Dry, peeling cuticles don’t look great, and sometimes they can hurt and bleed, but they’re not that big of a deal, right?
That’s true most of the time, but in some cases, dry and peeling cuticles may indicate an underlying health concern.
In this post, we explain why caring for your cuticles is so important, not only for aesthetic reasons but for health ones too.
Dry, Peeling Cuticles: Why It’s Important to Take Care of Them
Well-groomed cuticles make your nails look nicer, creating a polished and healthy appearance. Neglected cuticles, on the other hand, not only look dry and ragged but can lead to an uneven nail bed, even if your nails are perfectly manicured.
Dry and peeling cuticles can also hurt your nails. Here’s how:
Infection Risk
When cuticles are dry and peeling, they can create openings for bacteria and fungi, leading to infections that can affect the nail bed and overall nail health. This is particularly true on your hands, which are exposed to a lot of germs every day. If you’re running around barefoot, dry and peeling cuticles on your toes may also lead to infections.
Weak Nail Structure
Healthy cuticles can protect the nail right where new growth occurs, but damaged cuticles compromise the protective barrier, potentially leading to weaker nails that split or break more easily.
Hangnails
You know what these feel like. Ouch! Dry cuticles often lead to hangnails, which are painful and can lead to inflammation and infection around the nail area.
Nail Growth Issues
Poorly maintained cuticles can disrupt the natural growth of nails, leading to irregular shapes and uneven surfaces.
Pain and Discomfort
Inflammation and irritation from dry cuticles can make it uncomfortable to use your hands, making everyday tasks painful.
Dry and Peeling Cuticles: A Health Warning?
In some cases, dry and peeling cuticles may be a sign that something else going on with your health. Here are some possibilities.
Dehydration
If you’re not drinking enough water throughout the day, your cuticles can dry out and start to peel. Even mild dehydration can start the process.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Lack of some essential vitamins and minerals—particularly biotin, vitamin E, and zinc—can affect nail and cuticle health. If you’re regularly caring for your cuticles but they’re still dry and peeling, checking with a doctor might be a good idea.
Health Conditions
Skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis can cause cuticles to dry out and peel more quickly than usual. Other health conditions like thyroid issues and autoimmune diseases may also have dry and peeling cuticles as a symptom.
Dry and Peeling Cuticles: What Causes Them?
Outside of the issues noted above that can cause dry and peeling cuticles, most often they are caused by the following:
Dehydration
As noted above, if you’re not drinking enough water during the day to hydrate the skin and cuticles from the inside out, they may dry up.
Environmental Factors
Exposure to harsh weather, such as cold air, wind, or low humidity, can strip moisture from the skin and cuticles.
Frequent Hand Washing
Frequently washing with soap and water or hand sanitizer can strip moisture from the skin. Without putting that moisture back, you may end up with dry cuticles.
Harsh Chemicals
Prolonged contact with cleaning products, detergents, and some nail care products can irritate and dry out the cuticles.
Nutritional Deficiencies
As noted above, a lack of certain essential nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and E, biotin, and omega-3 fatty acids can impact skin and nail health.
Skin Conditions
Conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and fungal infections can affect cuticle health and cause dryness and peeling.
Nail Biting or Picking
These habits can damage cuticles and lead to inflammation or infections.
Hormonal Changes
Fluctuations in hormones, particularly during pregnancy or menopause, can affect skin moisture levels.
Dry and Peeling Cuticles: How to Prevent and Treat Them
Taking the time to care for your cuticles not only makes them look and feel better—it also helps promote a strong nail matrix, which in turn, supports healthy nail growth. Soft, intact cuticles minimize the chances of cracks around the nails, thereby reducing the risk of infection. They’re also less likely to cause painful hangnails.
Ultimately, taking care of your cuticles maintains the health of your hands overall, reducing issues like chapping or dermatitis. To keep your cuticles looking and feeling their best, follow these tips.
1. Hydrate Regularly
Drink water throughout the day for overall skin hydration. Aim for at least eight glasses a day to keep your skin soft and bouncy from the inside out.
2. Moisturize Your Cuticles
This is a step we often miss when taking care of our hands. We moisturize our hands, but we don’t focus on the cuticles. Regular hand cream may not penetrate deeply enough to nourish the cuticles, specifically. Using a dedicated product on the cuticles only can provide more concentrated moisture and nutrients.
Try our dermatologist recommended, multi-tasking Restorative Skin Balm to prevent dry cuticles and soften them if they are already dry. The balm serves as a protective barrier, helping to prevent bacteria from entering the nail base while calming inflammation. It helps lock in moisture, plus it’s packed with nourishing and healing ingredients. Apply it morning and night to the cuticle area to keep them soft and pliable.
3. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Limit exposure to harsh soaps, detergents, and nail products that can strip the skin of its natural oils. Use gloves when cleaning or doing the dishes to protect your hands, and always apply our Restorative Skin Balm after a manicure to help your cuticles recover. You can feel good knowing that this balm is 100% free of any harmful ingredients.
4. Practice Good Nail Hygiene
Regularly trim and tidy up your cuticles, but avoid cutting them too deeply, as that can lead to bleeding and infections. Soak your hands in warm water, then gently push the cuticles back using a cuticle stick. Trim away any excess.
Tip: You can also apply a little Restorative Skin Balm to soften the cuticles, making it easier to push them back.
5. Exfoliate
Just as you would regularly exfoliate your face, gentle exfoliation of your hands and cuticles can help remove dead skin cells and prevent drying. Use a sugar scrub or a soft brush to keep cuticles smooth.
6. Eat a Balanced Diet
Incorporate foods rich in biotin (like eggs and nuts), vitamin E (like avocados and seeds), and omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish and flaxseeds) to nourish your skin from within.
7. Limit Hot Showers and Baths
Hot water feels great, but it quickly strips your skin of moisture. Opt for lukewarm water most of the time, and try to limit long soaks.
8. Consider Using a Humidifier
If you live in a dry climate, having a humidifier in your room can help add moisture to the air, making it less likely that you’ll wake up with dry skin and cuticles.
9. Try a DIY Cuticle Soak
If your cuticles need extra care, try creating a soothing soak using warm water mixed with a few drops of olive oil and a tablespoon of honey. Soak your fingertips (or toes) for about 10-15 minutes. This treatment helps hydrate and soften cuticles while the honey provides antibacterial properties. After soaking, gently push back your cuticles and apply Restorative Skin Balm for added moisture and production.
10. Do an Overnight Treatment
To speed recovery for dry, peeling cuticles, apply olive or coconut oil directly to them. Let that soak for 1-2 minutes, then apply our Restorative Skin Balm. Put on soft cotton gloves (or socks), then go to bed and let your cuticles heal overnight. You’ll be delighted to wake up to softer, healthier cuticles, hands and feet.
Do you struggle with dry, peeling cuticles?
Featured image by Tristan Perrier via Pexels.
