The 14 Best Cuticle Oils Reviewers Swear by for Stronger, Softer Nails

If you’ve noticed your nails have been a little more dry and ragged than normal lately, you’re not alone — between all that hand washing and professional nail salons being closed, our nails are taking a hit. This means we need to do a little more care on our end to ensure our nails stay healthy. Fortunately, it's easy to achieve soft, hydrated nails at home with the help of cuticle oil. 

“Cuticle oils are more hydrating than hand creams,” nail technician and Hand & Nail Harmony educator Melisa Bruce tells InStyle. “They absorb better and stimulate nail growth. They also act as a protectant for freshly painted nails to prevent any scuffs, along with a quicker dry time and longevity for your manicure.” And if you're a nervous nail biter, the right cuticle oil can quickly heal your skin and even help you break the habit for good. 

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Now that you know why cuticle oil is an essential addition to your nail care routine, it's time to pick the perfect one. "Look for hydrating ingredients such as sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, vitamin E, safflower oil, and jojoba oil," Bruce advises. We scoured customer reviews across the internet and rounded up 14 top-rated options that shoppers can’t get enough of. 

• Best-Selling: Cuccio Milk and Honey Revitalizing Oil
• Best Natural: Tenoverten Rose Oil
• Best Deep Conditioning: Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream
• Best for Strengthening: CND SolarOil
• Best Pen: The Body Shop Almond Nail & Cuticle Oil
• Best Scented: Maccibelle Cuticle Oil
• Best Roll-On: French Girl Nail & Cuticle Oil
• Best Drugstore: Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil
• Most Luxurious: Blossom Scented Cuticle Oil
• Best Fast-Absorbing: Ella+Mila Oil Me Up Cuticle Oil
• Best for Damaged Cuticles: Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail and Cuticle Oil
• Best Softening: Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Oil
• Best Lightweight: Olive & June Cuticle Serum
• Best for Nail Biters: OPI Nail and Cuticle Oil

Nail oil can be applied as often as you’d like since there's really no such thing as too much hydration for dry fingers and nailbeds (especially right now). Many people like to leave a bottle in their purse or car so they can moisturize on the go. But one of the best times to apply cuticle oil is during your nighttime self-care regimen right before bed — since you won't be using your hands while you're sleeping, the oil has adequate time to soak in and work its magic.

But to really get the most of your cuticle oil, Bruce suggests massaging it into your skin to maximize its absorption and encourage growth. "Think of it as your daily skincare routine for your nails," she says. "Apply a small drop daily onto your cuticle area morning and night — a small drop will go a long way. I would recommend it especially after you wash your hands or use hand sanitizer since those can be drying to your cuticles."

Keep reading to learn more about each of these customer-loved nail treatments. 

If you're stuck on which nail oil to buy, you could listen to the more than 78,800 customers who gave this revitalizing oil a perfect five-star rating on Amazon. The number one best-selling cuticle oil on Amazon, this option is formulated with natural ingredients like honey, which soothes and moisturizes, and lactic acid from milk, which helps to stimulate and refresh the skin around your nails. The best-selling formula is available in a variety of scents, including lavender and chamomile, citrus and wild berry, and mango and bergamot, as well as a fragrance-free option if that’s more your vibe. 

Many reviewers claimed it helped their nails grow faster. "My nails still couldn’t grow past a certain point without splitting or breaking. I purchased this cuticle oil three weeks ago and my nails have grown longer." one person wrote. "No splitting, no breaking, and I use my hands all day every day. The bottle is huge! It will definitely last me a long time even though I apply several times a day."

Shop now: $12 (Originally $14); amazon.com

It's important to know what's going into and on your body, and this nail oil is for everyone who's passionate about that. The non-toxic, vegan, and paraben-free formula uses a blend of natural oils to hydrate, strengthen, and heal damaged nails or nail beds. and the reviews for the product are stellar. The lightly rose-scented oil is conveniently packaged into a rollerball tip for easy application, and currently has an impressive 4.7-star rating from Target shoppers. 

“You need this especially right now going into winter,” urged one reviewer. “It has not even been a full week of purchasing and my cuticles look excellent.” Another wrote, “This saved my cuticles this winter. I’m a guitar player and so my hands are worked hard — I put this oil on every night and it's completely improved my nail bed!”

Shop now: $26; target.com

Extremely dry and jagged cuticles have met their match. This balm-to-oil product blankets the skin in nourishing moisture courtesy of its vitamin E and sunflower oil-rich formula. These ingredients instantly soothe and repair damaged cuticles while ​​sweet almond oil and cocoa seed butter work together to soften. It’s also the most affordable option on this list, costing just $6 for a .6-ounce tin that’ll last you for a while. Plus, it has a refreshing lemony scent, and the small, flat tin jar is easy to throw in your bag and use anytime, anywhere. 

