergic to it. If irritation occurs, discontinue use.

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Don't let any of the oils drip onto your clothing as oily stains are difficult to remove.

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Don't leave in sunlight as the light will kill many of the oils’ natural properties.

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