“My fingers were red, peeling, and hurt so bad,” a Target shopper described. “My sister gave me some of this and it instantly stopped the pain and the redness soon followed. The peeling has stopped as well. This works instantly. I really love this.” 

Shop now: $6–$7; walgreens.com or target.com

Not only does this oil condition your nails and soften your cuticles, it also acts as a nail strengthener thanks to the combination of vitamin E, jojoba oil, and almond oil (which gives it the delightful delightful scent). According to the brand, the deeply penetrating and fast-absorbing formula also helps nails hold color and enhancements better, which is great if you’re someone that loves sporting acrylic nails. More than 1,400 Amazon customers left a positive review for this all-in-one nail treatment; many people said their nails really did get stronger after incorporating the oil into their routine.

"I had peeling, weak nails for years. Tried everything," one Amazon buyer wrote. "I bought [this] in February. This size bottle lasted a bit more than a month religiously applying it two to three times a day. I was really seeing great improvement so I bought another bottle in late March. By May, all the peeling had grown out and my nails were getting stronger every day.” 

Shop now: $9–$41; amazon.com or ulta.com

This slim cuticle oil pen can fit in just about any bag for on-the-go nail conditioning. It has a brush tip for precision application and an easy-to-use twist-up mechanism that allows you to dispense more oil. The cap even has a cuticle pusher on it, making it easier (and quicker!) than ever to give yourself a mini manicure at home. Plus, the combination of shea butter and almond oil in the formula softens and moisturizes cuticles and nail beds in no time. 

Amazon reviewers praised the sweet almond smell and the mess-free brush-on applicator. "Love the dispenser. Keeps the product exactly where you want it, and doesn’t waste it,” said one shopper. Another wrote: “Such an easy way to apply almond oil to cuticles and nails. Everybody in my family loves this product and my daughter said her nails were in the best shape ever due to using this product every night. It smells great and there is no mess ever.”

Shop now: $12; amazon.com or thebodyshop.com

This healing cuticle oil from Maccibelle comes in three exquisite scents: milk and honey, pomegranate, and tea tree lavender. But according to the brand, the scent is subtle and light, so it won't overwhelm your senses (even if you’re extra sensitive to fragrances). Along with softening and healing dry or cracked cuticles with vitamin E, this oil can also help protect nails from future damage. 

More than 4,400 shoppers gave this cuticle oil a five-star rating on Amazon, with many dubbing it “the best cuticle oil.” One wrote, “I am a big cuticle picker. It’s been such a bad habit lately to the point where I’m making myself bleed and drying my cuticles. So I looked for an oil to soothe and hydrate and came across this oil. I love it. First thing that stood out was the scent. It smells AH-MAZING! After application, I noticed it’s very absorbing as well. My nails and cuticles look so much shinier. It immediately hydrated and just after a few uses it completely changed my nails.” 

The lavender scent, in particular, is a great choice if you apply your cuticle oil before bed. Lavender is known to promote relaxation, so this option would make the perfect addition to your nighttime routine as you unwind before bed. 

Shop now: $7–$15; amazon.com

The best roll-on option, this fan-favorite oil from French Girl Organic uses a blend of delicious-smelling, natural ingredients to completely revitalize your cuticles with a foolproof application. A quick breakdown of the nourishing formula shows argan and pomegranate oil provide for extra moisture, rosemary and rose geranium essential oils to promote nail growth, and hemp seed oil for its healing benefits. Even better is that the roller ball applicator means it’s virtually impossible to spill, easy to use, and compact enough to throw in your bag and take anywhere. 

“This cuticle oil is another level of cuticle oil,” one Amazon customer exclaimed. “I have really dry cuticles and dry hands that it even cuts itself from dryness, but this little bottle of elixir gives my cuticle a new life! [The] oil penetrates to your cuticle area real quick and makes [it] soft and moist. I put this oil [on] and give [it] a little massage. Your cuticle doesn't look dead and dry anymore.”

Shop now: $22–$24; amazon.com, revolve.com, or madewell.com

It should come as no surprise that cult-favorite nail polish brand Essie also creates some top-notch nail care treatments, like this $9 cuticle oil. For one, it has a fresh apricot scent that's unique compared to the many almond- or flower-scented products out there. It's also designed to absorb into the nail beds quickly for maximum hydration. 

“I've used this oil for several weeks and have noticed a big change in my cuticles and nails,” one Ulta shopper wrote. “My cuticles are no longer dry and cracked; my nails seem to be stronger as they are not breaking as often.” 

Shop now: $9; ulta.com or amazon.com

Infused with real flowers, this luxe cuticle oil from Blossom is so gorgeous, you'll want to display the bottle right on your counter for all to see. There are 12 scents to choose from — ranging from apple blossom to honeysuckle to hibiscus — and each with a different array of colorful flowers floating in the bottle. The oil isn't just for show, though. Many shoppers say it does a great job of softening and repairing dry, cracked cuticles.

“I love the scent and aesthetics of this cuticle oil,” raved a reviewer. “The oil is hydrating and thin, [and] it doesn’t leave a heavy residue behind. I apply [it] every morning and massage [it] into my cuticles, I no longer experience peeling or redness.”

Shop now: $7; amazon.com

We use our hands all the time, so it's helpful to find a cuticle oil that doesn’t require you to wait around for it to soak in. This vegan treatment from Ella+Mila absorbs quickly so you can get back to your life without accidentally leaving oil stains on everything you touch. Formulated with sweet almond, sunflower, argan, and other essential oils, it works to hydrate and revitalize damaged cuticles while also strengthening weak nails. 

“I hated oils for a long time because I kept getting ones that didn't soak into my skin and would just make me feel greasy or would dry out my skin so badly,” an Ulta customer explained in their review. “This one soaks in really quickly and actually moisturizes the skin around my nails that my lotions don't work super well on.” Another noted, “I've noticed a huge difference in my nails. It really helps to moisturize them and stop breakage.” 

Shop now: $11; amazon.com or ulta.com

Overworked and parched cuticles need the healing powers of this vitamin E-rich oil. The intensely hydrating formula caters to damaged cuticles and brittle nails using a nourishing and soothing blend of softening apricot kernel and moisturizing aloe, which also boasts antiseptic properties. Panthenol strengthens the cuticles and nails, while wheat germ reduces redness and promotes healthier overall-looking skin. 

“Love, love, love this product,” one Amazon shopper shared. “The skin around my nails was cracked and bleeding from dryness. I applied this cuticle oil and two days later, they were normal looking again.” Another reviewer added, “My nails have been dry and brittle and break easily for years… I've been using this for two weeks and my nails are long, super strong, smooth, and the rough cuticles are gone!”

Shop now: $6; amazon.com or ulta.com

Coconut oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E work in harmony to instantly soften rough, dry cuticles in this ultra-hydrating nail oil, which absorbs into the skin deeply for maximum efficacy. It envelopes the cuticles in rich, lasting moisture without leaving a greasy residue behind. According to the brand, the formula is best used as a preventative treatment for split-prone cuticles and brittle nails. While the Deborah Lippman Cuticle Oil is thicker than its counterparts, reviewers assure that it “soaks in pretty quickly and doesn’t leave [their] fingers oily.”

“This stuff is fabulous,” one Nordstrom shopper said. “I've had issues with really dry cuticles and it's completely eliminated them after using for just one week.” Another shared, “My nails are no longer splitting. I swear it is due to using the cuticle oil twice a day.”

Shop now: $20; amazon.com, sephora.com, or nordstrom.com

If greasy nail care products are a total no-go for you, then the lightweight formula of Olive & June’s Cuticle Serum should be on your radar. Designed for fast absorption, the serum-based cuticle oil instantly hydrates the skin using a blend of nutrient-rich oils like jojoba, sunflower, and avocado. Peppermint and spearmint extracts soothe irritation and reduce redness, helping you achieve salon-quality cuticles with every application. Plus, it’s great for promoting nail growth and comes in a convenient travel-friendly pen applicator. 

“I love this cuticle serum, it’s amazing,” a Target reviewer said. “It’s not oily. It dries super fast in the skin and Olive & June is the best. It’s super hydrating as well.” Another buyer added, “So pleased with the results of the serum! [I saw] a noticeable difference in a day.” 

Shop now: $20–$30; oliveandjune.com or target.com

Dry cuticles are easy targets for nail biters, and the OPI Nail and Cuticle Oil moisturizes and softens the skin with a nourishing combination of grape seed, sesame, kukui, sunflower, and cupuaçu oils. The formula is renowned for its protective, soothing, and anti-aging benefits, but for several Amazon shoppers, this cuticle oil helped curb the urge to bite or pick at their nails. 

One wrote, “I credit this with helping me quit biting my nails. Helps me focus my nervous energy [away from] my nails.” Another shared that the formula “really keeps moisture in the cuticles so they don't split that often. I tend to chew on the cuticles if they get dry and damaged, so this is a must for my daily life.” 

Shop now: $17; amazon.com or ulta.com